On On May 25th, 2020, George Floyd, a Black American Minneapolis man, was murdered by Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, in broad daylight, in front of numerous witnesses, who recorded the murder. George Floyd was 46-years old. He had two daughters. Chauvin kept his knee on this man’s neck for almost eight minutes while … Continue reading The George Floyd Problem
Category: race
Shake it Off is not appropriation
Taylor Swift’s Shake it Off caused a lot of controversy when it came out a few weeks ago. Admittedly, I know almost nothing about Swift. I know that despite her job title, she’s not a great singer (and is basically just a less nasal Rihanna), and that Kanye West ruined her acceptance speech at the … Continue reading Shake it Off is not appropriation
The Michael Brown Problem
Unless you’ve been living in a cave in Siberia for the past few weeks, you know that unarmed, black, 18-year old Michael Brown was shot to death by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri on August 9th. The police officer’s name was not released until a week after the incident, during which time it seems … Continue reading The Michael Brown Problem
“You take it too far”
It’s not uncommon for people who have never experienced systemic, institutionalized oppression of a certain type to accuse those who have, and identify it, as being “too sensitive” or “taking it too far.” For people who have never been on the receiving end of systematic discrimination, or for people who are, but for some reason, … Continue reading “You take it too far”
I can’t be racist: My best friend is black
Or, the black kid who sits next to you in English class does not consider you her friend, and you are racist There is this phenomenon of people thinking and articulating that their associations absolve them from having to examine any of their behavior. A few months ago, one of my classmates deleted a comment … Continue reading I can’t be racist: My best friend is black
A crazy way to live
I don't really have anything new or constructive to say on the subject of violence against men of color, except that I am getting weary of hearing about young boys being violently assaulted because of their race. February 5th would have been Trayvon Martin’s 19th birthday, and it’s almost exactly two years of the anniversary … Continue reading A crazy way to live
South Africa: 2014
2014 is the 20th anniversary of South Africa’s independence, and is also an election year. Although South African politicians often describe the country as a “rainbow nation,” is the term really more than rhetoric used in an attempt to pacify those who speak about persisting inequalities and rampant corruption? Today’s African National Congress (ANC) is … Continue reading South Africa: 2014
Survival isn’t …
Survival isn't about certain death. It's about keeping your head down.- 12 Years a SlaveI just watched 12 Years a Slave over the weekend. This quote, and the whole film, really, reminded me of a conversation I had last year with one of my professors. We spoke at length about groups being complicit in their … Continue reading Survival isn’t …
Why the racist, sexist backlash against Cecile Kyenge is a good thing
In April, Cecile Kyenge was appointed minister of integration by Italy’s prime minister, Enrico Letta. She is the first black person to serve in Italy’s cabinet, and has lived in the country for the past 30 years after moving to Italy to study medicine at the age of 18. An ophthalmologist by trade, she has … Continue reading Why the racist, sexist backlash against Cecile Kyenge is a good thing
Doreen Akiyo Yomoah 