In this new wave version of Jess Thots, Jess opens up her internal monologue to a guest: her cousin (not first) Aleka Farha. In this cousin kiki, they have a raw conversation about the ambiguity of their Middle Eastern heritage, commiserating over shared experiences around microaggressions and racial identity in a post 9/11 America. Ultimately, they just wish the boxes on a standardized test or job application would leave room for them; or, how about the wild concept of getting rid of those boxes altogether?
Aleka is an independent consultant, an activist, and the host of her own podcast - What in the Actual Factual (WITAF). You can follow WITAF on Instagram for all things current events, social justice, and more.
IG: @peakingpodcast
Intro/Outro Music: "Have Mercy On Us" by Air Kid