During a recent discussion on cultural appropriation, I was asked, “Should cultures stay in their lanes?” This person felt that cultures are meant to be shared and that people develop empathy and appreciation through exposure. I argued that we get to know other cultures not through cultural appropriation but through taking the time to learn […]

Journal Entries

April 25, 2023

Should Cultures Stay in their Lanes?

Culture and identity.

Specific behaviors displayed by dominant group members are so profound and familiar that just about every racial and ethnic minority is well-versed in them. These behaviors set the foundation for the experience of minorities in the U.S. These experiences shape the cultures of minority groups and even shape how individuals see themselves and the world […]

Journal Entries, School

April 9, 2023

The Lived Experience of Racial Minorities

Whiteness makes white skin the norm. An example of this can be found in the Crayola crayon named Flesh which was changed in the mid 1960s to Peach.

Specific behaviors displayed by dominant group members are so profound and familiar that just about every racial and ethnic minority is well-versed in them. These behaviors set the foundation for the experience of minorities in the U.S. These experiences shape the cultures of minority groups and even shape how individuals see themselves and the world […]

Journal Entries, School

April 9, 2023

The Lived Experience of Racial Minorities

Whiteness makes white skin the norm. An example of this can be found in the Crayola crayon named Flesh which was changed in the mid 1960s to Peach.

White people do have their own culture. Now take a step back and breathe. Many have a powerful reaction to the idea of white culture. There could be several different reasons for this. People tend to react strongly to discussions on ethnicity and culture in general. Everyone has firm opinions on the matter but rarely […]

School

March 25, 2023

What is White Culture?

A white woman holding an American flag.

A hidden connection between BIPOC (Black and Indigenous People of Color) worldwide is not being discussed. It is time for these realities to be brought into the light and for people to start taking responsibility for the damage that has been done. The Devastating Connection between BIPOC in the US & Abroad You don’t need […]

School

March 19, 2023

Why the Cultures of BIPOC are Not the Problem

The pieces that make up the picture: Colonization & whiteness.

A hidden connection between BIPOC (Black and Indigenous People of Color) worldwide is not being discussed. It is time for these realities to be brought into the light and for people to start taking responsibility for the damage that has been done. The Devastating Connection between BIPOC in the US & Abroad You don’t need […]

School

March 19, 2023

Why the Cultures of BIPOC are Not the Problem

The pieces that make up the picture: Colonization & whiteness.

There are a lot of discussions these days about the importance of inclusion and diversity in the workplace. But what about internalized dominance? Internalized dominance is a term used to describe how people internalize the values and beliefs of white supremacy. It is a complex phenomenon that can be difficult to understand fully. It also […]

School

March 7, 2023

What is Internalized Dominance?

Sitting in class during my fifth-grade year, my teacher told us that America is a melting pot. She explained that America is a land of immigrants who all blend together. And that is what makes America so unique. I envisioned people of all cultures and creeds entering through a doorway. Afterward, they come out to the […]

Journal Entries

February 27, 2023

Is America a Melting Pot?

Sitting in class during my fifth-grade year, my teacher told us that America is a melting pot. She explained that America is a land of immigrants who all blend together. And that is what makes America so unique. I envisioned people of all cultures and creeds entering through a doorway. Afterward, they come out to the […]

Journal Entries

February 27, 2023

Is America a Melting Pot?

Internalized Oppression is the unacknowledged beliefs and behaviors one acquires from their environment that causes self-hatred and internal conflict. In today’s post, I will discuss my struggles with this issue, what it looks like in people, and how to combat it. My Own Struggles Continue. If Mexicans are as into family and being good people as […]

Journal Entries, School

February 23, 2023

Internalized Oppression & How to Combat It

Internalized oppression can lead to shame and is more than just a belief system; it affects the way we see ourselves.

I would have a lot of dollars if I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard people suggest that Black History Month is unnecessary because it is American History. This is one of the most common arguments against the month-long holiday you’ll hear, but it often goes unchecked. So today, I will break down […]

School

February 17, 2023

Four Reasons Black History is not just American History

Celebration and unity

I would have a lot of dollars if I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard people suggest that Black History Month is unnecessary because it is American History. This is one of the most common arguments against the month-long holiday you’ll hear, but it often goes unchecked. So today, I will break down […]

School

February 17, 2023

Four Reasons Black History is not just American History

Celebration and unity

It’s Black History Month, which means we are again bombarded with anti-Black rhetoric disguised as a “critique” of the observance. From claims that it’s “divisive” to assertions that it’s nothing more than a way to “pat Blacks on the head,” these five narratives against Black History Month are among the most common—and flawed.

School

February 17, 2023

Five Narratives Against Black History Month & Their Flaws

Power Fist

As a racial minority living in the United States, I’ve often struggled to understand the complexities of race and its impact on our society. This blog will explore race in America and my journey to understanding its effects on our everyday lives. During the 2016 US presidential elections, we watched as the nation divided. We […]

Journal Entries

February 15, 2023

Exploring Race in America

As a racial minority living in the United States, I’ve often struggled to understand the complexities of race and its impact on our society. This blog will explore race in America and my journey to understanding its effects on our everyday lives. During the 2016 US presidential elections, we watched as the nation divided. We […]

Journal Entries

February 15, 2023

Exploring Race in America