Our nation once again celebrated the embodiment of all things “America” on Sunday with Superbowl LXIII. Throughout the country, ungodly amounts of chicken wings, nachos, chile, and beer were devoured by football fans accompanied by fans of Usher, flashy TV ads, and Taylor Swift. According to Nielson, there were 123.7 million of us watching it,… Continue reading Lift Every Voice And Sing
Author: Wendy Leon-Gambetta
To Move Forward, Reflect then Vote
Two recent NAFC Blog articles highlighted the importance of remembering our past. In July, Carrie Grummons wrote about her family’s trip to Germany. She reflected upon how the United States deals with the ugly parts of our history in a vastly different way from how the Germans have dealt with theirs (Why Remembering Is Important… Continue reading To Move Forward, Reflect then Vote
Remembering Indigenous Families on the First Day of School
I am an empty nester who loves seeing first day of school pictures each year on social media. I love everything about it: The fresh new haircuts, cute new outfits, and the range of faces reflecting excitement, nervousness, annoyance, and everything in between. The emotions are often mixed, but the first day of school, perhaps… Continue reading Remembering Indigenous Families on the First Day of School
A Workout for the Brain
My brain has been getting a workout lately! Just when I think I’m getting things figured out, professor Ibram X. Kendi makes me think again. Below you will find Dr. Kendi’s definitions of concepts he presents in chapters 7-12 of his bestselling book, How To Be An Antiracist. Some are straightforward, others not so much.… Continue reading A Workout for the Brain
Ibram X. Kendi and Talking About Racism
Talking about racism is hard. Even among scholars there can be disagreement about how the words and phrases used when discussing race should be defined. Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, author of How To Be An Antiracist, considers accurate definitions to be so critical that the book’s first chapter is entitled, “Definitions”. Additionally, all but the… Continue reading Ibram X. Kendi and Talking About Racism
In Her Own Words: Ruby Bridges
Each Black History Month brings the inevitable telling of the story of Ruby Bridges who, at the young age of six, became the first Black child to be integrated into the New Orleans school system. We’ve all seen the pictures of little Ruby, accompanied by US Marshalls, on her first day of school at William… Continue reading In Her Own Words: Ruby Bridges
Black Music Is American Music
This past weekend was like one giant “ah-ha” moment for me. The big revelation was that just like Black history is American history, Black music IS American music. There is no segregating the two. I know that this is not news to Black Americans. And that, like me, most white Americans understand that Black artists… Continue reading Black Music Is American Music
The Broken Barriers of 2022
If representation matters, and research suggests that it does, then it is worth taking a look back at 2022 and noting the addition of more Americans of color in majority white spaces. Every time that Black, Latino, AAPI or Native people are represented in a place or position that had previously been occupied only by… Continue reading The Broken Barriers of 2022
Resolve to Be a Better Ally
Happy 2023 Fellow Allies! It’s a fresh new year and the perfect occasion for reflection and resolutions. As I reflect upon my own participation in NAFC this past year, I am grateful for all that I have learned and for new friendships that continue to grow. I am grateful for an opportunity to help bring… Continue reading Resolve to Be a Better Ally
Can We Talk?
“Whiteness is the freedom not to see race most of the time; and it’s why when white people are asked to see it, we get so uncomfortable.” Baynard Woods, Author of Inheritance: An Autobiography of Whiteness, in an interview on the 08/31/22 episode of Code Switch, “What Does It Mean to Inherit ‘whiteness?’” Why is… Continue reading Can We Talk?
Examining the Fear of DEI
Well that didn’t take long. Misinformed Newtowners started sounding alarms about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) along with the first school bells of the new academic year. School has been in session for two and a half short weeks and already accusations of DEI being tantamount to “indoctrination” and the “sexualization of children” have been… Continue reading Examining the Fear of DEI
Are White People Being “Replaced”?
More than two decades ago while visiting my hometown for a college football game, I was introduced to a mindset that was previously unknown to me. At the tailgate, an acquaintance was congratulating our mutual friend who had recently wed. He then stunned us both by saying, “I hope you have a big family. We… Continue reading Are White People Being “Replaced”?
To Celebrate Or…Not
I don’t know how I feel about celebrating Independence Day today. I began my nascent journey as an ally to BIPOC following the murder of George Floyd in May of 2020. I devoured books and podcasts on race and racism. I know I still have a LOT to learn, but what I’ve learned so far… Continue reading To Celebrate Or…Not
The Most Marginalized of the Marginalized
June is Pride Month and rainbow flags are everywhere. That’s a good thing, right? While LGBTQ Americans still face far too much discrimination, they are more visible than ever before. Few of us give it a second thought when we learn that a neighbor, friend, or family member is gay. We attend same sex weddings,… Continue reading The Most Marginalized of the Marginalized
Allyship and Faith
“Race and Faith” was the topic of Newtown’s second Community Conversation that took place on April 25th at the library. It was aptly billed as “An opportunity for Newtowners to engage with and hear from the community’s religious leaders as we consider and respond to matters of race, equality, equity, and diversity.” CH Booth Library… Continue reading Allyship and Faith
Racism and People Like Me
I have watched Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow’s floor speech to her fellow senators at least five times. Initially I thought her comments were crafted for an audience of one: The colleague who publicly accused her of trying to “groom and sexualize” young children and to make them feel responsible for slavery. Sen. McMorrow certainly… Continue reading Racism and People Like Me
What Joe Biden and Ronald Reagan Can Teach Newtown About Hiring Teachers
The nomination (and later confirmation) of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, the highly qualified judge who will soon be this country’s first Black woman to hold a seat on the Supreme Court, happened within the context of a lot of chatter. I won’t waste anyone’s time addressing the ridiculousness of “Do you think babies are racist?”… Continue reading What Joe Biden and Ronald Reagan Can Teach Newtown About Hiring Teachers