required reading on the killing of trayvon martin
Several weeks ago, I linked to the news story of Trayvon Martin in a post I wrote about racial ascriptions vs. descriptions. I was shocked by the story, but I tried to temper my outrage until I learned more. Honestly, a part of me didn’t mention it again because I was sincerely hoping that somehow details would emerge that would prove that there was more to the story than a neighborhood vigilante who thought that a black teen in a hoodie was suspicious enough to follow with a loaded gun. I . . .
describing vs ascribing: digging deeper into talking about race
Last week I talked a bit about how often I notice people dancing around racial descriptors, and how this has led to some awkward interchanges. A friend pointed out that perhaps I was glossing over the context of racial descriptors, and so I want to talk a bit about that. In fact, I think it’s relevant because I think some of the negative context around pointing out someone’s race is what has led to the general unease about acknowledging or discussing issues of race in today’s . . .
the time I referred to “the black guy”, and other tales of racial awkwardness
A couple weeks ago, I posted a list of resources for talking to kids about racism. As it happens, a few people “pinned” the post onto Pinterest. As a blogger, checking Pinterest is interesting, because you can see commentary on your posts from people who don’t necessarily read your blog (or know anything about you). Last week, I noticed a comment on a pin of that post – the description was “how to talk to kids about race”. A woman replied (I’m assumed without having . . .
interview with taye diggs about his new book “chocolate me”
Last week, I was asked to take part in a phone interview with Taye Diggs about his new children’s book called Chocolate Me. Yes . . . that Taye Diggs. I responded (perhaps too quicky?) and let his people know that I was a fangirl and a Renthead, and that I was really, really, super-duper dorky excited, and despite me acting like an adolescent girl about it, they still let me interview him. Let me explain my feelings about Taye Diggs. First, there is this: This was . . .
Black Was Once A Color to Me: Reflections of a White Father of Black Children on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
{This is a guest post from my friend Ian DiOrio.} Black was once a color to me, and only a color. The remainder of all colors collected and melded into one. The conglomeration of lighter and brighter colors, mixed upon and within one another to create the darkness of black. Black is the color without color; black is light without light. At least that is how I used to see black, when it was only a color to me. Today black is no longer a color, only a color; it is a social history, a narrative in . . .
how to talk to kids about race and racism
Last week I expressed some concern about whether or not my first-grader was old enough to be learning about some of the more violent aspects of the civil rights movement and slavery. One of the frustrating outcomes of that conversation is that a few people misinterpreted my concern as being over conversations about race in general . . . which couldn’t be further from the truth. I am a firm believer that we should be talking to our kids about racial differences from a very young age. . . .
discussing civil rights and slavery with children – how soon is too soon?
We've been having some hard discussion at our house over some things Jafta has been learning at school. On Monday, he came home and told us about a book they read at school about the underground railroad. I was a little caught off-guard. Jafta also talked about slaves and masters, and recounted that slaves were whipped if they didn’t obey. I don’t know if he gleaned this from the teacher or from another student, but he was very troubled by the idea, and it led to some . . .
interracial couples and transracial families in film
While I was at Camp Mighty this weekend several of us watched the movies Bridesmaids in our hotel room. I’ve got lots of interesting things to say about Camp Mighty (spoiler alert: it was awesome) but while I’m unpacking and catching up on some cuddle time with the kids, I’m leaving you a topic that I’d like you to discuss amongst yourselves. It’s something that I’ve been ruminating on since watching the wedding scene in Bridesmaids that portrayed the main character’s parents: . . .
what I want you to know: growing up with racism
What I Want You to Know is a series of reader submissions. It is an attempt to allow people to tell their personal stories, in the hopes of bringing greater compassion to the unique issues each of us face. If you would like to submit a story to this series, click here. NOTE: I don’t usually editorialize on these posts, but I wanted to explain that this entry was actually an assignment turned in by a student in my cultural diversity class this summer. As a part of the class, I ask each student . . .
that’s what SHE said: racially problematic edition
This week there were some interesting conversations about race buzzing around the internet Some of it was encouraging – some of it rather discouraging I saw people creating drama over non-issues (cake) in attention-seeking efforts while ignoring the many racial issues that are actually plaguing society, I saw people being defensive over critical discussions of Great White Hope trends in media – again, perhaps more outrage being given to a movie being dissected that than . . .