I Do See Color 2022 (on Substack)
“Seeing” color is no more a problem than “seeing” height. Disrespect and discrimination are bigger issues.
Subscribe to this Substack column for $5 per month or $50 per year to read race- and culture-related posts. For $90 as a founder, get full access to “Black Girl In a Doggone World™,” “Homegrown Tales,” "Tickled," “We Need to Talk” and “Window Shopping” too.
(Looking for IDSC 2019? Click here. 2020? Click here. 2021? Click here. 2023? Click here.)
Subscribe to this Substack column for $5 per month or $50 per year to read race- and culture-related posts. For $90 as a founder, get full access to “Black Girl In a Doggone World™,” “Homegrown Tales,” "Tickled," “We Need to Talk” and “Window Shopping” too.
(Looking for IDSC 2019? Click here. 2020? Click here. 2021? Click here. 2023? Click here.)
55. Dog Karens, you don’t own every neighborhood pet ~ When subconscious racial profiling seeps its way into dog lovers
54. BlackTechLogy: Google, LaMDA and sentient behavior, politics included ~ Capitol Riot hearing proves that opinions can change, politically, culturally and socially
53. PSA: Black women are allowed to go on dates ~ The Lori Harvey hate unleashes men’s own insecurities
52. I have no love for R. Kelly, but I’m blasting Marvin Gaye forever … and Kendrick Lamar ‘Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers’ — while ignoring Kodak Black
51. Therapy apps get boost in popularity as social isolation continues ~ Two years into pandemic and people need someone to talk to
50. Suspending Whoopi is the worst way to fix ‘The View’ uproar ~ Silencing Holocaust history lesson only helps anti-CRT debate
49. Prepare Your Daughter for Her First Gynecology Visit ~ As uncomfortable as sexual health topics may be, not forewarning her ahead of time is worse
48. 'Tulsa King,' 'Creed III' and Sylvester Stallone's anti-'dark space' stance ~ Is the problem with 'Creed III' that there is no white hero to look up to?
47. Trevor Noah thanks black women, I thank him ~ The first late-night talk show host who I was proud of for speaking on women's issues
46. Apple store controversy: Should employees stop thieves? ~ The Best Buy experience that makes me unsure
45. White therapists for Buffalo shooting? You missed the point ~ When a hate crime against black people happens, white therapists are not the best answer
44. Guilt-tripping black people into liking Elon Musk won’t work ~ Yes, he’s South African. No, that doesn’t make him our hero.
43. The art of storytelling … and the accidental racism in the tale too ~ Why it’s a good idea to tell your story in a diverse crowd
42. Therapy for victims of racism should be tax deductible ~ What if the IRS treated therapy for black people the way it does for “emotional distress” lawsuits?
41. The darkest subject change I’ve ever heard: From summons delivery to hanging black people ~ Disturbing things I wish I wasn’t learning about hiring a process server
40. Please stop telling me whose eyes are blue ~ ‘Ready to Love’: The balance between pro-interracial dating but not forced interracial dating
39. ‘Drink Champs’: Stop blaming Kanye’s self-hatred and racism on liquor ~ Without the liquor and the weed, Ye STILL made his George Floyd comment
38. Dahmer deja vu: Why are black victims deemed less important? ~ The first time I realized there’s racism in real estate
37. Trevor Noah leaves ‘The Daily Show’: Viewer begs for another black or brown host ~ America has enough white, male late-night hosts
36. I miss Black Expressions Book Club … and strolling into black bookstores
35. The Tamera Mowry jokes are old, and you are petty ~ Stop trying to put black women in one personality box
34. No, not all black people are related to famous people with the same name ~ Stop asking me am I related to Sarah Vaughan
33. I’m not Asian but ‘Never Have I Ever’ is making me uncomfortable ~ The difference between indifferent interracial dating and self-loathing
32. The blurred line between homophobic women and gay men who fight women ~ The Spirit Airlines fight that leaves me wondering which side I’m on
31. Fundraising for black women: Should there be a complexion cutoff? ~ When colorism and the paper bag test work as intended — but backwards
30. Sometimes you won’t relate — and that’s OK ~ Why every writing staff needs a minority writer and editor who understands other minorities
29. Whether 22 days or two, veganism continues to make an impact ~ Celebs pique the interest of African-American aspiring vegans and vegetarians
28. Boy craziness taught me to swim ~ The accidental way I learned how to conquer the deep end
27. I never wanted to bird-watch, but I’m watching ~ Christian Cooper’s show Racist Amy Cooper sues employer, innocent black man gets nature show
26. Do black men really care about black women’s hair? ~ Men weigh in on their favorite traits about women
25. Light skin, light eyes, dark outlook ~ How colorism made me more attracted to dark-skinned men
24. How comfortable are you with having a black woman boss? ~ Criticism from women hits harder in the workplace
23. African history through the eyes of a child ~ How Ekiuwa Aire and ‘The 1619 Project’ educate all from childhood to adulthood
22. Mainstream America, the whole nation doesn’t have your entertainment tastes ~ My most unimportant tweet has gotten the most attention
21. When black men protect black women ~ Overlooking the larger request from the #ProtectBlackWomen hashtag after the Will Smith slap
20. Now I know why white people hate talking about race and racism ~ ‘The Problem With Jon Stewart’ showed me what Thanksgiving is like in white households
19. You will NOT blame Jada Pinkett Smith for facial expressions ~ Will Smith slapped Chris Rock, not Jada Pinkett Smith
18. 10 hard lessons I learned as a black journalist ~ My love-hate relationship with the news industry
17. QUIZ: Black history in tech
16. QUIZ: Athletes who joined the tech world ~ Black history shouldn’t just happen in February
15. Sam Elliott ridicules ‘The Power of the Dog,’ director criticizes Serena and Venus instead ~ Fun fact: Directing films does not take nearly the physical strength as the Grand Slam
14. Involuntary pelvic exams given to anesthetized women of color ~ Medical student exams should not be hidden in the fine print
13. Mixed views on capitalizing the ‘b’ in ‘Black’ ~ Style Guide decision that became a youth talk about race
12. Stop hiring me because I’m black, start hiring me because I’m black and qualified ~ Supporting Affirmative Action without hurting minority-owned businesses
11. Another season of hard-to-watch episodes of ‘Love Is Blind’ ~ Stop jumping through hoops to date white people
10. Boys will be boys in every country, but why is racism a constant factor? ~ The undeniable leadership of Amsterdam fire chief Leen Schaap
9. Republicans in hiding, Democrats on the surface ~ Storytelling: How Black Liberals figure out who is really on their side
8. Stop equating feminism and racism ~ The flaws of 'And Just Like That': Oppression competitions are getting women nowhere
7. Storytelling, podcasting get uptick in interest among BIPOC entertainers ~ IDSC "BlackTechLogy" February 2023 Exclusive
6. Lip injections, butt lifts, more cloning of black women ~ Pro-surgery or not, blackfishing is frustrating
5. Until Columbus Day is canceled, I’ll forever support ‘illegal’ immigrants ~ That one day when I was more Mexican than a Mexican
4. The black firefighter story that taught me subtle ways to recognize racism ~ Are you uncomfortable with black people in leadership?
3. Ellen Pompeo said ‘people of color are magical’ — but Denzel is a ‘motherfucker’ ~ Why I side-eye people gushing over black people way too hard
2. Black Lives Matter tattoos: Would you hire an applicant with this tat? ~ Is hiding your tattoo hiding your political stance?
1. The weird hierarchy game of HR and race ~ The chicken costume that made me give up on contacting HR
54. BlackTechLogy: Google, LaMDA and sentient behavior, politics included ~ Capitol Riot hearing proves that opinions can change, politically, culturally and socially
53. PSA: Black women are allowed to go on dates ~ The Lori Harvey hate unleashes men’s own insecurities
52. I have no love for R. Kelly, but I’m blasting Marvin Gaye forever … and Kendrick Lamar ‘Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers’ — while ignoring Kodak Black
51. Therapy apps get boost in popularity as social isolation continues ~ Two years into pandemic and people need someone to talk to
50. Suspending Whoopi is the worst way to fix ‘The View’ uproar ~ Silencing Holocaust history lesson only helps anti-CRT debate
49. Prepare Your Daughter for Her First Gynecology Visit ~ As uncomfortable as sexual health topics may be, not forewarning her ahead of time is worse
48. 'Tulsa King,' 'Creed III' and Sylvester Stallone's anti-'dark space' stance ~ Is the problem with 'Creed III' that there is no white hero to look up to?
47. Trevor Noah thanks black women, I thank him ~ The first late-night talk show host who I was proud of for speaking on women's issues
46. Apple store controversy: Should employees stop thieves? ~ The Best Buy experience that makes me unsure
45. White therapists for Buffalo shooting? You missed the point ~ When a hate crime against black people happens, white therapists are not the best answer
44. Guilt-tripping black people into liking Elon Musk won’t work ~ Yes, he’s South African. No, that doesn’t make him our hero.
43. The art of storytelling … and the accidental racism in the tale too ~ Why it’s a good idea to tell your story in a diverse crowd
42. Therapy for victims of racism should be tax deductible ~ What if the IRS treated therapy for black people the way it does for “emotional distress” lawsuits?
41. The darkest subject change I’ve ever heard: From summons delivery to hanging black people ~ Disturbing things I wish I wasn’t learning about hiring a process server
40. Please stop telling me whose eyes are blue ~ ‘Ready to Love’: The balance between pro-interracial dating but not forced interracial dating
39. ‘Drink Champs’: Stop blaming Kanye’s self-hatred and racism on liquor ~ Without the liquor and the weed, Ye STILL made his George Floyd comment
38. Dahmer deja vu: Why are black victims deemed less important? ~ The first time I realized there’s racism in real estate
37. Trevor Noah leaves ‘The Daily Show’: Viewer begs for another black or brown host ~ America has enough white, male late-night hosts
36. I miss Black Expressions Book Club … and strolling into black bookstores
35. The Tamera Mowry jokes are old, and you are petty ~ Stop trying to put black women in one personality box
34. No, not all black people are related to famous people with the same name ~ Stop asking me am I related to Sarah Vaughan
33. I’m not Asian but ‘Never Have I Ever’ is making me uncomfortable ~ The difference between indifferent interracial dating and self-loathing
32. The blurred line between homophobic women and gay men who fight women ~ The Spirit Airlines fight that leaves me wondering which side I’m on
31. Fundraising for black women: Should there be a complexion cutoff? ~ When colorism and the paper bag test work as intended — but backwards
30. Sometimes you won’t relate — and that’s OK ~ Why every writing staff needs a minority writer and editor who understands other minorities
29. Whether 22 days or two, veganism continues to make an impact ~ Celebs pique the interest of African-American aspiring vegans and vegetarians
28. Boy craziness taught me to swim ~ The accidental way I learned how to conquer the deep end
27. I never wanted to bird-watch, but I’m watching ~ Christian Cooper’s show Racist Amy Cooper sues employer, innocent black man gets nature show
26. Do black men really care about black women’s hair? ~ Men weigh in on their favorite traits about women
25. Light skin, light eyes, dark outlook ~ How colorism made me more attracted to dark-skinned men
24. How comfortable are you with having a black woman boss? ~ Criticism from women hits harder in the workplace
23. African history through the eyes of a child ~ How Ekiuwa Aire and ‘The 1619 Project’ educate all from childhood to adulthood
22. Mainstream America, the whole nation doesn’t have your entertainment tastes ~ My most unimportant tweet has gotten the most attention
21. When black men protect black women ~ Overlooking the larger request from the #ProtectBlackWomen hashtag after the Will Smith slap
20. Now I know why white people hate talking about race and racism ~ ‘The Problem With Jon Stewart’ showed me what Thanksgiving is like in white households
19. You will NOT blame Jada Pinkett Smith for facial expressions ~ Will Smith slapped Chris Rock, not Jada Pinkett Smith
18. 10 hard lessons I learned as a black journalist ~ My love-hate relationship with the news industry
17. QUIZ: Black history in tech
16. QUIZ: Athletes who joined the tech world ~ Black history shouldn’t just happen in February
15. Sam Elliott ridicules ‘The Power of the Dog,’ director criticizes Serena and Venus instead ~ Fun fact: Directing films does not take nearly the physical strength as the Grand Slam
14. Involuntary pelvic exams given to anesthetized women of color ~ Medical student exams should not be hidden in the fine print
13. Mixed views on capitalizing the ‘b’ in ‘Black’ ~ Style Guide decision that became a youth talk about race
12. Stop hiring me because I’m black, start hiring me because I’m black and qualified ~ Supporting Affirmative Action without hurting minority-owned businesses
11. Another season of hard-to-watch episodes of ‘Love Is Blind’ ~ Stop jumping through hoops to date white people
10. Boys will be boys in every country, but why is racism a constant factor? ~ The undeniable leadership of Amsterdam fire chief Leen Schaap
9. Republicans in hiding, Democrats on the surface ~ Storytelling: How Black Liberals figure out who is really on their side
8. Stop equating feminism and racism ~ The flaws of 'And Just Like That': Oppression competitions are getting women nowhere
7. Storytelling, podcasting get uptick in interest among BIPOC entertainers ~ IDSC "BlackTechLogy" February 2023 Exclusive
6. Lip injections, butt lifts, more cloning of black women ~ Pro-surgery or not, blackfishing is frustrating
5. Until Columbus Day is canceled, I’ll forever support ‘illegal’ immigrants ~ That one day when I was more Mexican than a Mexican
4. The black firefighter story that taught me subtle ways to recognize racism ~ Are you uncomfortable with black people in leadership?
3. Ellen Pompeo said ‘people of color are magical’ — but Denzel is a ‘motherfucker’ ~ Why I side-eye people gushing over black people way too hard
2. Black Lives Matter tattoos: Would you hire an applicant with this tat? ~ Is hiding your tattoo hiding your political stance?
1. The weird hierarchy game of HR and race ~ The chicken costume that made me give up on contacting HR