Critical Mixed Race Studies Conference
DePaul University hosted the biennial Critical Mixed Race Studies Conference on November 1-4, 2012 in Chicago. Critical Mixed Race Studies (CMRS) is the transracial, transdisciplinary, and transnational critical analysis of the institutionalization of social, cultural, and political orders based on dominant conceptions of race. CMRS emphasizes the mutability of race and the porosity of racial boundaries in...
Beyond Binaries
I returned to the University of Washington, my alma mater, to speak to 35 undergraduates about multiracial identity. It was great to be back on campus particularly during fall. I had forgotten how beautiful the campus is. Go Dawgs! Ralina Joseph, a communications professor, is teaching a class titled, “Beyond Binaries” in which she explores...
Rainbow Reflections
Since launching,” Cindy Lou Howe” in August, I have had some exciting opportunities and before moving further, it was time to take a closer look at my potential trajectory. I needed a neutral space to concentrate for an extended period of time to discuss and develop strategic planning with my agent, Matt Kelley. Returning to our...
One Day, All Children
Recently, I have begun a new contract position with Teach for America, to assist with their mission to build a movement to eliminate educational inequity by developing teacher leaders. My new role is to support teachers enrolled in the Teacher Leadership Development Program (TLDP). The TLDP is a Georgia Teacher Academy for Preparation and Pedagogy (GaTAPP) alternative...
Hands On Atlanta Day
The 22nd annual Hands on Atlanta Day brought together over 7,000 Atlantans in the metro area to volunteer their time and services in bettering our communities. Hands On Atlanta is an affiliate of the HandsOn Network, a network of over 250 volunteer service organizations in 16 countries. The theme this year was, “Love Your Block-Love Your...
Fashion Offenses
As fashion shows wrapped in New York, London and Milan displaying spring trends for 2013, several fashion companies have been in the headlines for their cultural insensitivity chic this past month. Let’s take a quick review of some of the fashion offenders: Hollister-(August 30-September 2, 2012/Yeouido, Korea) Hollister opened a store in the South Korean...
Too Close to Home
This afternoon, a friend forwarded me a news report and article about a triple murder in Southwest Atlanta. As I watched the footage, I remembered taking walks through that very same community. I recognized the house located on the corner. In fact, it was the very place where I bought my first home. Then, I recognized some...
AALAC Billboard Debut!
On September 24th, the Asian American Legal Advocacy Center, Inc. debuted their “Vote for Our Future” campaign billboard. I was pleased to organize the photo shoot and wish AALAC great success in getting the Asian American community to the polls in November! From the AJC: The organization’s first “Vote For Our Future” billboard is on I-85...
Thoughts on “Deferred Action”
After just three weeks, the Homeland Security Department has approved some of the 72,000 applications received as part of the government’s “Deferred Action” program. While attending a forum in Atlanta, I collected many questions from the audience. One question in fine, child script said, “If I have a ‘C’ on my report card, can I still become...
Who Knew?
After my guest column from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution was reposted on Maureen Downey’s “Get Schooled” blog, it garnered 60 responses and counting from readers. “What you wrote wasn’t controversial, so I don’t understand the negative backlash,” a puzzled friend, who currently teaches, remarked. But apparently, it was. I saw how different schools were led...
My Column in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A few days ago, I submitted an article for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The article is about my observations of teaching for 4 years in Atlanta Public Schools and 4 more at one of South Korea’s top private schools. I thought that dispelling some of the myths about South Korea’s education “model” versus America’s “failing” schools...
AALAC Billboard Campaign
Asian American Legal Advocacy Center Inc. of Georgia (AALAC) will be running a major billboard campaign on I-85 near Duluth for their “Vote for Our Future” campaign. After a few days of a model search, over 35 children applied to be the “face” of voter engagement in the Asian American Pacific Islander community in Georgia. When...
New Project, New Vision
A week after I officially launched cindylouhowe.com, I signed my first consulting client – the Asian American Legal Advocacy Center, Inc. of Georgia (AALAC). While a coincidence, I hope it’s an auspicious sign! For the next four months, I will serve as their Director of Civic Engagement in the run up to the 2012 elections. AALAC...
Behaving Badly?
An article published in today’s Education Week highlighted a study by the UCLA Center for Civil Rights Remedies titled, “Opportunities Suspended: The Disparate Impact of Disciplinary Exclusion From School,” . The data concluded that about 1 in 6 African-American students received suspension in the 2009-2010 school year. This article made me reflect on my years in Atlanta...
In 10 Years, 50% of Korean Children Multi-ethnic
Because of my former role as Vice President of The MACK Foundation, I was interviewed a few months ago as part of a story by South Korea’s Yonhap News about the growing number of mixed heritage and multicultural children in the country. The article discusses the dramatic demographic changes that are taking place in Korea,...
Memoirs of a Multiracial Woman
For the past three weeks, I have been immersed in a memoir writing course at Emory University. The class has been insightful into discovering what type of memoir I would like to write. Also it is great to have some accountability to get started already. My class is full of fascinating people eager to...
Black-on-Black Racism
There is an interesting article on the Huffington Post about Tukwila (Washington State) School Superintendent, Ethelda Burke, resigning in light of an investigation about race discrimination. Nine employees have filed suit against her. She allegedly made slurs such as calling an employee “dark” and others “slaves.” She also was concerned that the district was becoming too...
(My) Independence Day
“You should get your PhD.” Throughout my career, countless people have made this statement after hearing me speak passionately about diversity and education equality. I have presented my academic research on a number of panels alongside professors, been profiled in various media and taught in a variety of education contexts. Getting a doctorate seemed like...
My Last Day in the Classroom
I never planned on being a teacher. Some people love kids, in all honesty I was never a big fan of children, however I was a big advocate for social justice and having experienced my own struggles in childhood I knew that schools have the power to transform lives. So when I saw a poster for Teach...
Multiracial Youth in Foster Care
While digging into my folder of previous media interviews, I came upon this article by Lisette Austin, which was published in an edition of The Connection, the magazine published by the fabulous organization CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). In it, I talk about my own experience as a former foster youth, and the assumptions that...
