Ep.4 Schai Belair-Toussaint Schairer: Diabolically Haitian

This week I discuss the exquisite poetry of Schai Belair-Toussaint Schairer, a fellow sister in adoption, spoken word poet and founder of F.I.S.T. (Fighting Injustice Standing Together) a non-profit organization working to empower incarcerated women through writing. Schai was a panelist on three of the four International Adoptee Panels sponsored by USFCH. She and I unpack her motivation for writing and confront our own privilege, resilience and Haitian pride.

GUEST: Schai Belair-Toussaint Schairer
www.fistdc.org

Watch panels:
https://www.facebook.com/USFCH/videos/806431379903046

Resources:
www.laniseantoineshelley.com

Audre Lorde
https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/12425-when-i-dare-to-be-powerful-to-use-my-strength

Therapists:
https://www.laniseantoineshelley.com/blog
betterhealth.com

Exercises I love:
African dance
https://youtu.be/cAXepObYN6E

Stretch/Barre workout
Coach Kel
https://youtu.be/FlokyngRBYc

Black beauty influencer:
Jackie Aina
https://youtu.be/9-oW7F9T9IE

Weight management:
https://youtu.be/YuR51ktq1k8
Quit Sugar
https://youtu.be/hx4Kr1HJ79E

Plant care:
Planterina
https://youtu.be/9vDpgaoynhY

Support the show

CONNECT WITH HOST:
@youngadoptee
@lantoines
www.laniseantoineshelley.com

DONATE TO THE SHOW:
https://ko-fi.com/whentheywereyoung

DISCOUNT FOR 15% GUIDE BOOKS:
Isaac Etter's IDENTITY (Equipping parents, Empowering Children)
Black Hair Care – https://identitylearning.ck.page/products/blkhaircare?promo=WTWY
TRA – https://identitylearning.ck.page/products/a-practical-guide-to-tra?promo=WTWY

ADOPTEE CONVERSATIONS WITH PARENTS:
14 through18, and episode 28, and 29.

WATCH PANELS:
https://www.facebook.com/USFCH/videos/806431379903046

BALDWIN'S ESSAY ON "WHITENESS":
https://bannekerinstitute.fas.harvard.edu/files/bannekerinstitute/files/on_being_white.and_other_lies_baldwin_0.pdf

HISTORY “Colored”:
https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2014/03/30/295931070/the-journey-from-colored-to-minorities-to-people-of-color

NYC ARTICLE ON THE USE OF "BIPOC":
https://www.nytimes.com/article/what-is-bipoc.html

RECOURSES ON HOW TO TALK ABOUT RACE:
https://www.laniseantoineshelley.com/post/copy-of-literacy-program-for-syrian-girls-refugees