Today we’re talking about intersectionality in activism and the parallels between anti-Blackness and antisemitism.

My guest today, Malynda Hale, uses her voice through her music and social media presence as an educating activist to effect change within social justice, female empowerment, LGBTQ+ rights, veganism, the Black Lives Matter movement, and Progressive Christianity. She also hosts her own podcast called #WeNeedToTalk, which focuses on powerful one-on-one conversations where she loves tackling hard-hitting topics like politics, religion, social justice, mental health, and more.

Malynda joins me today to talk about intersectionality in activism and explains why this particular approach helps to ensure that no one gets left behind in the fight for justice and equality. The reality is that each person has their own unique experiences of oppression and discrimination, and it’s important that we consider all factors that can be used to marginalize people, including gender, race, class, sexual orientation, etc.

Malynda explains that as much as we want to believe that everyone’s struggles are the same within the same group that they’re a part of, there are also other differences that can set them apart and break them into separate subgroups. When we work toward being inclusive of these differences, it helps to prevent combatting one form of discrimination or oppression at the expense of another.

We also discuss progressive Christianity and social justice, the parallels between anti-Blackness and antisemitism, and using social media for change. Malynda shares the importance of broadening our horizons, educating ourselves, and getting outside of our comfort zones in order to create real change in the fight against oppression. Her motto is that “everything begins with a conversation.

“I think people can get overwhelmed thinking that it’s not possible to advocate for every marginalized group or every group that has something that they’re trying to fight for. But it is. You just have to know how to pace yourself. The whole point of intersectionality is to make sure that every group has what they need.” – Malynda Hale

About Malynda:

Malynda Hale is a singer/songwriter, actress, entrepreneur, and activist. She was born and raised in sunny Santa Barbara, California, where she began singing at the age of 5. At the age of 7, she learned to play the piano, and by the age of 9, she was writing her own music.

Malynda’s love for music and desire to make a difference in the world has led her to be recognized many times for her work. She won “Best Female Vocalist” at the Hollywood Music in Media Awards, Best Pop Music Video at the Indie Music Channel Awards, and Pop Song of the Year at The Josie Music Awards.

Malynda has been a headliner for the NAMM show, has opened for artists such as Tyrone Wells, Ernie Halter, Levi Kreis, OTOWN, and Smokey Robinson, and has sung background for Melissa Manchester, Terron Brooks, and Foreigner. 

Pre-covid, she was touring the world as a guest entertainer on cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean, Regent, and Celebrity. Malynda has sung the national anthem numerous times for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Lakers, LA Galaxy, and the California Democratic National Convention, and she recently had music featured on the CBS hit soap opera, The Bold and the Beautiful.

As an actress, she has appeared in stage productions of Once of This Island, Dreamgirls, and Bye Bye Birdie, as well as numerous national commercials, independent films, and the Lifetime TV Network movie “A Hunt for Truth” alongside Willa Ford.

Most recently, Malynda starred in a feature film alongside Loretta Divine and Amy Madigan and in the Troubadour Theatre company’s performance of “Santa Clause is coming to Motown” at the Gary Marshall Theatre. She will be returning to GMT in the fall of 2022 to play The Soul Sister Fairy Godmother in Cindy and the Disco Ball, a 70’s version of Cinderella. 

Malynda currently hosts her own podcast called #WeNeedToTalk, which focuses on powerful one-on-one conversations. #WeNeedtoTalk drives home the message that “Everything begins with a conversation.” She loves tackling hard-hitting topics like politics, religion, social justice, mental health, and more. No topic is off-limits for her. 

Malynda specifically has a deep passion for discussing social justice from a Christian perspective and encourages all people of faith to do the same. Past guests on the show have included: Cornel West, John Pavlovitz, Shaun King, Kyla Pratt, Frederick Joseph, Richard Marx, Michelle Williams, Elisa Donovan, Jonah Platt, Sarah Jakes Roberts, Noa Tishby, Grace Semler Baldridge, Angel Parker, Dewayne Perkins, Nick Jones Jr., and more!

Because of Malynda’s love for telling people’s stories, in January 2021, she created the Black Voices Heard Project, an ongoing video and photo series that seeks to amplify the experiences of Black Americans. Through this project, it is her hope that the negative perceptions of the Black community will be dismantled and the door will open for more understanding and empathy. 

Malynda uses her voice through her music and social media presence as an educating activist to effect change within social justice, female empowerment, LGBTQ+ rights, veganism, the Black Lives Matter movement, and Progressive Christianity. She has partnered with many organizations, such as ACE For Change, Vocal Media, and Yahoo, to spread messaging on voting rights, climate change, world hunger, and more, and has been a featured commentator on CNN. 

Malynda currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband, daughter, and dog. She is the owner of JMV Music Entertainment Agency and a proud member of AEA, SAG-AFTRA, and NARAS. When she’s not working, she loves to binge a good Netflix series.

“There is definitely more diversity now when you turn on the TV screen. And for people that aren’t used to it, I can empathize and understand that it might feel like it’s a lot, but it’s really overcompensation for these groups being left out for such a long time. From my vantage point, I have had to connect with whiteness my whole life every time I’ve turned on the TV. So, I hope that there’s a level of empathy and understanding that comes with this wave of diversity that’s happening.” – Malynda Hale

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