Overload of Links

Race and Racism

Racist Hunger Games "Fans Are Very Disappointed" on Jezebel
Wow, just wow.

"'Racist' Teen Tweeters Respond" on The Root
A new (favorite?) site: "a daily online magazine that provides thought-provoking commentary on today's news from a variety of black perspectives.

...Anderson also talked to the creator of Hunger Games Tweets, who gave his own analysis of the tweets at issue and said, "I don't necessarily think that teenagers should be publicly crucified for saying dumb things. There are some things, however, that do require a lesson in consequences. Especially with the use of social media. There's a big lesson to be learned here." We agree. Even when it comes to something as silly as the characters in kids' movie, if you're old enough to talk about race in a public forum, then you're old enough to answer for it.

George Lucas' Red Tails from New York Times

A Black Female in a White Man’s World: My Review of Bloodlines by John Piper on Women of God Magazine

I believe in order for anyone to appreciate the black experience one must learn the history. Piper doesn’t stop there. He explores current struggles and arguments both sociological and political. Including references to Bill Cosby and Michael Dyson.

Piper continues by sharing the good news that the gospel is for every tribe and tongue. He also gives hope to the racist, black and white, sharing the power of the gospel to break the power of pride.

"The Most Racist Thing That (N)ever Happened to Me" by Jack from Brooklyn

Once, racism was men in hoods burning a cross on your lawn. It was separate entrances and separate water fountains and the back of the bus, and if people didn’t know their place it was okay to remind them who’s in charge. The great thing about those folks was: at least you knew where you stood. A man with a noose has clear intentions, about as easy to spot as a harvest moon on a clear autumn night. In a best case scenario, with a bit of discretion, you could avoid these people entirely. In a worst case scenario, you could at least defend yourself.

The problem with today’s racism is: nobody ever actually admits to being a racist. Refusal to acknowledge a problem is in fact, tacit compliance.

Modern racism is the insidious undercurrent that keeps classism aloft. It’s city planning that isolates certain neighborhoods, depriving them of civil services. It’s public schools in “low income neighborhoods” with overcrowded classrooms and dangerously outdated facilities. It’s the bank loan for the new business that you don’t get even though your credit is good, because you’re “high risk.” It’s using Jay-Z, Oprah and Michael Jordan as examples to prove race-based income disparity no longer exists.

If overt racism is a noose, institutionalized racism is carbon monoxide: just as lethal but more pervasive and far harder to detect. Trayvon Martin

"Trayvon, My Son and the Black Code" by Jesse Washington

A wonderfully written essay, replete with helpful historical references.

As I explained it, the Code goes like this:

Always pay close attention to your surroundings, son, especially if you are in an affluent neighborhood where black folks are few. Understand that even though you are not a criminal, some people might assume you are, especially if you are wearing certain clothes.

Never argue with police, but protect your dignity and take pride in humility. When confronted by someone with a badge or a gun, do not flee, fight, or put your hands anywhere other than up.

Please don't assume, son, that all white people view you as a threat. America is better than that. Suspicion and bitterness can imprison you. But as a black male, you must go above and beyond to show strangers what type of person you really are.

"When In Doubt, Smear the Dead Kid" on Weigel

It's been fascinating to watch which of the two photos of George Zimmerman have been featured: him in a business suit or him in an orange jumpsuit?

Howard University Trayvon Martin "Am I Suspicious?" Campaign Video

"For Trayvon" on Momastery

Because fear of black people – it’s been ingrained into my subconscious in myriad ways for thirty six years. The most powerful way is the flagrant imbalance of black crime media coverage versus white crime media coverage. I don’t think a black man has ever stolen from me, but I know that white men have stolen thousands of dollars from me in the stock market and mortgage scams. The fact is that I’ve never been offered drugs by a black man. All of my drugs have been offered to me by rich white fraternity boys. In Abercrombie rugbies, not hoodies.

We have to start talking about this. We have to start being honest about how we feel and why we feel it. We need to stop agreeing when people say, “I don’t see color.” C’mon. Lying is not helpful. We see it! It’s there! And so we need safe places to talk and listen and say the wrong things and be forgiven and try again. And once we’ve figured out what’s deep inside us and how it got there, we need to learn how to balance the images and ideas we present to our children – so that their collective subconscious becomes different than ours. Truer. We need scientists and psychologists and movie producers and writers and teachers and parents involved in this peace making process – not just politicians and protesters.

"Stand Your Ground" - Florida Statute

A person is presumed to have held a reasonable fear of imminent peril of death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another when using defensive force that is intended or likely to cause death or great bodily harm to another if: The person against whom the defensive force was used was in the process of unlawfully and forcefully entering, or had unlawfully and forcibly entered, a dwelling, residence, or occupied vehicle, or if that person had removed or was attempting to remove another against that person’s will from the dwelling, residence, or occupied vehicle. 

What is Known, What Isn’t About Trayvon Martin’s Death on Miami Herald

"...Justice for Black Children" on MyBlackBaby.com
This is a new blog I just found... "A space... created for African American moms looking to lend their critical but all-too-often ignored voices to the national parenting debate."

Regarding the recent arrest of George Zimmerman, she writes: 

...America has a history of letting depraved-minded people who kill black children get away with murder—or at least making it possible to delay prosecution and punishment so that the depraved can go on living their pitiful lives long after they’ve taken those of young African Americans. 

...It is also about making sure that from here on out, everybody—no matter their color, their religion, their cultural, ethnic, economic, social background—understands that Trayvon Martin mattered.

That black children matter.

Food

"Queso Banditos" on Slate
"Taco USA reveals—and appreciates—how Americans co-opted tacos, tamales, tortilla chips, and tequila."

Marriage/Dating

"Would I Officiate a Wedding for Two Unbelievers? Yes" by Deepak Reju

"Should Ministers Officiate at the Weddings of Unbelievers? No" by Al Mohler

"Underage Dating: The Elephant in the Social Conservative Living-Room" by Bryanna Johnson

While social conservatives may proclaim the virtues of pre-marital abstinence and fidelity, their actions don’t line up with their words. They behave as though they expect our young people to embrace or at least abide by the values we preach to them, all the while continuing to direct them in lifestyle choices that foster the opposite principles and attitudes. And we wonder why 95% of Americans admitted to having premarital sex in 2006? Or why it was estimated in 2008 that 40% of all US marriages ended in divorce? Or why 4 in 10 children are born to unwed mothers today? My friends, it’s time for us to wake up and make the connections between the dating scene and the deterioration of the stable American family.
English Literature

"How to Succeed in English Without Really Trying" by Marielle Wakim
This made me laugh. It's good advice.

Genderqueer

Wikipedia's definition of genderqueer:

Genderqueer is a recent attempt to signify gender experiences that do not fit into binary concepts, and refers to a combination of gender identities and sexual orientations. One example could be a person whose gender presentation is sometimes perceived as male, sometimes female, but whose gender identity is female, gender expression is butch, and sexual orientation is lesbian. It suggests nonconformity or mixing of gender stereotypes, conjoining both gender and sexuality, and challenges existing constructions and identities. In the binary sex/gender system, genderqueerness is unintelligible and abjected.

Fairness

"That's Not Fair?" by Barnabas Piper

Sometime over the past few decades a mindset of “fair” has developed, calling for everyone to finish in the exact same place and receive the exact same reward. Fair has become equity in the finish instead of equity in the process. This perspective says a reward is due just for showing up, not because it’s earned. It cheapens real rewards for actual successes, and as it creeps into different areas of life, it undermines valuable assets such as hard work or giftedness.