In 1858 Sojourner Truth was making a speech in rural Indiana when proslavery members challenged her to strip to the waist to prove that she was a woman. Protocol of the time dictated that ‘ladies’ were never to publically address a crowd. Black women were not consider ‘ladies,’ or rather members of the cult of true womanhood, anyway. At the close of the meeting, Dr. T. W. Strain, the mouthpiece of the slave Democracy, requested the large congregation to ‘hold on,’ and stated that a doubt existed in the minds of many persons present respecting the sex of the speaker, and that it was his impression that a majority of them believed the speaker to be a man. The doctor demanded that Sojourner submit her breast to the inspection of some of the ladies present, that the doubt might be removed by their testimony. There was a large number of ladies present, who appeared to be ashamed and indignant at such a proposition. Confusion and u...
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Roxane Gay offers a humorous and insightful eleven minute TED talk on her version of feminism. Her presentation is informative, contemporary and worth the viewing time. Follow the link to view her talk: http://go.ted.com/b36p
From employees to folk in administration Diversity Consultants from Sisters’ Action Network can make workplace diversity issues understandable and approachable-- www.sanstudio.org “We need to find ways—as entrepreneurs, teachers, scientists, and parents—ways to pro-actively address race. Not just because it’s right, but because it’s smart. Because our businesses, our products, our research, our communities will be stronger and more vibrant with greater diversity.” -–Mellody Hobson, President Ariel Investments
The following book reviews come from Hope Wabuke at The Root Searching for Summer Books for a Young Reader? With a dearth of books featuring children of color, The Root has found some gems that will keep your kids entertained all summer long. BY: HOPE WABUKE / Posted: June 1 2015 3:00 AM / The Root It is no secret that the publishing world—especially in children ’s literature— is overwhelmingly white . Fortunately, awareness of this issue has been rising—in part because of a new organization called We Need Diverse Books. And y et, the representations of blackness in literature for young people remain terrifyingly slim. A study by the Cooperative Children’s Book Center at the University of Wisconsin finds that only 93 of the 3,200 books published in 2013 featured a black character. Why is this important? Because the stories we read shape the story of who we become. “There is a sense of self-love,” writes Christopher Myers , “that comes from recogn...
www.sanstudio.org see what we have to offer Announcement: Sisters Action Network will be in Detroit, Michigan at the historic Liberal Arts Gallery on June 6, 2015. We will provide a mini workshop to Detroit teen girls on promoting positive images in cyberspace. Registration is limited to 25 young ladies. For more details and preregistration go to the website: www.sanstudio.org
Incident By Countee Cullen Once riding in old Baltimore, Heart-filled, head-filled with glee, I saw a Baltimorean Keep looking straight at me. Now I was eight and very small, And he was whit bigger, And so I smiled, but he poked out His tongue and called me, "Nigger." I saw the whole of Baltimore From May until December: Of all the things that happened there That's all that I remember. -------------------------------------------------------- In the tony neighborhood of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan a lone middle school student, Phoenix Williams, was terrified in the Bloomfield Hills Junior High School and on the bus. In school he reports some students told racist jokes about African Americans. He wondered where the teacher(s) was? However, on March 13, 2015, on the school bus in route to and from ...
High School Graduation for MB Reason to Celebrate: The beginning of adulthood—yeah! Independence has been earned? Party. Family and friends are proud. Life as an adult, kinda, begins. The Challenge(s): Off to college or university—kinda scared; I don’t really know if I’ll be able to meet expectations? or Intend to marry—safety with a partner; or begin family—happy, scary, & unequipped; The Fears :-( Thoughts: I’m probably the only one who doesn’t know what I want to do with my life. I don’t know what I want to go to school for? I can’t live up to expectations (adulthood)? What are my expectations? What is my responsibility to myself, to my family, friends, community? I’m overwhelmed! How will I make money? How will I live? How come I don’t know the answer to what I want to be for the rest of my life? ...