Although I am hardly known for waxing nostalgic over the American past or its white people in particular, there is one thing that can be said for such folks in the old days. When they were bigots, they were honest enough to just tell you. No prevarication, no hesitation, no pretending to be enlightened or […]
But what about us? It’s a question of which white folks seem never to tire when discussing subjects like affirmative action, or other diversity initiatives intended to expand opportunity and access for people of color in higher education and the job market. Whenever these matters are broached, the vast majority of us rush to protest: […]
My February 11th speech at Harpeth Hall School, a Nashville school for young women, grades 5-12. This was their annual Black History Month Assembly, and the first time I have ever been called upon to speak to an audience ranging in age from 10 to 18 all at once – Yikes! But despite the challenge […]
Here’s a clip on intergenerational movement building, from the newly-released film, “Vocabulary of Change,” which features a public dialogue between Angela Davis and Tim Wise that took place in May, 2011 in Oakland, California. The full film (and Discussion Guide) can be purchased from SpeakOut, here
For a while now we’ve known that there were significant numbers of white Americans who wanted to “take their country back” to some mythical period of the nation’s hagiographic past. We’ve known it because they’ve told us so, as often and endlessly as their lungs will allow. Little did we realize, however, that for at […]
By now, you probably know the shameful details, but they are worth repeating, in any event. On the evening of February 26, George Zimmerman, a self-appointed “neighborhood watch captain” in an Orlando suburb, shot and killed 17-year old Trayvon Martin. Because Martin was black. And no, don’t even think of rolling your eyes at the […]
Here is my just released essay for CNN, addressing the subject of “What is ‘post-racial’?” What is Post-Racial? Reflections on Denial and Reality Short (for me), but to the point and easily digested, with hyperlinks to sources provided…
This commentary is rated MA for mature audiences. It contains some foul language, although honestly, only so much as is needed to get the damned point across. Parental discretion is advised… Attention to all self-proclaimed liberals and progressives. I would like to properly introduce you to a man about whom you’ve heard much — especially […]
You’re tellin’ white lies You’re tellin’ white lies Well I can see right through that thin disguise Can’t you tell I can tell when you’re telling’ white lies? —Jason and the Scorchers, “White Lies” Forget so-called “political correctness.” In Arizona, there is a far greater threat to free speech and educational integrity — a new […]
