Hi Meltingpot Readers,
Recently, a lovely journalist from TODAY Moms interviewed me about what I call the "Not the nanny" syndrome. You know, that irritating situation when people mistake you for your child's caregiver because you might be of color and your baby looks kind of White? I know it happens all the time to Black girls like me who procreated across the color line and managed to spit out babies lacking in melanin. But it also happens to Latina women, Asian women and even White women.
I met a White woman recently who was married to a Filipino man. Her two children look more Asian than White. She told me that, while breast feeding, someone asked her if she was the nanny?! So, my dear readers, apparently the syndrome doesn't discriminate.
Get a group of women together who have children that don't look like them and we can tell all kinds of hilarious stories, besting one another with the more outrageous comments people have thrown our way. And truth be told, sometimes they are funny. But a lot of times, those comments hurt. They hurt in a way I never expected. It's not because I feel so insulted to be mistaken for a nanny. And it's not even because I think people are being small-minded or insensitive by questioning my child's parentage. At the end of the day, it hurts because there's something visceral, I think, about wanting to see something of yourself in your offspring. It's that simple and that complicated.
I have never been told, 'gee your kids look just like you.' And it's not something I ever dreamed about hearing either. I'd rather hear, 'gee your kids sure are smart/talented/healthy.' But to be told over and over, your kids look nothing like you? Aye, there's the rub. What's more, I think that for women of color to be mistaken for the nanny, the underlying insult comes not from being mistaken for a domestic worker, but for not be respected enough to be mistaken for the mother. Ya dig?
Let's be clear though. The "I'm Not the Nanny"syndrome doesn't keep me up at night. I don't wring my hands in agony over the injustice of my kids looking more like their pale-face papa than me. In fact, until someone throws it in my face, I'm not thinking about it all. It's just another one of those fascinating Meltingpot moments that I think so many of us can relate to and perhaps help each other through.
What do you think? Is there more to the Not the Nanny syndrome? Is it something more people should be aware of? Is there a cure?
I'm listening.
Peace!
Showing posts with label racism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label racism. Show all posts
Friday, June 29, 2012
Wednesday, May 02, 2012
Hipster Racism: It's Everywhere!
Hi Meltingpot Readers,
If you're anything like me --which I assume you are because you're reading this blog -- headlines with the words 'hipster racism' in them catch your eye. Well, last week, blogger Lindy West posted an article titled A Complete Guide to 'Hipster Racism,' on Jezebel.com. The article was tweeted, liked and re-sent all around the internet. Many of you probably saw it. Many of you might have agreed with much of the author's opinions and ideas. I did. Many of you might of spent way too much time reading the hundreds of comments on the post and arguing out loud with some of them. I did that too.
But for the rest of you who never heard the phrase, 'hipster racism,' or who like me, erroneously thought the phrase was coined by West, then please take a moment to school yourself over at racialicous.com where they break down the history of hipster racism and remind us that they've been keeping track of this insidious brand of racist thought since 2006.
But at the end of the day, I have to ask. Isn't racism by any other name, still just racism?
How would you define hipster racism? 'm listening.
Peace!
If you're anything like me --which I assume you are because you're reading this blog -- headlines with the words 'hipster racism' in them catch your eye. Well, last week, blogger Lindy West posted an article titled A Complete Guide to 'Hipster Racism,' on Jezebel.com. The article was tweeted, liked and re-sent all around the internet. Many of you probably saw it. Many of you might have agreed with much of the author's opinions and ideas. I did. Many of you might of spent way too much time reading the hundreds of comments on the post and arguing out loud with some of them. I did that too.
But for the rest of you who never heard the phrase, 'hipster racism,' or who like me, erroneously thought the phrase was coined by West, then please take a moment to school yourself over at racialicous.com where they break down the history of hipster racism and remind us that they've been keeping track of this insidious brand of racist thought since 2006.
But at the end of the day, I have to ask. Isn't racism by any other name, still just racism?
How would you define hipster racism? 'm listening.
Peace!
Monday, March 26, 2012
The Black Man's Code for Children: A Dad's Perspective on Trayvon Martin
Hi Meltingpot Readers,
Thank you all so much for the thoughtful comments on my last post about Trayvon Martin. I don't have time today to respond to them all, but I have read each one. It is heartening to know that other people believe we shouldn't burden our youngest children with the fear of 'walking while Black.' Instead, we should give them time to grow up before informing them of the ugliness that resides in the world.
That being said, I wanted to call attention to the following article, written by AP writer, Jesse Washington, which provides the opposite viewpoint to the matter. Albeit reluctantly, Washington told his son about the Black Male Code of Conduct after news of the Trayvon Martin case broke. Here's an excerpt of what he wrote.
" I thought my son would be much older before I had to tell him about the Black Male Code. He's only 12, still sleeping with stuffed animals, still afraid of the dark. But after the Trayvon Martin tragedy, I needed to explain to my child that soon people might be afraid of him."
To read the rest of Jesse's story, which also includes the viewpoints of other Black men who felt they had to explain "the code," to their sons, follow this link.
I'm curious if Jesse's perspective changes anyone's mind? Do we need to protect our sons or can we safely keep them 'ignorant.?' It probably isn't an either or question. I say it still really depends on the child's age and maturity level, as well as their level of independence in the world. Ultimately, every parent has to decide how they want to raise their children, but it sure is complicated and of course, nobody wants to mess up.
Thoughts? I'm still listening.
Peace!
Thank you all so much for the thoughtful comments on my last post about Trayvon Martin. I don't have time today to respond to them all, but I have read each one. It is heartening to know that other people believe we shouldn't burden our youngest children with the fear of 'walking while Black.' Instead, we should give them time to grow up before informing them of the ugliness that resides in the world.
That being said, I wanted to call attention to the following article, written by AP writer, Jesse Washington, which provides the opposite viewpoint to the matter. Albeit reluctantly, Washington told his son about the Black Male Code of Conduct after news of the Trayvon Martin case broke. Here's an excerpt of what he wrote.
" I thought my son would be much older before I had to tell him about the Black Male Code. He's only 12, still sleeping with stuffed animals, still afraid of the dark. But after the Trayvon Martin tragedy, I needed to explain to my child that soon people might be afraid of him."
To read the rest of Jesse's story, which also includes the viewpoints of other Black men who felt they had to explain "the code," to their sons, follow this link.
I'm curious if Jesse's perspective changes anyone's mind? Do we need to protect our sons or can we safely keep them 'ignorant.?' It probably isn't an either or question. I say it still really depends on the child's age and maturity level, as well as their level of independence in the world. Ultimately, every parent has to decide how they want to raise their children, but it sure is complicated and of course, nobody wants to mess up.
Thoughts? I'm still listening.
Peace!
Friday, March 23, 2012
The Tragedy of Trayvon Martin: A Mother's Perspective, A Meltingpot Perspective
I've been avoiding you. I've been avoiding this topic. Sometimes I just want to hide from the news and hope it will all just go away. But of course it won't. And hiding doesn't help.
So, let's get to it.
If for any reason you don't know who Trayvon Martin is, I'll just send you here to read the facts of the story. I think it goes without saying, that the greatest tragedy in this case is that a child -- yes, a 17-year-old is a child -- had his life violently stolen from him. His final moments on this earth were spent at the hands of a deranged and evil man. His mother and father now have to wake up every single morning for the rest of their lives knowing that their son died alone and afraid.
That is the tragedy of this story.
Now comes the injustice.
The man who murdered Trayvon, George Zimmerman, is not in jail. He's not in police custody. He's walking the streets of Florida a free man. With a gun! The same gun he used to assassinate an unarmed 17-year-old. I cannot wrap my mind around that fact. Let's review. Man follows teen around the neighborhood because he suspects he's up to 'no good.' Teen does nothing but walk while Black. Zimmerman confronts teen, shoots him dead, tells police what he did, witnesses confirm the facts and he's still not in jail. This is the most insane miscarriage of justice I've ever heard. Zimmerman claims he was acting in self-defense -- using Florida's insane Stand Your Ground Law as protection -- and that's that. He's free.
So, using Zimmerman's logic, the good citizens of Florida can walk around killing people who they deem to be dangerous, based entirely on stereotypes and perceived threats. How is that law supposed to protect people? It sounds like a path to anarchy and vigilantism.
What To Tell Our Children?
A reader asked me -- since I previously posted about racism being too stressful to talk to kids about -- how to explain the Trayvon Martin tragedy to kids. And it's taken me a while to figure it out myself.
Okay, here's the Meltingpot Mother answer to that question. Feel free to agree or disagree at will. With the anger and grief I feel about this case, I admit, it's been very difficult to know what to say to my kids about this. I don't want to scare them and I don't want them to carry this burden. My two brown boys are 10 and seven. And in consultation with el esposo, we have decided not to tell them about Trayvon Martin. They don't watch the news and it has not been discussed at school. If they do hear about Trayvon, I will tell them that a young boy was senselessly murdered by a crazy man. I will not bring race into the story. Here's why.
I remember watching a documentary about nuclear war when I was about 10 years old. It scared me so badly, I had nightmares for years. I knew nuclear war was a real threat and I also knew I could do nothing to prevent it from happening. I lived in such terror because of that film. I wasn't ready for that knowledge. Likewise, if I tell my sons, that people shoot Black boys because they are racist, because people think Black boys are violent and delinquent, or simply because they can, what are my sons supposed to do with that information except fear for their life? I think that's my job. Which after this incident, I fear even more. But I'm an adult and I can handle it. They are children.
How do I want my boys to move through this world? Fearful and eventually angry? No. I want them to embrace life and all of its wonderful possibilities. I don't want them to be afraid to walk to the store to buy candy or travel outside of their comfort zones. But I'm not stupid either. I am aware of the world we live in and --now more than ever. I know people like George Zimmerman exist in abundance. So, while I don't couch it in terms of race or violence, I don't let my sons wear certain clothes. I demand a certain level of courtesy and behavior in public that they probably think is overkill, but I think is cautionary. I don't let them play with guns. Ever. Because, sadly, a little brown boy playing with a water gun, can be mistaken for a killer.
George Zimmerman already stole one childhood, he's not going to steal two more. As my sons age, I will begin to feed them more of the real story. I plan to give them age appropriate doses of racial reality. It's kind of like the sex talk. You don't tell your seven year olds -- I hope -- everything about sex. You give them the sanitized version. As they approach puberty you start getting into the details. You can start having nuanced and sometimes uncomfortable conversations about sex as your child matures and starts experiencing some of the things you've been talking about. It's a model I use for the race talks. I encourage others to try this method of thinking. What are your kids able to handle? Would you tell your eight-year-old daughter about birth-control pills and STD's? Probably not, because she's not going to need that information for several years and you might scare the bejeezus out of her.
Some people might disagree with me and that's quite okay. But I believe in preserving the innocence of children as long as possible so that they have time to form a solid sense of self-identity before that identity is attacked by society. A strong foundation is the key to a stable sense of self-worth. Burden a child with the horrors of this world when they're too young and you poke holes in that foundation.
I'd love to hear how others are talking about Trayvon to their children.
I'm so listening.
Peace!
Friday, January 27, 2012
Is Racism too Stressful to Talk About?
Hello Meltingpot Readers,
My son is in the fifth grade. Recently they had to take those fill-in-the-bubble tests that supposedly test achievement. As part of the test, the kids have to fill in a bubble that describes their racial background. The teacher sent a note home saying that that requirement instigated a very thoughtful conversation about race and racism in the classroom. The take-away from the discussion, however, was that the kids believed it was just plain racist and always wrong to even talk about race. Yikes!
Faster than you can say NAACP, I was composing an email to the teacher, offering my services to come and lead a workshop to the fifth grade about how to talk about race with ease and comfort. But before I hit send, I remembered a recent study I read about on MyBrownBaby.com that suggested children need to be shielded from stress and strife as much as possible. Here's an excerpt from the article that gave me pause.
"... adolescence in particular is a vulnerable time for kids because that is when they are starting to isolate themselves from the family, meaning they have fewer supports available to them. Sinha says we need to give children time to develop their stress systems, which will provide them with the tools to deal with adversity as they become older. But if too much adversity comes at an early age, those tools will remain stunted and not fully available to them, perhaps throughout their lives."
If there's one thing I know to be stressful, it's the concept of race and racism. It stresses me out when I allow myself to think about all of the injustice in this world that comes at the hands of a racist system. On the other hand, I know that my parents did an excellent job shielding me from the ugliness of racism for almost my entire childhood and I feel I am the confident Black woman I am today because of it. My only gripe is that in "shielding" me from racism, they also shielded me from feeling any pride in my African-American heritage. I grew up feeling like I didn't belong to any particular ethnic group. I had to teach myself what it meant to be Black, a lesson I didn't start to learn until I was 18.
So, back to my own kids. Of course I want to teach them to feel proud of their heritage, both Black and Spanish. And until now, I kind of thought it was okay to give them a hearty dose of honesty when it came to the painful history and lingering injustice that permeates a colored person's life. But now I'm not so sure. I don't want to do what my parents did and act like race isn't an issue, but I also don't want to burden them with the sins of the past.
Here's what's on my agenda for this weekend. We're going to see Red Tails (the movie about the Tuskegee Airmen) and our read-aloud book is about the young Harriet Tubman. This is just coincidence but is it too much? What do you think, dear readers? How do you teach your children about race, without adding stress? I'm so listening.
Peace!
My son is in the fifth grade. Recently they had to take those fill-in-the-bubble tests that supposedly test achievement. As part of the test, the kids have to fill in a bubble that describes their racial background. The teacher sent a note home saying that that requirement instigated a very thoughtful conversation about race and racism in the classroom. The take-away from the discussion, however, was that the kids believed it was just plain racist and always wrong to even talk about race. Yikes!
Faster than you can say NAACP, I was composing an email to the teacher, offering my services to come and lead a workshop to the fifth grade about how to talk about race with ease and comfort. But before I hit send, I remembered a recent study I read about on MyBrownBaby.com that suggested children need to be shielded from stress and strife as much as possible. Here's an excerpt from the article that gave me pause.
"... adolescence in particular is a vulnerable time for kids because that is when they are starting to isolate themselves from the family, meaning they have fewer supports available to them. Sinha says we need to give children time to develop their stress systems, which will provide them with the tools to deal with adversity as they become older. But if too much adversity comes at an early age, those tools will remain stunted and not fully available to them, perhaps throughout their lives."
If there's one thing I know to be stressful, it's the concept of race and racism. It stresses me out when I allow myself to think about all of the injustice in this world that comes at the hands of a racist system. On the other hand, I know that my parents did an excellent job shielding me from the ugliness of racism for almost my entire childhood and I feel I am the confident Black woman I am today because of it. My only gripe is that in "shielding" me from racism, they also shielded me from feeling any pride in my African-American heritage. I grew up feeling like I didn't belong to any particular ethnic group. I had to teach myself what it meant to be Black, a lesson I didn't start to learn until I was 18.
So, back to my own kids. Of course I want to teach them to feel proud of their heritage, both Black and Spanish. And until now, I kind of thought it was okay to give them a hearty dose of honesty when it came to the painful history and lingering injustice that permeates a colored person's life. But now I'm not so sure. I don't want to do what my parents did and act like race isn't an issue, but I also don't want to burden them with the sins of the past.
Here's what's on my agenda for this weekend. We're going to see Red Tails (the movie about the Tuskegee Airmen) and our read-aloud book is about the young Harriet Tubman. This is just coincidence but is it too much? What do you think, dear readers? How do you teach your children about race, without adding stress? I'm so listening.
Peace!
Monday, December 12, 2011
Asians Passing for White
Hi Meltingpot Readers,
My friend Jesse Washington, recently penned an interesting article for the Associated Press on a fairly recent trend of Asian students trying to "hide" their Asian heritage when applying to college. Although most colleges would deny it, there seems to be a higher threshold Asian applicants have to meet in regards to their grade point average and SAT scores. Since Asian students in general out perform Whites, Blacks, Latinos and Native Americans on tests and in grades, in order for colleges not to have a disproportionate number of Asians in their classes, they make it harder for them to get in. Or at least that seems to be the case. Most schools don't want to go on the record saying this is true. But students, parents and high school guidance counselors seem to think it is and thus this new trend.
So, how does one hide the fact that they are Asian? Well, a person can not check the "race box" on the application, but an Asian surname pretty much ruins that trick. So, who is really playing the race game here? It's the kids who only have one Asian parent. The Asian mixies. The Hapas, if you will. The ones who can "pass for White," as did the handful of kids interviewed in the story.
On the one hand, I feel for any kid who is discriminated against because of his ethnic background. Especially if that discrimination comes from über achievement! How does that feel? 'Uh, We're sorry but you and your people are just too smart. We don't want you here at our institution of higher learning.' (sigh)
But on the other hand, the meltingpot in me chafes at the idea that these kids are passing for White. And my discomfort with it has nothing to do with college admissions. Any time a person feels the need to cover up/hide/deny the colored part of their heritage in order to get ahead, is a tragedy. I don't have any solutions to offer these kids in this horrible predicament, but I know for a fact that lying about who you are can never lead to good things.
So Meltingpot readers, what do you think Asian kids should do when facing discrimination in the admissions process? What do you think our colleges and universities should do to address the problem? And, should a kid with only one Asian parent, be placed in the same category of Asian as the kid with two? Isn't this tricky?
I'm totally listening.
Peace!
My friend Jesse Washington, recently penned an interesting article for the Associated Press on a fairly recent trend of Asian students trying to "hide" their Asian heritage when applying to college. Although most colleges would deny it, there seems to be a higher threshold Asian applicants have to meet in regards to their grade point average and SAT scores. Since Asian students in general out perform Whites, Blacks, Latinos and Native Americans on tests and in grades, in order for colleges not to have a disproportionate number of Asians in their classes, they make it harder for them to get in. Or at least that seems to be the case. Most schools don't want to go on the record saying this is true. But students, parents and high school guidance counselors seem to think it is and thus this new trend.
So, how does one hide the fact that they are Asian? Well, a person can not check the "race box" on the application, but an Asian surname pretty much ruins that trick. So, who is really playing the race game here? It's the kids who only have one Asian parent. The Asian mixies. The Hapas, if you will. The ones who can "pass for White," as did the handful of kids interviewed in the story.
On the one hand, I feel for any kid who is discriminated against because of his ethnic background. Especially if that discrimination comes from über achievement! How does that feel? 'Uh, We're sorry but you and your people are just too smart. We don't want you here at our institution of higher learning.' (sigh)
But on the other hand, the meltingpot in me chafes at the idea that these kids are passing for White. And my discomfort with it has nothing to do with college admissions. Any time a person feels the need to cover up/hide/deny the colored part of their heritage in order to get ahead, is a tragedy. I don't have any solutions to offer these kids in this horrible predicament, but I know for a fact that lying about who you are can never lead to good things.
So Meltingpot readers, what do you think Asian kids should do when facing discrimination in the admissions process? What do you think our colleges and universities should do to address the problem? And, should a kid with only one Asian parent, be placed in the same category of Asian as the kid with two? Isn't this tricky?
I'm totally listening.
Peace!
Wednesday, December 07, 2011
A White Woman and a Black Man Walk into a Church in Kentucky...
Hi Meltingpot Readers,
So did you hear about the church in Kentucky that recently decided to ban interracial couples from joining their congregation? If you have no idea what I'm talking about, here's a brief article from the Huffington Post to catch you up on the shenanigans.
My favorite part of that story is that the church board decided that interracial couples could attend church services but could not officially join the congregation, nor participate in church activities, "except for funerals." Why funerals I wonder? Does death trump racism? Or maybe a funeral, just ain't a funeral without a negro in attendance? I'm just wondering.
But before anyone gets really angry, there's good news up ahead. Once the church members discovered that it was against state and federal law to ban interracial couples from the church, they decided their previous vote didn't count. Now, everyone is welcome to worship at the Gulnare Free Will Baptist Church. Don't you feel better now? I'm sure there's going to be a long line of colored folks banging on those church doors asking to praise the Lord with the fine folks at Gulnare who have recently seen the light.
Okay, I'm going to get serious here for a second. One, I'm not surprised that this happened. I'm not surprised because I know that racism is still very much alive in this country and the world. I know that many people -- of all colors and stripes -- believe that folks should just stick with their own kind when it comes to marriage.
But I'm going to try to sympathize with this congregation, give them the benefit of the doubt. Gulnare Free Will Baptist is a tiny church in Appalachia. Now, I'm no Appalachian expert, but I do know that there aren't a ton of Black people in them thar hills. It's very easy to stay rooted in ignorance and stereotypes when there's nobody around to challenge your belief system. Perhaps now that their peculiar brand of "ignorance" has been shown to the world and they have been shamed, they will begin to change their ways. Maybe. I said, maybe.
Here's a clip from the church's pastor who suggests that maybe that will happen.
What do you think? Can anything good come from this painful moment? Like what? And is anyone else wondering if the young White woman who dragged her African fiance to the church truly believed that the congregation would welcome her with open arms? Or was she just hoping to heat things up and bring the church into the 21st century?
I'm so totally listening.
Peace!
So did you hear about the church in Kentucky that recently decided to ban interracial couples from joining their congregation? If you have no idea what I'm talking about, here's a brief article from the Huffington Post to catch you up on the shenanigans.
My favorite part of that story is that the church board decided that interracial couples could attend church services but could not officially join the congregation, nor participate in church activities, "except for funerals." Why funerals I wonder? Does death trump racism? Or maybe a funeral, just ain't a funeral without a negro in attendance? I'm just wondering.
But before anyone gets really angry, there's good news up ahead. Once the church members discovered that it was against state and federal law to ban interracial couples from the church, they decided their previous vote didn't count. Now, everyone is welcome to worship at the Gulnare Free Will Baptist Church. Don't you feel better now? I'm sure there's going to be a long line of colored folks banging on those church doors asking to praise the Lord with the fine folks at Gulnare who have recently seen the light.
Okay, I'm going to get serious here for a second. One, I'm not surprised that this happened. I'm not surprised because I know that racism is still very much alive in this country and the world. I know that many people -- of all colors and stripes -- believe that folks should just stick with their own kind when it comes to marriage.
But I'm going to try to sympathize with this congregation, give them the benefit of the doubt. Gulnare Free Will Baptist is a tiny church in Appalachia. Now, I'm no Appalachian expert, but I do know that there aren't a ton of Black people in them thar hills. It's very easy to stay rooted in ignorance and stereotypes when there's nobody around to challenge your belief system. Perhaps now that their peculiar brand of "ignorance" has been shown to the world and they have been shamed, they will begin to change their ways. Maybe. I said, maybe.
Here's a clip from the church's pastor who suggests that maybe that will happen.
What do you think? Can anything good come from this painful moment? Like what? And is anyone else wondering if the young White woman who dragged her African fiance to the church truly believed that the congregation would welcome her with open arms? Or was she just hoping to heat things up and bring the church into the 21st century?
I'm so totally listening.
Peace!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Wordless Wednesday or Shut Up Donald Trump!!!
Meltingpot Readers,
I have no words for Donald Trump. I wish I could say the same for him. I wish he would shut his mouth with his racist and inflammatory rhetoric. I'm too mad to type. Here's a story from the Huffington Post with his latest nonsense.
I must go and get my blood pressure back down to normal levels before I have a stroke.
Peace.
I have no words for Donald Trump. I wish I could say the same for him. I wish he would shut his mouth with his racist and inflammatory rhetoric. I'm too mad to type. Here's a story from the Huffington Post with his latest nonsense.
I must go and get my blood pressure back down to normal levels before I have a stroke.
Peace.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Shame on You Dr. Laura!
Hi Meltingpot Readers,
So I'm still maintaining the buzz of the big "Pub day" for Substitute Me. Thank you all for your sweet encouragement, your blog reviews, tweets and well wishes. I feel so happy. But that happiness can't keep me from getting hot under the collar by the outrageous behavior by that woman who calls herself Dr. Laura.
I barely knew who Dr. Laura was, but I couldn't ignore the constant media attention given to her recent reported spewing of the n-word on national radio. So of course, I had to investigate. Here's a a story from abc news that apparently covered the "controversy."
But of course mainstream media got the story all wrong. In my opinion. Yes, Ms. Laura was way too comfortable using the n-word, in fact she seemed to enjoy it, but what was truly reprehensible about the situation, was the advice she gave to the caller who was calling with a legitimate problem. The caller was a Black woman married to a White man. Apparently the White husband's White friends and family often made racist comments around the wife and her husband didn't stick up for her and she wanted to know how to handle it. Now, why this woman decided to call Dr. Laura for help is beyond me, but she did. And Dr. Laura's response was --I'm paraphrasing -- "stop being so hypersensitive. You shouldn't have married outside of your race if you couldn't handle such situations!!!!!" Excuse me?
Here's a link to the whole disgraceful transcript so you can see for yourself how racist this woman really is. Yes, I said it. I think Dr. Laura is a very racist human being who should take herself to therapy to see why she harbors so much negative energy towards Black people. Maybe she can do this now that she's going to be out of a job :)
And I ask myself, why is this woman popular? Why do people listen to her? What is her appeal? Somebody please help me understand.
I am listening with both ears.
Peace
So I'm still maintaining the buzz of the big "Pub day" for Substitute Me. Thank you all for your sweet encouragement, your blog reviews, tweets and well wishes. I feel so happy. But that happiness can't keep me from getting hot under the collar by the outrageous behavior by that woman who calls herself Dr. Laura.
I barely knew who Dr. Laura was, but I couldn't ignore the constant media attention given to her recent reported spewing of the n-word on national radio. So of course, I had to investigate. Here's a a story from abc news that apparently covered the "controversy."
But of course mainstream media got the story all wrong. In my opinion. Yes, Ms. Laura was way too comfortable using the n-word, in fact she seemed to enjoy it, but what was truly reprehensible about the situation, was the advice she gave to the caller who was calling with a legitimate problem. The caller was a Black woman married to a White man. Apparently the White husband's White friends and family often made racist comments around the wife and her husband didn't stick up for her and she wanted to know how to handle it. Now, why this woman decided to call Dr. Laura for help is beyond me, but she did. And Dr. Laura's response was --I'm paraphrasing -- "stop being so hypersensitive. You shouldn't have married outside of your race if you couldn't handle such situations!!!!!" Excuse me?
Here's a link to the whole disgraceful transcript so you can see for yourself how racist this woman really is. Yes, I said it. I think Dr. Laura is a very racist human being who should take herself to therapy to see why she harbors so much negative energy towards Black people. Maybe she can do this now that she's going to be out of a job :)
And I ask myself, why is this woman popular? Why do people listen to her? What is her appeal? Somebody please help me understand.
I am listening with both ears.
Peace
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Fighting in Philly: Black and Asian Teens Go Head to Head
As a Black woman who has always had Asian friends I've always wondered why the media likes to glorify all of the incidents of Black/Asian conflict. In fact, I use a lot of my Blog space to celebrate the places where Black and Asian culture come together in beautiful ways. But there's a story unfolding in my own back yard that I cannot ignore.
Recently a friend of mine, George Miller III wrote a story for Philadelphia Weekly magazine about a disturbing trend of Asian students getting beat up by Black students at several Philadelphia high schools.
That story was written in September and it seemed that perhaps the problem was being addressed. Fast forward two months and sadly things have gotten so bad, that the Asian students walked out of school until they could get some response from school officials whom they claim repeatedly ignore their distress calls.
As you'll read in the story, some people don't really see this as Black on Asian crime, but rather a simple us against them turf war. You know, "we were here first," "You don't speak English" and "You don't look like me." This doesn't make the violence any more palatable, but it does make sense. And it doesn't feed into the age-old stereotype that Blacks and Asians are mortal enemies. It forces educators to really look at the problems and not just call these hate crimes and throw up their hands in despair.
What suggestions would you give Philly school officials who are adressing this problem? Where would you start?
I'm listening.
Recently a friend of mine, George Miller III wrote a story for Philadelphia Weekly magazine about a disturbing trend of Asian students getting beat up by Black students at several Philadelphia high schools.
That story was written in September and it seemed that perhaps the problem was being addressed. Fast forward two months and sadly things have gotten so bad, that the Asian students walked out of school until they could get some response from school officials whom they claim repeatedly ignore their distress calls.
As you'll read in the story, some people don't really see this as Black on Asian crime, but rather a simple us against them turf war. You know, "we were here first," "You don't speak English" and "You don't look like me." This doesn't make the violence any more palatable, but it does make sense. And it doesn't feed into the age-old stereotype that Blacks and Asians are mortal enemies. It forces educators to really look at the problems and not just call these hate crimes and throw up their hands in despair.
What suggestions would you give Philly school officials who are adressing this problem? Where would you start?
I'm listening.
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Black Girl in China
How many of you ever stop and think what life is like for Black people living in China? And I don't mean ex-pats, I mean Afro-Chinese? Say what?!
I will raise my hand and admit, I've never thought about it at all. I think China, I think Chinese people. I don't think of ethnic diversity outside of the range of the Asian experience. Well, here's a story for you about the daughter of a Chinese mother and an African-American father, who has been raised by her mother in China as a Chinese citizen. She's become a bit of a cyber "celebrity" as of late because of all of the online comments being logged about her after she appeared on a televised Chinese beauty contest with her mother.
Apparently the girl is the result of an affair her mother had with a Black American man who left before she was born. Which means, mom cheated on her Chinese husband. All of that information was shared on Chinese television and opened up what appears to be a never-ending stream of comments from Chinese citizens. While many of the comments are vile and degrading, many are supportive of the girl. I'm of course fascinated because it starts a conversation about race in a country assumed to be completely homogenous. Which of course it is not. This girl cannot be the only Afro-Chinese child in existence, right?
If you happen to be Black and living in China, what has your experience been like? Does racism exist in China? If so, what does it look and feel like? Clearly it's not just a Black thing. I don't believe they covered these topics last year during all of the Olympics coverage, although it would have been a perfect time with all of the differently colored folks walking around. Okay, I'm listening.
Peace.
I will raise my hand and admit, I've never thought about it at all. I think China, I think Chinese people. I don't think of ethnic diversity outside of the range of the Asian experience. Well, here's a story for you about the daughter of a Chinese mother and an African-American father, who has been raised by her mother in China as a Chinese citizen. She's become a bit of a cyber "celebrity" as of late because of all of the online comments being logged about her after she appeared on a televised Chinese beauty contest with her mother.
Apparently the girl is the result of an affair her mother had with a Black American man who left before she was born. Which means, mom cheated on her Chinese husband. All of that information was shared on Chinese television and opened up what appears to be a never-ending stream of comments from Chinese citizens. While many of the comments are vile and degrading, many are supportive of the girl. I'm of course fascinated because it starts a conversation about race in a country assumed to be completely homogenous. Which of course it is not. This girl cannot be the only Afro-Chinese child in existence, right?
If you happen to be Black and living in China, what has your experience been like? Does racism exist in China? If so, what does it look and feel like? Clearly it's not just a Black thing. I don't believe they covered these topics last year during all of the Olympics coverage, although it would have been a perfect time with all of the differently colored folks walking around. Okay, I'm listening.
Peace.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Who Are You Calling Oriental?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it common knowledge, except for the Archie Bunker types and members of a certain older generation who didn't get the PC memo, that we don't use the word Oriental to describe our Asian friends?
Be that as it may, I've been listening to the BBC lately in my car and have heard the term Oriental used to describe people of the Middle East, today it was the people and culture of Iran.
Of course I did a little digging and found that in the United States we adhere to these guidelines:
"Merriam-Webster describes the term as "sometimes offensive,"[6] Encarta states when the term is used as a noun it is considered "a highly offensive term for somebody from East Asia."
But ... "In British English, the term "Oriental" is now used to describe one of East Asian extraction, especially the ethnic groups of China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam and any other pertinent and surrounding countries, and has no pejorative connotations. The alternative is usually to use "Far Eastern," or refer to the specific country from which an individual or family may have originated, if this is known."
Isn't that interesting? In England the term Oriental isn't insulting when speaking of Asian people? But still, does that explain why BBC news reporters are using the term Oriental to describe people of the Middle East? I mean Chinese people and Iranian people are a little bit different, right?
So I'm looking for answers here. First and foremost, why is Oriental considered offensive here in the United States but not in the United Kingdom? And who decides if it's offensive or not? Did all of the Asian people in Great Britain get to vote and say they didn't mind the term? My guess is that some British Asians might like to get rid of the term. But I could be wrong.
And second, is the word offensive only when talking about people or does it also apply to objects like, "Oriental rugs or Oriental Art?" There seems to be more debate on that issue. I for one always feel uncomfortable when I hear folks use the word because I just thought it was a no-no. But always the journalist, I'd like to know why.
I'm listening.
Peace!
Be that as it may, I've been listening to the BBC lately in my car and have heard the term Oriental used to describe people of the Middle East, today it was the people and culture of Iran.
Of course I did a little digging and found that in the United States we adhere to these guidelines:
"Merriam-Webster describes the term as "sometimes offensive,"[6] Encarta states when the term is used as a noun it is considered "a highly offensive term for somebody from East Asia."
But ... "In British English, the term "Oriental" is now used to describe one of East Asian extraction, especially the ethnic groups of China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam and any other pertinent and surrounding countries, and has no pejorative connotations. The alternative is usually to use "Far Eastern," or refer to the specific country from which an individual or family may have originated, if this is known."
Isn't that interesting? In England the term Oriental isn't insulting when speaking of Asian people? But still, does that explain why BBC news reporters are using the term Oriental to describe people of the Middle East? I mean Chinese people and Iranian people are a little bit different, right?
So I'm looking for answers here. First and foremost, why is Oriental considered offensive here in the United States but not in the United Kingdom? And who decides if it's offensive or not? Did all of the Asian people in Great Britain get to vote and say they didn't mind the term? My guess is that some British Asians might like to get rid of the term. But I could be wrong.
And second, is the word offensive only when talking about people or does it also apply to objects like, "Oriental rugs or Oriental Art?" There seems to be more debate on that issue. I for one always feel uncomfortable when I hear folks use the word because I just thought it was a no-no. But always the journalist, I'd like to know why.
I'm listening.
Peace!
Monday, April 20, 2009
U.N. Conference on Racism -- Good or Bad?
It would seem that a worldwide conference dedicated to the eradication of racism and xenophobia would be a good thing. And yet, the United Nations Conference, which opened today in Geneva is being boycotted by the United States, Israel, Canada and some European countries including Italy and Holland.
I am not sure I fully understand why the United States is boycotting, although the official response from the Obama administration is because of "objectionable language in the meeting's draft declaration," according to Reuters. The back story is that during the first UN Conference on Racism, held in South Africa in 2001, the US and Israel walked out of the meeting when conference attendees tried to define Zionism as a form of racism. What's more, it appeared that there was a generally anti-Semitic tone at the last conference and that this conference would only offer more of the same. The fact that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was the opening speaker, reinforced those beliefs.
And in fact, according to the New York Times, in his speech, President Ahmadinejad called Israel a "racist government," among other evil things, prompting all of the EU delegates to walk out in protest. So, I think it's pretty safe to say the conference is off to a pretty rocky start.
So my question is, despite the fact that there are some obvious spoilers at the party, what kind of message is the U.S. sending by not showing up to a conference that is addressing what I think is our most pressing human issue? Isn't that like throwing out the baby with the bath water? Why is this issue the issue that makes it impossible for us to participate in a conference that could potentially draft proposals to heal the rifts and violence between Israel and its Muslim neighbors?
What do you think? Should the U.S. be participating? Doesn't it seem strange that the year we elect a Black man to lead our country we don't attend the biggest conference on racism? Was there another choice for the Obama administration? Do these conferences make any difference anyway?
I'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas. For another opinion about why the Obama administration should have sent a delegate, check out today's headline at The Root.
Peace!
I am not sure I fully understand why the United States is boycotting, although the official response from the Obama administration is because of "objectionable language in the meeting's draft declaration," according to Reuters. The back story is that during the first UN Conference on Racism, held in South Africa in 2001, the US and Israel walked out of the meeting when conference attendees tried to define Zionism as a form of racism. What's more, it appeared that there was a generally anti-Semitic tone at the last conference and that this conference would only offer more of the same. The fact that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was the opening speaker, reinforced those beliefs.
And in fact, according to the New York Times, in his speech, President Ahmadinejad called Israel a "racist government," among other evil things, prompting all of the EU delegates to walk out in protest. So, I think it's pretty safe to say the conference is off to a pretty rocky start.
So my question is, despite the fact that there are some obvious spoilers at the party, what kind of message is the U.S. sending by not showing up to a conference that is addressing what I think is our most pressing human issue? Isn't that like throwing out the baby with the bath water? Why is this issue the issue that makes it impossible for us to participate in a conference that could potentially draft proposals to heal the rifts and violence between Israel and its Muslim neighbors?
What do you think? Should the U.S. be participating? Doesn't it seem strange that the year we elect a Black man to lead our country we don't attend the biggest conference on racism? Was there another choice for the Obama administration? Do these conferences make any difference anyway?
I'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas. For another opinion about why the Obama administration should have sent a delegate, check out today's headline at The Root.
Peace!
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Racism on the Dance Floor
I'd heard about segregated proms in the deep South. But I could have sworn that was yeaaars ago. But apparently I'm wrong. Last year, yes 2008, was the first year that Charleston High School, in Charleston, Mississippi dared to have their first integrated prom, and only then because the actor Morgan Freeman offered to foot the bill.
If that seems as unbelievable to you as it does to me, then you too should try to see the documentary film, Prom Night in Missippi, that tells the story behind the tuxedos and taffeta. The film screened at Sundance this year and has won a handful of awards. More importantly though, it has people talking about race and racism. Listen here for an interview with director Paul Saltzman.
Sometimes here at the Meltingpot, we start to believe that everyone is living mixie, blended, colorful lives. Look who lives in the White House, right? But then we are confronted with the truth. Do you think Charleston High School and the people of the town represent the majority of Americans in the South? Or are they the exception? And mind you, this wasn't only a case of Whites not wanting to be with Blacks. Bad feelings flowed both ways.
What do YOU do when you hear about towns like Charleston? Do you pledge to avoid the entire state of Mississippi for like another decade? Do you make jokes and thank God you live Up North? In another country? On Mars? Or do you do something else? I think Mr. Saltzman had the right idea in exposing the truth through film. Sometimes that's all we can do is tell the rest of the world what's happening and watch humanity change itself.
What do you think?
Peace!
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
It Just Makes Me Mad
I don't follow the world of tennis any more than I follow NASCAR, the NBA or any other professional sport. But I know a whole heck of a lot about Venus and Serena Williams, Tiger Woods and Yao Ming (the basketball player from China) because they fascinate me as "non-traditional" players. I follow their careers because it's easy to do without knowing much about sports. So of course I've heard about Serena Williams and the racist heckler who tried to mess up her game yesterday in Florida.
I don't have anything to say. It just makes me mad that one stupid guy can reduce an amazing athlete to a color. Of course he didn't succede in bringing Serena down because she beat her opponent despite the verbal attack, but still, it just makes me mad.
Peace Out!
p.s. Check out my new links on the side.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)