It has become almost laughable how many people invoke Dr. King’s name on MLK Day to deny systemic racism. Or defame or intentionally lie about critical race theory. Or just downright oppose meaningful societal change when it comes to race.
Arguments like those listed above are especially pervasive during this…
Since moving to Denver 10 years ago, I can’t tell you how many people I’ve met who adore Mahatma Gandhi. He’s a hero in nearby Boulder.
I personally was never a huge fan, because during the Holocaust Gandhi said that the Jews shouldn’t fight back and instead just accept their…
Self-reflection is a critical part of ending racism
In 1997, Marvel released a new superhero team known as The Thunderbolts.
Unless you’re a comic book aficionado, I doubt you know of these society-saving superhumans. I didn’t. …
I’ve written many times about how the images we’re fed in movies and television impact how we unconsciously feel about and act toward various groups of people and even ourselves.
But many of us don’t realize that children start forming views on race long before they’re watching Superman, Spiderman or…
Once upon a time at Ohio State some 30 years ago, I was elected public relations chair for the entire Greek fraternity and sorority system. I honestly don’t recall what my job consisted of, as I resigned from my own Jewish fraternity before graduating, but there was one situation I…
Creating a new normal for Black and Brown people.
Maybe it’s because there wasn’t a lot of hugging in my childhood home, but I never liked too much space. I always craved the power of touch. A deep hug from a friend. Clasping of hands in a “you’re my brother”…
Overcoming the shame of family sins.
While I didn’t know what exactly a Nazi was in 1974, I knew about our family’s dark secret by at least five years old. I overheard Mom yelling at Dad in loud whispers — trying to keep their argument out of earshot, but the…
Lessons in Self-Defense
The oft-repeated media images of Jews being nerdy. Or accountants with pencils and calculators in their pockets. Or people who can be pushed around. Or people who aren’t tough enough to fight back. …
I hadn’t been to a movie theater since Just Mercy during the 2019 holiday season. …
The Abraham Accords are a model of peace for Israel and Palestine
When Israel signed normalization agreements with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco, I felt the same euphoria I did when Barack Obama became America’s first Black president.
As a lifelong activist fighting racism in the U.S., it…
