Tag: Race

Group of Midwestern artists of color creates safe spaces and takes on cultural appropriation

November 13, 2018

Art is inextricably tied to culture. Whether it’s the imagery of visual artists or the narrative themes of writers, race and culture influence the artists and the art. Members of a two-year-old Kansas City group called the Artists of Color Alliance understand this. “I think the benefit of our group is that we can create … More Group of Midwestern artists of color creates safe spaces and takes on cultural appropriation

In ‘itty-bitty Fairmont City’ library is heart of a fast-growing Latino community in Illinois

November 7, 2018

It’s a common sight at the Fairmont City Library Center: Students discussing the grammar and syntax of English sentences in small groups. On a recent night, the teacher wanted to know what another word for “per” is. The word got lost in translation. Some students suggested “for,” but in the sentence the teacher gave the … More In ‘itty-bitty Fairmont City’ library is heart of a fast-growing Latino community in Illinois

For minority voters, will ‘status quo’ candidates be enough on Election Day?

November 6, 2018

The nerves are kicking in, said Constanza Segovia, talking politics outside her house in Hartford before Election Day. The stakes are high — nationally and in the Connecticut gubernatorial race. “Everything’s kind of on the line,” said Segovia, 36, a graphic designer, artist and registered Democrat. And to be “completely honest and straightforward,” she said, … More For minority voters, will ‘status quo’ candidates be enough on Election Day?

Organizations rally people of color in Oregon to get out the vote

November 6, 2018

Last weekend the women of color-led organization Forward Together hosted a rally to bring together dozens of organizations that support communities of color and to encourage voters to reject Measures 105 and 106, the latter barring the use of public funds to pay for abortions. Forty-five people knocked on more than 1,200 doors as part of the … More Organizations rally people of color in Oregon to get out the vote

Democrat Jahana Hayes goes ‘full steam’ in historic race for Congress

November 6, 2018

Team Hayes brought out the bullhorn. A League of Women Voters debate was starting in an hour in Danbury, Conn., so a crew of volunteers set up on the side of the road, waving campaign signs at passing cars and chanting about change. “Who’s going to bring it? Jahana!” the cheer went. Volunteer Mary Weber, 66, … More Democrat Jahana Hayes goes ‘full steam’ in historic race for Congress

Black women entrepreneurs start small businesses to close the wealth gap

October 26, 2018

Despite shrinking income and education gaps between white and non-white families, black families in the United States still trail others in wealth accumulation, economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis said in a recent report. Although black wealth increased at a faster rate than white wealth in 2016, blacks still owned less than … More Black women entrepreneurs start small businesses to close the wealth gap

Portland racial nonprofit seeks to heal communities with Reparations Power Hour

October 19, 2018

The concept of repaying African-Americans for generations of slavery began even before the end of the Civil War. The argument is that generations of enslavement and unpaid labor created an irreparable wealth gap. But how to erase that legacy of unfairness is an open question. The talk back then was of providing everyone 40 acres and a … More Portland racial nonprofit seeks to heal communities with Reparations Power Hour

Grassroots approach boosted black voters’ turnout in primary — What about midterms?

September 25, 2018

After the August 2018 primaries, it’s clear many people — young, black and progressive — played a major role in helping former Ferguson Councilman Wesley Bell defeat incumbent St. Louis County prosecutor Bob McCulloch in the Democratic race. “We’re saying bye to Bob and ushering in, hopefully, a new era in prosecutor politics,” Rodney Brown … More Grassroots approach boosted black voters’ turnout in primary — What about midterms?

How does ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ play with Asian Americans in the heartland?

September 11, 2018

The media is replete with reaction and commentary about the movie “Crazy Rich Asians” from people on the coasts and even overseas. As guest host of the KCUR show Central Standard, Sharing America’s Michelle Tyrene Johnson invited three Kansas City residents to talk about the film–its impact, its resonance, even its “Easter eggs.” The guests … More How does ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ play with Asian Americans in the heartland?

Portland: Is your white fragility showing?

August 27, 2018

Outdoor billboards are a traditional form of advertising and — for many commuters — just another sign you pass while on the road. But over the last few months, a collection of billboards have been catching folks’ attention with their messages — and even making some feel uncomfortable: “Black Lives Matter” “De-escalation, Not Militarization” “Portland…Is Your … More Portland: Is your white fragility showing?

‘We don’t get the same protection’: Black women shoot, learn gun safety at range

August 13, 2018

Tamyka Brown was perfecting her shot. Her target sheet, riddled with bullet holes, showed she knows what she’s doing. When asked about her time on the gun range, Brown responded with a smile. “Great. It went great,” she said. “Like, I want to go again, but I think I’ma pass and come back next Thursday.” … More ‘We don’t get the same protection’: Black women shoot, learn gun safety at range

Family of Ryan Stokes still searches for justice, five years after Kansas City police killed him

July 25, 2018

Ryan Stokes spent the night he died with friends in Kansas City’s Power and Light entertainment district. After being accused of stealing a cellphone, Stokes and a friend became the targets of a foot chase that ended when police shot and killed Stokes, who was 24 years old. Accounts of what happened that night, five … More Family of Ryan Stokes still searches for justice, five years after Kansas City police killed him