Ta-Nehisi Coates on "Black Pathology"

"There is no evidence that black people are less responsible, less moral, or less upstanding in their dealings with America nor with themselves. But there is overwhelming evidence that America is irresponsible, immoral, and unconscionable in its dealings with black people and with itself. Urging African-Americans to become superhuman is great advice if you are concerned with creating extraordinary individuals. It is terrible advice if you are concerned with creating an equitable society. The black freedom struggle is not about raising a race of hyper-moral super-humans. It is about all people garnering the right to live like the normal humans they are."

Worth reading the whole article here.

ANNIE - Official Trailer - In Theaters Christmas 2014

There will be racist comments (they've already started) that say Annie was white and a redhead, and that therefore she can only be played by a white, red-headed girl. Representations of Santa have to be white for the same reason. Even Jesus "has" to be white (even though we know he wasn't). Racism is, of course, alive and well in America. But there are happy moments of progress that need to be marked and celebrated!

 

Re: the "N"-Word and Who Gets to Use It

Here's why it's not okay for us white folks to use the "n"-word, while it is okay for African-Americans—and why that is not a "double standard."

Ill Doctrine: The Last Word on That Word from ANIMALNewYork.com on Vimeo.

Native Americans call themselves many things...

Tulsa school sends girl home because "dreadlocks" and "afros" are too distracting.

"A father in Oklahoma said this week that he was forced to pull his daughter out of classes after the charter school she was attending sent her home for having the wrong hairstyle. Terrance Parker told KOKI that he is a barber and he always made sure that his 7-year-old daughter, Tiana, had an appropriate haircut for school. “She’s always presentable,” he explained. “I take pride in my kids looking nice.” Officials from Deborah Brown Community School in Tulsa declined speak to the station on camera, but the school policy states that “hairstyles such as dreadlocks, afros, mohawks, and other faddish styles are unacceptable.” KOKI reported that the “school feels that could distract from the respectful and serious atmosphere it strives for.” “She went to the school last year and didn’t have any problems,” Terrance Parker pointed out. “It hurt my feelings to the core.” And from the way that 7-year-old Tiana wept as she spoke to KOKI, it was obvious that her feelings were hurt as well. “They didn’t like my dreads,” she said. “I think that they should let me have my dreads.” Tiana has now been enrolled in a new school, which welcomes her hairstyle."

  By David Edwards Wednesday, September 4, 2013

 

Everyday Racism

"Racism is not merely a simplistic hatred. It is, more often, broad sympathy toward some and broader skepticism toward others." Ta-Nehisi Coates