by Kira Banks | Jan 27, 2013 | Opinion Pieces
This week, we will focus our lens on culture and our own personal stories. We will reflect on the various cultural groups we belong to and how we have been socialized into our group memberships. Our group memberships are key ways in which we “get” culture....
by Kira Banks | Jan 19, 2013 | Opinion Pieces
Welcome to week two! If you didn’t get a chance to participate in week one, you can always revisit previous challenges throughout this process. This week we will focus on race as a social construct. That might sound odd if this is the first time you are hearing...
by Kira Banks | Jan 10, 2013 | Opinion Pieces
Welcome aboard! When I first mentioned the idea of a racial baggage challenge, it was a joke. “The Biggest Loser” was debuting that night; I was reflecting on new year’s resolutions and race relations. But then, people started “liking” my post and declaring “I’m in.”...
by Kira Banks | Jan 6, 2013 | Opinion Pieces
As the new year begins, it is filled with goals, visions, ideals, and sights set high.That’s not a bad thing, per se. But I think what we would be wise to also keep in the forefront the reality that with great change comes discomfort. If we think about making a great...
by Kira Banks | Apr 18, 2011 | Opinion Pieces
By now, you might have heard about the hoopla surrounding a young boy with pink toenails. Perhaps you missed it, but the creative director of J.Crew was photographed playing with her son. It was an adorable, loving moment captured by the lens, but much of the focus...
by Kira Banks | Mar 21, 2011 | Opinion Pieces
I recently was invited to speak at Metro Academic and Classical High School about the removal of the “n-word” from Mark Twain’s “Huckleberry Finn” and how such a move reflects changes in America’s views on slavery and race. Read the full article at...
