Welcome to My American Meltingpot.
If you’re one of those people who thinks culture is more important than color, that race is an outdated concept, loves fusion everything, actually considered majoring in ethnic studies, used to hang Benetton ads in your high school locker, and doesn’t understand why book stores and hair products have to be segregated, then you’re in the right place. Be warned however, we are not the cyber host for post-racial supporters of the colorblind, nor do we negate a person’s right to choose… their own identity. No, we appreciate differences and revel in contrasting colors. Culture clashes and cross-pollination is what makes life interesting.
My American Meltingpot is written and edited by me, Lori L. Tharps, author, professor, journalist and mom. I actually started the Meltingpot back in 2006 and you can actually go back to the original site and read all my old posts. Or you can just start fresh with us right here. In general, these are the topics we like to savor. (Please note, I keep using the royal ‘we’ but, seriously, it’s just me writing here.)
• Books. I love books. I write books. I used to be a book reviewer at Entertainment Weekly magazine. I am partial to stories with multicultural characters and I am sucker for a good love story. I also have a weak spot for Jamaican authors.
• Black Hair. I wrote a really good book about Black hair in 2001, and ever since then, I’ve considered myself a hairstorian. It’s a weird speciality to have, but it is mine and I embrace it fully.
• Parenting. I have three kids. I need help sometimes.
• Identity Politics. Since I have three kids with a unique cultural background and no clever identity label to slap on them (SpaNegro? Blanish?), I am always interested in how other people self-identify. Mixed? Authentically Black? Ambiguously Brown? Just White?
• Food & Travel. I just love to eat, especially food from other cultures. If I can’t get myself to a foreign country, going to a great restaurant and sampling the flavors of another land comes in as a close second on my pleasure map. I am also pretty damn creative in the kitchen. I love to cook, but I hate using recipes.
• Pop Culture, Current Events and the Media. I am a journalist. What can I say?
Sure we might not always agree on everything, but the conversations here are always fresh and juicy. So, grab a spoon, a pair of chopsticks or a spork — if that’s how you roll — and dig into My American Meltingpot!
(P.S. New posts go up Monday, Wednesday & Friday)
