ThisIsAmerica

Coronaracism: It's not just an Asian thing

Coronaracism:  It's not just an Asian thing

History has shown that racism bubbles up from the waters of these kinds of health crises and eventually comes to a boil and burns us all. This is not just about Asians. It’s about how we as humans default to hate and prejudice when we’re afraid and uncertain. It’s about how our knee-jerk response to seek blame and to scapegoat is detrimental to our entire society.

Jews were persecuted and held responsible for the Black Death. Immigrant Irish workers were blamed for causing cholera. Africans were shunned during the Ebola outbreak. In Pennsylvania, a 16-year-old high school soccer player was brought to tears when taunted with chants of “Ebola” from players on a rival team.

Irrational fear becomes a driver of division and discrimination. Coronavirus is only today’s vehicle.

What you may not have noticed about Parasite, Hair Love, and #Oscars2020

What you may not have noticed about Parasite, Hair Love, and #Oscars2020

My heart is bursting.  “Parasite" producer, Kwak Sin Ae, said, "I feel like a very opportune moment in history is happening right now."  She is absolutely right.  One important note about #Oscars2020 is that at least a few of the filmmakers recognized are not only of color, they are WOMEN.  I was incredibly proud to show our children the videos of Kwak Sin Ae and Miky Lee (both women) accepting the historic Best Picture award on behalf of "Parasite" and to show them Karen Rupert Toliver accepting on behalf of "Hair Love," which I was also so, so happy to see win last night.  As Toliver said during her speech, "Representation matters deeply" and last night the Oscars took a step forward in highlighting that.  And the fact that Parasite resonated with audiences everywhere shows how we are all the same. These universal themes of rich versus poor, economic inequality, greed, desperation to improve one’s station in life, and conflicts of conscience connect us regardless of nationality or country. That having been said, the fact that this is a South Korean film - embraced and appreciated by American audiences and the Academy is also meaningful to me.

 

Beyond Honored, Beyond Excited, and Beyond Scared

Beyond Honored, Beyond Excited, and Beyond Scared

I will be taking the stage for TEDx Philadelphia (May 15th) and a similarly styled show called Speakers Who Dare in NYC (March 26th). My inner critic is rearing its ugly head and I am terribly nervous but also trying to lean into this new challenge.. I hope so much to use these opportunities to craft a talk that resonates and inspires… Wish me luck ;)

How to be an activist…

I’ve been talking a lot lately about how we can all be activists in our own circles whether that means within our families, work places, neighborhoods, schools, etcetera.  But a friend pointed out that she’s tired of people (like me - ahem) encouraging her to “do better” without any real strategies or pointers on how to actually do that.  So… my first blog post is dedicated to my friend, Lena, and intended to provide at least a starting point if you’d like to be an activist.