In my professional hat, I’m a social worker and leader working with those who’ve survived or witnessed domestic violence. Part of the role I love the most is training new staff, volunteers, and student interns. In part, training is about the ropes: where to find and who to ask for what, policies and procedures, the… Read More Holding Space for Race
I texted my brother in Missouri this week with a brief message, “I kind of wish you would move to a new state. Please give everyone big hugs.” When he lived in Washington D.C. we would occasionally joke about being careful to walk down the street at night or while driving to and from home as… Read More Live your dreams: what my father has taught me about race!
The girls and I were watching a cartoon the other day. At one point, my older daughter gave me a puzzled look and said, “hey, why is everyone the same color?” “You mean, their skin?” I asked. “Yeah.” Wow. I was dumbfounded. “Hmm, I don’t know. That’s strange, right? Not at all like at school?” … Read More “Why Is Everyone the Same Color?” Race, School, Cartoons, and My Kid.
The first time I remember being followed around a store, I was in elementary school. My mother’s body language was the clue that something wasn’t quite right, her tension contagious and her silent anger palpable. An enjoyable afternoon of shopping had become something of a nightmare and my own worries were overwhelming. There were ongoing… Read More Challenge experiences of discrimination in all ways, always!
On this day to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and all he did to advance equality for all, I confess, I have no idea how to talk to my kids about race. We’ve been reading “Same, Same but Different” for as long as I can remember and my older daughter can often be… Read More Discussing Race with Children
For the past three years, the days before school have been marked with a “special day” where one or both of our kids get to do whatever they want. More often than not this involves a train ride and this year was the BIGGEST ride of all. We visited New York City as a family… Read More Our Special Day: An Adventure for the WHOLE Family
I am sorry that as your mom, I will be putting the burden of “avoiding racism” on you. Since I cannot fully trust that I can put the burden on society, I can only comfort myself by telling you that soon, I will be apologizing to your sister for putting the burden of “avoiding rape” on her… Read More A Mom’s Letter to Her Black Son
“I stand here today, talking about this issue of racial discrimination, because I believe it threatens to rob ANOTHER generation of all the opportunities that all of us want for all of our children, no matter what their color or where they come from.” -Mellody Hobson When I met my seven-year-old off the bus Friday, with my… Read More “Be ‘Color Brave,’ Not ‘Color-Blind,’ With Your Kids On Memorial Day (And Every Day)”
Road races are popping up everywhere, which makes me pretty happy. The me from eight years ago would have hated that the me of now just made that statement. At the risk of sounding super corny, running has changed my life. OK, I would have hated that I made both of those statements. Now, I… Read More PRs Are Very Personal
At nine months old, our son experienced his first serious cold and developed breathing problems. After two months of doctor’s visits, x-rays, and blood tests he was placed under observation at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. They discovered and removed a piece of plastic from his throat. Even after a full recovery, this ‘injury’ threw off his speech… Read More You’re Brown, She’s Pink
CT Working Moms 