black

She couldn’t see me as the leader of the class and couldn’t recognize me as a professional equal.

Reflections Of A Black Female Scholar: I Know What It Feels Like To Be Invisible

As a black female academic, I know only too well what it feels like to have people look right though you. Let me give one instance — from just a few weeks ago, when I felt unrecognized for who I am.

I approached the podium of the lecture hall at the university at which I am a tenured professor. It was the first day of class and the instructor of the previous course was still around, talking informally with her students. Looking around the podium, I noticed that the classroom was not equipped with a computer.

I asked my colleague, whom I did not know, if there was a computer hidden in the cabinet. She proceeded to instruct me: “Faculty are provided computers, they bring their computers, and use a dongle to project on the screen.”

Her words told me she didn’t recognize me as faculty; she did not see me as professor.

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You seem to enjoy our culture while STILL hating us.

Sorry, White Girls: Cornrows And Full Lips Aren't A Cool New Trend

Here’s what it means to be unapologetically Black: full lips, natural curves, kinky curly coils, shaded brown skin, and thus relentless criticism for being what was once believed to be despicable and unworthy of many people (particularly white).

Yes, once upon a time, our skin complexion was too grungy for pools, our juicy lips weren't allowed to share water fountains, and our round bottoms weren't welcome to sit any and everywhere.

At some point, Black became “in” amongst the white race (or maybe it always was, secretly, of course), beginning with the tanning and plastic surgery, and now our overall style, thanks to celebrities like Miley Cyrus and Kylie Jenner, who have blatantly stole what was once ours and made it theirs. Or so the rest of the world would have you believe.

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Lucille Corbit: Visual Merchandiser, American Apparel

Spotted: Downtown Seattle

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Misty Copeland Makes History As American Ballet Theatre's First Black Principal Ballerina!

Why has it taken almost 75 years for the American Ballet Theatre to have an African American as the first principal ballerina?

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Kaiya: Manager, Comic And Music Enthusiast 

Spotted: Downtown SF

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Yes, I'm A Black Jew: Why Do People Always Want To Talk To Me About It?

I know that in a lot of ways I am a cultural and ethnic enigma. But discussing my identity all the time can get old. Like, real old, real fast.

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The Shifting Demographics And Social Dynamics Of Being A Maid In America

Full-time servants played a pivotal—and complicated—role for elite families of the past. How has this relationship evolved?

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Photo courtesy of the author

Do You Love My Black Santa Claus?

Santa Claus is an envoy of our dominant, white cultural traditions. Let him be a better diplomat.

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