True Social Justice Equity Is Hard Work
Recently, there has been an uptick in racism in my community. While I have been keenly aware of the dangerous racial rhetoric in our nation that came from the election of President Trump and writing and fighting to stop it, I didn’t think it the direct racism, of MAGA crew, […]
“I can’t believe what you say, because I see what you do.” – James Baldwin Our West suburban community has been captivated by the Starz docu-series, “America to Me.” In the series, Oak Park parent and documentary filmmaker Steve James highlights some of the racial issues that continue to plague […]
White women’s role in racism is beginning to get the attention, study, and correct analysis, to honestly tell the story of American racism. People are outlining the role of White women in housing segregation, support of racist politicians and policies, verbally, financially, and physically. I would like to add to […]
One of my dreams as a child was to know what part of Africa my family was from. I grew up in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood, which was full of immigrants and ethnic Whites who had strong ties to their “homelands.” I am proud of my Arkansas heritage, but that’s not […]
Yesterday, Dejanay Stanton, a Black trans woman was killed in a shooting. It barely made the news. Last year, there was an incident when the host of “The Breakfast Club” made bigoted commentary and controversial comments about transgender women. I, like the rest of Black America who regularly listens to “The […]
As a Negro, I grew up with a set of Negro norms that accompanied all family events. Especially the unique experience of a BBQ with norms that dictate behavior for an outdoor event held at someone else’s home. As I grew up, I started to choose my own parties, with […]
*This piece was inspired by the Aziz Ansari’s sexual assault allegation a few months back. “White Women’s fear of Black men and men of color as dangerous is often wrong” and that is the danger of “Grace’s” allegation against Aziz Ansari. *“Grace” is completely anonymous and we have no idea of […]
“I can’t believe what you say, because I see what you do.” James Baldwin I have been thinking, talking, researching, analyzing and living with racism my entire life. There is an abundance of scholarly, anecdotal and lived experiences that define what racism is and what it is not. Most scholars […]
photo credit: Black Panther Marvel Movies As I prepare myself for my seventh, yes, seventh, viewing of “Incredibles 2” with my daughter, I was inspired to have a new movie-themed racial crossfit! Lucky for you, the assignment is not to watch “Incredibles 2” seven times without going crazy. And for […]
This post was inspired by a Nayyirah Waheed poem, “African American II,” from her book “Salt.” In the 1400s, Europeans first arrived to my Mother Africa’s house. My Mother Africa’s house was, and still is, rich and full of treasures like gold, diamonds, copper, aluminum, petroleum and many other resources. People who […]