In the world of stereotypes and preconceived notions, Japanese women are rarely depicted as beauty queens. But as of last night, history turned a new page when 20-year-old Riyo Mori was crowned Miss Universe. She is only the second Japanese woman ever crowned Miss Universe. Her predecessor wore the sparkly tiara back in 1959. I wonder if the people of Japan are celebrating the victory?
Interestingly, Miss Japan won over the boisterous crowd in Mexico City because she began her speech during the interview portion of the competition with, "Hola, Mexico" and did not trip and fall during the evening gown portion of the competition like Miss USA did.
Congratulations Ms. Mori, the Meltingpot wishes you the best of luck spreading good cheer around the globe and promoting alternative visions of universal beauty.
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By the way, check out Racialicious today and watch the commercial for Iberia Airlines. Is it just me or do the Spanish people just not understand what is considered offensive, off-color, caricatures of Black people? I'm so fascinated by their complicated "issues" with Black folk, I wrote a book about it called Kinky Gazpacho. Watch for it next spring. In the meantime, appreciate the fact that this ridiculous Iberia airlines ad featuring a white baby and two hoochie mama looking Cuban women on the beach was pulled from the airwaves.
And please note that I'm not suggesting that the Spanish are alone in their collective issues knowing what is offensive to the viewing public, (Need I even utter the words Don Imus?) They've just caught my interest since I married a Spaniard and spend lots of time in that country as both an oddity and a delight. It's complicated. That's what I said before.
Hasta Pronto.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Monday, May 21, 2007
May is Mixed-Race People History Month
Hey, bet you didn't know that May is Mixed-Race People History month! I didn't either until I stumbled across Light Skinned-ed Girl's blog.
LSG actually decided on her own that May should be devoted to recognizing the many achievements of mixed-race people the world over to combat the tragic mulatto stereotype. On her blog she's profiling some fascinating mixed-race people. Go Ahead LSG.
Check it out and Happy Mixed-Race People History Month!
Peace.
LSG actually decided on her own that May should be devoted to recognizing the many achievements of mixed-race people the world over to combat the tragic mulatto stereotype. On her blog she's profiling some fascinating mixed-race people. Go Ahead LSG.
Check it out and Happy Mixed-Race People History Month!
Peace.
Monday, May 14, 2007
A Black Woman Learns A Lesson from Her Biracial Son
The other day I picked up my son from kindergarten and told him we’d be going over to my girlfriend’s house for a play date. Even though my girlfriend’s daughter is only two, my five-year old son loves her to pieces and more importantly, she has cats.
Sure enough, my son grabbed his coat from his cubby and ran over to his teacher and announced, “I’m going over to my cousin’s house and she has two cats.” I smiled at my child and felt all warm and fuzzy inside knowing that he is still so innocent and unsullied that he believes his Jewish, milky white playmate could be his cousin. I left the school with my multi-culti, rainbow-tinted glasses firmly in place.
As we were driving along to my girlfriend’s house I was still thinking about what my son had said and trying to remember what age it was that kids started to notice color and race. And then as we approached a stoplight, it hit me. My son wasn’t being colorblind when he declared that Samantha was his cousin. He wasn’t fulfilling some civil rights prophecy either. It wasn’t that deep. He probably just thinks Samantha is his cousin because her mother and I are so close. We celebrated Hanukah together last year and a couple of times her whole family has slept over at our house. That’s what families do. And the fact that Samantha and her family is White surely doesn’t disqualify her as family –as it would in my old-fashioned mind—because half of my son’s family is White!
When we go to Spain every summer, I’m the only Black one in the bunch. Abuela y Abuelo, Tia Eli, Primo Juan…they are all white and they are all family. So why couldn’t White people Stateside be cousins as well my son made me realize. It was an amazing lesson. As much as I profess to be a member of America’s meltingpot, my mind still sometimes functions like a single ingredient.
Lesson learned.
This would be a good time to mention that America’s Meltingpot families, scholars, activists and educators will all be descending on the Windy City (Chicago) on June 21-24 for the Loving Decision Conference 2007 to discuss and celebrate the future of Multiracial communities. There’s still time to register for what looks like a fabulous conference.
Peace Out!
Sure enough, my son grabbed his coat from his cubby and ran over to his teacher and announced, “I’m going over to my cousin’s house and she has two cats.” I smiled at my child and felt all warm and fuzzy inside knowing that he is still so innocent and unsullied that he believes his Jewish, milky white playmate could be his cousin. I left the school with my multi-culti, rainbow-tinted glasses firmly in place.
As we were driving along to my girlfriend’s house I was still thinking about what my son had said and trying to remember what age it was that kids started to notice color and race. And then as we approached a stoplight, it hit me. My son wasn’t being colorblind when he declared that Samantha was his cousin. He wasn’t fulfilling some civil rights prophecy either. It wasn’t that deep. He probably just thinks Samantha is his cousin because her mother and I are so close. We celebrated Hanukah together last year and a couple of times her whole family has slept over at our house. That’s what families do. And the fact that Samantha and her family is White surely doesn’t disqualify her as family –as it would in my old-fashioned mind—because half of my son’s family is White!
When we go to Spain every summer, I’m the only Black one in the bunch. Abuela y Abuelo, Tia Eli, Primo Juan…they are all white and they are all family. So why couldn’t White people Stateside be cousins as well my son made me realize. It was an amazing lesson. As much as I profess to be a member of America’s meltingpot, my mind still sometimes functions like a single ingredient.
Lesson learned.
This would be a good time to mention that America’s Meltingpot families, scholars, activists and educators will all be descending on the Windy City (Chicago) on June 21-24 for the Loving Decision Conference 2007 to discuss and celebrate the future of Multiracial communities. There’s still time to register for what looks like a fabulous conference.
Peace Out!
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Democratic Footwear
This is just a send-up to summer, which is well on its way. Warm weather makes me feel optimistic and free. So for today's post I thought I'd give props to the flip flop, recognized as the most democratic of footwear.
A little history on the ubiquitous summer sandal. Flip-flops made their official debut in this country during World War II. They were manufactured in Hawaii, copied from the Japanese Zori sandal. Originally sold for 29 cents a pair!
These days, flip flops are universal footwear. They are still so cheap to manufacture, men, women, rich, poor, Black, White and Other can slide their feet into a pair and be on their way to freedom for their feet. Of course the fashionistas couldn't leave the flip flop alone and a girl could spend close to $500 for a pair of diamond encrusted Gucci flops, but I think that's going a little bit crazy. But if you do want fashion forward flops you can shop at places like Flip Flop Trunkshow.
In some countries flip flops are made from recycled tires. In this country a group of young women wore their flip flops to meet President Bush at the White House and got in trouble. Most flip flops have a shelf life of three months.
Do you have a flip flop story?
Peace.
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