Sometimes I wonder how politicians like Donald Trump and Ted Cruz must feel knowing that millions of people hate them or dislike them to extreme degrees because of their blatantly hypocritical and inhumane behavior and rhetoric. Anyone who understands how the world actually works–understandings informed by biology, history, psychology, and sociology–is appalled by their behavior. PoliticsContinue reading “On Being Hated: Politicians, Ethics, and Affect”
Tag Archives: racism
Promoting (Anti-)Violence with Violence in Shawn Mendes’s “Treat You Better” (2016)
Recently, I was listening to videos on YouTube for research, and I didn’t realize the “autoplay – up next” feature was on until I heard Shawn Mendes’s “Treat You Better.” The song bothered me. Once I looked, the music-video bothered me, too. It’s taken a few days to start put my finger on it, butContinue reading “Promoting (Anti-)Violence with Violence in Shawn Mendes’s “Treat You Better” (2016)”
Confirmation Bias, Privilege, and Prayer (or, How Prayer and Discrimination Can Be Connected)
Recently, I read a powerful essay where the author, a Person of Color, describes their childhood and explains that “God always answered the prayers of White children but never answered our prayers.” This statement has been on my mind off and on since I read it. As I prepare to teach my Theology and Civil Rights class inContinue reading “Confirmation Bias, Privilege, and Prayer (or, How Prayer and Discrimination Can Be Connected)”
Culture, Culture, and Culture – Things On My Mind Series, #6
The Brady Bunch contributes to the erasure of women of Color. According to the overwhelming majority of historical evidence, in real life situations, “Alice” (Ann B. Davis) would have been Black or, given its setting in California, Mexican, Chinese, or Japanese. Alice effectively erases important issues of sex, race, and class and the related intersectionalities andContinue reading “Culture, Culture, and Culture – Things On My Mind Series, #6”
But You’re America. A Poem.
But You’re America. But you’re America. But you’re America. You have the power to alleviate all pain. But you’re America. You choose to be greedy and selfish. Because you’re America. You laugh and mock when people ask you to be kind. Because you’re America. You refuse to improve and change. Because you’re America. You forgetContinue reading “But You’re America. A Poem.”
“This is the best season of ‘The Apprentice’ yet!” – Donald Trump as a Fictional Character
People who support Donald Trump, despite the evidence of his illegal activities-evidence that grows daily, do not believe he is doing any real damage or that he is different from any other politician. Let’s back up a bit. The people who support Donald Trump are almost exclusively White, at least middle class, and Christian. They areContinue reading ““This is the best season of ‘The Apprentice’ yet!” – Donald Trump as a Fictional Character”
Checking in on Dr. Trevor Boffone’s “50 Playwrights Project” – Interview Series #3
In March 2016, Dr. Trevor Boffone and I chatted about the launch of his 50 Playwrights Project, which focuses on Latino, Latina, Latin@, Latinx theatre and its playwrights. You can read that interview here. Recently, I had a chance to interview Dr. Boffone again and see what has happened with 50 Playwrights Project (or 50PP, as it’s abbreviated) over theContinue reading “Checking in on Dr. Trevor Boffone’s “50 Playwrights Project” – Interview Series #3”
President Barack Obama, Racism and Sexism, and the Nation That Insisted on Moving Backward
Despite the optimism and excitement felt by the majority of people in the United States when Barack Obama was elected in 2008 and reelected in 2012, a sizable number found his presidency unacceptable. People deemed Obama a Black Muslim. Questioned his place of birth. Critiqued his Blackness. You know the rest. Obama’s eight years asContinue reading “President Barack Obama, Racism and Sexism, and the Nation That Insisted on Moving Backward”
Dr. Andrew Joseph Pegoda 