Be in an Asian Man/Black Women Documentary!

CROSSING LINES: A Real View Into AM/BW

“Crossing Lines” takes a look into REAL relationships in the modern age – where cross-cultural love between Asian Men and Black Women blossoms and ignites both on and off-screen.

We are looking for:

• Video Interviews from Couples & Families, and Singles & Seekers
• Photos of Couples & Families, and Social Groups
• Original AM/BW Artwork
• Donations (in exchange for film credit)

Submit your info to www.AMBW.weebly.com until February 1st 2012 to apply for this documentary.

And don’t forget to watch the Video Pitch @ http://www.youtube.com/getrealwithgeorgia

Like this article? Subscribe to the RSS feed or for email updates!

Recently there was an up roar over Lowe’s Home Improvement pulling its ads from the TLC show All-American Muslim in response to an organization claiming the show “falsely humanized Muslims in America.” I was a bit disappointed by the Lowe’s brand actions but not really surprised. Still it was encouraging to see the reaction for supporters of the show and the American Muslim community, like high profile celebrity Russell Simmons who spoke out against Lowe’s actions

But it’s not just celebrities who are speaking out against Islamophobia in America. I recently learned about the My Fellow American project, which is trying to prevent and overcome racial issues like this in America.

Visitors to the site can share what controversies like this means to them. There’s also various content to help spread the message of tolerance from various entertainers and faith leaders on this topic.

Check out the site and let me know what you think – http://www.myfellowamerican.us/

Like this article? Subscribe to the RSS feed or for email updates!

Starting now through December 13, high school seniors can try to win a $20,000 Colonel’s Scholars scholarship by tweeting a single image and including the hashtag #KFCScholar.

KFC is asking college hopefuls to tweet a photo that illustrates why they exemplify Colonel Sanders’ commitment to education and enriching their communities, and why they are deserving of a college scholarship. The scholarship winner, announced on or about December 15, will receive up to $5,000 per year for the next four years to pursue a bachelor’s degree at an accredited public university within his or her home state.

Get Creative, Tweeple. Apply by following KFC on Twitter (@KFC_Colonel) and submitting your application in the form of a tweeted photo, including #KFCScholar in the tweet.

• Applicants do not have to include @KFC_Colonel in the message that accompanies the image, but are required to include #KFCScholar, which can be included as part of the message; e.g., “A picture’s worth 1,000 words! I’m applying to win a $20K KFC Colonel’s Scholars scholarship with a single photo #KFCScholar.” Applications will be judged solely on the photos.

•   Tweets will be reviewed after December 13 to determine that applicants comply with proper eligibility requirements*, and the winner will be announced on or about December 15.

To be eligible to compete for the KFC Colonel’s Scholars Scholarship, an individual must:

• Graduate from high school this academic year (8/31/12)
• Earn a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 2.75
• Plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree at a public, in-state college or university (start no later than 9/30/12)
• Be a US citizen or permanent resident

For official rules and more information on KFC Colonel’s Scholars and the Kentucky Fried Chicken Foundation, visit www.KFC.com or www.KFCscholars.org

Like this article? Subscribe to the RSS feed or for email updates!

A few months ago I took part in a roundtable discussion for CBS News/48 HOURS presentation “Bullying: Words Can Kill.”

Photo: Heather Wines/CBS ©2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved

Of course as a parent the topic of bullying is important to me. But as a parent of a biracial child, I’m especially interested in bullying and how it happens with the mixed race community. To many times I’ve seen bullying tolerated and then the damaging effects it leaves on children’s and adults who are already facing discrimination outside their “community”.

I recently saw this tragic story of a bullied 10-year-old girl who commits suicide. A discussion on the article wondered if part of the teasing was racial based. The child was biracial.

Certainly race does play a part as shown in an article that highlight Asian Americans are the most bullied in US schools

For some that might sound outlandish. How can someone be bullied based on race?

For those in the mixed race community, this isn’t even a question. Race focused bullying happens all the time. Bullying can happen as early as toddler hood. I’ll never forget when children in the playground started telling my son 2 year old son to go back to china because he looked different then they do.  But where do children learn how to bully from?

I strongly suspect from the adults in their lives. I recently watched one video where a mom of an infant went on a racial rant in public.  If this mom says those kids of things  in public imagine what she says on the privacy of her home to this very impressionable child? Can you guess what mindset this child will grow up with?

Another sad truth is adults are not immune to be being bullied. I experienced a bullying moment tonight in a mixed race online group, when I tried to expand a discussion. The issue was about the race boxes some college students are checking…or in this case not checking. Based on me asking a question that moved the discussion beyond asian and white I was asked….

Because clearly, since I wont talk about JUST white and asian issues I must hate white people. Ugh This is not the first time someone has accused me of hating white people. It seems to be the default argument whenever I challenge a conversation that excludes anyone who isn’t half white. I’ve already addressed this accusation in more then one blog post but seems I need to kill off that argument in a more dramatic way. I’ll definitely deal with that question in a future blog post.

For this blog post I want to bring the focus to what happened after those words were thrown at me.

Despite me ignoring them, the person in this group continued to post and accuse me. Each post becoming more inflammatory.

Now you’d think in a group of over 1,000 adult people someone who step in and say something right? Nope. Not one person spoke up and said anything in my defense, to change the topic or just to stop the tirade that was happening.

And in my mind, that’s how bullying holds it’s power. People see things happening but no one says anything.  Where’s the support for a person being bullied so they dont have to deal with it alone?

Granted I’m an adult and can stand up for myself but still I told the teacher aka group owner. LOL. She handled situation but the whole thing has already left a bad taste in my mouth. Are these the adults leading the way for the next generation of mixed race children? Are these same adults the ones who’s suppose to provide support and a safe haven for children dealing with mixed race conflict?

Thankfully, this is not the only group within the mixed race community. Many other groups do provide a true safe haven and will stand up for those being bullied racially.

During that CBS News/48 HOURS roundtable discussion one thing I spoke strongly for was building a support system. Both children and adults need to surround themselves with those who will take a stand with them against bullies. If your being bullied it’s important for you to know YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Find a community to be a part of or if you can’t find, then build your own.

Bullying is not just a part of life. Bullying is not something that will make us stronger. Bullying is killing our friends, family and our children because they feel there’s no support. It’s time to take a stand and speak up, time to share stories, time to save our community and our children from dying both figuratively and literally.

Here is a list of Resources for students & parents – http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/09/08/48hours/main20100086.shtml

Like this article? Subscribe to the RSS feed or for email updates!

Come tweet along with the stars at the first “Celebrity Disney Dreaming Twitter Party”! Join in and chat with “Family Feud” host, comedian Steve Harvey, Grammy-award winning gospel star Yolanda Adams, co-host of “106 & Park” Terrance J, noted educator Dr. Steve Perry, and ESPN sportscaster Stephen A. Smith, among other special guests.

This inspiring group is a part of the panel that is picking the final 100 students who will attend next year’s Disney’s Dreamers Academy and you have the opportunity to get in on the action, right from your own living room!

Celebrity Disney Dreaming Twitter Party

Date: Saturday, December 3rd
Time: 1 p.m.- 2 p.m. EST
Location: #DisneyDreams
Host: @DreamersAcademy and@MomTalkRadio (Maria Bailey, Founder of MomSelect)

This is the time to ask your favorite celebrities how they reached their amazing levels of success and what they are dreaming about now. And because it’s a party, we’ll be sure to give away some favors with some fun trivia questions and contests.

Like this article? Subscribe to the RSS feed or for email updates!