I hate how white people love. It’s so transactional and cautious. White people love with an eye dropper. There is your portion. We would not want to spoil you with too much. I hate how white people love the way they spice foods. A flavor is too big a commitment. Spices are dangerous because surprise… Read More »
“I like how you’re Jewish, but you’re more Mexican than me,” I told my homegirl. She’s from San Diego, farther south than my homeland. We were in her lesbian conveyance–aka Subaru–listening to Gasolina by Daddy Yankee. “It’s actually Puerto Rican,” she said. “Daddy Yankee is Puerto Rican.” We were talking about Reggaeton, music, beats, culture.… Read More »
Hello, reader. How are you? Did you ever hear the term white utopia? Have you ever lived in an attempted one? My housemate mentioned this term to me, and it was terrible and distressing. I’m grateful for the helpful label, to sum up something I’ve been noticing here in Oregon. the CSA potluck We went… Read More »
“Hey dear, I have some news for you,” I told Ming. We were driving somewhere in town, and I was chowing down on a bowl of brown rice and kale for my breakfast. “You did it. I changed. I prefer brown rice now.” A doctor back in Las Vegas told Ming to switch to brown… Read More »
Hello, reader. How are you? Do you like talking about race? I like talking about race for real. Ming and I talk about race often–it’s a normal topic for our day. Many people get angry, defensive, scared, uncomfortable, annoyed, irritable, mean, and otherwise hard to be around, talking about race. I know it can have… Read More »
Hello, how are you doing? I’ve been thinking about content warnings as a way to help people navigate conversations and social connections. helpful Do you like content warnings? I find them very helpful. They help me know what I should / should not engage. They seem respectful. They’ve given me a useful heads up, about… Read More »
Hello–how are you doing? I’ve been thinking about identity politics, stage hogging, and white guilt. What is identity politics? I’ve wondered for decades. My identity is central to how I feel, what I experience, what I need, and what’s most important to me. How I’m treated by others is different depending on my demographics and… Read More »
Hello, I have been wearing this flower crown sometimes. People seem nicer when I wear it. Sometimes they smile at me or give me a thumbs up. Maybe I will wear it more often? I was wearing it that day at a food giveaway when I was singing the Bob Dylan song. We ate all… Read More »
Hello, how are you doing? I’ve been thinking about music my mom liked. I’ve had a playlist of music I associate with my dad and his death for a long time. When I feel my grief for my dad stuck inside me, I can hear these tunes and cry. It’s helpful. But I finally started… Read More »
Hello, how are you doing? I’ve been thinking about racism while traveling. Have you experienced it? Were you scared? My mom was Mexican-American, and my dad was white. I appear white. We had a tense moment or two when I was in jr high and my family visited Missouri, where my dad’s side of the… Read More »