White Supremacy Culture Characteristics: Context Matters ft Gina Amato

In this episode of the Living Out Loud Discussion Series, I chat with Gina Amato, a long-time friend, social justice attorney and the directing attorney of the Immigrant Rights Project at Public Council, and we get into the concept of context appropriateness when addressing white supremacy culture in professional settings. We explore the nuances of real-life scenarios and interactions in workplaces, emphasizing the importance of understanding and unpacking the layers of in our identities and being curious of others. Our convo highlights the need for self-awareness and reflection in recognizing and challenging the norms of white supremacy culture, calling attention to the significance of relational approaches and creating spaces for authentic self-expression to invite a safer, more inclusive environment.

Our Guest

Gina Amato Lough is the Directing Attorney of Public Counsel’s Immigrants’ Rights Project. She leads a 30-member team of attorneys, paralegals, administrative staff, and social workers who serve asylum seekers, immigrants in detention, survivors of violent crime, unaccompanied children, and victims of notario fraud. Her team works toward a world where all (im)migrants live with dignity, power, and opportunity.

Gina has been a public interest attorney and community leader for over twenty years. She joined Public Counsel in 2008, and for 14 years, she led the Immigrants’ Rights Project’s Survivor Team. The Survivor Team provides holistic services to immigrant survivors from a trauma-informed, client-centered perspective. In addition, Gina has engaged in widespread policy advocacy to protect the rights of immigrant survivors, and has worked in partnership with governmental and non-profit organizations to launch a campaign to combat notario fraud – a type of legal services fraud that is devastating to immigrant communities.

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To get in touch with Gina Amato, you can contact her here:

• Email: chickawapinc (AT) yahoo.com

Episode Chapters

00:00 Setting the Stage 01:32 Reminiscing Past Experiences and Connections 02:50 Gina's Professional Journey and Personal Background 06:34 Context Appropriateness in Addressing White Supremacy Culture 08:05 Exploring the Concept of White Supremacy Culture 11:47 The Impact of White Supremacy Culture in the Workplace 13:28 Authenticity and Professionalism in the Workplace 25:15 Intersection of Race and Gender in Workplace Norms 28:01 Facing Consequences for Expressing Anger 30:26 The Human Element in Leadership 31:42 The Misconception of White Supremacy Culture 34:25 The Danger of Weaponizing White Supremacy Characteristics 36:49 Intersectionality of White Supremacy Culture 38:39 Personal Experience with White Supremacy Culture 50:51 The Importance of Authenticity in the Workplace 54:10 Wrapping Up: Contact Information and Final Thoughts