What happens when violence and inequality become so commonplace that we stop reacting to them?
In this episode, Dr. Shaunna and Dr. Lisa explore the concept of desensitization and how repeated exposure shapes what we see as normal, acceptable, or inevitable. From economic policy and global conflict to historical racial violence and everyday language, they examine the ways individuals and communities become conditioned around harm.
The conversation begins with a look at the increasingly visible divide of the K-shaped economy, where prosperity and struggle often exist side by side.
The discussion then turns to history, psychology, and child development through the lens of Dr. Stacey Patton's powerful book, Strung Up! How White America Learned to Lynch Black Children. Together, they wrestle with difficult questions about how societies teach violence, how children absorb messages about humanity and belonging, and why some individuals resist oppressive systems while others reproduce them.
Throughout the episode, Shaunna and Lisa unpack the relationship between exposure and normalization. Drawing connections to adverse childhood experiences, cultural messaging, and contemporary political discourse, they examine how communities can become accustomed to language and behaviors that once would have been considered unacceptable.
"The question isn't whether we're being exposed. The question is what we're becoming accustomed to, and what that normalization costs us."
Book Club Announcement
Interested in going deeper? Dr. Shaunna Payne Gold is launching a six-week book club focused on Strung Up! How White America Learned to Lynch Black Children by Dr. Stacey Patton. Participants from a variety of backgrounds are invited to engage in thoughtful discussion about history, child development, culture, and the lasting effects of racial violence. The series will include six 90-minute sessions over six weeks, with a break for Thanksgiving. Register here:
Strung Up: Gold Enterprises' Study Hall
Mentioned in the show
Boosting US oil supplies with Russian diesel unlikely to have much impact on prices, experts say – ABC News
Strung Up by Stacey Patton – Penguin Random House
Stacey Patton | Howard Profiles – Howard University
