The idea that we can be “colorblind” and treat people based on the contents of their character, as Dr. King once said, denies cultural differences. Color does matter and only white people can “guiltlessly subscribe to colorblindness…” “Many Americans view colorblindness as helpful to people of color by asserting that race does not matter (Tarca, 2005). But in America, most underrepresented minorities will explain that race does matter, as it affects opportunities, perceptions, income, and so much more. When race-related problems arise, colorblindness tends to individualize conflicts and shortcomings, rather than examining the larger picture with cultural differences, stereotypes, and values placed into context. Instead of resulting from an enlightened (albeit well-meaning) position, colorblindness comes from a lack of awareness of racial privilege conferred by Whiteness (Tarca, 2005). White people can guiltlessly subscribe to colorblindness because they are usually unaware of how race affects people of color and American society as a whole.”
THE RISE OF DONALD TRUMP IS A TERRIFYING MOMENT IN AMERICAN POLITICS | vox.com
After repeating a vulgarity about Ted Cruz shouted out by a supporter at his victory speech in New Hampshire, Trump’s penchant for “amplifying the angriest voice in the mob” proves once more why the rise of Trump is a terrifying moment in our history…“Trump is the most dangerous major candidate for president in memory. He pairs terrible ideas with an alarming temperament; he’s a racist, a sexist, and a demagogue, but he’s also a narcissist, a bully, and a dilettante. He lies so constantly and so fluently that it’s hard to know if he even realizes he’s lying. He delights in schoolyard taunts and luxuriates in backlash. Trump is in serious contention to win the Republican presidential nomination. His triumph in a general election is unlikely, but it is far from impossible. He’s not a joke and he’s not a clown. He’s a man who could soon be making decisions of war and peace, who would decide which regulations are enforced and which are lifted, who would be responsible for nominating Supreme Court justices and representing America in the community of nations. This is not political entertainment. This is politics.”
7 COMMON MYTHS ABOUT PEOPLE ON WELFARE | everydayfeminism.com
After decades of stereotypes about welfare recipients have been fueled by political propaganda, many people who criticize welfare are actually receiving one form or another of government assistance without realizing it…“Myth #4: People Use Welfare to Support Their Drug Habits. Federal government research tells us that the population of welfare receivers on drugs is basically the same as that of the American population in general – in some cases, even lower. Recent drug testing results from individual states also prove the falseness of this widely accepted myth.In July 2014, Tennessee began testing their welfare applicants, resulting in a whopping 1-in-800 people testing positive for illegal drugs. That’s less than 1%.”
COOKED | a documentary by Michael Pollan and Alex Gibney
Michael Pollan meets Alex Gibney? Yes, please.
The problem with labeling children “gifted” is that it implies they have some sort of leg up or advantage in society when really to be gifted usually brings emotional intensity, sensory sensitivity, and a host of challenges that set them apart from their peers…“Gifted children are more prone to depression, self-harm, overexcitability, and learning deficits. A gifted student might be so paralyzed by her own perfectionism, say, that she refuses to hand in any assignments. The same 10-year-old who can set up the school’s computer system with the proficiency of a college-educated tech might also throw a tantrum like a toddler if she’s not invited to a birthday party. Another child might be so affected by a piece of music that he won’t be able to focus on anything else the rest of the day. For these “twice exceptional” children, emotional intensity is the evil twin of high intelligence.”
DUMB-ASS STUFF WE NEED TO STOP SAYING TO DADS | huffingtonpost.com
It’s time to stop asking dads how they like babysitting. They’re not babysitting, they’re parenting.
WHAT KIDS NEED FROM GROWN-UPS (BUT AREN’T GETTING) | npr.org
Cory Turner interviews resigned Yale professor Erika Christakis about what preschoolers and kindergartners are in desperate need of: play. She responds to the uproar at Yale which caused her resignation. After responding to an email sent to students about being mindful not to wear any costumes that might disrespect someone based on religion, gender, race, etc… Christakis applauded the university’s efforts to foster tolerance but asked why the responsibility to self-censure did not fall to the students? Why are our college students not able to decipher wrong from right through “social norming?” She argues it starts with preschool where children are given less and less time to play and learn social-emotional skills through relationships…“We have very crammed [preschool] schedules with rapid transitions. We have tons of clutter on classroom walls. We have kids moving quickly from one activity to another. We ask them to sit in long and often boring meetings. Logistically and practically, lives are quite taxing for little kids because they’re actually living in an adult-sized world.”
WE CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT COSMOS | 2016 Oscar-nominated short
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| goodmorningquotation.com |
