Under The Shadow of Being Black and Gay. with Zeke Thomas — Sexual Assault & Mental Awareness Advocate, Ep #71

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My guest today is a world-class DJ, musician, producer, and reality show star who’s worked with many well-known individuals. I’m so honored that he’s come on the podcast to share his story with us. It’s an example of how those who go through the most devastating circumstances can overcome, move forward, and make incredible changes in their lives.

Zeke Thomas is thankful he’s been given the opportunity to use his story to help others in a variety of areas. He and I shared many things in common, including a past that includes sexual abuse. But we both see our stories as the stories of overcoming. I hope you listen to this episode so you can benefit in one of two ways… either by better understanding the issues that arise in a person’s life when they are abused, or by being helped in your own healing journey.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

  • Zeke’s experience as a young boy growing up in the home of a famous father [1:22]

  • How loneliness inspired Zeke to take his story and message public [9:27]

  • Experiencing discrimination in ways that aren’t expected or commonly known [13:10]

  • Advice to teens who are seeking to spread their wings [23:11]

  • Zach’s move into DJing and how he’s battled various addictions [27:26]

  • Being abused as an adult and how Zach responded and began his healing [37:00]

  • Are social media platforms infringing on our rights as individuals? [49:50]

Growing up in the home of a famous father and the challenges it presented

Zeke’s father, Isaiah Thomas, is a legendary basketball player who is known to most sports fans. Can you imagine the privilege and the pressure that sort of notoriety would naturally impose on a young boy? The feeling that you have to measure up to such a notable person, that he would be disappointed in you if you didn’t, that the whole world is watching you? That is only SOME of what Zeke experienced as a young boy.

The pressure seemed too much and Zeke found himself rubbing shoulders with the wrong crowd, hanging out with people who weren’t adding anything good to his life. That’s where he was introduced to alcohol, drugs, and addiction in general. But in spite of all those struggles, Zeke says his worst addiction was the desire for others to approve of him. Listen to learn how Zeke managed to break free and how he continues to work the problem every day.

Survivors of abuse carry many things with them through life. Zeke attempts to lay them all aside to help others

Zeke and I share a history of sexual abuse. Mine came from within the walls of my own home, Zeke’s was not a situation of that type. But no matter, abuse is abuse is abuse and it impacts more than you might know. Zeke says that he’s come clean about the abuse he suffered — both as a child and again as an adult — to give a voice to the many people who have experienced similar things. 

That’s a decision that takes courage and requires a great deal of strength. His example is one many people will follow as they hear his story and recognize themselves in its details. I’m proud to know Zeke and to see the impact he’s having. I hope you find him to be as refreshing as I did.

Social media, free speech, and big tech decisions about their policies

We live in a day of great tension. The world stage is loud and confusing as many different viewpoints assert themselves as true, even though many times they contradict each other. In the midst of this cauldron of confusion many issues are coming to the forefront: human rights, institutional racism, free speech, and more. Since Zeke is such a public figure I was curious to hear what he thinks about the responses of some of the Social Media platforms when it comes to free speech issues.

The situation I used as an example is the decision Twitter’s leadership team made to cancel the account of President Donald Trump. Their position was that his Tweets were inciting violence, so they made the decision to remove him from the platform. Zeke says free speech is important, but not as important as doing no harm to others. He saw Twitter’s decision as a justified move to protect not only people but the security of the United States.

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