Sep 18, 2017
EXTENDED EPISODE - Mike Goodwin talks about racism with
Peaches and me!
*Spoiler Alert*
Mike is a black guy.
Mike's on the phone so we get some of the audio weirdness that
makes this podcast so beloved. It's the glitches that remind you
we're humans, and amateurs, Pkarlgh.
I've known Mike for quite awhile. We can't remember exactly
how long so we estimate.
I start by trying to pay Mike a compliment that is actually
sort of an insult.
A few weeks ago I thought it would be a good idea to do an
uncontroversial show so I picked the subject of racism. I called
Mike and he agreed to be on the podcast!
First, with much anxiety, I assume Mike is a black guy. It
turns out, I'm right.
It seems black and African American used to be the same thing.
Mike gives his perspective on people who 'don't see color'.
Perhaps we need a better definition of 'black' to
get a conversation going. People maybe would rather be polite than
accurate. And perhaps our attempt to avoid racism results in the
most racist statements.
As the podcast continues and we discuss privilege, the
military, Christianity, and comedy. (Eventually, the Peaches says
stuff.)
Mike tells white people 'what to do'. Finally, we have some
directions! He also has some excellent advice for people no
matter what color they happen to be.
McGruff the Crime Dog had a different impact on Mike than he
did on me. Grade school visits created conversations in his house
that I never had.
(The phone rings and scare the daylights out of EVERYONE.
Then, somebody starts and engine outside my house or a vacuum or
something. We need a soundproof studio but we'll never have
one.)
Some discussion of the Civil War happens next and we float
some uncomfortable theories. I blame the Peaches for the
awkwardness.
We may do a comedy show about racism. What should that look
like? Mike answers with sympathy for white guys...believe it
or not.
Peaches asks me about pitfalls of the potential comedy show.
She links racism to feminism and the accusations that she is
barefoot and pregnant all the time. (Barefoot not as much but she
has been pregnant a lot...)
We decided that we probably won't eliminate racism entirely.
Probably...
Mike has a doctor appointment so we wrap up. Mike mentions
that 'Peaches' is a stripper name. He's not wrong but that's not
why I call her that.