This week's episode is the second part of my discussion with Rosie Yeung. We talk about racism in the workplace.

This podcast episode summary comes from www.changinglenses.ca/podcast

Rosie Yeung|6/8/2021

“I will always be the Black girl first, before Miriam Njoku. I cannot achieve my way out of being seen with prejudice. That's how they view people like me.”

In this episode, Miriam Njoku changes our lens to reveal the racism she experienced working and living in Canada and Switzerland.

Does that surprise you? These two countries are probably not the first that comes to mind when you think about racism. After all, Canada prides itself on being a haven for many refugees, and Switzerland is a neutral country that hosts the United Nations.

But Miriam, a Master’s graduate from the London School of Economics, who worked at the World Economic Forum and JP Morgan Chase, was still seen as a Black African girl first. She had to overcome significant prejudice to finally be seen as a qualified high calibre professional in banking and international development. When she finally started to be recognized just a little bit, she was told she’s not like the others. It’s as though Miriam was either too African or not African enough.

So as you listen to Miriam’s personal story, challenge yourself. What’s your immediate visceral reaction? Have you heard similar comments from business colleagues as part of normal small talk? Are you wondering, if everyday comments have no racist intent, can they still be racist?

If you do have questions, and want to discuss with like-minded people who genuinely want to understand, you’re welcome to join our free Facebook group. It’s a private online community for safe and respectful discussions about justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Contact me and find more JEDI resources at: https://www.changinglenses.ca/

Full transcript available here.

In this episode, we talk about:

[06:03] Miriam’s experience as a Black African working in Switzerland.

[10:31] How reporting racism to HR can fail the victim.

[11:27] Ways that workplace abuse can manifest (with or withoutintent).

[16:50] Prejudice at the intersection of racism and sexism.

[19:32] Switzerland’s dark side.

[20:57] White moms racism in Canada.

[25:13] Capitalism: a driving force for exploitation.

[29:00] Creating a safe work environment for people with trauma.

[32:18] When the oppressed try to escape racism by becoming the Model Minority.

Content warning: this episode contains references to sexual harassment, racism, and workplace discrimination which some listeners may find disturbing.

This week, Miriam shares an interview she had with Rosie Yeung and her podcast Changing Lenses podcast.

The following is from Changinglenses.ca/podcast

Have you ever been told you can’t do it, or you’re not good enough for something you really wanted? What if you got that message in your whole life starting from childhood? What if abuse or racism you’ve endured created trauma that affects your work or relationships? How do you heal wounds that you can’t see?

Miriam Njoku knows the struggle all too well. The abuse that she endured as a child and teenager and the racism she experienced at school and at work caused trauma that would cripple ten people, let alone one. Yet somehow, Miriam not only survived all this, but she also found resilience and strength in herself that allowed her to succeed in the world’s eyes. What we couldn’t see was the continued damage from internal wounds that were never healed and led to her shame and even workaholism. Thankfully, Miriam found the healing she needed to be a whole and healthy mom,writer, podcaster, and African woman.

Miriam left a flourishing career in banking and international development with organizations like the United Nations so she could become a trauma-informed coach, helping people free themselves from the burdens of childhood trauma. She’s also working to destigmatize mental health in black communities through activities like her podcast, Overcoming Your Story.

If you’re looking for ways to heal from your past traumas, or if you want to support someone who needs that healing, Miriam shares ways we can do that using her own personal story.

And if you speak French, finally, I have content for you in your language. Thanks to Miriam’s bilingualism, please stick around to the end because she has a special message for you.

Content Warning: This episode contains references to childhood abuse and trauma, sexual abuse, and racism. Though not graphic, some listeners may be disturbed by the painful stories. Miriam has endured so much that we had to break it up, and she’ll talk specifically about workplace racism in the next episode.

Full transcript available here.

Contact Rosie and find JEDI resources at: changinglenses.ca/

In this episode, we talk about:

[01:17] Miriam as a Black African in Cameroon.

[03:13] Miriam as a Black African in Switzerland.

[04:39] Systemic racism in Swiss schools.

[09:42] Miriam’s traumatic childhood, and what happened to her mother.

[16:28] Her desire for education as a reaction to abuse.

[21:06] Hiding shame beneath a veneer of perfection.

[25:50] How we can help – indications of possible trauma in others.

[28:24] Trauma’s impact on motherhood.

[30:49] Encouraging trauma victims to ask for help.

[33:43] A message of support in French.

This week Miriam shares part 2 of her own story on Ify Bamigboye's podcast: Connecting Stories. We talk about resilience, overcoming childhood and inter-generational trauma, emotional, mental, and sexual abuse. This second part is still full of events happening but also other experiences where I took steps in building the life I want to live. Ify is a guest on this podcast too, episode 8.

KEY TEAKEAWAYS:

• struggle struggle struggle
• something works for me
• the importance of emotional regulation as a parent
• what to do if you want to build your life
• stories are important
• 
  

About Ify Bamigboye

Instagram: @connectingstories

Website: https://connectingstories.co.uk/

Ify is an Independent Certified Coach, Teacher, Trainer and Speaker with The John Maxwell Team. She founded Connecting Stories London on January 6, 2018. It was birthed from having built lifelong relationships with the many women she encountered while living across 3 continents, Africa, Europe and Asia; subsequently being blessed by the immense support from these relationships during her own struggles and the different significant milestones of her life.

Connecting Stories Podcast is a place to explore big topics on life issues that will inspire, educate, motivate and empower everyone who listens. It is a space to sort through the questions we are all trying to answer. A place for meaningful conversations, authenticity, vulnerability and of course we’ll have some laughs along the way.

#connectingstories

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