Tag: American History
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Celebrating Juneteenth Is As American as Strawberry Soda
Updated June 2023 In the United States, June 19, is now officially (Thanks, President Biden!) Juneteenth Day, aka Black America’s Independence Day. Have you stocked up on strawberry soda? Are you ready to fire up the grill? Are you confused? If you don’t know how to celebrate Juneteenth Day, or even if you should, do…
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Five Great Books about Frederick Douglass in Honor of his 200th Birthday
Hello Meltingpot Readers, Yes, I know today is Valentine’s Day, but did you know today is also the day Frederick Douglass would be celebrating his 200th birthday? Considering this man is one of my personal heroes, I figured I’d dedicate today’s post to him, instead of waxing on about love and flowers and chocolate and…
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From the Archives: Swapping Black History Month for Black “Cool” Month
Hi Meltingpot Readers, It’s officially Black History Month. Back in 2010, I wrote the following post about how I think Black History Month should be celebrated. While I received a fair amount of comments and the piece was actually picked up by Forbes.com, my suggestions for honoring my people didn’t take off like gangbusters. And…
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Hillary Clinton, Implicit Bias and Why We’re All Racists
Hello Meltingpot Readers, Did you watch the debates last night? I did. I laughed, I cried, I threw my slipper at the TV. Overall, I thought Hillary Clinton did a fine job pretending she was actually in a presidential debate rather than the shit show she was forced to endure with Trump and his kindergarten…
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Slavery and Americana in Brazil
Hello Meltingpot Readers, It’s been a realllllly long time since I’ve posted here and I deeply apologize. I could spend a reallllly long time trying to make it up to you but who wants to hear me beg and plead for you to give me another chance to be your absolute favorite blog hangout? I’m…
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Passing While Black: Black Man Becomes the Indian Liberace?!
Hi Meltingpot Readers, Last week The New Republic posted this fascinating story about the famous Indian singer Korla Pandit. Known as the “Godfather of Exotica,” he had his own TV show that ran in the 1950s and had an impressive recording career as well. He was rich, married –to a White woman – and accepted…
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Mixie History in Maine: Malaga Island
Hello Meltingpot Readers, I hope everyone had a colorful Fourth of July, if that’s your thing. I spent a lovely weekend celebrating a whole bunch of family achievements, from engagements to college graduations. We were in Buffalo, New York for the weekend, so we also took a moment to visit Niagara Falls. That was gorgeous.…
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May is Mixed Experience History Month!
Hello Meltingpot Readers, Happy Monday! Happy May! Happy Mixed Experience History Month 2015! If you’ve been a regular reader of the Meltingpot, then Mixed Experience History Month is nothing new. But if perhaps this is your first time traveling through our cyber world, then you’re probably wondering what we’re talking about. Well, my cool friend…
