‘Minorities’? It’s Not Even Accurate. Try ‘People of Color’

by Rinku Sen on May 18 2012, 11:11AM

“People of color” is now commonly used far beyond political circles, as “minority” fades into the category of things that used to be true. It is past time for the media and the general public to embrace the phrase.

Topics: Colorlines Press, Media, Rinku Sen

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Life’s ‘Lowest Difficulty Setting’: John Scalzi Explains Privilege to Nerds

by Channing Kennedy on May 18 2012, 9:00AM

Science fiction can be a tool for social justice — or it can sneak the status quo back in. John Scalzi talks about holding other straight white dudes accountable, and how his genre is evolving.

Topics: Media

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Seth Wessler Acceptance Speech: 2012 Hillman Prize for Web Journalism [VIDEO]

by Rebekah Spicuglia on May 15 2012, 1:38PM

Colorlines reporter Seth Freed Wessler was awarded the prestigious Hillman Prize for his work on Shattered Families investigation, which found at least 5,000 U.S. citizen children are in the foster care system today due to the detainment or deportation of…

Topics: Colorlines Press, Media

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The Trouble the With the NBA’s Metta World Peace

by Jamilah King on May 8 2012, 10:17AM

A new book traces how one of the NBA’s most reviled players is actually a litmus test for its failings on race.

Topics: Media

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The Racial Reality That Makes Online ‘Security’ Bills So Scary

by Jamilah King on April 19 2012, 10:10AM

Two experts weigh in on why new cybersecurity bill CISPA puts so many people, especially those of color, on edge.

Topics: Media

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Sepia Mutiny’s Closure Is a Reminder: Blogging While Brown Ain’t Easy

by Jamilah King on April 12 2012, 10:00AM

The blogespehre was once a place where people of color could go to escape the racism of mainstream media. But the same forces that created online opportunities for bloggers of color are now devouring them.

Topics: Media

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What’s the Saddest Thing About Mary J. Blige’s Fried Chicken Ad? [Reader Forum]

by Channing Kennedy on April 9 2012, 8:48AM

Burger King has taken down an ad in which the singer a ‘healthy’ new menu item. But that’s not stopping the conversation.

Topics: Media

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Is It American Idol’s Job to Shame Contestants With Warrants? [Reader Forum]

by Channing Kennedy on March 19 2012, 9:25AM

Is this yet another case of corporate power exerting ownership over the fates of black men, to make a buck? Or is it personal foolishness beyond sympathy?

Topics: Media

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Kony 2012’s Success Shows There’s Big Money Attached to White Saviors

by Jamilah King on March 14 2012, 9:40AM

Despite its attempt to respond directly to criticism, Invisible Children’s Kony 2012 campaign puts the focus on all that’s right—and wrong—with online advocacy.

Topics: Global Affairs, Kony 2012, Media

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Who Is Derrick Bell?

by Kai Wright on March 9 2012, 10:19AM

As rightwing media attempts to smear one of the biggest names in the study of race in America, Colorlines.com invites his students, mentees and those touched by him to chime in and define Bell’s legacy—before Fox News re-defiines it.

Topics: Derrick Bell, Media

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There Are Lies, Damned Lies and Andrew Breitbart

by Kai Wright on March 8 2012, 11:31AM

The rightwing hitman’s post-humous attack on President Obama has proven a dud. So his cronies are trying to smear the late, revered race studies scholar Derrick Bell instead.

Topics: Derrick Bell, Kai Wright, Media

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Activists Worry That Mobile Phones Could Do More Harm Than Good

by Jamilah King on March 6 2012, 9:45AM

As telecom companies maneuver to get the spectrum necessary to deliver faster service, activists worry that their privacy is being jeopardized.

Topics: Media

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The Old School Organizing Approach That Took Down Pat Buchanan

by Jamilah King on February 20 2012, 9:30AM

Buchanan’s sacking was the latest in a string of wins for online organizers working to hold corporate media accountable for the hate speech of its pundits.

Topics: Media

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Why Microsoft’s So-Called ‘Avoid Ghetto’ App Is Really American

by Jamilah King on January 31 2012, 9:20AM

Microsoft’s controversial new mapping technology would direct users away from supposedly violent neighborhoods. But it is based on faulty assumptions about violent crime that are a rooted in a long history of racist ideas about black communities.

Topics: Media

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Why is Hollywood So Afraid of Black Women? [Reader Forum]

by Channing Kennedy on January 30 2012, 9:00AM

Colorlines.com readers discuss The Help’s place as a good vehicle for black actresses and a bad vehicle for accurate history.

Topics: Media

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The FCC Is Trying to Close the Digital Divide—Sort Of

by Jamilah King on January 13 2012, 9:41AM

The FCC is launching a new pilot program this year to make broadband more affordable. Quiet as it’s kept, this isn’t the commission’s first effort, but civil rights groups say it can’t be anywhere near the last.

Topics: Media

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How ‘Sh*t White Girls Say to Black Girls’ Blew Up the Internet

by Jamilah King on January 6 2012, 9:35AM

Franchesca Ramsey has turned the year’s first online meme into social commentary. But are efforts like hers enough to create meaningful discussions about racial justice? She thinks so.

Topics: Media

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‘Yo, Is This Racist?’ Andrew Ti’s Tumblr Has Your (Hilarious) Answer

by Channing Kennedy on January 2 2012, 9:36AM

Andrew Ti has no qualifications to answer the internet’s race questions, besides common sense and a string of curse words. And maybe that’s enough.

Topics: Arts & Culture, Media

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If You Were A White Forbes Columnist Commenting On Black Kids… [Reader Forum]

by Channing Kennedy on January 2 2012, 9:36AM

Readers come up with excellent responses to Forbes writer Gene Marks’ much-mocked “If I Were A Poor Black Kid…”

Topics: Media

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5 Signs You’re Acting Like a White Guy (Or, How To Not Be Gene Marks)

by W. Kamau Bell on December 19 2011, 9:07AM

You need not be white or a guy to act a fool in public, says stand-up comedian W. Kamau Bell. So here are some warning signals that you might be “getting all Gene Marksy up in here.”

Topics: Media

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