Tag Archives: Whites

The N-Word: When Can Whites Use It?

“The N-word “is arguably the most consequential social insult in American history, according to Randall Kennedy, a professor at Harvard Law School.  Two decades ago, he wrote a book simply entitled n—–: The Strange Career of a Troublesome Word. Throughout … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Why Go to Howard U:  A White Guy Explains

Howard University’s The Illtop Journal, sponsored by comic genius Chris Rock, opened with a piece titled “white student’s guide to howard u.”  Chuck O’Fay, the name given for the author of this humorous piece, describes some observations he made as … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Will Smith did a “bad thing,” but he needs our help

In his recent blog, “Will Smith Did a Bad, Bad Thing,” Kareem Abdul-Jabbar argues that the actor’s slap at the just held Oscars perpetuated racial stereotypes.  And while I agree, I only agree to a certain extent.  It’s all too … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Responses to Gruden’s Emails:  Wait a Minute

Jon Gruden, former coach of the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders, made headlines during the last week for all the wrong reasons.  Recently made public emails sent by Gruden target individuals and groups, Blacks and whites, female referees, cheerleaders, gays, and … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Blindsided by the N-word

Ten years ago or so, a student of mine was blindsided by the “N-word,” and so was I.  I had just uttered this troublesome word in my Introduction to Sociology class at Baltimore City Community College, a college with a … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Learn ‘Til Our Head Swells

In 1955, Emmett Till was visiting family in Mississippi when he was brutally tortured and murdered because he supposedly grabbed Carolyn Bryant, a 21 year-old white woman, and then made sexually crude remarks.  The world would later find out from … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Combating Racial Ignorance: A Long and Winding Road

Throughout our nation’s history, people of different races have displayed just how much we don’t know about each other.  And our educational background and social standing don’t necessarily matter all that much.  In 1905, Alvin Borgquist, a Clark University graduate … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Coffee Cup Chats on Race: DOA

How many of us remember something called RACE TOGETHER?  It was the brainchild of Starbuck’s CEO Howard Schultz.  It lasted about as long as Schultz’s recent run for the President of the U.S. About five years ago, Schultz hastily put … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

ANSWERS Who’s Racist: Trump and/or Duke

Note:  Trump officially secured the Republican nomination for President last night, and David Duke, a Trump supporter, recently announced plans to run for Congress in the state of Louisiana. In my last blog, I posed the question:  Which of these … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Classroom Makes Much More Sense Than Starbucks    PART ONE

  Imagine walking into a Starbucks for your morning fix.  After waiting in line, you order a café grande.  When the barista hands it to you, you notice the words Race Together on the side of the cup.  Finally, you … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment