S2 E10: Jess Pillay on juggling multiple cultural identities as an Indo-Fijian-American, finding applicable career advice as a woman of color, and rec...

GUEST BIO

Jess Pillay is an Indo-Fijian-American independent singer/songwriter and podcaster from the Pacific Northwest. Growing up in Seattle with Indo-Fijian roots, she spent most of her life feeling like a cultural orphan, but music gave her a sense of identity and purpose. Now in her 30s, she's deeply passionate about racial and gender equity and always looks for ways to explore these subjects through her creative work. Her goal is to use her art to create community and to help others find their own voices. .

Instagram | Web

DEFINITIONS

• Being Gaslit means being manipulated into questioning your own sanity using psychological methods. It comes from a 1944 movie called Gaslight.
• DMs stands for direct message, which is the chat feature on instagram and other social media.

TAKEAWAYS

1. When religion and culture are so intertwined, joining a different religion can be seen as a rejection of your own culture and create family tension.
2. Seeing the very food that got you rejected as a kid be appropriated and become the latest trend is a jarring experience that many Asian Americans have experienced.
3. We’re more likely to create change in our own circles where we are already accepted and valued, and hence can have the most influence.
4. Consent is an important part of allyship because it ensures you’re not causing more pain to the people you are trying to help.
5. People’s advice reflects their privilege.
6. Valuing your religion does not mean you need to rely on it entirely for support. Religious communities often have good intent but are ill-equipped to help. Seek appropriate support from other channels.
7. Therapy and religion can go hand in hand and can actually help people who are going through a faith crisis reconnect with their faith in a more healthy way.

CONTACT

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Hosts: Lazou & Ariadne Mila

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