Jonathan Odell has written for a variety of publications, given numerous keynotes and delivered radio commentaries. If your publication or organization is interested in exploring story and issues of race, gender, writing, leadership and spirituality in an upcoming issue, program or event contact Jon at: jon.odell@earthlink.net or 612.827.5390.
Browse Through A Sample of Jonathan’s Radio Commentaries, Essays and Keynotes Concerning Race In America:
LIVING IN THE HOOD
Mother’s Day Commentary for Minnesota Public Radio, 05/06/05
I moved to the Northside of Minneapolis a little over two years ago. Forty-nine murders and three accidental killings ago. All but two were racial minorities, overwhelmingly kids and young males. We blow the rest of the city’s statistics out of the water . . .
THAT OTHER RACE
Commentary for Minnesota Public Radio, 10/13/05
One evening in the spring of 1988 PBS was airing historic footage from the Civil Rights Movement. It was in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King. I had seen these scenes on the news when I was growing up in Mississippi—black folks marching down the middle of Main Street in some hot and dusty town in my home state. But this time, as an adult, I saw something I had never seen before. Instead being focused on the marchers, I noticed the white people who lined the streets, throwing rocks, jeering, waving confederate flags . . .
WHY BLACKS LEAVE:
Leadership, Racial Dialogue and Employee Retention
Paper Delivered to the Mayor’s Leadership Forum
Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, May 14, 2003
We see color, but we do not speak about it. Much of our reaction to racism has been to cleanse from our language any negative or potentially negative reference to color. But the effect has been to leave us severely handicapped in our communication. There is a lack of words. There exists no language in which to discuss “it”—and it is the biggest “it” in America. Even the word ‘racism’ itself is no longer effective as describing the dilemma we face. Paradoxically, this lack of language is what allows racism to flourish, mostly unchecked . . .
A RACE STORY PRIMER
Paper delivered at the University of St. Thomas Multicultural Forum, February 5, 2004
What is Your Race Story? It is your personal narrative that explains how race has shaped and is shaping the image you hold of yourself, of others, and of the world as a whole. It is not static, whether it is known or unknown. Your story is an active agent in the world and has ongoing ramifications . . .
THE POWER OF STORY
Paper delivered at the President’s Retreat, Normandale College, Minneapolis
September 21, 2005
More and more we are acknowledging the crucial role story plays in the human experience. In fact, psychologists insist that a “coherent narrative,” a story that gives expression to one’s circumstance and anticipates one’s future is a necessary requirement for mental health. Otherwise, on what basis would we make our choices in the world . . .
Author, Speaker, Storyteller, Mississippi native