COLORLINES

We’re Here, We’re Queer and We Look Real Cute

by Jamilah King on June 18 2013, 7:42AM

Five fashion designers who are putting the dandy back in gender queer.

Topics: Arts & Culture, Gender & Sexuality, LGBT Pride 2013

Why the Spying Scandal Is a Serious Racial Justice Issue

by Imara Jones on June 17 2013, 8:45AM

The routine, legal activities of blacks, Latinos and immigrants online make them uniquely likely to be targeted for monitoring.

Topics: National Security, Spying

A New Definition of Fatherhood

by Julianne Hing on June 14 2013, 7:00AM

Oakland artist Janine Macbeth’s new children’s book explores gender equity—as opposed to mere equality—in the home.

Topics: Arts & Culture, Gender & Sexuality

The Immigrant You Won’t See in Sofia Coppola’s ‘Bling Ring’

by Jorge Rivas on June 13 2013, 8:07AM

In the age of immigration reform and Deferred Action are portrayals of undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes a good thing?

Topics: Arts & Culture, Media

Preying on Black Ambition

by Kai Wright on June 12 2013, 9:02AM

From subprime mortgages to subprime credit cards and now subprime degrees, a small number of people continue to get rich off of black Americans’ aspirations.

Topics: Economy, Schools & Youth

LGBT Rights and Communities of Color in the South [VIDEO]

by Jamilah King on June 11 2013, 12:40PM

Send in your own questions to organizers working at the intersection of racial justice and sexual freedom. Chime in at #CLchat on Twitter.

Topics: Gender & Sexuality, LGBT Pride 2013

What’s Really on Trial in George Zimmerman’s Case?

by Eric Mann on June 10 2013, 7:00AM

It’s not Trayvon Martin. And it’s not only Zimmerman. It’s a system that sanctioned the killing of an unarmed black man.

Topics: Criminal Justice, Rinku Sen, Trayvon Martin

The Dangerous, Infectious Logic of National Security

by Kai Wright on June 7 2013, 10:16AM

The rationale behind the administration’s secret spying program has been developed and honed to surviell and harass communities of color for years.

Topics: Kai Wright, National Security, Spying

How Bad 3rd Grade Math Legitimizes Injustice

by Imara Jones on June 6 2013, 8:54AM

Two months into sequestration, it’s proving a disaster. And the study that justified it still doesn’t add up.

Topics: Budget Cuts, Economy

Novelist A.X. Ahmad’s New Thriller

by Rinku Sen on May 31 2013, 8:21AM

His new novel features an undocumented Sikh immigrant caught in a political thriller.

Topics: Arts & Culture, Immigration, Rinku Sen

It’s Not a Housing Boom. It’s a Land Grab

by Imara Jones on May 30 2013, 7:00AM

This time, the runaway housing market is being fueled by Wall Street’s gobbling up properties. But the results will be just as bad for regular people as it was four years ago.

Topics: Economy

Obamas to Black Grads: Good Job. Now Stop Being Such a Failure

by Kai Wright on May 21 2013, 8:48AM

Once again, the president uses his pulpit to browbeat black people for the failings he sees.

Topics: Economy, Kai Wright, Schools & Youth

Assata Shakur and a Brief History of the FBI’s Most Wanted Lists

by Jamilah King on May 8 2013, 8:07AM

What’s the purpose of the FBI’s lists? Basically, publicity and fear mongering.

Topics: History, National Security

How the Sierra Club Learned to Love Immigration

by Brentin Mock on May 8 2013, 6:00AM

A racist fringe of the nation’s oldest and largest environmental group lost its battle over immigration. An inside look at the power struggle.

Topics: Environment, History

Another Flat-Earth Argument About Immigration’s Economic Drain

by Seth Freed Wessler on May 7 2013, 9:00AM

The conservative think tank released a report yesterday to convince lawmakers that immigration reform costs too much. Its claims are mostly false, but they’ve worked before.

Topics: Economy, Immigration, Immigration Reform

Teen Actors Keep Playwright August Wilson’s Legacy Alive [VIDEO]

by Jay Smooth, Jamilah King on May 3 2013, 8:30AM

The August Wilson Monologue Competition celebrates the work of the African-American playwright through the powerful performances of high school actors. Here, two finalists share their monologues with Colorlines.com.

Topics: Arts & Culture

The Missionary Movement to ‘Save’ Black Babies

by Akiba Solomon on May 2 2013, 7:40AM

Akiba Solomon looks inside the anti-abortion movement’s evangelical drive to reach “urban” and “underserved” women and communities.

Topics: Gender & Sexuality, Health, War on Women

9 LGBT Athletes of Color Who Paved the Way for Jason Collins

by Jamilah King on April 30 2013, 6:00AM

NBA player Jason Collins became the highest-profile openly gay black man in America yesterday. As with any big step, he didn’t get there alone. Here, a look at some LGBT athletes of color who came before him.

Topics: Arts & Culture, Gender & Sexuality

L.A. Food Culture Offers a Glimpse Into ‘The New America’

by Julianne Hing on April 26 2013, 6:00AM

The U.S. will be “majority-minority” in a few decades, but in the City of Angels the future is now. In fact, you can literally taste it.

Topics: Arts & Culture, How We Eat

Decoding the Invisible Whiteness In Boston Bombing Coverage

by Akiba Solomon on April 25 2013, 12:00PM

We live in an ahistorical culture that continually attempts to deny the white supremacy that determines who is and isn’t defined as a U.S. citizen, a criminal, a terrorist or a victim. A trip through our history is instructive.

Topics: Boston Bombing, Media, National Security

The Tangled Meanings—and Misuses—of ‘Radicalization’

by Seth Freed Wessler on April 25 2013, 8:50AM

Everybody wants to know whether and how the Tsarnaev’s religious views radicalized them. But is that even the right question? And what are its implications?

Topics: Boston Bombing, National Security

The Cherokee Nation’s Baby Girl Goes on Trial

by Aura Bogado on April 24 2013, 9:56AM

The Supreme Court’s hearing about the Indian Child Welfare Act last week had everything to do with tribal sovereignty. Here’s why.

Topics: History, Politics

‘Environmental Justice’ Soldiers On Without a King, Queen—or Major Dollars

by Brentin Mock on April 23 2013, 6:00AM

With the defeat of Big Green on climate-change, community-based, grassroots groups led by people of color are creating a blueprint for actual change. The EJ response to Superstorm Sandy is Exhibit A.

Topics: Environment

The News Media’s Public Disservice in Boston

by Sally Kohn on April 21 2013, 8:56AM

In moments like these, people make assumptions. It becomes all the more important for media to challenge those assumptions and keep our prejudices in check. In that, too many failed.

Topics: Boston Bombing, Media

Mapping the Backlash Against High-Stakes Testing [Infographic]

by Julianne Hing on April 19 2013, 6:00AM

Public school parents, educators and now even lawmakers around the country are fed up with standardized testing that can determine whether kids graduate, teachers lose their jobs, and schools remain open. Here’s a visual survey of major actions.

Topics: Schools & Youth

Meet Skylar Diggins, the WNBA Draft Pick With Social Media Sex Appeal

by Jamilah King on April 17 2013, 6:00AM

Skylar Diggins, the Notre Dame point guard just added to the WNBA’s Tulsa Shock, is one of the most talented ballers in the country. In the age of Twitter, will a focus on her appearance become a dangerous distraction?

Topics: Arts & Culture, Gender & Sexuality

How We Can Break the Cycle of Pain From Mass Violence

by Rinku Sen on April 16 2013, 10:17AM

Care for those hurt. Care for those who will be accused. And care for ourselves. That’s how we’ll grow together, rather than tear apart.

Topics: Boston Bombing, Coping With Terror, National Security, Rinku Sen

History Would Repeat Itself If Boston Derailed Immigration Reform

by Seth Freed Wessler on April 16 2013, 7:52AM

American lawmakers have generally responded to acts of mass violence, whether by U.S. citizens or foreigners, with anti-immigration laws and a retreat from reform.

Topics: Boston Bombing, Immigration, Immigration Reform, National Security

Is California’s ‘Parent Trigger’ Schools Movement Finally Growing Up?

by Julianne Hing on April 15 2013, 6:00AM

With powerful outside help, parents are dramatically restructuring Los Angeles’ predominantly Latino 24th Street Elementary School. Will the school give the controversial ‘parent trigger’ technique the makeover it needs?

Topics: Schools & Youth

Who Was the Real Jackie Robinson?

by Jamilah King on April 12 2013, 6:00AM

“42,” the Hollywood film about Jackie Robinson’s first year in the racially segregated major leagues, comes out today. Inside the racial politics and legacy of the baseball trailblazer.

Topics: Arts & Culture, History, Jackie Robinson

Marriage Is Great, But Many LGBT People of Color Need Job Safety

by Imara Jones on April 11 2013, 8:19AM

Despite aspirational images in popular media, the community’s real economic profile reveals the cost of perfectly legal job discrimination.

Topics: Economy, Gender & Sexuality

6 Native American Basketball Facts, Inspired by Louisville’s Star Sisters

by Jamilah King, Jorge Rivas on April 9 2013, 7:30AM

Basketball is an important part of life Native American communities. And nothing shows that better than the ascendence of Louisville’s Shoni and Jude Schimmel.

Topics: Arts & Culture, March Madness

Who Will Stand Behind Adria Richards? [Reader Forum]

by Nia King on April 8 2013, 9:55AM

Colorlines readers sound off on the firing of Adria Richards.

Topics: Media

‘Obamaphones’: A Case Study in How Race Perverts the Spending Debate

by Jamilah King on April 8 2013, 7:20AM

Tea party Republicans have used race to demonize a longstanding government phone subsidy for people living in poverty.

Topics: Budget Cuts, Media, Politics

What the U.S. Can Learn From Africa’s Booming Economy

by Imara Jones on April 5 2013, 9:51AM

The continent may have entered a new phase in its history. How? By focusing on healthy people and local investment.

Topics: Economy, Global Affairs

Cocoa Butter, India.Arie and Colorism Trolling in the Music Industry

by Akiba Solomon on April 4 2013, 6:00AM

R&B meets colorism meets online marketing again. It’s annoying.

Topics: Akiba Solomon, Arts & Culture

What the DOJ Can’t Do on School Discipline Reform

by Julianne Hing on April 3 2013, 1:35PM

The Department of Justice could push the Meridian, Miss., school district to dismantle its school-to-prison pipeline. How will a history of racist violence

Topics: Schools & Youth

Why the AP’s Choice to Drop the I-Word Is a Crucial Victory

by Rinku Sen on April 3 2013, 8:29AM

Because the deliberately divisive and willfully inaccurate term has stood in the way of real discussion for too long.

Topics: Media, Rinku Sen

Mainstream Green Is Still Too White

by Brentin Mock on April 2 2013, 6:30AM

In Obama’s first term, big environmental groups poured resources into congressional lobbying and corporate connections rather than environmental justice. With climate change back on the legislative table, will history repeat itself?

Topics: Environment

How Should We Speak of Our Undocumented Immigrant Parents? [Reader Forum]

by Nia King on April 1 2013, 6:50AM

Colorlines readers remark on the powerful portraits, taken by 20-year-old Carla Chavarria, of Arizona immigrant women and their moms.

Topics: Immigration

How to Get a Black Woman Fired

by Channing Kennedy on April 1 2013, 6:40AM

In light of the Adria Richards debacle, Channing Kennedy, Colorlines.com’s white male correspondent, uses the power bestowed by his made-up title to break down a pattern of Internet harassment, racist and sexist micro-aggressions and other methods of enforcing mob rule.

Topics: Adria Richards, Gender & Sexuality, Media

Undocumented Youth Pay Tribute to the Original DREAMers [Photos]

by Julianne Hing on March 29 2013, 6:00AM

In the fight for immigration reform, the parents of undocumented youth are regularly chastised for their immigration misdeeds. An undocumented Arizona photographer wants to change the conversation.

Topics: Arts & Culture, Immigration

Obama Needs ‘Courage of His Convictions’ on Economic Justice, Too

by Imara Jones on March 28 2013, 6:00AM

The president officially acquiesced to the GOP’s economic hostage taking this week, again.

Topics: Budget Cuts, Economy

It’s Bigger Than Adria Richards

by Jamilah King on March 27 2013, 8:25AM

A primer for how you can prepare yourself for racist and sexist Internet attacks—mind, body and soul.

Topics: Adria Richards, Gender & Sexuality, Media

To Chinua Achebe, With Love

by Akiba Solomon, Roopika Risam, Adeline Koh on March 26 2013, 6:00AM

In honor of the Nigerian “Things Fall Apart” author who died last week, scholar-activists Adeline Koh and Roopika Risam capture the power—and joy—of Chinua Achebe in a new comic strip.

Topics: Arts & Culture, Global Affairs

Immigration Reform May Throw Siblings Under the Bus

by Seth Freed Wessler on March 26 2013, 6:00AM

Everyone knows the current immigration system is broken. For brothers and sisters waiting for family visas, the way some lawmakers hope to fix it could make things even worse.

Topics: Immigration Reform

Is Justin Timberlake Making Money Off of Black Music? [Reader Forum]

by Nia King on March 25 2013, 6:00AM

Is Justin Timberlake appropriating black music, or just appreciating it? Colorlines.com readers sound off.

Topics: Arts & Culture

Video Exclusive: David Floyd on Why He Sued NYPD

by Seth Freed Wessler, Jay Smooth on March 25 2013, 6:00AM

Hours before he left the country for medical school, Colorlines.com caught up with David Floyd, the man who put his name on the biggest stop and frisk suit around. Here’s why he put himself on the line for this federal case.

Topics: Criminal Justice, Stop-and-Frisk

The Trouble With Justin Timberlake’s Appropriation of Black Music

by Jamilah King on March 22 2013, 9:24AM

He’s a talented singer and actor who has rightfully earned his place among modern pop music legends. So why can’t some of us listen to Justin Timberlake in peace?

Topics: Arts & Culture, Justin Timberlake

Will the Keystone XL Pipeline Produce Good Jobs? [Infographic]

by Brentin Mock, Erin Zipper on March 21 2013, 8:45AM

Support for the Keystone XL oil pipeline is growing among Congressional Republicans, Democrats and organized labor. But what will the controversial project actually do for the areas that it would cross?

Topics: Environment

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