Scott Snibbe
Scott Snibbe, Dr. Jan Willis
Be Willing to Get Woke - Interview with Dr. Jan Willis
Be Willing to Get Woke - Interview with Dr. Jan Willis
Be Willing to Get Woke - Interview with Dr. Jan Willis
Tuesday 15th September 2020
Dr. Jan Willis discusses her journey from confronting racism in Alabama to using Tibetan Buddhism to fight systemic racism today.
38 minutes
Inspiring
Empowering
Informative
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Compassionate
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Get the buttons here!Dr. Jan Willis on Buddhism and Battling Racism: A Journey of Compassion
Better to love these folk you're with and let love fuel the struggle.
Dr. Jan Willis has lived a life marked by remarkable experiences and profound insights. In this episode of 'A Skeptic's Path to Enlightenment', she opens up about her journey from facing racism in Birmingham, Alabama, to becoming a pioneering scholar in Tibetan Buddhism. Imagine growing up in the thick of racial tension, marching alongside Dr. Martin Luther King in 1963, and later encountering the Black Panthers. Dr.
Willis did all this and more, and she brings these powerful stories to light with heartfelt honesty. But her story doesn't stop there. Dr. Willis was one of the first Westerners to immerse herself in Tibetan Buddhism, meeting Tibetan Buddhists in India and Nepal at just nineteen. Her academic journey took her through prestigious institutions like Cornell and Columbia Universities, where she earned degrees in Philosophy and Buddhist Studies.
She has since taught at UC Santa Cruz, the University of Virginia, and Wesleyan University, leaving a lasting impact on countless students. Now in retirement, Dr. Willis continues to teach part-time at Agnes Scott College and leads workshops that explore race and racism through a Buddhist lens. She passionately discusses how her Buddhist practice informs her fight against systemic racism and Anti-Blackness today.
Her latest book, 'Dharma Matters: Women, Race', is a compelling collection of essays that delve into these very issues. This episode isn't just about recounting past events; it's about understanding how compassion and love can be powerful tools for social justice. Dr. Willis's insights offer a fresh perspective on making Buddhism more inclusive in America. Whether you're interested in Buddhism, social justice, or simply looking for an inspiring story, this episode has something for everyone.