Frances Kai-Hwa Wang

Raising confident daughters of color while not forgetting Obama is black

By Frances Kai-Hwa Wang, Feb 8, 2010 8:35 AM

The study also found that African-American girls had the highest self-esteem among the four groups studied. That's because the emaciated supermodels they see are almost all white. So instead of aspiring to be like them and developing all sorts of body-image neuroses as the Caucasian girls did, the African-American girls chose their own African-American role models and developed their own fashion sense. Who cares about Britney Spears when you have Destiny’s Child?

So I began to think about how to raise my girls as strong and confident Asian-American girls, with respect for Asian culture, tools for succeeding in American culture, and how to have fun with both. I read them stories with strong Asian-American girl heroines, I taught them to read the media and critique stereotypical portrayals of all sorts, I introduced them to role models both famous and local, I helped them see alternative beauty standards, I taught them to speak up, and I prepared them for sexism from both sides. They learned how to stand up for themselves and how to do it in a nuanced way that both Asians and Americans can accept (like code-switching).


Dana Levine

CBS, WTF?

By Dana Levine, Feb 4, 2010 9:58 PM

Written by Nadia Prupis

In 2004, CBS rejected would-be Superbowl Sunday ads from the United Church of Christ, with a message of tolerance, and from MoveOn.org, with a criticism of then-President George W. Bush. At the time, the network claimed that its policies prohibit “advocacy ads.”

In 2010, CBS changed its anti-advocacy policy just in time to accept a Super Bowl Sunday ad from the conservative Christian group Focus on the Family, with an overtly pro-life message, featuring Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow on the one day this year that renders him conveniently and undeniably relevant.

Although it hasn't aired yet, the 30-second commercial is said to feature Tim Tebow and his mother Pam, as she explains her choice—notice the keyword—not to end her difficult pregnancy in 1987, despite her doctor's advice. Today her son is a healthy, talented, award-winning athlete. And that's truly a happy ending for them.

For them.

Sandip Roy

Colin Powell, We Ask But You Still Don't Tell

By Sandip Roy, Feb 4, 2010 2:36 PM

 If the State of the Union made one concrete promise it was to repeal Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. And the president obviously means business. The powers that be are lining up behind it.

Robert Gates said the Pentagon is preparing to repeal the law.
Adm. Mike Mullen got a lot of press for his comments that it is his “personal belief” that lifting the ban is the “right thing to do.”

Now Colin Powell has added his voice to the chorus. “Attitudes and circumstances have changed,” Powell said. They certainly have in the 17 years that have passed since he had opposed it.

Frances Kai-Hwa Wang

The 'Asian fail' and having fun with the model-minority myth and other stereotypes

By Frances Kai-Hwa Wang, Feb 4, 2010 7:28 AM

 Three summers ago, my 70-year-old father, who has been after me for years to finish my PhD, had a sudden post-retirement revelation, “It does not matter how many degrees you have; what matters is that you are a good person and live a happy life.”

He then turned to the kids and said, “You do not have to get good grades or go to a good college, you just have to learn how to be a good person and be happy.”

The children and I stared at him, mouths dropped open in disbelief, “Who are you and what have you done with my real father?”

Sandip Roy

Immigration Reform - Killing it Softly With a SOTU

By Sandip Roy, Jan 28, 2010 12:49 AM

 I think President Obama just killed comprehensive immigration reform.

If he did, he killed it gently, with a pat on the head. Actually to be fair, he did not kill it. He sent it to the back of the bus. Behind the gays and lesbians.

The gays got the promise of the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. And a reminder that he’s already given them Employee Non-Discrimination.

Immigration reform got a casual platitude.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 ... 25 Next
image

Archives

2009JanAprJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
2010JanFeb