MixedRoots

MixedRoots Blogging while mixed. Commentary on being biracial, challenging perceptions of race & religion in life and politics. Connecting all Cultures. Unity and Peace. Dedicated to celebrating all cultures, including mixed-heritages, inter-racial & inter-religious families and unions while educating others about the unique mixed-race and multicultural experience. Bridging the gaps between racial, ethnic, cultural & religious differences.

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Leona Lewis- British Biracial singer/songwriter

Leona Lewis~ British Biracial singer/songwriter


The UK's Fastest selling debut album of all time! It just came to the States. Leona, born in London, her parents are Guyanese Afro-Caribbean, and Anglo-Welsh. At age fifteen, she recorded a version of Minnie Riperton's "Lovin' You". Ok, if you don't remember or didn't even know...it was hitting those notes--the Minnie Riperton notes--that put Mariah on tha map. In 2006 Leona was the winner of the UK show --similar to American Idol-- called The X Factor. Simon Cowell is also a judge on that show. Simon mentored Leona and says he just loves this girl and thinks she is completely great. LEONA'S WEBSITE


© 2008 T. Fatimah Williams -MixedRoots

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Friday, March 28, 2008

The Power of Diversity... at birth

The Power of Diversity...at birth!

I'm always thinking from a diverse perspective.

This diversity.. how is it attained and why do I often have difficulty in understanding why others don't or can't do the same. At some point, I guess I recognized that not everyone can manage that 'unique' perspective or that for some it takes a quite valiant effort to do so. The best hypothesis I've accepted is...As a biracial person, embracing "diversity" comes natural for me. I can't avoid it, really, I can't. even if I wanted to... it's just one of those things that is a part of me. I was born a symbol of diversity. I am diversity. The mere fact that people consistently have asked "what are you?" or "where are you from" reflects that I'm not easily categorized or put into a box. Yet there's always been the pressure to have me try. My diversity is different than a mono-racial woman who is: a mom, a wife, sister, a friend, an architect, a traveler, a writer, an antique collector, a gardener and so on. Yes, this is a description of a woman with diverse interests or a diverse background. Yet race and religion somehow really speak to a specific diversity that draws a note. So having said this... I've been noted all my life.

My existence and tools of navigation in life are rooted in profound diversity. I choose to relate to my diversity as a gift. I believe that a particular amount of responsibility comes with the gifts we each are given. Looking at my life's journey, I can't ignore that, the journey has it's purpose. I am and have been awakening to my life's purpose and I am thrilled and excited. I know it seems like a cliche to say, but the truth is, after the birth of my daughter, I look at life with an illuminated vision. There was an awakening of my mixed roots that over came me. The things I've written about, thought about and even kept to myself for years and years, have all found their way from their independant paths on the map of my life, to one path. It's all coming together.

There's power in motherhood- something happens when you give birth and then look at your child. My thoughts, opinions and interests have not changed, however how I approach it all has been altered into sheer action and purpose. Suddenly, I'm operating as though I'm on a deadline, after giving birth to my child. The "oh wouldn't that be nice" attitude has all but vanished and the mode of "I've got to do this", "it's time to do this" and "who is gonna do it if I don't" has taken over. And the beauty is, I'm moved by the desire to make a difference and bridge stubborn gaps not only for my daughter, but for all children, of all races, ethnicity and religion.

It's noteworthy to recognize that a formative flicker happened when I was immensely inspired by Sen. Barack Obama in the summer of 2004, when he opened his speech making reference to his diversity..his MIXED ROOTS. Mr. Barack Obama, I thank you for recognizing your gifts to influence polarizing positions towards unity and peace. Furthermore, thank you for taking up the responsibility of sharing, educating others and having faith that a racial & cultural background like yours, like mine, like ours and millions of others has a rightful and important place in American and world history. I stood before the television as you delivered your KEYNOTE ADDRESS, --you know the one...that they say made you a star-- in 2004 at the DNC. Already emotional-- with pregnancy hormones bursting about-- I became openly emotional as the truth and passion of your speech resonated with me, gave me chills and brought me to tears. Thank you, for your part in nurturing an awakening seed in me, that I could be aware and open to it's purpose when my daughter was born. Thank you for inspiring me.

© 2008 T. Fatimah Williams -MixedRoots

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Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Where is the Empathy?

Where is the Empathy?
What is slowly being revealed as a result of this wacky political presidential contest is not surprising to me. This country, sadly, still has deep rooted issues with race relations, especially between blacks and whites. As a biracial woman: having a black father and white mother, I have had many, many years to consider the aspects of what affects race relations and witness race relations from a unique biracial perspective.

Why is the Pastor Wright topic such a hot topic? Why aren't the many politicians who are supported by Bob Jones University or the preachers who support and live by the Bob Jones way - which are many- why aren't they scrutinized or pressured to disown or denounce Bob Jones University or their pastor who may have even graduated from that university? I reference Bob Jones, because I know pastors, preachers and full body congregations support and follow the beliefs they teach.
I know this because I went to a school from grade one to graduation that was a feeder school to BJ! Yeah, my experiences... you can read about in my book.

One side of the racial line seems to be permitted to use a holy book to justify racial bias and prejudices. While another side is taken to task for having feelings about that and many other ideals and actions against them.

One point- Wright noted that the government may have been responsible for the spread of the HIV virus. That is shocking and frightening to many, but consider many African Americans were shocked by the lynchings, being hosed down in the streets, being dragged from their beds, crosses being burned in the front yard of their homes and a host more adversity, abuse and offensives committed against them simply because of the shade of their skin. I would say it's probably a bit difficult to remain 100% patriotic after experiencing so much at the hands of your countrymen.

What other group of people are expected to become numb and dumb to their experiences?
I'm not saying fighting fire with fire is right, nor am I saying that Wright's comments are excusable. But what I am saying is before people jump to judge, consider the frame of reference from which a person speaks- Huckabee did!

A difference in perspective is clouding the real issue here. I think a benefit of doubt is in order on this one. I can understand why members of the older generations or any person who has lived the black experience in this country still have an immense amount of anger. Sit tight... I'll give you something that speaks to this in a second.

What is difficult to understand is how the Clinton's have taken the position they have on this issue. One of they can't understand how someone could make some of the comments made. You know, it was President Bill Clinton's seemingly understanding and empathy of the unlawful suffering inflicted upon many people in the black community that gained he AND Hilary the respect and admiration of the black community. President Clinton's apology for ONE OFFENSIVE activity against black men and their families in this country. Now the Clinton's suddenly can't understand where Wright's comment's might come from? I would think, if Hilary was being honest, rather than choosing to jump at a chance to dig into the dirt and sling mud she would have noted something that may have echoed Huckabee's remarks. Here is more about the Tuskegee Experiment (what Bill Clinton apologized for) and a peek into why some black people just may carry a particular amount of anger-- FOUR DECADES OF SILENCE-- why there just may be a host of distrust and anger that flashes back or flares up within the black community. I am a firm believer that the "fear of black men" in this country has origins from the fear that they would seek revenge for the aggressions committed against them and their families NOT because they are violent. That notion comes from somewhere and this makes sense to me.

Hilary Clinton is attempting to shift and spin the focus from her "misspoken" statements about her arrival in Bosnia, back to the Wright story and statements. She stated that you can't choose your family, but you can choose your (church) or pastor. Then she went on to say he wouldn't have been her pastor. I say this...You can't choose the country you're born in either, but in spite of the treatment blacks have endured in this country, the black community still finds a way to love and be patriotic. Some still harbor anger and while it's probably not the most healthy way to deal with the history and hurt and even current issues, I think it's certainly understandable and people might like to stop and try to understand where the hurt comes from. Some hurt and offenses leave scars so horribly deep that they are felt for generations.

There's got to be more understanding and empathy for the experience of blacks in this country. Many feel apologies for the hundreds of years of offenses are great, but compensation towards the advancement of a people such as: reparations, tax breaks or college tuition would really move our nation towards repair, healing and ultimate forgiveness. African Americans invested and helped to build the USA and the wealth of "some" of its people, while the African Americans themselves didn't receive much in return. The position the black community was given in this society was quite dubious and is still reflective in ghettos across the nation. It's a fact that African Americans weren't afforded equal opportunities and some may rightfully debate opportunities still aren't equal. Ok, so back to that note about investment... Every investment should yield some return, right?

© 2008 T. Fatimah Williams -MixedRoots

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Saturday, March 22, 2008

Exhibit & Presentation- May 2008

Exhibit & Presentation- May 2008


I've been a busy mixed rooter, developing and producing projects and initiatives that support building awareness of the mixed race experience. I was born during the year of the riots in Detroit so it's as though I was destined to make a difference and be a bridge between differences. It's not always an easy role, but now more than ever I'm driven to do something...I must to help create an enviornment that is more understanding for my daughter and those of mixed roots between my generation and hers.
And beyond that I am passionate about reaching a real space where people of all race, ethnicity and religion are valued.

I'm a big believer that the arts are capable of shaping perceptions. Not all art reflects reality. I rarely if at all saw reflections of myself, my racially mixed family and my experience on tv or in film- quite frustrating ya know.
I'm hosting an exhibit/film festival this spring in an effort to provoke new thought.
The plan is to make this little thing grow each year.

© 2008 T. Fatimah Williams-MixedRoots

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