Wellness or White Supremacy? Unmasking Harmful Cultures with Tatum Fjerstad
Part of the harm of white supremacy is that it doesn't acknowledge that we can be both, like white supremacy doesn't want to acknowledge the ways that it causes harm.
Ever wondered if your wellness routine might be hiding something more sinister? In this eye-opening episode of 'A Stripper's Guide', hosts Leilah Feinstein and Erica Sosa team up with guest Tatum Fjerstad to tackle the unsettling intersection of white supremacy and wellness culture. Both Leilah and Tatum share their personal experiences as white cis women navigating abusive, white-dominated wellness communities.
They candidly discuss how these environments can cause harm and perpetuate systemic oppression, all while wearing the mask of health and spirituality. Tatum opens up about her own missteps, including a stint in a network marketing pyramid scheme, which led her to question the true intentions behind many so-called wellness initiatives. The trio dives deep into the ways MLMs and cult-like systems exploit vulnerabilities, often leaving mental health and survivorship in their wake.
This episode doesn't just stop at exposing the problems; it also emphasizes the importance of accountability and creating safe spaces. Leilah's powerful statement, 'Part of the harm of white supremacy is that it doesn't acknowledge that we can be both,' encapsulates the core message: recognizing and deconstructing abusive patterns is crucial for genuine equity and liberation.
Whether you're part of a wellness community or simply curious about how systemic oppressions infiltrate everyday life, this episode offers a raw, thought-provoking discussion that encourages listeners to reflect on their own experiences and take actionable steps towards creating safer, more inclusive spaces.