In the aftermath of Charlottesville…

Here we are again. This time racism emerges in explicit form — complete with KKK and Nazi metaphors and symbols. The events of this past weekend in Charlottesville, VA at the “unite the right” rally are yet one more time we need to stand vigilantly and clearly against racism. Some resources which are emerging. Here is James Martin (and a list below the video of other resources):

Marlon James on racism in Minnesota

It’s been a long week. After nearly five days of deliberation the jury acquitted Jeronimo Yanez of the accusation of manslaughter against Philando Castile. I’m still trying to wrap my head about that one.

Marlon James, the Booker Award winning novelist who teaches at Macalester College put it this way:

10 years of living in Minnesota as a “big, black guy” has led me to a gradual though futile “reduction” of myself to get closer. I have a big global voice, but a small local one, because I don’t want to be a target, and resent that in 2017, that’s still the only choice I get to have.

His whole essay is a clear, succinct, grounded and deeply indicting description of Minnesota. I wish I could say he was wrong, but I’m certain he is right.

What a difference a switch can make in a photo

Here’s an essay which explores what O Magazine did recently, when it asked a photographer to take pictures of some common scenes amongst women — but flip the races involved. There are powerful implications to these shifts, which I hope — as a white woman — other white women will see, and which I hope all of us can learn from. Perception is powerful!