Barriers of language and immigration helped hide the truth about family left and lost in China for 80 years. — My father was his family’s gatekeeper. Born in Shanghai in 1912, the eldest of his biracial siblings, he was raised to straddle East and West. He kept the peace between his Chinese father and American mother. …

The day represents the end of slavery and the beginning of freedom for African Americans — Juneteenth Freedom Day, also referred to as Black Independence Day, Juneteenth Independence Day, and just plain Juneteenth, is the celebration of the June 19, 1865 announcement by Union General Gordon Granger in Galveston, Texas conveying the Civil War ended and all enslaved people were now free. Most people assume the…

I recently realized that I’ve adjusted my life expectations over the last few years, and I’m much happier for it. Maybe it was simply growing up. Maybe it was coming to grips with reality. …

On mothers, daughters, and defiance — A few days ago, my young daughter had her customary scoop of speckled vanilla bean ice cream for dessert, cleared her plate, and asked me if she could also have some chocolate chips. I said, “We already had dessert, sweetie. We can have chocolate chips tomorrow.” She pulled an aw…

No, more police on campus isn’t the answer, either — According to multiple studies, White adults, who make up the majority of K-12 teachers in the United States and the UK, often view Black children as being more aggressive, mischievous, and ‘adult-like’ than White children. The result is that Black students are punished more often and more severely than their…

As Black Americans continue to be more vulnerable to gun violence, some U.S. politicians remain unphased. — As many were still reeling over the hate crime mass shooting on May 15 in Buffalo, NY, that claimed the lives of ten Black Buffalo residents, tragedy hit again when an 18-year-old opened fire and killed 19 elementary students and two teachers at Robb Elementary School last Tuesday. As many…

Five possible reasons behind the alarming increase and a call for more attention and research — Two devastating losses marked the beginning of this year. The death of attorney, former Miss USA, activist, and entertainment news correspondent Cheslie Kryst and up and coming musician and songwriter Ian King Jr. He was also Academy Award-winning actress Regina King’s son. Both died by suicide, and both were Black.

The U.S. needs to press upon Russia for Brittney Griner — I can’t imagine Russia detaining LeBron James or Kevin Durant, two of the NBA’s biggest stars. The NBA would be making a big a — stink right now every day all day. But they have been detaining arguably the LeBron James/Kevin Durant of international women’s basketball. Her name is Brittney…

We’re hungover from the eclipse energy. What do we do now? — To say that eclipse season shook us to our core would be an understatement. True, we know to strap on our seatbelts when lunar and solar eclipses hop on the roof… but damn. The polarities of the Taurean and Scorpionic energies have been playing tug-a-war with our lives. Taurus season…