Remembering the Japanese American Soldiers Who Fought in World War II
33,000 Japanese Americans served gallantly in the U.S. military during the war, fighting for a country that had unconstitutionally wronged them, their families and friends.
Racial Justice
The Burden of Asian and Pacific Islander Month Under the White Gaze
Since the start of the pandemic, the sense of responsibility to educate White people on racism and anti-Asian violence has overshadowed what API Month is really about: celebration and connection.
When Asian Art Meets Elvis Presley
A queer Asian artist’s photo depicting himself as Elvis Presley sparked reactionary racism in Memphis, illustrating the difficult terrain facing artists of color.
One Family, Two Nations
An extended Mexican family is split by wars between drug cartels and U.S. immigration policy.
How Do We Stop White Supremacists From Killing People of Color?
In the wake of the Buffalo massacre, scholar-activist Rosa Clemente worries that communities of color will be more heavily policed while White supremacists will continue to access guns freely.
Black Joy in Pursuit of Racial Justice
What does it mean to give ourselves permission to experience joy even when grief and rage are present?
Finding Freedom in Black BDSM
Black kink is about pleasure first and foremost. But it’s also bound up with freedom and empowerment.
Why Not Pass?
“The Vanishing Half” deals with the theme of racial “passing” in the 1950s. Passing is different today, but still presents a choice between safety and authenticity.
The Deep Roots of the Racial Wealth Gap—and How We Undo It
The racial wealth gap exists by historical design. In order to undo that divide, we need to be just as intentional.
Race and Religion Have Always Played a Role in Who Gets Refuge in the U.S.
The treatment of Ukrainian versus Black and Brown asylum seekers has prompted criticism that the administration is enforcing immigration policies in ways that favor White, European, mostly Christian refugees.
My Mother’s Immigration Story, Part of Something Larger
You can say that my parents came to America for a better life, and they got one. But American imperialism shaped their paths.
Why Fatal Police Interactions Are Avoidable
Police too often claim that confusion during an encounter caused them to fire fatal shots, as in the case of Patrick Lyoya. But there are solutions.
Learning to Swim Through My Hybrid Cultures
A poem, “Swimming,” explores themes of crossing borders, survival, and resilience.
A Night Market Creates Opportunity for Black Communities
A North Nashville market that showcases Black-owned small businesses helps invigorate their community.
30 Years After the L.A. Uprising, Multiracial Organizers Rebuild the City
The 1992 L.A. rebellion was a wake-up call for a deeply segregated city.
Instead of “Tough on Crime” Policies, California Could Fund Better Solutions
State legislatures and elected officials around the country have almost always responded to crime with more police funding in spite of little to no positive results. Instead, they could tackle the recidivism rate, solve the housing crisis, and reduce poverty.
On Mass Migration and Not Becoming Immune
How much suffering must a human go through to be seen as equal?
Unlearning Racism As a Non-Black Person of Color
A young, mixed-race Iranian American realized during the 2020 racial justice uprisings that being a person of color didn’t mean she was automatically an expert on race and racism.
Interrupting Cycles of Harm, Inside and Outside Prison Walls
Formerly incarcerated mental health care providers are supplementing traditional resources for those still in prison—with mutually beneficial results.
Alopecia Is No Laughing Matter for Millions of Black American Women
Black women like Jada Pinkett Smith and Representative Ayanna Pressley are coming forward to shed light on a little known hair loss condition that disproportionately affects Black women.
Who Gets to Define Classical Music?
The recent outrage over the Grammy nominations of two Black artists in classical categories is part of a long-standing problem in the White-dominated genre.
Unpacking Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Supreme Court Nomination Hearings
Republican Senators on the Judiciary Committee engaged in aggressive political attacks on Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson during her Supreme Court confirmation hearings. But they couldn’t take away from the historic significance of the first Black women to be nominated to the court.
After Hurricane Ida, a Historic Black Community Races to Save Its Future
Residents of Ironton, Louisiana are rallying for their share of recovery funds.
Abolitionists and Environmentalists in Atlanta Band Together to “Stop Cop City”
“The people who are killing us can’t also be the people who are keeping us safe.”
How to Celebrate Holi Without Culturally Appropriating It
Each spring, millions of Indians and Hindus celebrate Holi. But as Western forces try to capitalize on the colorful tradition, there are ways to enjoy it without engaging in cultural appropriation.
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