A Conversation about Race

Is auto dealer’s Obama billboard racist?

Doug Wong — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:19:13 +0000

The Associated Press reports that left-leaning advocacy group MoveOn.org is calling a Colorado car dealer’s billboard “racist” and is calling for a boycott.

The billboard at Wolf Interstate Leasing and Sales, about seven miles west of Denver, shows President Barack Obama…

Can a black man vote against health care reform?

Doug Wong — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:03:55 +0000

The Associated Press reports the Rev. Jesse Jackson is no longer being critical of Rep. Artur Davis, D-Ala., for voting against a health care overhaul bill in the House.

At a Congressional Black Caucus reception being held in Jackson’s honor, the…

Study finds racism does affect views of Obama, policies

Doug Wong — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:42:31 +0000

Does racism affect voters’ responses to President Barack Obama’s policies? A recent study by the Stanford Graduate School of Business says yes.

Marguerite Rigoglioso reported in the November issue of Stanford Knowledgebase that the study found people’s implicit racial prejudices corresponded with a…

Trial over cutting in line at Walmart is filled with racial overtones

Steve Parker — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:45:04 +0000

St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter Heather Ratcliffe is in Kennett, Mo., reporting on a court case with racial implications that’s drawing national attention that many in the southeast Missouri town don’t want.

Thursday’s Post-Dispatch will have a front-page story about the felony trial of…

Why do we hate?

Doug Wong — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:40:29 +0000

So racism is often rooted in hatred.

But why do we hate? That is the subject of a story by Nicholas K. Geranios of the Associated Press.

Geranios interviews Jim Mohr, director of Gonzaga’s Institute for Action Against Hate.

“What makes hate tick?” Mohr…

Are dress codes used to bar black men?

Jean Buchanan — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:23:59 +0000

The St. Louis Beacon takes on the issue of dress codes and how they are sometimes used to keep black men out of clubs. The story By Elia Powers follows up on the Chicago case in which a black Washington University…

Court refuses to hear challenge of Washington Redskins’ name

Steve Parker — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:51:43 +0000

Ron Edmonds/AP photo

The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear a plea to make the Washington Redskins drop the team’s name on that grounds that it’s disparaging to Native Americans.

Robert Barnes of the Washington Post reports today:

The Supreme Court on Monday declined…

Little girls don’t care what race a Disney princess is, so why do adults?

Doug Wong — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:16:09 +0000

Megan Scott of the Associated Press reports that Disney’s first black princess, Tiana of upcoming animated movie “The Princess and the Frog” may not resonate with African-American girls as one would expect.

Scott points out that while Disney has expanded its…

Pitts: Will we salute those Muslim-Americans who stand up for America?

Doug Wong — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:00:50 +0000

In his Wednesday column, Miami Herald columnist Leonard Pitts raises the question: Will we salute those Muslim-Americans who stand up for America?

Pitts points out that since last week’s deadly shootings at Fort Hood, the comment boards have exploded with anti-Muslim sentiment…

Religious groups to tackle racism this weekend

Doug Moore — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:36:21 +0000

On Saturday, St. Francis Xavier College Church in midtown will host a discussion on “Racism in St. Louis: The Challenge to People of Faith.”

Vicki Simon, director of social ministry for the church, located at the corner of Grand and Lindell boulevards,…