Archive for category Demographics and Statistics
Interracial Marriage: Past, Present and Future
Posted by admin in Building Bridges, Demographics and Statistics, Interracial relationships on May 25th, 2010
Whitopia - the American Dream?
Posted by admin in Building Bridges, Current Events, Demographics and Statistics, How to talk about race, Interracial relationships, Videos, segregation on April 19th, 2010
Rich Benjamin’s book Searching for Whitopia: An Improbable Journey to the Heart of White America
Interesting indeed. I have a few questions for you to consider. Is wanting to raise kids and retire in this type of community flawed thinking? Is integration the only way a democracy can work? Do you live in a Whitopia? Would you want to? Why or why not? Can’t wait to read your comments. Let’s talk…
10 Things Everyone Should Know about Race
Posted by admin in Building Bridges, Demographics and Statistics, History, How to talk about race, Media, Racism/Discrimination on March 17th, 2010
1 Race is a modern idea. Ancient societies, like the Greeks, did not divide people according to physical differences, but according to religion, status, class or even language. The English word “race” turns up for the first time in a 1508 poem by William Dunbar referring to a line of kings.
2 Race has no genetic basis. Not one characteristic, trait or even gene distinguishes all the members of one so-called race from all the members of another so-called race.
3 Human subspecies don’t exist. Unlike many animals, modern humans simply haven’t been around long enough, nor have populations been isolated enough, to evolve into separate subspecies or races. On average, only one of every thousand of the nucleotides that make up our DNA differ one human from another. We are one of the most genetically similar of all species.
4 Skin color really is only skin deep. The genes for skin color have nothing to do with genes for hair form, eye shape, blood type, musical talent, athletic ability or forms of intelligence. Knowing someone’s skin color doesn’t necessarily tell you anything else about them.
5 Most variation is within, not between, “races.” Of the small amount of total human variation, 85% exists within any local population. About 94% can be found within any continent. That means, for example, that two random Koreans may be as genetically different as a Korean and an Italian.
6 Slavery predates race. Throughout much of human history, societies have enslaved others, often as a result of conquest or debt, but not because of physical characteristics or a belief in natural inferiority. Due to a unique set of historical circumstances, North America has the first slave system where all slaves shared a common appearance and ancestry.
7 Race and freedom were born together. The U.S. was founded on the principle that “All men are created equal,” but the country’s early economy was based largely on slavery. The new idea of race helped explain why some people could be denied the rights and freedoms that others took for granted.
8 Race justified social inequalities as natural. The “common sense” belief in white superiority justified anti-democratic action and policies like slavery, the extermination of American Indians, the exclusion of Asian immigrants, the taking of Mexican lands, and the institutionalization of racial practices within American government, laws, and society.
9 Race isn’t biological, but racism is still real. Race is a powerful social idea that gives people different access to opportunities and resources. The government and social institutions of the United States have created advantages that disproportionately channel wealth, power and resources to white people.
10 Colorblindness will not end racism. Pretending race doesn’t exist is not the same as creating equality.
(from Page 4 of the Discussion Guide from the PB Series Race: The Power of Illusion, ©2003 California Newsreel, Developed by Dr. Faith Rogow, Insighters Educational Consulting, with contributions from Jean Cheng, Larry Adelman, Jim Sommers, and Timothea Howard.)
Which point strikes you as most interesting/unbelievable/insignificant? Let’s talk…
The Diagnosis
Posted by admin in Current Events, Demographics and Statistics on February 8th, 2010
Last week I became another statistic in the African American community. On Saturday I started taking prescribed medications for high blood pressure. A routine check up last December revealed a 150/101 blood pressure (normal is 120/70). My doctor had me lie down on the table and relax a few minutes before taking it again. 150/90. Still too high.
He sent me to the lab for some tests. They showed that in every other category I was healthy – cholesterol great, liver and kidney functions no problems, hormones normal, etc. He gave me a month to try to get it down, to relax.
I went back last week and my initial reading was 190/90. Lie-down-and-relax reading was 180/90. I walked out with two prescriptions, one for a diuretic and the other a “low dose” blood pressure pill. How long do I have to take them? Probably forever.
I’m a 45 year old, African American woman and heart disease is the leading cause of death for me. Two in five African Americans have high blood pressure, one in five Hispanics and one in six Asians (CDC statistics).
My mother, most of my aunts and both of my grandmothers all received a high blood pressure diagnosis at some point in their lives. Obesity, diabetes, high salt/fat diets, smoking and lack of exercise also run in my family. There is a hereditary factor and a race component to heart disease and high blood pressure but somehow I thought I had broken the generational curse.
It doesn’t seem fair. I quit smoking about ten years ago, I exercise five days a week. I eat a whole wheat, low sugar diet. Yet here I am, among the statistics, taking the medications and suffering the consequences. Okay, so it’s not completely my relatives fault. I could lose a few pounds. I could lower the stress in my life by getting eight hours every night. I could go salt free. But still, it doesn’t seem fair.
Wear red in February
I’m not sure how I feel about all of this. Angry. Frustrated. Helpless. Frightened. All of the above and more. Thank you for allowing me to vent. Now on to something constructive.
A reminder: February is American Heart Month. The purpose is to raise funds and awareness about heart disease — which is the number one killer in America. Check out the American Heart Assciation for information on how you can help and learn more about heart health.
Do you know your blood pressure? Does heart disease run in your family? Why do you think heart disease is so prevalent in the African American community? Any suggestions for me as I struggle to accept my new diagnosis? Let’s talk…
In the News!
Posted by admin in Current Events, Demographics and Statistics, How to talk about race, Interracial relationships, Media on January 29th, 2010
This week I’ve been quoted in a couple of articles about race relations in America. Would love your thoughts on both topics. Let’s talk…
Article from the Maryland Indendent about the Diversity Forum http://www.somdnews.com/stories/01272010/indytop171706_32230.shtml
Transracial Adoptions - Pro or Con?
Posted by admin in Current Events, Demographics and Statistics, Interracial relationships, Videos on November 11th, 2009
Twenty nine years ago yesterday I gave birth to a son who I placed for adoption. I don’t know if he was adopted transracially and I’m honestly not sure how I’d feel about that. Transracial adoptions are adoptions where the adoptive parents are of a different race or ethnicity than the child they adopt.
November is National Adoption Month and this year’s theme is, “You don’t have to be perfect to be a perfect parent.” The campaign is an effort to raise awareness for African American couples so they’ll adopt.
It’s no secret that in this country more black children are awaiting adoption than white children. It’s also no secret that most adoptive parents are white. So, can a white parent raise a black child as well as a black parent can? Would it be better that they stay in foster care? What about international adoptions? Are these kids getting a better life in America than they would in their home land?
Here are a couple of videos that might foster some discussion on transracial adoption.
This one is just over three minutes and offers advice for parents considering transracial adoption. I think this is great guidance for all parents of all races.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27WntzBFl8s
This second video is a short ten minute documentary about transracial adoption. It includes some statistics and history of the topic. The tears of the white woman who adopted four African American children particularly struck me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekMZw_mP-Xc
So, what do you think of all of this? I’d love to hear from adoptees, birth parents and adoptive parents. What is your experience with adoption in general and transracial adoption specifically? Those not part of the adoption triad feel free to offer your opinions as well. Let’s talk…
October is Family History Month
Posted by admin in Demographics and Statistics, History on October 10th, 2009
October is Family History Month. Federal, local and state governments (and genealogy services) are encouraging people to use the month of October to learn about their heritage and history. The 2002 resolution is here if you’re interested.
I shared in an earlier post that my first ancestor in America arrived via a slave ship from Africa in the mid 1700s. The ship landed in Annapolis, Maryland and my relative was sold to a tobacco farmer in St. Mary’s County, Maryland. When that farmer died in 1785, he left over two hundred slaves to his son, Richard Barnes. When Richard died in 1804, his will declared freedom for all of his slaves with the proviso that they take the surname Barnes. James Barnes, my great (times eight) grandfather was one of those freed slaves. I am fascinated by this story of my heritage and grateful to have this information.
The Catholic Church kept records of every birth, baptism and death, regardless of color. But just imagine, prior to the Emancipation, for the most part, African American slaves didn’t have surnames, marriage records, birth certificates, or any documentation of their existence.
Recently the search site Ancestry.com has added the records of more than 30,000 slaves from shipping manifests. The manifests document the movement of slaves from the Mid-Atlantic States to the Deep South in the 1810 to 1860 period. The records will help some African Americans search their roots.
I think all of this information reinforces to me how significant it is that my family came to this country as property. I know that makes so many people uncomfortable, but it is a fact. Not a fact that we should use as an excuse or cushion. But a fact that makes it more difficult for African Americans to search their roots. A fact that brings up emotions I don’t even want to address in this post. And maybe because of that fact in our history, we should use this month to begin a search of our ancestors.
What do you think? Have you traced your roots? If so, tell me about your family. Have you ever thought about a genealogy search? What road blocks have you encountered? Or are you one of those people who don’t think we should learn about all that stuff? Or, like my husband (whose father’s search shows a relationship to Celine Dion) doesn’t find his history interesting? If so, let me hear about that too. Let’s talk…
Last Chance to Preorder
Posted by admin in Building Bridges, Current Events, Demographics and Statistics, Forgiveness, Hatred, History, How to talk about race, Interracial relationships, Literature, Media, Racism/Discrimination, Stereotypes, What's our excuse?, segregation, the N word on September 19th, 2009
Only three days left to preorder Let’s Talk about Race
The Comprehensive Guide for small group discussions about race.
Are you apprehensive about race discussions, thinking you may offend someone or won’t feel free to be open and honest?
The group management skills and discussion guide in Let’s Talk will help to foster safe and productive conversations.
Get proactive, practical and simple steps to facilitate group discussions with friends, family, coworkers, church groups and students.
Deadline to order September 22nd
Mail check or money order for $15
(if postmarked by September 22nd) to
Dion Communications, LLC
PO Box 21
White Plains, MD 20695
Order via PayPal, debit or credit card here.
Click here to download a free sample chapter and table of contents. Read Chapter 11 with your family this week and let me know how it goes.
A Visit to the Holocaust Museum
Posted by admin in Demographics and Statistics, Hatred, History, Racism/Discrimination, You've Got to Be Kidding on July 30th, 2009
My family visited the Holocaust Museum on Sunday. On the three block walk back to the car we all, my mother, my husband, my son and myself, were a bit thoughtful. We knew about the Holocaust, but something about seeing those images and reading those words made it more compelling somehow.
The words: “systematic persecution and annihilation of European Jewry by Nazi Germany…few countries were willing to admit Jewish refugees…quest to create a master race….propaganda, terror, violence and state-sponsored racism…ghettos, concentration camps, and killing centers…six million were murdered…1.5 million of those murdered were children…
I think the main words that spoke to me were from the identification card of Betje Jacobs. Before we entered the elevator to the main exhibit, the guide said, “Be sure to take an identification card. This card tells the story of a real person who lived during the Holocaust.”
Betje was born on April 1 (my son’s birthday), 1920 in the Netherlands. Her friends called her “Bep” and her family owned a sporting goods store. As a child Betje played piano and enjoyed tennis and knitting. She married her school sweetheart on August 4, 1942, two years after the Germans invaded the Netherlands. The last two sentences of the card read, “On October 12, 1942, Betje was deported to Auschwitz, where she perished. She was 22 years old.”
Before our trip I hadn’t considered the impact the Holocaust might have had on young children. The “Remember the Children: Daniel’s Story” exhibit took us on a tour of a young boy’s perspective of the Holocaust. Daniel was a normal Jewish kid. He played soccer and helped his mother and sister bake cookies. Then the government shut down his father’s store and burnt his synagogue. Soon after he and his family were relocated to a ghetto. Daniel survived the Holocaust, his family did not.
Later we watched a video of a now elderly gentleman talking about coming home from school as a nine year old boy in 1941. He told his mother that he wanted to join the military. “She slapped me across the face,” he recounts, “What did I know about being Jewish? I was just a kid.”
I cannot explain fully all I saw and felt during the two and a half hours we spent in the museum. I can say that my perspective on this horrific event is now more personal, more real, more moving.
When you go:
Admission is free.
Address: 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW, Washington, DC 20024
Hours: 10am – 5:30 pm and they are open every day except Yom Kippur and Christmas Day.
Arrive early. The Permanent Exhibition requires same day timed passes. We arrived when the museum opened at 10 and got an 11:15 exhibit time. You can also purchase tickets from www.tickets.com or by calling 800-400-9373.
Web site: www.ushmm.org
Have you been to the Holocaust Memorial Museum? What was your experience? Do you plan to go? What do you generally think about a museum dedicated to the Holocaust? Let’s talk…
Independence Day?
Posted by admin in Building Bridges, Demographics and Statistics, Forgiveness, Hatred, Have we overcome?, History on July 3rd, 2009
My first ancestor in America arrived via a slave ship from Africa in 17??. They landed in Annapolis, Maryland and my relative was sold to a tobacco farmer in St. Mary’s County, Maryland. When that farmer died in 1785, he left over two hundred slaves to his son, Richard Barnes. When Richard died in 1804, his will declared freedom for all of his slaves with the proviso that they take the surname Barnes. James Barnes, my great (times eight) grandfather was one of those freed slaves.
As a result, I have a different perspective about my “slave name.” Without it, my family would have remained enslaved. With it, my family is celebrating over 200 years of freedom.
I cringe that slave traders stole my great grandfather from his homeland and sold him to a farmer – that is an atrocity. I recognize that slavery was a horrible reality for this country. I appreciate a lot people are still angry about that.
But…I’m actually proud of the name Barnes. I’m proud to be an American. I don’t agree with everything that we did (and was done to us) in the past. I’m not even thrilled about how the present is going. But I wouldn’t live in any other country. Where else but in the United States could I (a black woman) enjoy the independence I have.
I can practice any religion. I can hold any belief. I can associate with anyone I choose to. I can fly the American flag in my front yard. I can marry anyone I want. I can write this blog post without fear of repercussions. I appreciate all of these things daily, but even more so on Independence Day.
The Dion family traditionally has a back yard barbeque on July 4th. We invite friends and family and provide the meat and drinks. We ask our guests to bring either a dessert or side and celebrate our freedoms with us. This year Marc is playing bass guitar at a community event and Marcel is working. So tomorrow I’ll have no barbecue, friends or special food. I’m going to hang out with my mom, Mary Barnes-Goldring, instead, and remember our freedom.
I want to hear from you. What are your Independence Day traditions? How do you celebrate? What does freedom mean to you? What are your thoughts on living in America? Let’s talk…
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