Racebending.com

For our sophomore Saturday Link Roundup, we include links in celebration of Dr. King’s struggle that we must continue, and discussions on whitewashing and race in the media.

• Dr. King Said More Than “I Have A Dream” – via Racialicious

A compilation of powerful quotes that remind you that Dr. King was a rebel who railed against the establishment.  Too often his words are used to justify and uphold the status quo.  Read, reflect, and remember on what he truly represented: progress and change through struggle.
• Talking Race in America – by Kim Leung of Campus Progress
  
  Campus Progress contributor Kim Leung interviews Carmen Van Kerckhove, the founder of well-known blog Racialacious. One of the highlights of the article is when she describes the challenges she faces as a social activist dealing with racism.
• The Forgotten Promise of Obama’s Race Speech – by Latoya Peterson in The American Prospect
  
  Racialicious blogger Latoya Peterson walks us through the minefield of America’s race dialogue. Why is it so hard for people to talk about race? Why does the race question bother America so much? And who decided that the solution to race bias was to become blind to it?
• Publisher whitens another heroine of color – by Kate Harding of Salon.com
  
  After our interview with author Justine Larbalestier earlier this month, publishing house Bloomsbury USA released another novel with another whitewashed cover.  Author Kate Harding guides us through an excellent analysis of the issues involved and articulates a powerful message on the power and responsibility of media.
  
  Update: Bloomsbury has withdrawn the cover following the controversy; will issue a new one. Kate Harding’s article is still worth a read for an overview of the issues involved!
• Dr. King, Race, Politics, and a Colorblind Society – by C.N. Le of Asian Nation
  
  Asian Nation is one of the most comprehensive websites on the Asian and Asian-American experiences by a true academic. This particular article discusses the current state of race relations; that we are not yet living in a colorblind society and acting like we’re colorblind today can do more harm than good.
• Health Risks for Minorities Trying to Look White – posted by big WOWO
  
  An Asian American take on a recent New York Times article. The NYT article is about literal whitewashing, a dangerous practice. The original focuses on the illegal selling of the creams, but barely touches on the sociocultural/economic reasons why many minority women use them.
  
  The big WOWO post provides a strong. Definitely worth a look, if nothing else than for the shocking image of a plastic surgery advertisement that “caters” to Asian American insecurities.
• Asians and Indians on TV – by Rob Schmidt of Blue Corn Comics
  
  We had the opportunity to speak with Rob Schmidt of Blue Corn Comics this past weekend.  Rob has been an outspoken advocate for Native American issues for many years and his publication, Blue Corn Comics, is a favorite among the Racebending.com staff.


We’re still cutting the interview footage together, but Rob took the time to write out his thoughts on some of the issues we discussed with him – from Asian American faces on television to the black-white dichotomy in American culture.  Check it out.

• NOCs (Nerds of Color) – by Bao Phi of The Star Tribune
  
  Slam poet Bao Phi describes his secret life as a “nerd of color,” describing the difficulties of growing up as a geeky outsider passionate about race issues. In his childhood, he dreamed of being a white superhero – and as an adult, he explores the absence of Asians in pop culture and the constant taboo of speaking about race. A must read.
• Am I “Retarded” for Making Asian-American Films? by Justin Lin of You Offend Me You Offend My Family
  
  In this post, Asian-American director Justin Lin (Better Luck Tomorrow, Fast & Furious) talks about the business viability of Asian American cinema, or rather lack thereof. He loses money with each Asian-American film he makes, but he is still somehow driven to make those films and tell those stories.
• Ten OTHER Things Martin Luther King Said – by Jay Smooth of Ill Doctrine
  
  In the same vein as the Racialicious list, here’s a short little video by famed advocate and all-around awesome guy Jay Smooth, founder of New York’s longest running hip-hop radio show. He quickly runs through some other things Martin Luther King Jr. said.
• Brit Hume: Only Christianity Can Save Tiger Woods – via Gwen of Sociological Images
  
  Brit Hume of Fox News remarks that Tiger Woods can solve his problems by rejecting his Buddhist faith and turning to Christianity.  This is an excellent example of how the media can promote certain ideas about what “normal” – or even “American” – means.  Includes two hilarious segments on Jon Stewart’s The Daily Show on Hume’s comments.