I had de ja vuh like for real this week. But it was nothing new, nothing unfamiliar. Sadly, this won’t be the last time someone says something stupid to me about something race-related. I apologize in advance if that word stupid seems harsh, but it’s getting boring, you know? Well, I guess you don’t know, …
Trevor Noah for President: He’s Smart, Thoughtful, and He’s Sees the Value of Inclusion
I love Trevor Noah. Not in an, I wanna lick your face and stalk you online nonsensical kind of way. This is more like, wow. What a good dude. The comedian and host of The Daily Show seems so empathetic, so smart, so kind and thoughtful. Patient too. Sometimes just listening to him talk makes …
Listen to Your Elders, But Think for Yourself
It always makes me shake my head when I hear industry elders share less than flattering opinions on what they see now. It’s often some combination of distaste, dismissal, or this rather milque toast smile and nod routine that is its own kind of insult. Oh, and let’s not forget the obligatory “back in my …
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Celebrate Stonewall, Celebrate Change
Yesterday New Yorkers celebrated the 50th anniversary of Stonewall, the uprising credited as the beginning of the LGBTQ liberation movement. I wasn’t aware of it until my friend Kate told me about it, and like so many movements, this one appears to have started by accident. On June 28th, 1969, patrons at an unlicensed, speakeasy …
Parents Just Don’t Understand
I had dinner with a friend this week. Not a close friend, nor one I speak to often, but one I respect very much. Her father died recently, and having experienced that heartache myself, I’ve been checking on her more frequently. Not asking about that specifically, just reaching out to let her know someone’s thinking …
Ava DuVernay Says Don’t Call Her Auntie
Have you seen "When They See Us" yet? I heard it's fabulous, and it's so accessible. Currently playing on Netflix, you don't even have to leave your phone to see the series. The snippets of media I've absorbed have praised the young actors, the attention to detail, director Ava DuVernay’s masterful storytelling, everything. I haven't …
Was the Law Always This Judgmental?
It’s been a rough week or so for freedoms of all kinds. Top of mind is the list of states that have decided they have the right to police women’s bodies. As of this writing, eight states have passed bills to place extreme limitations on abortions. Shout out to Illinois where I live for doing exactly the opposite. Let …
Is Freedom of the Press a Good Thing?
Yesterday was World Press Freedom Day. According to Gallup, the world in general is more likely to see the media as having a lot of freedom than it did a few years ago. “Across 133 countries surveyed last year – one of the deadliest on record for journalists – a median of 64% of adults agreed …
Meghan Markle, the Media and Our Vanishing Rights to Privacy, Decency and Giving Birth Without Photo Shoots
Several things happened this week that have me thinking our perspective on the power of the media is skewed. It’s real, no doubt, but we’re missing something really basic. That might sound strange coming from a member of the media. But I like to think of myself as a different kind of journalist in that, …
How Toxic Family Members Impact Your Career – and Your Life
I’ve followed the Turpin case for awhile now, and justice was served this week when David and Louise Turpin were each sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for torturing their children. It was an unusual case – at least I hope so. These California-based parents from hell kept their 13 children from ages …
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