True Social Justice Equity Is Hard Work
January 29, 2018 An interesting phrase, with an equally interesting hashtag, has started to go around: #StayWoke. This phrase was especially present during the Women’s March after the inauguration of President Trump. There are many different ways to interpret what it means to “Be Woke;” but I posit, that instead of just focusing […]
“God never intended for one group of people to live in superfluous inordinate wealth, while others live in abject deadening poverty.”- Dr. King, “Strength to Love”, 1963 Although I’m not a history teacher, I love history and work hard to teach true history to my daughters. One of the hardest […]
As a parent, it is important to teach my children their history. Often the opportunities to teach them about their culture happen spontaneously through conversations. My eldest daughter and I have great history lessons during our car rides. Here is one of my favorite conversations. – ShaRhonda R: Mom, let’s talk […]
Happy Thanksgiving and/or Happy Holiday Season! In the spirit of the holidays, I want to ask you a favor. Let me first confess something to you: I am exhausted. Racism is exhausting! With Nazi signs being painted on garages, racist graffiti at OPRF, and a banana, blackface, Bob-Marley Becky in […]
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 […]