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.

by Carmen Van Kerckhove

About a year ago, I attended a marketing seminar. The woman who ran the seminar couldn’t have been more different from me. She was a real “girly-girl,” all pink, sparkles, big blonde hair.

I was apprehensive at first, but by the end of the event she had completely won me over. Why? Because I could tell she was totally comfortable in her skin. This was really who she was, and she was unabashed about it.

The ability to just be yourself is a lot harder to come by than we might think. And one of the biggest obstacles can be race. Specifically, racial stereotypes.

I’m not particularly meek, yet at almost every job I’ve held, people have thought of me as a shy and quiet Asian girl. Because of that, I’ve always had to project an exaggerated version of my personality, just to be perceived as normal.

What kinds of racial stereotypes do you find yourself battling on a daily basis? What elements of your authentic self are you suppressing? How is race getting in the way of your self-expression without you even knowing it?

I’m going to share that and much more on a FREE CALL happening TOMORROW, Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 1:00 pm Eastern time.

‘Just Be Yourself!’
How Race Gets in the Way of Expressing Our Authentic Identities

Sign up to reserve your line for this FREE call today!

On this lively, information-packed 60-minute call, you’ll learn:

• How the quest for racial or cultural authenticity can thwart your true identity.
• What “covering” is, and what it has to do with your civil rights.
• Why it actually benefits you to know what racial stereotypes exist about your ethnic or racial group.

This call is a content-rich preview to the newest session of my program, The Racialicious Experience. If you’re a fan of our blog, you won’t want to miss it!

Limited lines are available for this call, so you’ll want to make sure you reserve your spot right away.

Just click the link above, enter your information in the boxes on the page, and you’ll receive the complete call details via email.

We will record the call, but only people who have registered will receive instructions on how to download the audio recording. So even if you’re not sure if you can make the call live, register now!

by Carmen Van Kerckhove

We started Sean on solid foods a couple weeks ago. It’s strange to think that eating from a spoon is a skill that needs to be learned, but it is. It took her a couple tries to get the hang of it, but as you can see, she’s eating like a champ now!

Oddly, I found myself getting really emotional the first time we fed her. I’ve been breastfeeding her since birth, and I think that maybe on some level, I felt as if Sean starting solid foods was the first step to not needing her mother anymore.

I suspect it won’t be the last time I feel this way. It seems to me that much of parenting is about preparing your children to go out in the world on their own and coming to terms with letting them go.

by Carmen Van Kerckhove

It’s amazing how quickly this summer flew by. Fall is definitely in full swing, as I’m headed out on the road again for speaking engagements. I’ll be in Boston this week for two events that are open to the public. Be sure to say hi to me if you come!

Friday, October 2
Workshop: “Love and Sex: What’s Race Got to Do With It?”
Stonehill College in Easton, MA
Contact the Intercultural Affairs office for time and location

Saturday, October 3
Keynote at 2009 Asian America Women in Leadership Conference
Boston University in Boston, MA
Register at this web site

by Carmen Van Kerckhove

Addicted to Race is New Demographic’s podcast about America’s obsession with race. Here’s a rundown of what you’ll find in this episode:

What role did race play in the media coverage of Annie Le’s murder? Gospel tours bring in much-needed revenue for black churches, but is it worth it vis-a-vis the racial tourism? What’s wrong with calling a multiracial person “half” Chinese? What role does race play in street harassment of women?

Carmen Van Kerckhove, Tami Winfrey Harris and Jen Wang discuss; and Angry Asian Man Phil Yu and Racialicious Special Correspondent Wendi Muse make surprise guest appearances!

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 119
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

About a year ago, I attended a marketing seminar. The woman who ran the seminar couldn’t have been more different from me. She was a real “girly-girl,” all pink, sparkles, big blonde hair.

I was apprehensive at first, but by the end of the event she had completely won me over. Why? Because I could tell she was totally comfortable in her skin. This was really who she was, and she was unabashed about it.

The ability to just be yourself is a lot harder to come by than we might think. And one of the biggest obstacles can be race. Specifically, racial stereotypes.

I’m not particularly meek, yet at almost every job I’ve held, people have thought of me as a shy and quiet Asian girl. Because of that, I’ve always had to project an exaggerated version of my personality, just to be perceived as normal.

What kinds of racial stereotypes do you find yourself battling on a daily basis? What elements of your authentic self are you suppressing? How is race getting in the way of your self-expression without you even knowing it?

I’m going to share that and much more on a FREE CALL happening on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 1:00 pm Eastern time.

‘Just Be Yourself!’
How Race Gets in the Way of Expressing Our Authentic Identities

Sign up to reserve your line for this FREE call today!

On this lively, information-packed 60-minute call, you’ll learn:

• How the quest for racial or cultural authenticity can thwart your true identity.
• What “covering” is, and what it has to do with your civil rights.
• Why it actually benefits you to know what racial stereotypes exist about your ethnic or racial group.

This call is a content-rich preview to the newest session of my program, The Racialicious Experience. If you’re a fan of our blog, you won’t want to miss it!

Limited lines are available for this call, so you’ll want to make sure you reserve your spot right away.

Just click the link above, enter your information in the boxes on the page, and you’ll receive the complete call details via email.

We will record the call, but only people who have registered will receive instructions on how to download the audio recording. So even if you’re not sure if you can make the call live, register now!

by Carmen Van Kerckhove

Last week, a friend of mine posted this Associated Press article on my Facebook wall.

I was struck by the fact that the article included several different definitions of “racism,” but not a single one bore any resemblance to the way most anti-racists would define it.

In other words, the article promotes the notion that racism is about personal prejudice, or a belief in the superiority of one race over another, but doesn’t at all cover the systemic or institutional nature of racism.

I believe that one of the reasons anti-racism hasn’t taken off the way we’d like it to, has to do with this very issue of terminology. How can anti-racists and laypeople talk to each other about race when they have completely different ideas of what “racism” is supposed to be? No wonder people roll their eyes when they hear things like “people of color can’t be racist.” If you don’t know the anti-racist definition of racism, that statement makes absolutely no sense.

Some of my fellow anti-racist activists and bloggers would argue that it’s up to the general public to educate themselves on Racism 101, and that we can’t be responsible for people’s wilful ignorance.

But if you don’t even realize you’re missing knowledge in this area, how are you supposed to seek to learn it? And even if you are sufficiently motivated to go out and educate yourself, many race-related resources out there just aren’t that user-friendly.

(Even Dr. Beverly Tatum’s classic Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? — arguably one of the most accessible books out there on race — takes nearly a whole chapter to define what “racism” is.)

Again, I have a few colleagues who’d say: “Oh cry me a river. So you have to wade through a few dense, academic texts. What’s that compared to the oppression that people of color have faced for centuries?”

Well, of course there’s no comparison. But if we really want to create change when it comes to race, why not make it easier for people to learn? I see nothing wrong with trying to make the topic more accessible, and even to some degree, entertaining.

I’m glad to see that many of you, judging from your responses to my recent book survey, feel the same way. No matter what kind of book I end up writing, you can be sure that it will contain plenty of humor, pop culture references, and personal anecdotes.

On a side note, I’m not convinced that it’s even possible for us to take the anti-racist definition of “racism” mainstream. It seems to me that the idea of racism as personal prejudice is too firmly entrenched in popular language already. Maybe it’s time to create a new word to describe the idea of a system of advantage based on race?