When Black History Month becomes Black Harassment Month

View of a Black woman from behind as she gazes toward a wide cloudy landscape

It was over a decade ago that I received my first invitation to keynote an event for Black History Month. If memory serves, it was a UU Church in Kennebunk, Maine. At that time, Americans of all hues were awakening to the painful reality that despite having our first Black president, injustice still ran rampant …

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The audacity of racism

white man's face silhouetted by spotlight

Mohammed Albehadli was the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) coordinator for the South Portland School Department when he received a racist email in December 2023 from Ryan Murdough, the New Hampshire founder of the New England White Network. The email has been described as threatening and, according to published reports, South Portland schools Superintendent Timothy …

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Authenticity and cross-racial relations

Several days ago, I shared a personal insight on a social media platform. It went like this: Uncomfortable revelation after 21 years in this very white space. I am not sure white women are capable of authentic friendship. I find too many of y’all only want connection on your terms. That’s not how friendship actually …

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