I Do See Color 2019 (on Substack)
“Seeing” color is no more a problem than “seeing” height. Disrespect and discrimination solely based on melanin and offensive stereotypes are the real issue.
Subscribe to this Substack column for $5 per month or $50 per year to read race- and culture-related posts. For $80 as a founder, get full access to “Black Girl In a Doggone World™,” “Homegrown Tales,” "One Black Woman's Vote" and “Window Shopping” too.
(Looking for IDSC 2020? Click here. 2021? Click here. 2022? Click here. 2023? Click here. 2024? Click here. 2025? Click here.)
Subscribe to this Substack column for $5 per month or $50 per year to read race- and culture-related posts. For $80 as a founder, get full access to “Black Girl In a Doggone World™,” “Homegrown Tales,” "One Black Woman's Vote" and “Window Shopping” too.
(Looking for IDSC 2020? Click here. 2021? Click here. 2022? Click here. 2023? Click here. 2024? Click here. 2025? Click here.)
25. Black people: Don't skip the suntan lotion, identify the skin damage risks ~ Are black people more at risk of eczema?
24. For the ‘Love’ of Chicago: Restaurateur feeds homeless ~ Black-owned Chicago restaurant fights for social change, healthy meals
23. Still supporting Nike for Kaepernick? ~ And other companies whose social justice and politics influenced their customers
22. How being an election judge made me appreciate politics more ~ Enjoy politics? Sign up to be an Election Judge or Coordinator
21. Know the end goal first before joining any activism group ~ When marching and protesting don’t add up to results
20. I wrap my hair, deal with it! ~ The odd responses to black women who wear head wraps and scarves
19. Facial Recognition Has a Blind Spot ~ Melanin-biased software leaves a lot of room for error
18. Missy Elliott and Lizzo: ‘We Run It’ at the 2019 VMAs ~ Why these two powerhouse black women were so significant for the awards ceremony
17. The bigot across the hall ~ The racist neighbor in my building, and the landlord who appeased him
16. Fatherhood: My favorite hip-hop tales ~ Why black fatherhood stories are much-needed in hip-hop culture
15. Artist, documentarian Michael D’Antuono paints with purpose ~ Using art to highlight social justice issues
14. Productively teaching black children about colorism ~When I found out my cousin favored light-skinned women
13. Overslept for jury duty? Judge gave juror 10 days in jail ~ Judge’s disturbing reaction to 21-year-old black man Deandre Somerville
12. Amber Guyger faces 10 years in jail the same day I walk into the wrong apartment ~ How a knee-jerk reaction killed someone’s child
11. Blavity: Where are all the black stunt doubles? ~ The hidden career that’s even more hidden for POC entertainers
10. Blavity: That ‘scientific study’ that makes you hate your race ~ Brown-skinned girls, look past racism to own your beauty
9. ‘Black Love’ picks up where JET Magazine’s wedding section left ~ Why OWN’s “Black Love” matters so much to African-American viewers
8. Blog 3 of 8: Failed English final, became professional writer: School expulsion, failing grade ~ Why I chose the Harlem Renaissance for my Toastmasters speech
7. When bilingualism becomes a threat ~ Duke faculty was dead wrong for telling Chinese students not to speak Chinese
6. Pantyhose and shapewear: Acknowledge the skin I'm in ~ Undergarments and shoe lines finally tackle questionable “nude” shades
5. When POC become each other’s allies ~ Taking a stand on racism when I had everything to lose
4. Stop calling black women ‘intimidating’ ~ The “intimidation” incident that made me quit my last job
3. The trial that I recalled from #TalkAboutBias ~ Why I’ll never complain about jury duty notices
2. Biracial and (not) proud ~ When your skinfolk don’t want to be claimed
1. From PWI to HBCU: Why I fled ~ College, and threat of expulsion, made my naivete about racism disappear
24. For the ‘Love’ of Chicago: Restaurateur feeds homeless ~ Black-owned Chicago restaurant fights for social change, healthy meals
23. Still supporting Nike for Kaepernick? ~ And other companies whose social justice and politics influenced their customers
22. How being an election judge made me appreciate politics more ~ Enjoy politics? Sign up to be an Election Judge or Coordinator
21. Know the end goal first before joining any activism group ~ When marching and protesting don’t add up to results
20. I wrap my hair, deal with it! ~ The odd responses to black women who wear head wraps and scarves
19. Facial Recognition Has a Blind Spot ~ Melanin-biased software leaves a lot of room for error
18. Missy Elliott and Lizzo: ‘We Run It’ at the 2019 VMAs ~ Why these two powerhouse black women were so significant for the awards ceremony
17. The bigot across the hall ~ The racist neighbor in my building, and the landlord who appeased him
16. Fatherhood: My favorite hip-hop tales ~ Why black fatherhood stories are much-needed in hip-hop culture
15. Artist, documentarian Michael D’Antuono paints with purpose ~ Using art to highlight social justice issues
14. Productively teaching black children about colorism ~When I found out my cousin favored light-skinned women
13. Overslept for jury duty? Judge gave juror 10 days in jail ~ Judge’s disturbing reaction to 21-year-old black man Deandre Somerville
12. Amber Guyger faces 10 years in jail the same day I walk into the wrong apartment ~ How a knee-jerk reaction killed someone’s child
11. Blavity: Where are all the black stunt doubles? ~ The hidden career that’s even more hidden for POC entertainers
10. Blavity: That ‘scientific study’ that makes you hate your race ~ Brown-skinned girls, look past racism to own your beauty
9. ‘Black Love’ picks up where JET Magazine’s wedding section left ~ Why OWN’s “Black Love” matters so much to African-American viewers
8. Blog 3 of 8: Failed English final, became professional writer: School expulsion, failing grade ~ Why I chose the Harlem Renaissance for my Toastmasters speech
7. When bilingualism becomes a threat ~ Duke faculty was dead wrong for telling Chinese students not to speak Chinese
6. Pantyhose and shapewear: Acknowledge the skin I'm in ~ Undergarments and shoe lines finally tackle questionable “nude” shades
5. When POC become each other’s allies ~ Taking a stand on racism when I had everything to lose
4. Stop calling black women ‘intimidating’ ~ The “intimidation” incident that made me quit my last job
3. The trial that I recalled from #TalkAboutBias ~ Why I’ll never complain about jury duty notices
2. Biracial and (not) proud ~ When your skinfolk don’t want to be claimed
1. From PWI to HBCU: Why I fled ~ College, and threat of expulsion, made my naivete about racism disappear