Race FilesThursday I taped a short interview with Tell Me More, a program that airs on National Public Radio. The segment aired last Friday. Give it a listen by clicking here. Tell me what you think. Be kind, these things are edited so I did actually say it (occasional cringe), but I also said a lot more.
The 28th of August marks the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, one of the great turning points of the black Civil Rights Movement. The anniversary got me thinking, what do Asian Americans owe to the black Civil Rights Movement?
I know that probably seems like an odd question. I mean, many of us, not just people of color but LGBT people, people with disabilities, women, religious minorities, and, to boot, people of all creeds and colors who wish to live in a country where there may one day be true, broad based, inclusive democracy … Read more “Three Things Asian Americans Owe to the Civil Rights Movement”
There’s been a lot of talk in recent years about the term “racist.” Cognitive psychologists, political pollsters, and communications consultants have weighed in about how to talk about racism and advance an equity agenda while not alienating white people by labeling them racists. Many advise never using the term to describe people, instead suggesting we only criticize actions. Some have gone so far as to argue against using terms like racism and racist at all, calling it a losing strategy and directing us to focus on actions and outcomes that result in unintentional inequities instead.
All of that is … Read more “Why “Racist” Is Such a Powerful Word”
