Category Archives: Race

Bill Cosby 1965

Cosby Kiss and Tell

In 1966 suave leading man Bill Cosby lamented “Why won’t they let me kiss on TV?” Perhaps frustrated at not getting enough action on the small screen he took matters into his own hands in his private life. Exactly a

Bill Cosby 1965

Cosby Kiss and Tell

In 1966 suave leading man Bill Cosby lamented “Why won’t they let me kiss on TV?” Perhaps frustrated at not getting enough action on the small screen he took matters into his own hands in his private life. Exactly a

vintage Movie poster Ebony on Parade

Blacks and Whites and Movies

What was black and white and divided by color? Some with a long memory might answer the movies. Today some might just answer Hollywood. Recent accusations that the movie business is a “white industry” was pretty much confirmed by the

vintage Movie poster Ebony on Parade

Blacks and Whites and Movies

What was black and white and divided by color? Some with a long memory might answer the movies. Today some might just answer Hollywood. Recent accusations that the movie business is a “white industry” was pretty much confirmed by the

Black Movies I passed for White

#OscarSoWhite…Redux

Yet again. Here’s one sure way to get an Oscar nomination. Taking a cue from the title of this 1960 movie, perhaps the best way to get an Oscar nod in diversity-free 2016 would be to pass for white. Oscars

Black Movies I passed for White

#OscarSoWhite…Redux

Yet again. Here’s one sure way to get an Oscar nomination. Taking a cue from the title of this 1960 movie, perhaps the best way to get an Oscar nod in diversity-free 2016 would be to pass for white. Oscars

The Danger of the “Other”

Be Afraid….Be Very Afraid We need to be on high alert The threat is real. We need to be vigilant not only about extremist terrorists who wish to do us harm, but about the ramped up stereotyping and creeping xenophobia

The Danger of the “Other”

Be Afraid….Be Very Afraid We need to be on high alert The threat is real. We need to be vigilant not only about extremist terrorists who wish to do us harm, but about the ramped up stereotyping and creeping xenophobia

vintage illustration Pilgrim running

Something to be Thankful For

In mid-century America when it seemed the only risk of offending others was to suffer the unforgivable shame of halitosis, Madison Avenue gleefully ran ads that would not only raise a politically correct eyebrow today, but by their offensive nature

vintage illustration Pilgrim running

Something to be Thankful For

In mid-century America when it seemed the only risk of offending others was to suffer the unforgivable shame of halitosis, Madison Avenue gleefully ran ads that would not only raise a politically correct eyebrow today, but by their offensive nature

vintage cover Cartoon Book Confucius Say

Wise Man Say: Politically Incorrect Comic No Funny

In the joke books we are never going to see again department, an honorary mention goes to this well-worn 1940 book Confucius Say which for a mere 25 cents manages to offend both women and Asian Americans in one fell

vintage cover Cartoon Book Confucius Say

Wise Man Say: Politically Incorrect Comic No Funny

In the joke books we are never going to see again department, an honorary mention goes to this well-worn 1940 book Confucius Say which for a mere 25 cents manages to offend both women and Asian Americans in one fell

Vintage schoolbook illustration Columbus ships

Celebrating Columbus Day – American Dreaming

Next to July 4th Columbus day was the most sacred American Holiday in my mid-century childhood. After all, Christopher Columbus embodied the very spirit of a founding father. Or so the story went. Skillfully weaving fairy tales with the deftness

Vintage schoolbook illustration Columbus ships

Celebrating Columbus Day – American Dreaming

Next to July 4th Columbus day was the most sacred American Holiday in my mid-century childhood. After all, Christopher Columbus embodied the very spirit of a founding father. Or so the story went. Skillfully weaving fairy tales with the deftness

Displaced Children WWII and Syria

Syrian Refugee Crisis- Is it Deja Vu All Over Again?

As the late great Yogi Berra might say, it’s Déjà vu all over again. The heartbreaking stories and pictures of horror and loss experienced by the Syrian refugees, those 4 million men women and children fleeing a homeland riven by

Displaced Children WWII and Syria

Syrian Refugee Crisis- Is it Deja Vu All Over Again?

As the late great Yogi Berra might say, it’s Déjà vu all over again. The heartbreaking stories and pictures of horror and loss experienced by the Syrian refugees, those 4 million men women and children fleeing a homeland riven by

Art collage Sally delstein appropriated images

All American Nativism – Nothing New

When it comes to America’s melting pot, Donald Trump is following an old-fashioned, tried and true recipe – heavy on the xenophobia with just a dash of racism. By relying on the age-old tradition of stoking the public’s fear of

Art collage Sally delstein appropriated images

All American Nativism – Nothing New

When it comes to America’s melting pot, Donald Trump is following an old-fashioned, tried and true recipe – heavy on the xenophobia with just a dash of racism. By relying on the age-old tradition of stoking the public’s fear of

collage vintage family traveling in car and police officer stopping a car

Driving While Black- Not So Happy Motoring

Happy Motoring is not something Black drivers can take for granted. Americans have long been urged to discover the vast greatness of America by car. What many discover especially when driving while black, is the rules of the road are

collage vintage family traveling in car and police officer stopping a car

Driving While Black- Not So Happy Motoring

Happy Motoring is not something Black drivers can take for granted. Americans have long been urged to discover the vast greatness of America by car. What many discover especially when driving while black, is the rules of the road are