Links: Mixed race and general interest (original) (raw)
August 9 2007, 15:49
Listens: Joan Osborne, "Dracula Moon"
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These links are sadly US-centric, I'm afraid. If anyone, inside or outside the US, has their own favorite mixed race resources, I'd love to know about them!
- This site lists some well-known people of mixed racial heritage. Some of them may surprise you, particularly actors who tend to get cast (and therefore viewed) as one race or the other in the near-total absence of multiracial characters. I'm not thrilled by how many of the multiracial women are known for being lingerie models or Playmates, but that's a rant for another time. The site also has an extensive links section.
- In their own words, MAVIN is "the nation's leading organization that builds healthy communities that celebrate and empower mixed heritage people and families." THE organization in the US for issues relating to mixed-race people, interracial relationships, and transracial adoptees.
- A MAVIN project, Chasing Daybreak is a documentary that follows a group of young mixed-race people on a roadtrip across the US as they visit schools and communities to talk with people about mixed race issues. On the site you can read about the film, buy it on DVD, or see if there's going to be a screening in your area (or get your organization to request one!). I caught a screening at my campus, so here's my frank review: I had thought the film was going to be a little more on the "education" side, like actually showing their talks around the country and chronicling people's responses--i.e., sort of a documentary about the state of mixed race issues in the US today. In fact, the film is much more about the behind-the-scenes aspect of the group's tour, sort of reality-TV style with the kids talking into the camera about how their last presentation went, how the group was getting along, things like that. So it wasn't what I was expecting, but I still think it's worthwhile to see it if you get the chance, because these candid talks to the camera are a portrait of what young mixed people think about in their daily lives--only some of which is being mixed. It reminds you that they're people, with the full spectrum of personal interests and concerns.
- Why is this in a list of race-related links? Because the NMDP desperately needs more donors from racially diverse backgrounds. Patients with diseases like leukemia or lymphoma who need a potentially life-saving bone marrow transplant are more likely to find a match with someone of their own racial background. If you are an American of African, Native, Asian, Pacific Islander, Hispanic, or multiracial descent, please consider registering as a donor. I did this as part of an event on campus, and it was super easy: I did some cheek swabs, gave them some medical and contact information, sent it all in, and got my membership card in the mail. Please see the site for info on this and other ways you can help.
Secret Asian Man, a comic by Tak Toyoshima
- I love this comic! Although you can probably guess from the title that the focus is on the Asian main character, SAM covers a much wider range of topics than "just" Asian stuff. In fact, this is one of my favorites. Seriously, everyone should give it a look. Furthermore, the main character/author is in an interracial relationship and has a kid. Yay for diversity on the comics pages!
- Finally, this is one of my favorite sites of all time. I just- you have to see it to believe it. For your sanity, you might want to skip the "letters" section, which is full of people who Do Not Get It.
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