Medium Posts in 2019
Are you looking for one of my Medium posts for 2020? Click here. 2021? Click here. 2022? Click here. 2023? Click here.
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“Seeing” color is no more a problem than “seeing” height. Disrespect and discrimination are bigger issues.
(Note: The following IDSC posts ranging from 2019 to the fall of 2022 were originally published on Medium. However, they have been moved to Substack as of Nov. 7, 2022.)
18. The bigot across the hall ~ The racist neighbor in my building, and the landlord who appeased him
17. Fatherhood: My favorite hip-hop tales ~ Why black fatherhood stories are much-needed in hip-hop culture
16. Artist, documentarian Michael D’Antuono paints with purpose ~ Using art to highlight social justice issues
15. Productively teaching black children about colorism ~When I found out my cousin favored light-skinned women
14. Overslept for jury duty? Judge gave juror 10 days in jail ~ Judge’s disturbing reaction to 21-year-old black man Deandre Somerville
13. Amber Guyger faces 10 years in jail the same day I walk into the wrong apartment ~ How a knee-jerk reaction killed someone’s child
12. Where are all the black stunt doubles? ~ The hidden career that’s even more hidden for POC entertainers
11. That ‘scientific study’ that makes you hate your race ~ Brown-skinned girls, look past racism to own your beauty
10. ‘Black Love’ picks up where JET Magazine’s wedding section left ~ Why OWN’s “Black Love” matters so much to African-American viewers
9. Blog 3 of 8: Failed English final, became professional writer: School expulsion, failing grade ~ Why I chose the Harlem Renaissance for my Toastmasters speech
8. When bilingualism becomes a threat ~ Duke faculty was dead wrong for telling Chinese students not to speak Chinese
7. Only seeing upsides to #BlackMenDontCheat hashtag
6. Pantyhose and shapewear: Acknowledge the skin I'm in ~ Undergarments and shoe lines finally tackle questionable “nude” shades
5. When POC become each other’s allies ~ Taking a stand on racism when I had everything to lose
4. Stop calling black women ‘intimidating’ ~ The “intimidation” incident that made me quit my last job
3. The trial that I recalled from #TalkAboutBias ~ Why I’ll never complain about jury duty notices
2. Biracial and (not) proud ~ When your skinfolk don’t want to be claimed
1. From PWI to HBCU: Why I fled ~ College, and threat of expulsion, made my naivete about racism disappear
17. Fatherhood: My favorite hip-hop tales ~ Why black fatherhood stories are much-needed in hip-hop culture
16. Artist, documentarian Michael D’Antuono paints with purpose ~ Using art to highlight social justice issues
15. Productively teaching black children about colorism ~When I found out my cousin favored light-skinned women
14. Overslept for jury duty? Judge gave juror 10 days in jail ~ Judge’s disturbing reaction to 21-year-old black man Deandre Somerville
13. Amber Guyger faces 10 years in jail the same day I walk into the wrong apartment ~ How a knee-jerk reaction killed someone’s child
12. Where are all the black stunt doubles? ~ The hidden career that’s even more hidden for POC entertainers
11. That ‘scientific study’ that makes you hate your race ~ Brown-skinned girls, look past racism to own your beauty
10. ‘Black Love’ picks up where JET Magazine’s wedding section left ~ Why OWN’s “Black Love” matters so much to African-American viewers
9. Blog 3 of 8: Failed English final, became professional writer: School expulsion, failing grade ~ Why I chose the Harlem Renaissance for my Toastmasters speech
8. When bilingualism becomes a threat ~ Duke faculty was dead wrong for telling Chinese students not to speak Chinese
7. Only seeing upsides to #BlackMenDontCheat hashtag
6. Pantyhose and shapewear: Acknowledge the skin I'm in ~ Undergarments and shoe lines finally tackle questionable “nude” shades
5. When POC become each other’s allies ~ Taking a stand on racism when I had everything to lose
4. Stop calling black women ‘intimidating’ ~ The “intimidation” incident that made me quit my last job
3. The trial that I recalled from #TalkAboutBias ~ Why I’ll never complain about jury duty notices
2. Biracial and (not) proud ~ When your skinfolk don’t want to be claimed
1. From PWI to HBCU: Why I fled ~ College, and threat of expulsion, made my naivete about racism disappear
Laughing burns calories. Let's focus on our funny bones.
2. Barry Brewer: Chicago comedian keeps us laughing ~ Blog 5 of 8: Actor/comedian gives tips on humorous public speaking for Toastmasters
1. The hat catastrophe ~ How my smoothie made me so not smooth
1. The hat catastrophe ~ How my smoothie made me so not smooth
Let’s chat about my oddball thoughts on family, relationships and activism — with a dose of comedy, too.
17. Are you Michael Scott? ~ The job interview question you should ask before accepting employment
16. Embracing ‘island brain’ in Hawaii ~ How paddleboard yoga helped ease my mind from a family member’s death
15. How being an election judge made me appreciate politics more ~ Enjoy politics? Sign up to be an Election Judge or Coordinator
14. Know the end goal first before joining any activism group ~ When marching and protesting don’t add up to results
13. How a thief gave me an irrational fear of bushes ~ Why asking the reason behind someone’s phobia matters
12. No mandatory sex ed course? No high school diploma ~ The argument for making sex education courses a graduation requirement
11. I wrap my hair, deal with it! ~ The odd responses to black women who wear head wraps and scarves
10. When a girl’s guy supports the #MeTooMovement ~ Knowing when ‘locker room talk' at work has gone too far
9. Why I appreciate my dad more after hearing T.I.’s daughter-gyno interview ~ Blaming black men is not the solution to T.I.’s fatherhood antics
8. Thanks to a nail technician, I support John Legend’s “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” ~ How a trip to the spa made me reevaluate this Christmas song rewrite
7. His friend died of AIDS, but he still believes AIDS isn’t real ~ Why contraception talks should happen more than sex
6. My hypocritical views on chivalry ~ Is chivalry dying? In some ways, women may be killing it — me included.
5. Why are some women choosing not to be mothers? ~ Eight responses to opting out of motherhood
4. Finessing the pick-up line ~ Four ways to get pick-up lines to work to your benefit
3. Why I won’t smile on command ~ Guys, please stop asking women to smile just because you’re around
2. That time he spoke my love language ~ When my college crush proved he understood ‘Quality Time’
1. My worst and most successful job interview ~ Journalists are one group who can definitely take the heat, including from interviewees
16. Embracing ‘island brain’ in Hawaii ~ How paddleboard yoga helped ease my mind from a family member’s death
15. How being an election judge made me appreciate politics more ~ Enjoy politics? Sign up to be an Election Judge or Coordinator
14. Know the end goal first before joining any activism group ~ When marching and protesting don’t add up to results
13. How a thief gave me an irrational fear of bushes ~ Why asking the reason behind someone’s phobia matters
12. No mandatory sex ed course? No high school diploma ~ The argument for making sex education courses a graduation requirement
11. I wrap my hair, deal with it! ~ The odd responses to black women who wear head wraps and scarves
10. When a girl’s guy supports the #MeTooMovement ~ Knowing when ‘locker room talk' at work has gone too far
9. Why I appreciate my dad more after hearing T.I.’s daughter-gyno interview ~ Blaming black men is not the solution to T.I.’s fatherhood antics
8. Thanks to a nail technician, I support John Legend’s “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” ~ How a trip to the spa made me reevaluate this Christmas song rewrite
7. His friend died of AIDS, but he still believes AIDS isn’t real ~ Why contraception talks should happen more than sex
6. My hypocritical views on chivalry ~ Is chivalry dying? In some ways, women may be killing it — me included.
5. Why are some women choosing not to be mothers? ~ Eight responses to opting out of motherhood
4. Finessing the pick-up line ~ Four ways to get pick-up lines to work to your benefit
3. Why I won’t smile on command ~ Guys, please stop asking women to smile just because you’re around
2. That time he spoke my love language ~ When my college crush proved he understood ‘Quality Time’
1. My worst and most successful job interview ~ Journalists are one group who can definitely take the heat, including from interviewees
If you're into retail and food news, business tips and Internet shopping, read on.
12. The laziness that creates fast fashion ~ How ‘The Patriot Act’ made me dust off my fashion design skills
11. Help your teenager understand health risks, insurance at first job ~ The one thing parents forget to tell their teens before a new job
10. 5 tips to gain more customers for your craft store ~ Lessons I learned from selling online and at vendor booths
9. For the ‘Love’ of Chicago: Restaurateur feeds homeless ~ Black-owned Chicago restaurant fights for social change, healthy meals
8. The rise of ghost kitchens and not so ‘fast’ food ~ Mobile apps and anonymous chefs changing how food is made and delivered
7. Could more bookstores survive if they act like libraries? ~ Are libraries helping millennials be even more antisocial?
6. What Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty show should’ve taught Victoria’s Secret ~ This Victoria’s Secret customer is reevaluating her shopping choices
5. Still supporting Nike for Kaepernick? ~ And other companies whose social justice and politics influenced their customers
4. Boycotting SoulCycle and Equinox: Trump-supporting brands beware ~ Finding fitness brands and businesses that support your social and political leanings
3. What do vegetarians eat? Visit vegan food festivals to find out ~ My 18-year transition from omnivore to “accidental vegetarian” to 15 straight years of vegetarianism
2. Retail shopping on wheels ~ How retail trailers are changing window and online shopping
1. Coworking spaces: The untapped retail market ~ Why startup companies should have their eyes on coworking locations
11. Help your teenager understand health risks, insurance at first job ~ The one thing parents forget to tell their teens before a new job
10. 5 tips to gain more customers for your craft store ~ Lessons I learned from selling online and at vendor booths
9. For the ‘Love’ of Chicago: Restaurateur feeds homeless ~ Black-owned Chicago restaurant fights for social change, healthy meals
8. The rise of ghost kitchens and not so ‘fast’ food ~ Mobile apps and anonymous chefs changing how food is made and delivered
7. Could more bookstores survive if they act like libraries? ~ Are libraries helping millennials be even more antisocial?
6. What Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty show should’ve taught Victoria’s Secret ~ This Victoria’s Secret customer is reevaluating her shopping choices
5. Still supporting Nike for Kaepernick? ~ And other companies whose social justice and politics influenced their customers
4. Boycotting SoulCycle and Equinox: Trump-supporting brands beware ~ Finding fitness brands and businesses that support your social and political leanings
3. What do vegetarians eat? Visit vegan food festivals to find out ~ My 18-year transition from omnivore to “accidental vegetarian” to 15 straight years of vegetarianism
2. Retail shopping on wheels ~ How retail trailers are changing window and online shopping
1. Coworking spaces: The untapped retail market ~ Why startup companies should have their eyes on coworking locations
Additional posts (not in above publications)
18. Live Your Life on Purpose: Should you try to change the mindset of your no-PDA partner? ~ What happens when you love kissing and your partner doesn’t?
17. Live Your Life on Purpose: How a job interview lead me to living in my hiring manager’s home ~ Why you should thank the hiring manager who won’t hire you
16. My doctor is not my boyfriend ~ Politicians and American people, the world still turns when you switch doctors
15. The Mile High Club: Aloha! My 30th birthday on 11/11/11 ~ The Hawaiian vacation that almost didn’t happen
14. Des Moines Register: Are journalists their own worst enemies? ~ Reporter gets dismissed for racist tweets — after reporting on someone else’s racist tweets
13. Missy Elliott and Lizzo: ‘We Run It’ at the 2019 VMAs ~ Why these two powerhouse black women were so significant for the awards ceremony
12. Blog 8 of 8: Making odd topics interesting, thanks to Hasan Minhaj ~ Toastmasters, talk about what you want to know, not just what you know now
11. Blog 6 of 8: Hosting 101: Learn speakers’ names ~ Toastmasters, don’t let memorizing odd names kick your butt
10. Blog 5 of 8: Barry Brewer: Chicago comedian keeps us laughing ~ Actor/comedian gives tips on humorous public speaking for Toastmasters
9. Blog 4 of 8: Toastmasters, what’s so funny? ~ The ‘Engaging Humor’ Path launches in Toastmasters Pathways
8. Love a good story? Visit storytelling events Check out Chicagoland’s "Do Not Submit" and Toastmasters
7. Highs and lows of being an Uber and Lyft driver
6. Live Your Life on Purpose: From black thumb to green thumb ~ A caregiver’s thank you to the chaplain who wouldn’t leave me alone
5. Stress saver tips for getting the REAL ID ~ Married couples: Here’s what you need to know about getting the REAL ID
4. Opting out of ‘Quiet Mode’ in Uber ~ From a former driver’s perspective: Why ride-sharing services got this one wrong
3. Blog 2 of 8: Why I made my Toastmasters group cry ~ Table Topics is fun, but I turned it into therapy
2. Why daydreaming works for your career ~ How structured daydreaming can help you get ahead in life
1. ZORA: Facial Recognition Has a Blind Spot ~ Melanin-biased software leaves a lot of room for error
17. Live Your Life on Purpose: How a job interview lead me to living in my hiring manager’s home ~ Why you should thank the hiring manager who won’t hire you
16. My doctor is not my boyfriend ~ Politicians and American people, the world still turns when you switch doctors
15. The Mile High Club: Aloha! My 30th birthday on 11/11/11 ~ The Hawaiian vacation that almost didn’t happen
14. Des Moines Register: Are journalists their own worst enemies? ~ Reporter gets dismissed for racist tweets — after reporting on someone else’s racist tweets
13. Missy Elliott and Lizzo: ‘We Run It’ at the 2019 VMAs ~ Why these two powerhouse black women were so significant for the awards ceremony
12. Blog 8 of 8: Making odd topics interesting, thanks to Hasan Minhaj ~ Toastmasters, talk about what you want to know, not just what you know now
11. Blog 6 of 8: Hosting 101: Learn speakers’ names ~ Toastmasters, don’t let memorizing odd names kick your butt
10. Blog 5 of 8: Barry Brewer: Chicago comedian keeps us laughing ~ Actor/comedian gives tips on humorous public speaking for Toastmasters
9. Blog 4 of 8: Toastmasters, what’s so funny? ~ The ‘Engaging Humor’ Path launches in Toastmasters Pathways
8. Love a good story? Visit storytelling events Check out Chicagoland’s "Do Not Submit" and Toastmasters
7. Highs and lows of being an Uber and Lyft driver
6. Live Your Life on Purpose: From black thumb to green thumb ~ A caregiver’s thank you to the chaplain who wouldn’t leave me alone
5. Stress saver tips for getting the REAL ID ~ Married couples: Here’s what you need to know about getting the REAL ID
4. Opting out of ‘Quiet Mode’ in Uber ~ From a former driver’s perspective: Why ride-sharing services got this one wrong
3. Blog 2 of 8: Why I made my Toastmasters group cry ~ Table Topics is fun, but I turned it into therapy
2. Why daydreaming works for your career ~ How structured daydreaming can help you get ahead in life
1. ZORA: Facial Recognition Has a Blind Spot ~ Melanin-biased software leaves a lot of room for error
Medium Publications (with Shamontiel's posts)
- Age of Awareness (Contemplative letters commemorating special occasions)
- Black Voices in Marketing (Series on diversity tips, book marketing and minority advertising)
- I Do See Color (“Seeing” color is no more a problem than “seeing” height. Disrespect and discrimination is the issue.)
- Live Your Life on Purpose (Feel-good stories on health and fitness, life and learning, personal finance, success)
- Medium @Shamontiel
- The Mile High Club (Travel stories from the stratosphere)
- The Startup (Entrepreneurial advice, creativity tales, freelancing, startups, investing, innovation, web development)
- Tickled (Laughing burns calories. Let's focus on our funny bones.)
- We Need to Talk (Heart-to-heart conversations that challenge unpopular views on family, relationships and activism.)
- Zora (Unapologetic. Ours. A Medium publication for women of color.)
©2008 Shamontiel L. Vaughn | All rights reserved
