by Kira Banks | Jan 18, 2010 | Opinion Pieces
A recent article in the Race, Frankly series covered the hard work of parents in the Community Connection program in the Webster Groves school district. It got me thinking about explicit actions that we can take as parents to raise racially aware children. Read the...
by Kira Banks | Dec 11, 2009 | Opinion Pieces
Missouri is making national news with state Rep. Rob Schaaf’s (R) appearance in a recent YouTube posting of a TV ad designed for the D.C. area that has gone viral. The commercial has people from all backgrounds stating, “I guess I’m racist.” In...
by Kira Banks | Dec 2, 2009 | Opinion Pieces
Living outside of a major metropolitan area can put a damper on being a moviegoer, but I finally saw Precious. From all the reviews, I had a hunch the essence of the book would be lost in translation. In many ways, the film captures the basic elements of interpersonal...
by Kira Banks | Nov 20, 2009 | Opinion Pieces
Jesse Jackson was recently reported saying, “You can’t vote against health care and call yourself a black man,” by the Hill newspaper . Jackson was speaking at a Congressional Black Caucus reception where he was being honored for the 25th anniversary...
by Kira Banks | Nov 2, 2009 | Opinion Pieces
If only we could train racism away. That was my reaction to the settlement regarding six African-American students from Washington University who filed a civil complaint of racial discrimination against Chicago Club, The Original Mothers. The club has agreed to...
by Kira Banks | Oct 15, 2009 | Opinion Pieces
I’ve been sitting back and watching the fireworks with the Rush Limbaugh-Rams story. Initially, I thought it was a non-story. Society is full of powerful people who have made controversial remarks. It would not be the first time we had an outspoken and...
