Tag Archives: racism

Racism, Riots, and “Reality”

Posted on August 9, 2011 by

When a police officer shoots and kills a person of color, whether in the US or in Britain, most in so-called civil society wait until some sort of formal inquiry or investigation before passing judgment. This is a necessary thing … Continue reading →

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Gene McDaniels

Posted on August 2, 2011 by

I am saddened at the news of the passing of Gene McDaniels. One of the most eclectic, soulful, political, gentle, and passionate talents in modern jazz/soul music, McDaniels was 76. You can read about his life and career here. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Entertainment, History, Music, Obituary, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

DWTD: Driving with Tortilla Dough

Posted on May 10, 2011 by

Or as I like to call it: “Masa-gate.” From Asheville, North Carolina comes the story of a Latin American immigrant male who spent four days in jail because law enforcement officials mistook tortilla dough (known as “masa” in Spanish) for … Continue reading →

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What is Cinco de Mayo?

Posted on May 5, 2011 by

If you didn’t know any better, you would agree with the idiot who recently appeared on a late night show and described Cinco de Mayo as a holiday invented in the US “to celebrate our neighbors to the South, by … Continue reading →

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Birthers and Brawlers

Posted on April 27, 2011 by

The White House released President Obama’s “Certificate of Live Birth” today. This “official” document adds to the others, including the “Certification of Live Birth,” which had already been released, as well as the mountain of other evidence which proves the … Continue reading →

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Diversity in Higher Education

Posted on April 5, 2011 by

I work at an elite, liberal arts college in southern California. I feel lucky to have a job, and especially lucky to have a job that I love. My students, my colleagues, and my work are constant sources of fulfillment. … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Personal | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Demand your freedom

Posted on January 17, 2011 by

MLK Day is always a difficult “holiday” for me.  As a historian of the 20th century U.S., and as a person who is deeply committed in both my work and personal life to meaningful progress in eradicating racism, I recognize … Continue reading →

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It’s not political

Posted on January 12, 2011 by

There’s a lot to “take away” from the past few days of news and politics. The overriding lesson, for me anyways, is this: The word “terrorist” is journalistic & political shorthand for a “nonwhite” person who perpetrates an act of … Continue reading →

Posted in News, Politics | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Latino History Month #2

Posted on September 29, 2010 by

It’s time for your weekly “Hispanic Heritage Month” history lesson, something with a little more significance and less sponsorship than this.  Plus, you get for free what hundreds of students have to pay a high-priced college for, and I don’t … Continue reading →

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Why Repealing Birthright Citizenship is More Difficult Than You Think

Posted on August 13, 2010 by

In recent months, the “movement” to repeal jus soli–or “birthright citizenship–seems to be gathering steam. I use the term “movement” cautiously because, at heart, this is really about political posturing by the right. While there are groups of people who … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, History, Immigration, Labor, News, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments