One of the tricks of race, an enemy of our authentic humanity and beloved community, is to convince us that if we’ve seen or had an experience with one person then we have seen and experienced all of them all, whoever “they” are. It is the promise of race and the superhuman ability of stereotypes […]
Today officially begins the celebration of “Black History Month” and with it, a host of special programs that remind older viewers and inform younger ones of the stories, struggles and contributions of African Americans. Persons will make plans to travel to museums and monuments. There will be commercials that will claim to celebrate “Black History […]
At the root, what enables the belief in race to continue to thrive in American society? Why do we allow it to impact so much of our lives? Curiosity– Jealousy– Hatred– Unforgiveness– Pride– Confusion– Distrust– Lies– Misunderstanding– Fear– Greed– Ignorance– Power– Hopelessness– Bitterness What would you add to the list?
I am often dumbfounded at the number of persons who live their lives as if mere spectators. They talk about their lives as if they are not active participants but onlookers, as if narrators instead of characters. They share their experiences with race, racism and prejudice as if to say, “Do you see what racism […]
The painful familiar. It is the concept that I discuss in the introduction of my book Conscious, a description of the racialized life and specifically, for me socially defined blackness. Accepting a black identity creates more questions than answers and brings more uncertainty than assurance. There is no confidence in being black as the identity is not constant but […]