What goes into differentiating “good” from “bad” in this binary conception of immigrants? Why are some perceived as “different?” Is it the fact that he is educated? Or that he speaks with no accent? Is it because he is working in a career that most consider “respectable?”
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Is it clear now why BIPOC are afraid of law enforcement? Is it clear now that there is an intent by some of those who are hired to protect and serve to kill innocent Black people? Is it clear now that avowed white supremacists are on the inside of every one of our hallowed institutions?
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Lately, I have been experiencing a strong sense of indifference and uncertainty related to our work — diversity, equity, inclusion and justice. Black people are dying, white nationalism and supremacy are embodied within the highest offices of government and, in more subtle ways, within most organizations. This is deeply troubling, yet unsurprising. I’ve been grappling with a few hard truths as we experience this segment in history — hard truths that have implications for DEIJ work more broadly.
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President Trump’s Executive Order to ban anti-racism training is an attempt to disavow that systemic racism is still a major issue in this country. It is an attempt to maintain the status quo and appeal to his conservative base who are threatened by DEI. In examining the order, many untruths and perspectives taken out of context become evident. First it is important to understand what “critical race theory” — the target of the ban — is and is not.
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President Trump placed a ban on anti-racism training in all government agencies calling it anti-American and divisive. The White house went even further by issuing an Executive Order restricting government contractors from engaging in training that would be considered “race or sex scapegoating or race or sex stereotyping.” This blatant attempt to deny that racism is still a significant force in our society is anti-American and those of us on the side of racial justice must speak up loudly now like never before.
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We are certainly going through some very, very difficult times and continue to go through some very difficult times. I’m coming to you today to encourage us to stay the course. We cannot give up the struggle. We cannot give up the fight for liberation for Black people. We must be strong… stay the course.
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One of the promises of the Hippocratic Oath is “First Do no Harm.” By that measure, Dr. Birx should lose her medical license because she absolutely caused harm when she did nothing to challenge and swiftly correct Donald Trump’s “musing” that Lysol and other disinfectants could be ingested to cure the novel coronavirus. This is no time to shirk your duties. We need strong leadership who will do the right thing.
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The Super Bowl halftime performance by Jennifer Lopez and Shakira was the first time two Latinas ever headlined the event together. There were myriad reactions to the performance, from people who absolutely loved it, to those who thought it was over the top and distasteful. I do have to wonder if the criticism would have been the same if it were two white female performers…but that’s a post for another day. These two women unapologetically shared their vast Latin heritage with the approximately 103 million viewers watching.
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“Why are you upset? Everyone has a right to freedom of expression.” I ask: Is freedom of speech truly available to everyone in this country? If not, what does this tell us? In a world where we must question the physical safety of those who challenge a dominant majority, I suggest: this is no kind of “freedom.”
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“They are taking our jobs!” “How do you stop these people?” “We aren’t those types of immigrants.” Last week, as we found ourselves on the 18th anniversary of 9/11, I couldn’t help but think of that day in 2001, one of the first occurrences in my lifetime that changed how Americans viewed freedom and security. As a child of immigrants, this day was the first time I was told I wasn’t “one of us,” but rather one of ‘them.’
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I am New Jersey. I am Philadelphia. I am Howard County. I am Elkridge. I am Baltimore. I am North East. These are the communities that raised me, welcomed me, and are personal to me. Communities where I am among friends, family, teachers, mentors, and mentees. This journey of where I have been plus where I am going is ultimately where I belong.
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I had vowed not to write about the circus that the political scene in the United States has become...
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