Having the moral high ground is only the beginning
In the South, we have a phrase: “you catch more flies with honey than with sour milk.” The saying highlights the importance of knowing your audience. Even flies have a preference. At times, messaging can win over the most stubborn critics. Advertisers use marketing strategies to introduce new product lines or promote existing ones. Yet, activists can also use marketing strategies to pitch solutions to societal problems.
Having the moral high ground means nothing if activists fail to prove their case. But, it’s a good start. To achieve legislative hurdles, activists must also demonstrate the plausibility of their proposals. …
Systemic racism robs children of their innocence
In North Carolina, officers arrested a six-year-old Black boy for picking a tulip near his bus stop. The aftermath of this flower-picking incident shows racism can blossom at any time. Inequality doesn’t wait until a Black person reaches a particular age or milestone. Rather, systemic racism starts impacting children at a young age and never stops. It seems Black innocence is like petals, lost to the wind.
Currently, America doesn’t have a federal law that protects children as young as six from arrest. Each state decides at what age a person can stand trial. …
Exploring the impact of featurism
Characteristics like your skin tone, hair texture, and facial features reflect unique qualities. Perhaps your wide nose looks like your fathers’, and your kinky, brown hair reminds family members of your mother. People inherit these traits from their parents, but each person is one of a kind. Each face has a story to tell, reflecting a lifetime of experiences and heritage.
Despite natural variances, many white people claim they do not see race. They insist they would never judge someone based on their physical characteristics. However, modern research contradicts their feature-blind declaration. …
Cherry-picking King’s quotes tells half the story. It’s time to highlight the entirety of his remarkable legacy.
This year, Americans should take an extra moment to reflect on Martin Luther King Jr.’s compelling message. He delivered speeches that inspired people from all walks of life. His campaign challenged the status quo. King wanted America to become a country that judges people on their character as opposed to skin color. However, some people interpret his campaign in different ways. It matters what Americans tell themselves about King because his rhetoric provides a framework for ongoing discussions about civil rights.
King rejected the theory of American exceptionalism and instead embraced American potential. The change did not come easy during…
WEOC Profile
Hi, world. I’m Allison, and I love writing about race, equality, women, and history. I’m interested in social sciences, which is why I’m a Ph.D. candidate. But, let’s get down to the fundamentals, who I am and what I stand for.
I’m a New Orleans native. That’s right. I’m from the very bottom of the map. And, while the South isn’t an ideal place to live for Black people, my family has found a way to make it work. We each found our niche. For me, it’s always been writing. Though I must admit, I’ve always been a radical. Even…
Dismantling a racist stereotype that diminishes individuality
You’ve heard the trope before — “Chinese people all look alike.” It’s a disgustingly racist stereotype which diminishes individuality and thus humanity. I’ve heard this said many times in a variety of settings. Yet, until recently, I’ve stayed silent on the issue. We all know it’s not true. But, when we continue to stay quiet, we become part of the problem. When people say racist things, we need to pump the breaks.
As an ESL teacher, I’ve taught hundreds of children within the past few years. They are primarily Chinese, many of who live in Beijing. None of my Chinese…
Black History 365
March 2021 Edition
Welcome to the Black History 365 Project.
Last month was Black History month. Some of you may be wondering why you are reading this article in March. You’re seeing this because I, along with the Editor in Chief Johnny Silvercloud believe that Black History matters all year long. Each month, we will celebrate Black History by publishing a compliation of some noteworthy historical pieces.
Hopefully you enjoy reading these articles. If you learn something new, make sure to let the author know, or tell a friend. The more we invest in learning about Black history, the more connected we will…
Composer Decommissioned Over Lyrics in Tulsa Opera
Black people and America are in a toxic entanglement. Society treats anyone darker than a brown paper bag like a second-class citizen while expecting patriotism in return. To say Black people pulled the short stick would be an understatement. Insisting that Black people only speak kindly of America is racist.
America never lived up to its end of the bargain. It’s failed overtime to provide equal opportunities and protections for its citizens. Now it’s time to consider what that means on the back end.
Saying ‘God Damn America’ makes sense when you’re Black. Our ancestors came over on slave ships…
Anti-Racism
Its addictive nature makes it a hard habit to break
Americans have a responsibility to denounce white supremacy. Yet, we cannot do that by dancing around the pink elephant in the room. We should counter white supremacist ideology by creating paths to rehabilitation. After all, racists exhibit some of the same symptoms as addicts.
People can develop fixations to all sorts of things. Whether to chocolate, exercise, or drugs, addictions don’t develop overnight. Long before a white person becomes a white supremacist, they dip a toe in. Once they get a feel for the benefits, drawbacks become an afterthought. …
Rep Chip Roy Makes ‘No Apologies’ For Pro Lynching Comments
The House of Representatives held a hearing about the rise of Anti-Asian hate crimes after this week’s attacks. Yet, some refused to honor the solemnity of this moment. In one callous statement, Rep Chip Roy equated lynchings with justice.
‘We believe in justice. There are old sayings in Texas about find all the rope in Texas and get a tall oak tree. We take justice very seriously. And we ought to do that. Round up the bad guys. That’s what we believe,’he said. — Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas (Gregorian & Talbot, 2021)
By describing lynching victims as “bad guys,” he…
