Category Archives: race

In the wake of Trump, Norwegians still give me their condolences

Posted on by December 12, 2016

Unlike my friends in the US, it’s easy for me to watch the news and not be bombarded with Donald Trump, his political appointments and latest shenanigans. Living in Norway, I still follow it all closely online, but I’m not overwhelmed by it on TV, social media, or in cafes and shops.

It wasn’t always like that. Right after the elections, even across the pond, I felt overwhelmed by the incessant chatter: How did Trump win? Was it a mistake? What were Americans thinking!?!?

And … Read more ...

Post-Trump: We hear you conservative America, and hopefully you’re willing to listen too

Posted on by November 10, 2016

I’m gutted. Donald Trump is the next president of the United States and I’m simply gutted.

I understand that so many people are thrilled for this, and I respect the outcome of the election as well as their right to be happy their candidate won. I, however, am devastated. I’m devastated and at a loss for the right words.

15032823_10102763915607762_3075969707516365478_nIt’s not that I think that the Washington establishment is fantastic. No. Not at all. But what saddens me is road the country has traveled to … Read more ...

If Black Lives Really Matter, We Gotta Stop Hitting Repeat

Posted on by July 9, 2016

There’s a black man. Police confront him. Police kill him, and we watch the video. There’s an investigation, protests and calls for justice. A community grieves, and we all hit repeat.

Alton Sterling, repeat. Philando Castile, repeat. Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Walter Scott, Willie Tillman, David Joseph, repeat, repeat, repeat.

25318448514_d282285f5b_zI’m tired, y’all. I’m eff-ing tired. I’m tired of hearing about these families who have lost fathers and sons, listening to simple platitudes about thoughts and prayers, or the pretzel-like explanations for how it’s all … Read more ...

MLK Day: A perfect day to examine our “isms” racism, sexism, genderism

Posted on by January 19, 2016

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is usually a day where we look back on the life of a vaunted man, one who had dreams of multicultural harmony in the land of the red, white and blue.

But looking back, how far has the U.S. really come in its race relations? Yes, there’s clearly been huge strides. We have a black president, the number of African Americans graduating from high school and college is growing and so is the black middle class. But what about the … Read more ...

Mizzou Shakeup: My alma mater finally addresses its age-old issue

Posted on by November 10, 2015

It’s a good day to be a Missouri Tiger.

I’ve been closely watching the racial unrest at my alma mater, the University of Missouri, where Tim Wolfe stepped down Monday as president amid criticism of his handling of social injustice issues on campus. Hours later, Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin announced he is leaving his post at the end of the year.

The campus movement started small with a handful of students, then a hunger strike, and finally, along came big Missouri football.

Missouri's football team, coaches and staff show solidarity amid racial unrest on campus. Photo from Pinkel's Twitter feed.

Missouri’s football team,

… Read more ...