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    Revisionist History

    Started From The Bottom with Justin Richmond

    Thu Mar 16 2023
    Origin storiesChallenges in educationJourney through journalismInspiration from Quincy JonesRealization of chancesMotivation to succeedEmbracing opportunitiesBiracial identityPerspective on raceUpcoming Barbie movie

    Description

    The episode covers the origin stories of men and women of color, the challenges faced in predominantly white schools, the journey through education and journalism, the inspiration from meeting Quincy Jones, the realization of chances and self-perception, the motivation to succeed and seek mentorship, embracing opportunities while staying true to oneself, and an upcoming Barbie movie directed by Greta Gerwig.

    Insights

    Importance of role models

    Having role models who look like you can make navigating challenges easier.

    Realization of chances

    The speaker reflects on the difference in chances between white and black individuals and the realization of not knowing about these chances.

    Motivation to succeed

    The speaker's motivation to succeed has been driven by a fear of failure and the desire to prove people wrong.

    Embracing opportunities

    Being true to oneself and not capitulating is important. If someone doesn't appreciate you, go where you're appreciated.

    Biracial identity

    The speaker discusses the challenges and potential dilution of self in grappling with their biracial identity.

    Perspective on race

    The speaker's West Indian background has influenced their perspective on race, and growing up in Canada provided a different racial experience compared to the United States.

    Support regardless of skin color

    The speaker receives love and support regardless of their skin color.

    Chapters

    1. Rosetta Stone offers a lifetime unlimited subscription for language learning at 40% off
    2. Childhood experiences and racial dynamics in school
    3. Challenges and achievements in education
    4. Journey through community college and journalism career
    5. Meeting Quincy Jones and finding inspiration
    6. Realization of chances and self-perception
    7. Motivation, biracial identity, and racial experiences
    8. Being true to oneself and embracing opportunities
    9. Upcoming Barbie movie directed by Greta Gerwig
    Summary
    Transcript

    Rosetta Stone offers a lifetime unlimited subscription for language learning at 40% off

    00:06 - 07:38

    • T-Mobile for Business presents the unconventional awards
    • Justin Richmond, creator and host of the podcast 'Started from the Bottom', is interviewed by Malcolm Gladwell
    • 'Started from the Bottom' focuses on origin stories of men and women of color
    • Justin Richmond's parents met at Compton Community College
    • Justin's mom grew up in El Monte, near Pasadena, and his dad grew up in Compton
    • Justin was primarily raised by his mom in Long Beach and later moved to Orange County
    • Orange County is predominantly white with a large Latino community
    • Justin experienced racial differences when starting kindergarten in Orange County

    Childhood experiences and racial dynamics in school

    07:16 - 13:36

    • A childhood experience of being called poor by a classmate
    • Discussion with mother about racism and racial dynamics in predominantly white schools
    • Self-identification as black due to experiences of racism
    • Negative interactions with teachers in junior high school based on race
    • Desire to prove people wrong and be the smartest person in the room
    • Lack of black teachers in public school experience
    • Influence of father's limited thinking on career aspirations
    • Struggle between white world that didn't believe in him and black family that didn't understand his goals
    • Father's suggestion to become a police officer for guaranteed income
    • Reflection on LAPD as a stepping stone for success in the black community

    Challenges and achievements in education

    13:16 - 19:38

    • The speaker's father had doubts about the speaker's ability to go to college and achieve their dreams.
    • The father's perception of what was possible in the world may have influenced his doubts.
    • The father grew up in a toxic housing project in Compton, which may have limited his own dreams.
    • The speaker's father got kicked off a football team, which may have affected his own dreams.
    • Despite the challenges, the speaker's father still supports and understands what the speaker is doing now.
    • When the speaker got into Berkeley, both they and their father were shocked and couldn't believe it.
    • The speaker drove six to eight hours to meet with a counselor at Berkeley to confirm their admission.
    • The speaker didn't graduate from high school but left at age 14 due to low confidence and lack of direction.
    • The speaker's mother allowed them to stay home instead of attending continuation school, which eventually helped rebuild their confidence.
    • At almost age 16, the speaker started taking advantage of staying home by reading the newspaper and discussing it with their mother.

    Journey through community college and journalism career

    19:14 - 26:36

    • Justin didn't do much until he was almost 16, when he got a copy of the Autobiography of Malcolm X and it reignited his ambition.
    • He enrolled in community college and did that for about four or five years until he could transfer to Berkeley at the age of 21.
    • In Berkeley, Justin regained his confidence through connections with people like Gabrielle and Ricky Vincent.
    • He fell into journalism after falling out of love with higher education due to bureaucracy.
    • Justin started getting involved with radio and took a journalism class, which led him to pursue a career in journalism.
    • At the age of 25, Justin was working at NPR, making $30,000 a year, paying back loans, and about to have a child. His confidence sank to an all-time low.

    Meeting Quincy Jones and finding inspiration

    26:08 - 32:40

    • At a low point in his life, the podcast host met Quincy Jones in Havana and had a three-hour conversation with him.
    • Inspired by this encounter, the host reached out to Quincy Jones for guidance and proposed making a podcast together.
    • Although they signed paperwork, the host struggled to sell the podcast and realized he lacked business knowledge.
    • This experience led the host to create a podcast where he could talk to successful black men about money and success.
    • Having role models who look like you can make navigating challenges easier.
    • The host reflects on how his children have access to more opportunities than he did.
    • Without examples of success and mentors, the host almost left journalism for a sales job.

    Realization of chances and self-perception

    32:14 - 39:47

    • Received an email that changed trajectory
    • Difference in chances between white and black individuals
    • Example of book about misbehavior being labeled differently in a wealthy suburb
    • Realization of not knowing about chances
    • Father's motto of 'Nothing bad will ever happen'
    • Difference in messages received from parents
    • Opportunity and self-perception

    Motivation, biracial identity, and racial experiences

    39:24 - 45:29

    • The speaker reflects on the way society demands how one should think about themselves
    • The speaker's motivation to succeed has been driven by a fear of failure
    • They are on a journey to talk to successful people and seek mentorship
    • The hope is that listeners will be inspired to take big swings and find real-life mentors
    • Audience question about biracial families and the potential protection from whiteness
    • The speaker believes some individuals may dilute themselves in grappling with their biracial identity
    • Discussion on the differences between black father, white mother, and white father, black mother in biracial marriages

    Being true to oneself and embracing opportunities

    45:19 - 52:56

    • In instances where the speaker hasn't code switched, they have been more successful.
    • Being true to oneself and not capitulating is important.
    • If someone doesn't appreciate you, go where you're appreciated.
    • The speaker's West Indian background has influenced their perspective on race.
    • Growing up in Canada provided a different racial experience compared to the United States.
    • The speaker receives love and support regardless of their skin color.

    Upcoming Barbie movie directed by Greta Gerwig

    52:29 - 53:08

    • Barbie movie directed by Greta Gerwig
    • Starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling
    • In theaters on July 21st
    • Rated PG-13
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