by Carmen Van Kerckhove

I was on NPR’s Tell Me More yesterday to talk about the racial politics of Halloween, something we’ve been discussing quite a bit this week on both Racialicious and Love Isn’t Enough. You can listen to the segment or read the transcript.

I started eyeing costumes in that damned One Step Ahead catalog months ago! Originally I wanted the bumble bee costume for Sean (yellow and black, hardy har har!) but they didn’t have infant sizes for that one.

So Sean will be going as a little spider instead. Can’t wait for the cute overload to begin!

by Carmen Van Kerckhove

Addicted to Race is our weekly talk show podcast about all things race. Here’s a rundown of what you’ll find in this episode:

Did CNN’s documentary series “Latino in America” break new ground? Or did it simply reaffirm existing stereotypes? Why do so many people use Halloween as an opportunity to dress up as someone of a different race or ethnicity? Are the so-called “homeland tours” — in which countries like China and Korea invite adoptees to visit their birthplaces — simply public relations exercises for those countries? We all have ways of responding when someone makes racist comments. But what do you do when that person is your partner’s child? Carmen Van Kerckhove, Tami Winfrey Harris, and Arturo Garcia discuss.

Addicted to Race is broadcast live every Sunday afternoon at 12 pm Eastern. You can listen live on our BlogTalkRadio page and call in by dialing 347-996-3958.

Right-click here to download an MP3 of Addicted to Race Episode 123
or
Click here to never miss an episode by subscribing to us in iTunes
or
click the button below to play it immediately

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by Carmen Van Kerckhove

Addicted to Race is our weekly talk show podcast about all things race. Here’s a rundown of what you’ll find in this episode:

How do we tie anti-racism into policy changes when whites are so weary of talking about race? Did white privilege have anything to do with the seeming lack of guilt on behalf of the white mother who terminated an adoption of her South American son? Are accusations of communism about redistribution of wealth, or redistribution of other kinds of privilege? The recent blackface spread in French Vogue has once again raised the question: why can’t the fashion industry do better when it comes to race? Tami Winfrey Harris, Lisa Wade, and Minh-ha Pham discuss.

Addicted to Race is broadcast live every Sunday afternoon at 12 pm Eastern. You can listen live on our BlogTalkRadio page and call in by dialing 347-996-3958.

Right-click here to download an MP3 of Addicted to Race Episode 122
or
Click here to never miss an episode by subscribing to us in iTunes
or
click the button below to play it immediately

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

by Carmen Van Kerckhove

The first time I held Sean in my arms, I didn’t cry.

That surprised me. After all, in practically every movie I’ve watched, when women are handed their baby immediately after giving birth, they inevitably break down, sobbing out of joy.

But unlike those women, I wasn’t overwhelmed by an instant rush of love. More than anything else, I was just kind of stunned that Sean was finally here and that she was a real (albeit tiny) person.

In the weeks and months following the birth, the bond between us grew stronger, bit by bit. But it wasn’t until the 3-month mark — when she would smile in recognition each time she saw me — that I truly felt the kind of deep, warm love I was expecting to feel as a mother.

In hindsight, I realize that a parent/child relationship is, in some respects, not that different from any other type of relationship. The better you get to know someone, the closer you feel to them.

I suspect my experience was not atypical, but it’s not one I have ever seen depicted on TV or in a movie. And that’s unfortunate, because along with all the other pressures new mothers face (avoid a C-section! breastfeed at all costs! feed your baby organic food only!), many of us are left wondering if there’s something abnormal about our feelings.

The reality is that love is rarely — if ever — instant.

by Carmen Van Kerckhove

Addicted to Race is our weekly talk show podcast about all things race. Here’s a rundown of what you’ll find in this episode:

Why does Hollywood continue to whitewash movies by casting white actors to play characters that were originally people of color? A popular Australian TV show is being criticized for featuring a blackface skit, but can we apply American attitudes toward race to other countries? Would Derrion Albert’s death be any less of a tragedy if he wasn’t an honors student? Why are people often reluctant to admit the ways in which they experience privilege in addition to oppression? Carmen Van Kerckhove, Tami Winfrey Harris, Thea Lim, and Latoya Peterson discuss.

Addicted to Race is broadcast live every Sunday afternoon at 12 pm Eastern. You can listen live on our BlogTalkRadio page and call in by dialing 347-996-3958.

Right-click here to download an MP3 of Addicted to Race Episode 121
or
Click here to never miss an episode by subscribing to us in iTunes
or
click the button below to play it immediately

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

by Carmen Van Kerckhove

Hey I just wanted to remind you that today is the last day you can apply to the newest session of my program The Racialicious Experience.

The deadline is 5 pm Eastern today. You can request your application here.

Here’s a little bit more information about the program, if you haven’t read about it yet.

It’s a unique, 6-week program that will allow you to:

• Fuel your brain with thought-provoking and challenging live conversations about race.
• Connect in real-time with people as passionate and dedicated as you…people who actually get it.
• Access a safe space where no one will roll their eyes at the mere mention of race, and no one will ever tell you that you’re “just too sensitive.”

I facilitate the program personally, and it’s limited to just 15 people. Because of this, there is an application process and not everyone will be accepted. Learn more about the program and request your application here.

Important: I must receive your application by 5 pm Eastern TODAY, Friday, October 9th, in order for you to be considered for this program.

So if this sounds like something you’d like to participate in, please do get your application in early!

Thanks! And I hope you’ll join me this fall for The Racialicious Experience.

by Carmen Van Kerckhove

Addicted to Race is our weekly talk show podcast about all things race. Here’s a rundown of what you’ll find in this episode:

In a hypercapitalist culture, are children the ultimate commodity? What’s the connection between capitalism, human trafficking, and transracial adoption? How does police brutality impact communities of color? We often hear that poor people make unhealthy food choices, but how often do we consider the availability of healthy foods in poorer neighborhoods? Is Barbie’s new line of dolls really a more “authentic” representation of African-American beauty? Carmen Van Kerckhove, Tami Winfrey Harris, and atlasien discuss

Addicted to Race is broadcast live every Sunday afternoon at 12 pm Eastern. You can listen live on our BlogTalkRadio page and call in by dialing 347-996-3958.

Right-click here to download an MP3 of Addicted to Race Episode 120
or
Click here to never miss an episode by subscribing to us in iTunes
or
click the button below to play it immediately

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

by Carmen Van Kerckhove

Wow! I just checked our stats and it turns out we had close to 300 people registered for my free teleseminar yesterday, “Just Be Yourself! How Race Gets in the Way of Expressing Our Authentic Selves.”

Those of you who joined me live – thank you! Those of you who missed it, don’t worry. If you registered, you will get an audio recording via email. (You can still register for the audio now if you’d like to hear it.)

As you know, this call was a preview to the newest session of my program The Racialicious Experience.

It’s a unique, 6-week program that will allow you to:

• Fuel your brain with thought-provoking and challenging live conversations about race.
• Connect in real-time with people as passionate and dedicated as you…people who actually get it.
• Access a safe space where no one will roll their eyes at the mere mention of race, and no one will ever tell you that you’re “just too sensitive.”

I facilitate the program personally, and it’s limited to just 15 people. Because of this, there is an application process and not everyone will be accepted. Learn more about the program and request your application here.

Important: I must receive your application by 5 pm Eastern on Friday, October 9th, in order for you to be considered for this program.

So if this sounds like something you’d like to participate in, please do get your application in early!

Thanks! And I hope you’ll join me this fall for The Racialicious Experience.