Saturday, February 27, 2010

Racial Division and Vanity Fair


While I was waiting at a local shopping center to meet a friend for dinner, I perused the bookstore, and there on the magazine rack, was a stark reminder that, despite the election of a black President and the increase in interracial relationships and marriages, in some corners time stands still. On the cover of the latest Vanity Fair was a group of up-and-coming young starlets, all white. Right next to this issue was Ebony featuring the acting phemon Gabby Sidibe, star of the acclaimed film "Precious". Although there are debates about the neccesity of separate ethnic publications, my main complaint regards the exclusion of a celebrated actress who at her greatest moment has been deemed not on par with the mainstream idea of talent and beauty. What a shame, I suppose it's their loss that even in this day and age, their vision is still so narrow. Hope remains eternal.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Congratulations Shani Davis.



On February 17, 27 -year old Shani Davis , who in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy became the first black person in Olympic history to win a gold medal in an individual event, made history yet again. People from the south side of Chicago, his hometown, to Washington, DC, where he opened a skating-oriented youth development program, cheered him on as he became the first speed skater to win the 1,000-meters twice in an Olympic Winter Games. Although media-shy, Shani has inspired people of color to go outside their athletic comfort zones, and I look forward to seeing more diversity in the future. Thanks, Shani.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Introducing Tyree Brown



As I was sitting vegging out in front of my TV the other day, I saw a commercial for the forthcoming series "Parenthood", an adaptation of the 1989 comedy. To my delight, I saw that two of the characters, played by Dax Shepard and Joy Bryant have a biracial son, played by 6-year old newcomer Tyree Brown, who is himself biracial. I applaud this on-screen portrayal of the biracial experience and look forward to watching the series beginning in March.