The Diversity Projekt

Crosspost – Swirl Standing with Atlanta’s LGBT Community

September 14, 2009 // No Comments »

This is crossposted fromthe SwirlBlog:

From time to time we are compelled to stand up for what is right and condemn what is wrong. Swirl is a committed ally of the LGBT community. Therefore we felt compelled to voice our outrage about the recent Atlanta Police Department raid of the Atlanta Eagle, a long-standing LGBT establishment in the Atlanta community.

Dear Citizens:

As directors of the Atlanta and Philadelphia chapters of Swirl Inc, a national multi-racial organization focused on challenging notions of race through community building, education and action, we are outraged by the Atlanta Police Department’s raid of the Atlanta Eagle on September 10, 2009. We are troubled by the lack of transparency from City Government and Law Enforcement, as there has been little clarity about the charges filed against the owners of the Eagle or those who were arrested.

See full Op-Ed here!

Posted in ChangeBloggers, LGBTQ Issues

Embracing Diversity or Eroticizing Women of Color

August 26, 2009 // 1 Comment »

I don’t quite understand the world’s fascination with beauty pageants – parading human beings around like property. Nevertheless, I stumbled upon the intro to Miss Universe 2009 on Sunday night.  After a glance of Zeynep Sever, Miss Belgium and was curious to see who was representing the various other European nations present. Zeynep is originally from Turkey. She and her mother moved to Belgium when she was 12. After winning the title, she quickly found herself in the middle of a charged racial debate over whether a non-Belgian (read, not white) should be allowed to win the crown and represent Belgium at the Miss Universe or Miss World competitions. Because…well, we all know all Belgians have blond hair, blue eyes and are white, right?

This same debate was playing itself out in other European countries. I discussed the controversy in several blog posts when Whitney Toyloy was crowned Miss Switzerland last fall. Many protestors argued that she could not adequately represent Switzerland, because she wasn’t actually Swiss.  (Age was another lesser factor compared to her ethnic makeup.)  She is of American, Chinese, Panamanian and Swiss heritage.  Some even called for pageant officials to rename the competition “Miss Multiculti” to more ‘accurately’ reflect who was wearing the crown. This rests on the assumption that to be Swiss is the white, a narrow and highly inaccurate reflection of the actual demographics of the Swiss population.

In the same month, Avalon-Chanel Weyzig, who is half Indonesian, won the Miss Netherlands competition. She received far less brumtata about her win.  The fodder took on a different dimension. A great deal of it focused on how exotic she is, that being ethnic gives her a particular edge over other contestants. One reporter went so far as to say that her look catapulted her within the top five likely contenders to win the crown. The response? Avalon received an increase in hits on a pageant betting site.

Fast forward to December 2009 – Chloe Mortaud is crowned Miss France. She is French and African American, Creole in fact. France has crowned several black and mixed women over the last 10 years or so. Yet, there was still debate around her win. Prior winners from former French colonies. The rucus surrounding the current Miss France stems from her American roots. Race seems to be somewhat secondary, although there several off colored racial remarks posted to various list servs.

All of this intrigues me. I am most intrigued by the comments left on various blogs and sites that announced these contest winners. Many comments are blatantly racist and xenophobic. “Why are foreigners representing [fill in the blank].” “The contest should be renamed Miss Multikulti” “Foreigners are taking over. We will be a Muslim country before you know it.” “I am not being racist….just protecting my culture.” ….and so forth!

So, is the fact that more European countries are awarding their highest pageant titles to mixedchicks a sign of  a shift in the tide? Or, is it just another way in which white Europeans are choosing to eroticize women of color?

Posted in Diversity, Politics, Racism

New Chapter for New Beginnings

May 27, 2009 // No Comments »

A passionate advocate, a “pesky” reporter and a few blog posts, and the Bensalem Township School Board decided to “reconsider” it’s ruling to cut the New Beginnings Program at Bensalem High School. The trade off – 700 service hours in the upcoming fiscal year instead of 1000.

I learned something new today about Patti’s program. Not only are these young parents graduating from high school at phenomenal rates, but many go on to lead incredible lives. Two of her former students addressed the Board tonight – one is graduating community college and will soon enroll in a nursing program, and the other is currently working at Jefferson.

Well done! Thank you for your comments (on and off site) and your prayers!

The School Board will most likely need to re-address funding issues surrounding New Beginnings sometime during the new fiscal year.  Seeking alternative funding streams is most likely going to be a necessity, since the long-term repercussions of tonight’s cut in capacity will not go unnoticed by the community in need of these services.

ACTION ITEM! Please keep your eyes open for private (or government) grants that will fund direct services and/or advocacy for teen pregnancy/parenting.

On a side note – tonight was the first time in years that I really felt a part of a community. Perhaps it was the mission-orientedness of it all. My hunch, it was the people. Several Wellians came out in solidarity and support of Patti and her kids. Some of us went to Rita’s afterwards to celebrate. Yeah, Evan – I finally had Rita’s after more than 7 years.

Posted in ChangeBloggers, Community, Media

International Women’s Day 2009

March 8, 2009 // 1 Comment »

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY!

Please take this time to remember the incredible women in your life and those that paved the way before you!

I could not have asked for a more perfect day!  I started my day in fellowship at The Well and then participating in the IWD 2009 Conference in Center City, Philadelphia.  I was a bit nervous about speaking, as I rarely get the chance to speak about faith before my peers in the LGBTQ of Color community. It is less stressful speaking before communities I have less of a personal stake in.

I made some great connections.  Suraya Pakzad, Executive Director of Voices of Women Organization, came to speak about Women and Violance in Afghanistan. I was also able to finally meet Gloria Casarez, Director of LGBT Affairs for the City of Philadelphia, Virgina Gutierrez, President of the Board at Equality Advocates, and Wahaadah Shabazz-El of Women’s HIV Network.

The Anna Crusis Women’s Choir sang “Bread and Roses” (btw one of my favorite charities) and the Raices Culturales Latinoamericanas performed Aztec ceremonical rituals and dances.  I am extremely humbled that people wanted TDP to faciliate new inter-faith LGBT dinscussions.  Many also asked for my business card after my presentation.  I definitely did not expect that reaction.

I was disappointed not to see Vanessa Brown at the conference. She is one of our newly elected State Representatives. I met her last year at a Progressive Leadership Women of Color brunch.  I asked her when I first met her about the ways in which she intended to address LGBTQ issues in her district but did not receive an answer. I thought, perhaps the second time around would be the charm.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
SPONSORED BY THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY PHILADELPHIA COALITION
LIBERATION – EQUALITY – JUSTICE!

SUNDAY MARCH 8, 2009
PROGRAM

12:00- 1:00PM RALLY AND MARCH @ CITY HALL

1:00- 1:30PM MARCH to FAMILY PLANNING COUNCIL
260 S. BROAD STREET

1:30- 2:30PM LUNCH/REFRESHMENTS

2:30 – 2:45PM CEREMONIAL OPENING
Raíces Culturales Latinoamericanas Featuring Fuego Nuevo

OPENING/WELCOME/LIBATIONS by Soda Nobuhle, Arleen Olshan

2:45 -3:00PM CULTURAL PERFORMANCE
Anna Crusis Women’s Choir

3:00-4:00PM Anti-War and International Union Solidarity
Kathy Black, Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW)

The United Nations (UN) Conference on Women
Berta Joubert-Ceci

Single Payer Health Care
Patty Eakin, President of the Pennsylvania Association of Nurses
and Allied Professionals

Women and HIV/AIDS
Waheedah Shabazz-El, Women’s HIV Network

CULTURAL PERFORMANCE
Sisters in Music and Poetry: Monnette Sudler and Trapeta Mayson

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Communities – A Political Perspective
Gloria Casarez, Director of LGBT Affairs City of Philadelphia

Queer Womyn on Faith and Spirituality
Kathrin P. Ivanovic, Principal Blogger at The Diversity Projekt

Violence Towards Women Abroad: A Darfuran Women Speaks
About Rape as a Weapon of Genocide in Sudan
Fatima Haroun

Women’s Heart and Health
Blanca Marti, Nurse Practitioner

4:00-5:00 PM Womyn of Color- A Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and
Transgender Perspective LGBTQ Womyn of Color Conference

CULTURAL PERFORMANCE
Creativity in Movement, Misia Denea

Transgender Womyn of Color – Action, Advocacy, Allies
Jaci Adams

Women In Politics
State Representative Vanessa Brown

Employee Free Choice Act
Roni Green, SEIU

Spoken in Arabic – Multicultural/Multiethnic Organizing
Nehad Khadir, Arab Women’s Committee

CULTURAL PERFORMANCE
Songs of Hope, Fatimah Lorén

Occupational Safety and Health Issues Related to Women
Barbara Rahke, Director, Philadelphia Area Project on
Occupational Safety and Health

CULTURAL PERFORMANCE
Raíces Culturales Latinoamericanas Featuring Fuego Nuevo

Women and Diabetes
Juanita Figueroa

Housing: The Foreclosure Crisis
Louise Francis

Women and Violence In Afghanistan
Suraya Pakzad

Immigration and Health Care Access
Teresa Conejo

5:00-5:30PM CULTURAL PERFORMANCE
Poetry in Motion, Shayna SheNess Israel (SITY)

CULTURAL PERFORMANCE
Raíces Culturales Latinoamericanas Featuring Fuego Nuevo

Action Plan
ALL

5:30-6:00PM Reflections/Closing
Sherrie Cohen, Soda Nobuhle, Arleen Olshan

IWD Philadelphia Coalition thanks its 2009 Sponsors: AFSCME District Council 47, Albert Einstein Medical Center, Anna Crusis Choir, Beta Phi Omega Sorority Inc., Carmen Bilingual toys and books, Café con Chocolate, Coalition for Labor Union Women, Code Pink, Darfur Alert Coalition, Hearts and More by Moon Queen, Lia Sophia, MayDay Committee, National Conference of Puerto Rican Women, National Association of Hispanic Nurses, PA Federation BMWED-IBT, Passion Party Consulting, Partnership for Prescription Assistance, Philadelphia International Action Center, Philadelphia NOW, Planned Parenthood, Raíces Culturales Latinoamericanas , Safeguards and Family Planning Council, Sisterspace, Sisters United @ The COLOURS Organization, Inc., Tacto Peruano, The COLOURS Organization Inc., The Womyn’s Village, Women’s Community Revitalization Project.

www.myspace.com/iwdphiladelphia; Email: iwdphiladelphia@yahoo.com; Phone: 267-997-8160

Posted in Diversity, Faith/Spirituality, LGBTQ Issues

An Open Book, Sharing to Heal

November 8, 2008 // 1 Comment »

This has been an unprecedented and most historic week.  A new day has truly come, bringing with it a tremendous amount of responsibility for our new President-Elect, as well as for every single American.  Each of us has a responsibility to engage in our communities. We no longer have any valid excuse to complain and watch the world pass us by (not that we really had an excuse before).

While Barack Obama will in 74 73 days become the President of the United States and have the authority and capacity to enact change from above, teach and every one of us has the opportunity to enact change within our own lives.  The one thing I have learned through this election is that grass roots is where sustainable change really occurs.

Lately, I have spent more time than usual talking politics on this blog   I do not view The Diversity Projekt as a fundamentally political blog, at least not directly.  I clearly make a political statement with my chosen subject matter and the ways in which I articulate my position, but I would not consider myself a pundit or political commentator. Not in the least.

Nevertheless, I speak about my life, about my experiences and the world around me.  In doing so, I am often far more transparent than I should be.  I often struggle with how much or how little to share, particularly when it comes to personal and intimate issues.  In those instances where I have chosen to redact myself, I ultimately felt like I was editing myself and my experiences away.

One of the issues I have been extremely open about is my recent family reunion with my birth father.  Someone recently asked how I could be so open about a topic that is so intimate, how I could experience it in public view.  Others have suggested that I not be so public about everything.  After a recent incident, I considered being more private about this recent journey.  However, after much thought, I came to the conclusion that I would be doing myself and others an injustice.

My life up to this point has significantly influenced why I am publicly documenting my experiences. Looking back, I wish I had documented several earlier events – political and cultural awakening as an AfroGerman and the events leading up to the decision to actively search for my birth father.  I have since sketched several aspects of the beginnings of this journey.

I document this journey as much for myself as I do for others who might find themselves along a similar journey. I did not have a road map growing up. Nor did I have anyone to lean on who understood the things I was experiencing or feeling.  I did not have any role models who reflected my duality. I often felt like a one person freak show.

Even today, I struggle considerably with coming to terms and being comfortable with my biracial and multi-ethnic identity. I am not entirely comfortable with the color of my skin or my curly hair.  I feel equally estranged and rejected from my white and black heritage.  Feeling content with living within the margins is something I have yet to achieve.

I hope this blog helps someone, even if that someone is me.

Posted in 2008 Election, Community, Diversity

Race, Gender, Sexuality – Components of Identity

November 1, 2008 // No Comments »

I participate in various diversity forums.  Recently, a colleague was surprised to find out that I am gay.   Since I rarely (if ever) talk about my sexual identity, she assumed that I was straight.  I thought being a part of various LGBT coalitions made my orientation clear.  She stated that all of her LGBT friends are very vocal about their sexuality.  Therefore, my silence made her assume that I was  only an ally to the LGBT community.  Does silence about ones sexual identity lead  people to the assumption that one is straight?

My friends knew long before I ever thought about coming out to my family.  After building up the courage, I announced it in the middle of a conversation about something completely unrelated.  I held my breath. My mother said “OK, honey” and proceeded to finish the thought she started before my quite passionate proclamation.  I am one of the lucky ones.  My family doesn’t make a big deal of of it. I am not even sure why I waited so long to tell them.  It has never been an issue socially or professionally either. I had a boss a few years ago who was quite homophobic, but I never paid her much attention.  I wasn’t attached to the position.  If she had fired me, I would not have lost any sleep.  I ended up leaving the position for a supervisory role at another firm.

Yet, there are moments where I experience a type of “outing”.  Although I am not overtly vocal, I also don’t see myself as hiding the fact that I am gay.

I actively participate with The Womyn’s Way and the Philadelphia LGBT People of Color Coalition (as well as several other organizations), yet my sexuality has never been at the center of my personal crisis.   I am not sure if I have always known or if I came to consciousness  through internal revelation.  One day I just decided to verbalize it.  Now, my ethnic identity is another matter entirely.  Although I did not know there was such  an identity as “AfroGerman” until my late teens, I always knew that I was different, that I didn’t fit into traditionally defined European (German) identities.  I fought a constant internal and external struggle that has shaped how I view myself and the world around it.

What has most shaped your identity?  Are there elements that are prominent, while others that take a backseat?

Posted in Diversity, LGBTQ Issues, Uncategorized

I want to know you…..

October 26, 2008 // No Comments »

I want to know about you!  Yes, YOU!  Whether you read my blog regularly, occasionally pop in, or have stumbled upon it for the first time.

Which book (ONE) most profoundly influenced your political, and/or social awakening, your coming to consciousness?  What events in your life led you to find resonance in this book?  How do you see the world and yourself after having read this book ?  Is it different than you did before? Did you read it over time or did you inhale it all at once?

Answer one question, or answer them all.

So, have at it!

Posted in Politics

The Private Club a.k.a. Black America

October 11, 2008 // 3 Comments »

I am often asked “what are you mixed with?” When I respond that my birthfather is African American, I usually receive perplexed looks, as I clearly do not reflect their image of what a black and white biracial person should look like. Some go on to ask whether I have confirmed that my birth father is black….”perhaps he is actually Hispanic.” Nevertheless, yesterday was a first for me. During a conversation with some friends over drinks, I was asked how I felt about passing for white. What stunned me most was the phrasing of “since you pass.” What would make someone assume that I was taken back by the matter of factness of her assumption that I have the “privilege” of passing as white. I am sure that my friend did not intend to offend, but it stung nonetheless. I can no more reject my blackness than I can my whiteness, as they compose the two haves that make me a whole person.

Comments and questions that attempt to force the recipient to , continues to underscore the exclusionary attitudes and behaviors prevalent within the black community. It also speaks to the fact that people of color continue to “other” and marginalize each other based on arbitrary aesthetic demarcations as to what is and is not considered a person of color.

While I under

stand that group dynamics naturally dictate membership based on degrees of inclusion and exclusion, the manner in which these dynamics materialize within black America is perplexing. As black America continues to exclude those of us who are biracial, bicultural, or mixed from full, legitimate membership, it sends a message that true diversity is not desired within the black community, or at least diversity that falls outside certain parameters. In essence the black community has internalized race oppression and repression, thereby creating its own internally marginalized and excluded population.

Regardless how light or dark our skin tone is, those of us who are multicultural or mixed, have just as much of a right to be a part of black America. The ways in which we experience oppression and alienation might take on different dimensions, but the fact remains that we experience them due to the color of our skin. I just never expected to be marginalized or ostracized by other people of color.

I clearly do not believe this is hard and fast., that everyone in the black community subscribes to this viewpoint. I have only rece

ntly built relationships with other Black people where I do not feel like I am under a constant microscope or constantly need to justify my blackness. I value their friendship and have learned tremendously from them. They have provided me with incredible insight and have helped me along my journey.

It became crystal clear to me last night, that as long as Black America operates like a fraternity, vetting and rejecting those who do not meet arbitrary and elusive exclusionary criterion, that door is never going to open.

Posted in Politics, Racism, Uncategorized