K Mataōtama Strohl (They/Them)
K is an award-winning consultant, coach, writer and speaker. K is also the curator of a content space that shares “refreshingly genuine and educational bite sized yet profound insights and experiences,” as well as the host of two popular podcasts.
My Apology Letter to DEI 📜
I first want to apologize for the possibility of my work ever being weaponized by those who cause harm. I see the way people are actively attacking DEI and fear my work may lead them to believe I align with their harmful beliefs. I do not.
The NFL Standard
The NFL is a celebrated reflection of America. This is what America wants and allows to continue.
This Aint About Her 🇺🇸
People who believe in anti-Blackness aren't always able to tout their beliefs proudly and loudly. Most wait in the shadows for seemingly "justified opportunities". When these opportunities arise they run quickly to them and are loud about why Black people deserve to be dehumanized and more. Ryan Ken (@ryan_ken_acts) made a really good video of White people's reaction to Will Smith's slap and how they fantasized of an opportunity to double down on their disdain for us. I can't find it but if you do please send it to me.
A Foot In The Door
Being Black isn't a crime or a death sentence or an act deserving of punishment but the harmful behaviors perpetuated through the hate of Black people, make it so. When we pretend that these White centering and seeking behaviors are a sure way towards success, we gateway greater harm. We permit harm towards others, ourselves, and our communities. Promoting “foot in the door” antics in any form is harmful.
Flip It AND Reverse It 🤸♀️
WW love a good flip and reverse. They will use anything they can from crocodile tears to quotes from Black leaders to place themselves back on that pedestal.
Hit Dogs 🐩🗣
Using the harm you've caused Black women, and most likely are continuing to cause Black women, as a means to promote your political agenda is not activism. Hope this helps.
The Oppressor's Tools 🔨
I recently shared with a client that I don’t use the words “allies”, “ally” or “allyship” in my work. I have said this before but I refuse to use language that I don’t know or I don't agree with the origin of.
Fueled By Self Hate 🗣😡
I've touched on this a lot in my work but I don't think I've ever really spelled it out. White supremacy, capitalism, the patriarchy and all harm birthed from these beliefs are fueled by self hate.
Exploitative Practices w/ the AANHPI ‘Ohana Center of Excellence
Dangling a carrot in front of somebody who is starving is exploitative. It's fucked up. It is a way to get somebody to do something that they wouldn't normally have done, because you are promising to provide something. You know that the individuals you're inviting need money, so you saying it as an incentive so that we show up is exploitative and manipulative. Don't do that.
Not "Disabled DISABLED"👨🏾🔧🧠
I see a lot of other disabled creators push out content daily and sometimes I feel as if I'm not doing enough. This along with the way disability is measured, "rewarded" and scrutinized makes it sometimes difficult for me to be honest about my needs and how my disabilities affect me.
blonde, brunette or Black 👱🏻♀️👩🏾🦱
I haven't gotten my hair "done" in years and I completely forgot how differently people treat you. Random White women complimenting my hair was all the push I needed to bring it up in my next therapy session.
“Gen Z Slang”: The Punchline
With multiple genocides occurring worldwide and many of us seeing firsthand how the media is corruptly covering it all, it has become clearer the power we all have by simply speaking. They know this and are afraid. They know this and are doing everything they can to get us to laugh instead of demand they listen.
The Dangers of Melanated White People
This continues to happen and unfortunately some melanated White people are surprised when their proximity to violent Whiteness gets them harmed as well. They enter violent White spaces using the same mannerisms and words believing that’s enough to keep them from being harmed from the same violent systems, beliefs, and actions. The truth is it will never be.
White Validation: The Drug 💉
The announcement of Dr. Claudine Gay's resignation from Harvard reminds me of the amazing interview I had with Dr. Janice Asare Gassam where she authentically shared she got her PHD to "move closer to Whiteness".
Death As A Tool of the Oppressor
In my work on psychological safety, I constantly note the needed foundations for safe relationships: trust, honesty, respect and the prioritization of safety throughout. They are all intertwined and it is almost impossible to have one without the other. Yet we see these seemingly basic human needs being dismissed by people in positions of power daily.
Trauma Doesn't Skip Generations
This article on how the Holocaust is being weaponized to justify the suffering of others is a glaring example of what happens when we don’t acknowledge and heal from harm that’s been caused to us and our communities. Similar to the way Black communities globally have had our healing excruciatingly prolonged because of re-written history that refuses any true acknowledgement of the atrocities our ancestors experienced or that we continue to experience. In my piece I Want a White History Month, I write about this large gaping hole left in White people that they attempt to fill with appropriation, deceit and more recently the support of genocide. All these uncared for wounds are bound to be internalized or spread to others.
The Laugh Track Effect
These scenes, characters and films make it harder and harder for these behaviors (Blackface, misogynoir, colorism, transphobia, anti-Blackness, etc.) to be labeled as harmful and for those being harmed not to be dismissed or gaslit. It should also be noted that a lot of these underlying behaviors (gaslighting, manipulation, rejection of accountability, stunted emotional maturity, etc.) and narcissism go hand in hand. Harmful behavior does not need to be framed as comical and it most certainly does not need a laugh track.
I Want A White History Month
Without space for White people to do what they need to do, we are constantly expected to hold this space and to tolerate their stunted emotional maturity around their history. I want and they need a White History Month.
Black Mixed with Black
Anti-Blackness refers to actions or behaviors that minimize, marginalize or devalue the full participation of Black people in life. The spectrum of anti-Black actions and behaviors spans from unconscious bias to motivated acts of prejudice. They include the tolerance of or indifference to the under-representation, differential success and advancement, or experience of Black people in the university.
In fact many of the people inhabiting islands within the Polynesian triangle and those who proudly call themselves People of the Pacific or Pacific Islanders first migrated from West Africa. Hell, there’s even a place called Melanesia. The White-washing of history, mass genocide and raping of local people has lead many to believe this is not true but I know y’all see the physical features the same way I do. I touched on a lot of this in my pieces Moana is Trash and The AAPI Acronym.
Why You’re Still a “Swiftie”
his is exactly why whenever “the female dollar” or “women’s rights” are mentioned the same White women are showcased without any mention of anyone else effected. The truth is this mediocracy is praised and expected. The idea that White women represent all women is why she has such a cult like following. I covered a lot more on this in my piece The Extremely Intentional Disconnect but you’re still a “Swiftie” because you love not being held accountable for your actions and hope that with very little change to your harmful behavior you’ll be given the same handclaps she receives.