The View From Here

In late March I was on the "L" in Chicago traveling from the airport to the heart of the city for a conference. As I stood near the doorway of the train, I observed the people who were sitting and standing around me. In so many ways the "L" was a microcosm of our society in the U.S. in that I was surrounded by abounding diversity particularly cultural. I saw the same thing when I took the BART in San Francisco, the subway in NYC or even the "T" in Boston. There were exchanges in different languages and the response by those of us listening in? Simple acceptance that's most likely rooted in the reality of difference. I'm guessing many just blocked out what they heard as it's probably commonplace to hear unfamiliar words. People didn't blink if someone came onto the train wearing a hijab or turban. A place like Chicago (or NYC or L.A.) embodies our nation's history (often painful and conflicted) with diversity resulting from decade...

Last night it was interesting to listen to classmates talk about Beyonce's Lemonade especially the controversy about "Becky with the Good Hair." Most went on to say that it was racial stereotyping against White women. As I've stated in this blog before I'm often the only woman of color in the classroom in my program; however most White students don't see me as such. Anyway, all I can think is how little they understood about the history of oppression when it comes to Black women and what is considered ideal beauty in this country. Also there seemed to be lack of knowledge of the stereotyping of Black hair in all sectors of society but certainly in professional workplaces. As always, it's awkward to be the only one (again) and that when White people think no-one is listening, the things they'll say... P.S. The Daily Beast had a good posting about Iggy Azalea making the same contention. Check it out .

A couple of days ago I was staying at a hotel for a conference in a midwest city that I'd categorize as being pretty diverse and cosmopolitan. However, as I stood at a computer in a guest lounge while wearing my workout clothes and having a sheen a sweat on my face due to my recent treadmill run, one, no, two White older people one after the other (they seemed to be a couple) asked me there were cold drinks in the lounge. You know where this is going... Without giving her much of a glance, I said to her, "I don't work here. I'm a guest." Although she apologized quickly, I was annoyed. Then a moment later, a White older man (I think he was with the woman who just spoke to me) asked me the very same question. WTF. I mean it, I was seething and I said (again with more force), "I DON'T WORK HERE. I'M A GUEST." Most, I imagine, would say what's the big deal? Yet, the day in and day out of experiencing microagressions  or more specifically micr...

I've noticed that there hasn't much attention on the API vote although I read one article this morning abut Rubio stating how the GOP can win back the API vote. I'm guess I'm wondering how they can win back when there doesn't seem much interest about the loss in the first place. Also, whenever racism comes up in debates in both parties, APIs are never brought up as recipients of racism and racial prejudice. When immigration is raised, it is rare to hear how policies will affect immigrants from Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. When jobs are discussed, there is no talk about the "Bamboo" ceiling for API professionals or about the poverty and lack of jobs among some API groups. Much of this I believe can be attributed to APIs (most but certainly not all as APIs are a diverse group of peoples and cultures) being seen as model minorities, i.e. Honorary Whites. Essentially we don't upset the apple cart but when we do, we aren't really tak...

The other night I reconnected with a former student, and what the student proceeded to tell me truly upset me. A few months back the student experienced some difficult mental health issues that led to being hospitalized. Since I wasn't in the therapist's office who heard the student's concerns, I can only judge by what I heard from the student. What was deeply troubling to me is that the student was never asked whether the student understood what was going on and how decisions were being made (and in some ways felt coerced to the student). The student is not White nor US American and not once were the issues or decisions were explored or determined through a multicultural lens. In addition, the student's family was notified in a country and culture for which mental health issues were seen as deeply shameful, and there was no understanding or sensitivity on the part of the administrators who contacted the family and simply dropped the news. Last, the student was t...

Simply put, how can a conference on the liberal arts and social transformation not address the #BlackLivesMatter movement on college campuses across the United States? This is the case at Westmont College with their annual conversation on the liberal arts. This year the theme is " From Inquiry to Impact: Social Transformation through Liberal Learning ." The list of speakers are all White (no surprise). Even though one speaker has diversity and inclusion as an area of expertise, there is no direct reference in the program on addressing how college students of color are part of a social transformation towards what some believe is the second wave of the Civil Rights Movement. In some ways it's sad for me to say that I'm not surprised although always disappointed. It's a reminder of how evangelical Christian colleges are behind the curve when it comes to diversity and social justice.

Happy New Year! It's hard to believe another year has passed and as I get older, it does seem to be passing much faster. Awhile back I read a short article in the Providence Monthly exulting over new leadership for Trinity Rep, the Anthenaeum and Rhode Island NPR . So, is it just me but did anyone notice that all three leaders (although coming from "outside") are White and male? Perhaps I shouldn't be so surprised considering that Rhode Island is majority White and non-Hispanic, and actually increased its number of Whites since 2010 from 80% to 85% . Providence is definitely an anomaly in the Ocean State with people of color outnumbering White Non-Hispanics . However, these institutions are located in the heart of Providence and yet seemed unable to recruit and hire capable and talented women or people of color for these leadership positions. Is there really a dearth of such candidates? No, there isn't but institutions get stuck in the cycle of hiring those ...