racism
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Separate, but Equally Dangerous: How the Jussie Smollett and Liam Neeson Controversies Reinforce Racist Narratives About Black Men
As the survivor of a violent crime, I can attest that the aftermath is, in some ways, the hardest part. That’s when the physical pain, perhaps previously dulled by adrenaline, really kicks in—along with regrets, doubts, fears about the future, and that lingering beast known as PTSD. Twelve years ago, after I was robbed and…
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Bodycam Footage of Florida Deputy Grabbing Black Father by the Throat and Calling Him 'Boy' Sparks Investigation
According to the Daily Beast, a Florida deputy is the focus of an internal affairs investigation after body-camera footage from 2017 recorded him not only repeatedly calling a black father “boy”, but grabbing him by the neck during a profanity-laden confrontation. The internal investigation into Deputy James Cady, who reportedly has a history of making…
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American Justice: Abuse Domineque Ray as a Boy, Discriminate Against Him as a Man, and on Death Row, Kill Him
Domineque Ray was born in a country that is proud of its stated principles, which supposedly include justice for all. For Ray, justice in America meant enduring sexual and other forms of physical abuse throughout his childhood, so much so that he was ashamed to even admit it to save his own life. Propublica summed…
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Donald Trump Says the ‘Abolition of Civil Rights’ Is One of Our Country’s ‘Greatest Strides’
Have you ever been watching or listening to someone speak, and suddenly the next thing that comes out of their mouth is something you know they truly believe but did not mean to actually say out loud? That happened to “President” Donald Trump on Thursday morning at the 2019 National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C.…
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Liam Neeson Explains Why There’s No Such Thing as Racism
Before we begin, let me assure you that no one is outraged. Contrary to the assumptions of many, most people who have lived their entire existence under a system of white supremacy are rarely outraged by racism. Whether it is hearing one’s governor confess to using shoe polish as a foundation or watching the president…
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After That Super Bowl Halftime Show, It's Safe to Say Black Girls Are Not Like You, Maroon 5
Can you believe it? It’s been 15 years since the phrase “wardrobe malfunction” entered our respective lexicons. I didn’t watch one second of the 2019 Super Bowl on Sunday. But thanks to the internet and digitized programming, you can pretty much watch an entire show via social media commentary. Blah blah blah lowest score in…
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In 1st Appearance Since Attack, Jussie Smollett Performs Live in LA; Says Now Is the Time to Be 'Blacker and Gayer'
Jussie Smollett may be bruised, but he isn’t broken. The 35-year-old made his first public appearance on Saturday night since his reported attack. “I had to be here tonight. I couldn’t let those motherfuckers win,” he shouted to the exuberant crowd in triumph, per The Hollywood Reporter. Chicago police are currently investigating an attack on…
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On Well-Intended White Folks: Thoughts on Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam and the Making of a Public Image
Less than eight months ago, after delivering a speech to a room full of educators about teaching strategies to help educators acknowledge and heal from a history of racism in education, I took a seat to hear the Gov. Ralph Northam speak. After expressing his commitment to educational justice, he held my book, For White…
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Jussie Smollett Is ‘OK’ and Thanks Everyone for Their ‘Outpouring of Love and Support’
Following the horrific report of the homophobic and racist attack against Jussie Smollett and the tsunami of commentary that followed, it was important to give him space. I knew he would say his piece when he was ready and willing, and that time has come. “Let me start by saying that I’m OK,” Smollett told…