Happy Loving Day! A Day Late...

Hi Meltingpot Readers,

Yesterday was Loving Day. Did you remember to celebrate? I kind of forgot. But just like I feel like every day is Martin Luther King, Jr. day when you're Black in America, every day is Loving Day when you're a Black woman, married to a Spanish man and you have three brownish kids. I mean, we celebrate interracial marriage being legal every morning we wake up in the same bed together. Ya dig?

That being said, there are some things I would like to do in honor of the great sacrifice Mildred and Richard Loving did in order to have their marriage recognized by their home state of Virginia. Namely, I'd like to fly my entire Kinky Gazpacho family to the Mixed Roots Film and Literary Festival this weekend in Los Angeles. But it ain't gonna happen, because we just don't have the funds this year. (sigh) But we'll get there hopefully next year.

I'd also like to get a chance to see the new documentary about the Lovings, The Loving Story. It's being screened at Mixed Roots, but you already know, I won't be there. (bigger sigh). Here's the trailer.



I'm not sure when I'll be able to see the film, so in the meantime, to satisfy my Loving Day wanderlust, I'll probably just troll the internet and look for all of the slideshows that feature 'our favorite celebrity interracial couples.' I admit, it's a guilty pleasure. But one I really only indulge in, on Loving Day. I swear.

Okay, dear readers. Did you do anything to celebrate Loving Day? Are you going to? Let's hear it. You know I'm listening.

Peace!

Mixed Roots Film and Literary Festival

Hi Meltingpot Readers,

If you live in the Los Angeles area or can get there without a lot of trouble, then you simple must make it to this year's Mixed Roots Film and Literary Festival, June 15- 17, 2012. The films, readings and family activities are going to be awesome. Some of my favorite writers, Mat Johnson and Faith Adiele, are going to be there. And the Hi-larious comics Key & Peele will be performing. But don't take my word for it. Check out the schedule and try not to drool over the fabulous offerings. And yes, it's all free!

I'd love to be there, but won't be able to make it this year. Somebody, please tell me you're going.

Peace!

Calling All Mixie Artists

Happy Friday Meltingpot Readers,

Any regular readers of this blog know I am a huge fan of the Mixed Roots Film and Literary Festival. Born five years ago, it is an amazing festival that celebrates the mixed race experience --from all angles - through literature and film. I was fortunate enough to be at the first festival and hope to be able to attend this year.

To be honest, before attending the Mixed Roots Festival, I never thought there was a unique mixed - race experience. I still saw the world in Black and White, despite the fact that I had brown children! And even then I didn't think I, as a Black woman, had a place in that experience. Somebody had to point it out to me that because my children are mixed, then I am part of the experience. So, yes, I need to be aware of what it means to be mixed. Yes,I want to know how to celebrate my children's two unique cultures in a way that makes them feel whole. And as a writer who is interested in race and identity, the mixed experience fascinates me.

The festival takes place June 16 & 17 in Los Angeles. It's totally free and offers programing appropriate for the whole family. Did I mention it's free?. Right now there's an open call for workshop, literature and film submissions. So, if you have a book or film that you'd like to screen to an amazing audience, send in your stuff. I am.

Peace!

Mixie News in the Media

Hi Meltingpot Readers,

Sorry about the late post, but I got a little busy today. Since I never want to leave you without some meltingpot news to chew on, chew on this.

The New York Times is noticing multiracial America with a front-page story. Now, the New York Times is the paper of record, but come on dear readers, we knew all of this stuff covered in the story already, didn't we? But still, it feels good when the Times recognizes a critical part of our culture with a big story.

Enjoy.

Peace!

It's Time to Vote for the Best in Mixie Films and Litearture

Hi Meltingpot Readers,

I just finished watching the classic, Imitation of Life and now I want to talk about it. What a fascinating and disturbing film. And to think the story is still relevant today in 2011.

Even though I did not love the movie, I do applaud a film that attempts to dissect/examine those complex issues of race and identity. And now you can applaud in a more significant way for all of the books and films that dare to go there.

Please take a minute to visit the Mixed Roots Film & Literary Festival website and vote for the best books and films that highlight the mixed experience. Even if you don't vote, it's a great collection of literature and films that they have assembled as nominations. You might want to use it as a guide for 'what to read/watch next.' I know I am.

Do you think there are any books or films that the festival organizers missed and should have been on those lists? What are they?
I'm listening.

Peace.

Tidbits from the Meltingpot

Happy Friday,

Today I have lots of information to share so here we go:

- Our first Meltingpot Giveaway Winner is "Dee!" Dee wins a free autographed copy of Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America. If you wanna track back and check out her personal hair story, it's worth a read, but I selected the winner randomly out of a hat (a very small hat, since only three people posted, but I'm not complaining.)So Dee, send us an email to myamericanmeltingpot@gmail.com with a mailing address and you'll get your amazing, award-winning, free book in a jiffy.

- New Links. Check them out!

- The Mixed Roots Film & Literary Festival is back. Actually the 2009 festival will be held in June, but festival organizers, Heidi Durrow and Fanshen Cox of Mixed Chicks Chat are asking for submissions from film and literary folk who'd like to present their work at the festival in Los Angeles. For full details, check out the new website at mxroots.org.

- My Kinky Gazpacho family is all the rage in the new age of Obama. Check out the article in the Philadelphia Inquirer. I've counted at least a half dozen similar stories in newspapers across the country documenting the multi-racial family experience. For those of us living it, doesn't it feel a little bit like old news? But I guess the positive spin is always good. Anybody disagree?

- Weekend Plans: I am heading to Washington D.C. to talk some more about identity politics and my personal journey at a new multiracial bookstore in Georgetown called, Presse Books. The reading is on Sunday January 18, at 2pm. Please show up if you're going to be in the area. I just found out Beyonce will be performing a free concert at the same time, where Obama is opening the show and I'm wondering if we're competing for the same audience? I mean I think I could take Beyonce but Barack and Beyonce? At least my event is indoors!

Happy Friday and stay warm!

Please Share

Hi Meltingpot Readers,

Sorry about the lull in blogging. Just getting back into the swing of things after an absolutely amazing visit to Los Angeles. The Mixed Roots Film and Literary Festival rocked and I met a lot of sensational individuals -- artists of every stripe. Tune in throughout the summer and you'll get to meet some of them here on the Meltingpot.

In the meantime, I'd like to host my first contest of sorts. Only there's no prize except the pleasure of knowing you helped make the Meltingpot a better place to visit. I'm planning a big update of my links list over there on the side. If you know of any blogs that document the intersection of the African-American/Black American experience with another culture (e.g. Kinky Gazpacho the Black and Spanish thing) please forward the link.

Thanks for sharing and please note that as of July 1st the Meltingpot will be back in full swing.

Peace!

Mixing it Up in California

In exactly one week from today, the 1st Annual Mixed Roots Film and Literary Festival launches with a bang. Rebecca Walker will be giving the Opening Address on Thursday June 12 and then the Festival kicks into high gear with writing workshops, film screenings, kids activities and a comedy hour or two. You can check out the entire schedule on the website.

Yours truly will be there to lead a workshop called, "Crafting the Multicultural Memoir" and I'll be doing a reading from Kinky Gazpacho. I'll also be launching a new product that is still very hush-hush, but if you come to the Festival and say, "I Read My American Meltingpot," you'll get a sneak peak and a prize! I want to meet my readers, so if you live in Cali, come on by please and show yourselves.

In case the idea of a really cool festival doesn't excite you, but you still want to meet me in California and win that prize, you can also come to the Eso Won bookstore on Wednesday June 11 at 7pm and show some love. I'll be at this amazing independent bookstore doing a reading and signing and hoping for an Angela Bassett or Denzel Washington sighting because I hear they shop there.

I'm so excited. And I just can't hide it...

Peace!

A Meltingpot Film & Literary Festival!

Hey Meltingpot readers...This Just In. Los Angeles will be the site for the 1st Annual Mixed Roots Film and Literary Festival.

The brain child of the two hippest Mixed Chicks around -- and hosts of the online talk show Mixed Chicks Chat -- Heidi Durrow and Fanshen Cox, the Mixed Roots Film and Literary Festival "was created to support and encourage emerging and established filmmakers and writers to tell stories of the racially and culturally Mixed experience." How cool is that!

The Festival runs from June 12 - 15, 2008 to coincide with Loving Day. Filmmakers and literary folks who want to participate in the festival should head over to the website and check out the call for submissions section. You have until March 4, so don't delay.

I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Durrow at last year's Loving Decision conference. I am so inspired by her attitude of action. When she thinks something should be done, she gets it done. This Festival is just an example of what one (or two) people can do to get this revolution started. Take note!

I'm looking forward to seeing all of you Meltingpot readers in the City of Angels in June.

Peace!