Tag Archives: mixed race

Two White moms and a mixed race baby — one Hapa’s perspective (STOP MAKING IT NOT COMPLEX)

Several years ago, my friend Rita saw a play written by Asian adoptees raised in America. She told me about one vignette in particular that started out with this statement: “It takes exceptional parents to raise a child of a different race. [beat] My parents were not exceptional.” I keep thinking about that statement asContinue reading “Two White moms and a mixed race baby — one Hapa’s perspective (STOP MAKING IT NOT COMPLEX)”

Race Identity as accountability, not escape: reflections from a light-skinned anti-racist

I still feel a little silly when I get to the point in an anti-racism training where I say “I’m a victim of racism.” I think there’s two reasons for this: 1)      Most people of color shaped by American society have a pretty big stake in either “I made it on my own merits despiteContinue reading “Race Identity as accountability, not escape: reflections from a light-skinned anti-racist”

You can’t go with this or that…you can only go with OTHER

I was on a conference call the other night for the committee that evaluates board nominations for all the different arms of our denomination. Someone was giving his report on the makeup of the NAPAD board (North American Pacific and Asian Disciples), of which I’m a member. He said, “Well, their racial-ethnic percentages are great–almostContinue reading “You can’t go with this or that…you can only go with OTHER”