MORE FROM HUFFPOST
MORE FROM HUFFPOST
stereotyping
I can always count on the media to beat to death, revive, and beat to death again the in and out of sports world misdeeds of black athletes. And just as predictably, I can count on it to brush aside, apologize for, or make objects of sympathy the misdeeds of white pro athletes.
The problem is not memory, it is its hijacking by those who use it in a tendentious way that seeks to sustain hatred and conflict rather than foster cooperation and coexistence and by those who lack compassion and empathy.
I am deeply concerned about our country's ability to attract new and fresh talent, whom I believe may be the only ones who can rescue our nation from the political cynicism and malaise, and heal the political scars and deep divisions. Possibly the current crisis has had the effect of motivating some to do exactly that.
So let's go back to that word association game. What happens if you connect the word 'stutter' with words like 'strength' and 'capability'? How does that change the narrative of someone's life?
WHAT'S HAPPENING
WHAT'S HAPPENING
For Donald Trump or anyone else to single out the negative, destructive, and, yes, evil passages of the Quran (or how some sects or cults within Islam co-opt, distort, and attempt to hijack the overall messages) without doing so as well with the holy books of Judaism and Christianity demonstrates a hierarchical double standard.
So, as I look ahead to graduation and re-entering the job market, I know that I'll continue to face discrimination because of my name. I only pray that Raven-Symoné and anyone who would discriminate against me, or anyone else, won't hire me. I've got much better things to do with my time.
I'm a thin mom who loves to move my body, who loves to eat healthy food and have a glass of wine and some dark chocolate every night, who loves to sit on the front porch with my husband after the kids go to bed, who loves to read, who loves my children---who, frankly, is a person beyond my physical exterior, and I recognize this.
I have benefitted from black gay privilege throughout my career as a senior human resources, financial and diversity officer. I have accessed spaces and opportunities that "stereotypical" black men were not able to access.
Don't judge people by their majors. Genuinely ask them what aspect they want to use their major for, and if they aren't quite sure, don't get all crazy on them. Be accepting, that is all.
