My American Meltingpot

It's been a while since a new episode of the MAMP podcast dropped, and sadly there won't be anymore new episodes. However, I am launching a brand new, bimonthly podcast called Read, Write & Create and on this short little episode, I'm going to tell you all about it. Think bite-sized creative pep talks for BIPOC writers. The new podcast officially launches in January 2023 and I hope if it sounds like something you need in your life, you'll tune in and subscribe. Until then, Write On!

This is the final episode of season six of the podcast and it’s going to be a short one. I have a few important announcements about the future of the show to share, some personal updates, and of course, some multicultural book news. One of the big announcements I'll be sharing is that I am launching a new podcast called, Meltingpot Stories. Yes, the podcast that will be all about multicultural books. Please follow me on IG @LoriLTharps and visit the My American Meltingpot website to know when the new show will officially launch.  Thank you all for listening. I appreciate you!

On episode 68 of the podcast, author Kaitlyn Greenidge joins me to talk about freedom and Libertie. Kaitlyn’s debut novel was the critically acclaimed, We Love You, Charlie Freeman. Her writing has also appeared in Vogue, Glamour, the Wall Street Journal, Elle.com, Buzzfeed, and the Virginia Quarterly Review. She was a contributing editor for LENNY Letter, is currently a contributing writer for The New York Times and recently became the Features Director of Harper’s Bazaar magazine.  I invited Kaitlyn to talk about her stunning new novel, Libertie, which was just released on March 30, 2021.  Libertie is a coming-of-age story that begins in the second half of the 19th century in New York. It is about a free-born Black woman named Libertie Sampson, who is the dark-skinned daughter of a light-skinned mother, who also happens to be a doctor. Libertie’s mother raises her daughter expecting her to follow in her footsteps into medicine as well. But after the Civil War is fought and the promises of Reconstruction beckon, Libertie imagines a different future for herself. So, when the opportunity to move to Haiti - where Black people are truly free - comes up, she takes it.  During our illuminating conversation, where I promise there are no spoilers about the novel, Kaitlyn shares the real story Liberite was inspired by; why she wanted to write Black historical fiction that wasn’t about Black exceptionalism; what she thinks freedom is; and why her female characters are so powerful. We also talk about the writing life; Kaitlyn explains why she doesn’t believe in writer's block, and why she doesn’t think writers should hide from real life.  This is a wonderfully inspiring episode with a brilliant and down-to-earth author. I hope you love it. Literary Links from the Show To learn more about Kaitlyn Greenidge, visit her website. You can purchase Libertie on bookshop.org or Amazon. During the episode, Kaitlyn mentioned the book, 100 Essays I Don't Have Time to Write by Sarah Ruhl. You might want to check it out. Both the Well Read Black Girl Book Club and Roxanne Gay have chosen Libertie as their May book read. Maybe you want to read along with them. If you loved this episode of the podcast, you might also love my interview with author Lauren Francis Scharma, whose historical novel, Book of the Little Axe, is also about a Black woman in search of true freedom. How to Support the Podcast Subscribe, rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts. Share a link or our logo with your book-loving friends on social media. If you want to support the podcast financially, please shop for books on the My American Meltingpot online book store. Or you can leave me a tip via Pay Pal on the My American Meltingpot website. Thank you!

On episode 67 we’re going back into the Meltingpot archives to listen to an interview with award-winning children’s book author and indie publisher, Zetta Elliott.    Zetta has written over 30 books for children, teens and young adults and is committed to telling stories featuring Black characters in the most unexpected places. From sci-fi, to fantasy, to haunted historical fiction, Zetta has written it all and shows no signs of stopping. She is on a mission to decolonize all of our imaginations when it comes to storytelling for young people.   During this episode, Zetta shares her inspiring journey to becoming a writer and indie publisher; how the move from her native Canada to the United States helped her find her voice as a Black woman; why she unapologetically centers the lives of Black and brown children in her stories; and why and how she continues to self publish even though many of her books are published by major houses. Black and Brown Children Want to Play with Dragons Too! For anyone interested in children's book creation, from the writing to the publishing, I guarantee you will get a lot of truth nuggets and advice in this episode. And everyone will be moved by Zetta's willingness to face racism head on in the publishing industry, and by her determination to get her books into the hands of the children who need them most. Links to #GetLit with Zetta Elliott You can learn more about Zetta Elliott and her work on her website. You can also find contact information there if you want to write to Zetta for information about self-publishing. Before you hit Zetta up for self-publishing advice though, you might want to read one of these thoughtful essays she's already written about the practice. What’s LOVE got to do with it?” Self-publishing as a Black feminist act of radical self-care  7 Tips for Self-Published Authors Zetta Elliott on Starting Her Own Imprint & Character Development in Children’s Fiction How to Decolonize Your Imagination My favorite Zetta Elliott book that was mentioned at the top of the show is: A Wish After Midnight (The one about time traveling to pre-civil war era Brooklyn.) You also might want to check out her Dragons in a Bag series. If you're a self-proclaimed history geek, like Zetta Elliott, and are looking for inspiration on social media, follow Zetta or Medivevalpoc on Instagram for visual evidence of Black people in medieval times. And speaking of history, here's the true story behind that 9th century ring that is the inspiration for Zetta's Afro-Viking story in progress. I hope you find something in this list that leads you down a colorful rabbit hole of your own imagination! How to Support the Show Subscribe, rate and review the show on Apple podcasts Tell somebody about the show, either online, offline, or both. Visit the My American Meltingpot Bookshop the next time you’re buying books online. You’ll find books by all of our guests on the show, as well as a curated collection of fiction and nonfiction for adults and children who love multicultural books.  Buy yourself some beautiful pajamas from Printfresh.com so you can look beautiful and feel comfortable when you read in bed. Use this link and the code LoriLTharps at checkout and you’ll get 15% off anything you order.  Follow me on IG @LoriLTharps 

On episode 66 of the podcast we’re going to talk about witches. Why? Because there is a growing number of women who are practicing witchcraft in the United States.  And because this is America, there is a racial divide in this increasingly popular witching community. Apparently, Black witches and white witches just can’t get along. Cries of cultural appropriation, questions of who gets to call themselves a witch, and how witches are portrayed in popular media are all discussions that are happening in the witching world and they are all discussions that require a multiracial perspective.  They are also discussions that require an understanding and knowledge of the multicultural roots of witchcraft in America. That is why I’m so excited to have Via Hedera as my guest for today’s show. Via is a sculptor, folklore enthusiast, writer and occult practitioner operating a blog dedicated to folkloric witchcraft in the Americas, modern animism and sacred art. Growing up in a multicultural and spiritually diverse community, she dedicates her time to the study of traditional witchcraft practices, ancestor veneration, and all things magical. Via is also the author of  the just released book, Folkloric American Witchcraft and the Multicultural Experience and she is an expert in the multicultural history of witchcraft and witchlore in the United States. It’s a history that includes African, Indigenous and European cultures and it is fascinating. If you never stopped to think how witchcraft, magic and spirituality were part of the fabric of this country, prepare to have your mind blown. During our conversation, Via explains the multicultural roots of American witchlore, how her own multiracial background inspired her to investigate magic, folklore and witchcraft, and who gets to call themselves a witch in America today. Warning, I think I use the word "fascinating" at least 10 times over the course of this episode and I apologize in advance, but have a listen and you'll see, the whole show really is fascinating.   Literary Links from the Show What I'm Reading Now: Libertie by Kaitlyn Greenidge The delicious novel that sparked my interest in the multicultural roots of witchcraft in America: The Once and Future Witches by Alix Harrow   Multicultural Witchcraft Resources To keep up with Via Hedera, or to order one of her statues like the ones pictured in the image above, visit her blog, ViaHedera.com Grab a copy of Via's book Folkloric American Witchcraft and the Multicultural Experience either on Amazon or on Bookshop.org Books that Via recommended to further your journey into witchcraft Jambalaya: The Natural Woman's Book of Personal Charms and Practical Rituals Working the Roots by Michele E. Lee Healing with Herbs and Rituals: A Mexican tradition Black Magic: Religion and the African American Conjuring Tradition  Mules and Men by Zora Neale Hurston How to Fight White Supremacy In light of the recent increase of violence against Asian Americans, I promised to share some books specifically meant to help white people dismantle white supremacy. Here are some options that come highly recommended. If you don't think you need these books yourself, buy one for a friend. 1. Me and White Supremacy 2. How to Be an Anti-Racist 3. Lies My Teacher Told Me 4. An Indigenous People's History of the United States 5. What White People Can Do Next  MAMP Podcast Episodes to Listen to Help You Fight White Supremacy Don't Be Racist, Use Your Voice  Don't Be Racist, Decolonize Your Mind  Don't Be Racist, Take Action  Way to Support the Podcast Please subscribe, rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts Tell your book-loving friends about the podcast  Do your online book shopping on the MAMP bookstore. You'll find the books of all of our guests, plus a curated collection of multicultural books for adults and children.     

On episode 65 of the podcast, I’m joined by children’s book author, educator, and activist Joanna Ho. Joanna is the New York Times bestselling author of Eyes that Kiss in the Corners, a beautiful picture book that tells the story of a little Asian girl who learns to love and appreciate the shape of her eyes.    Joanna holds a BA in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, and a master’s from the Principal Leadership Institute at Berkeley. She has been an English teacher, a dean, the designer of an alternative-to-prison program, and a professional development mastermind. She is currently the vice principal of a high school in the Bay Area. Joanna Ho Wants to Change the World with her Writing During our conversation, which felt like a chat with an old friend, Joanna shares how writing for young people is part of her anti-racism activism; why it makes her sad that so many Asian women love her book; how she reacted when her first attempts at writing picture books were rejected; and why she’s not interested in leaving her day job to pursue writing full time, despite the fact that she has three other books already in the works! Joanna Ho is an absolute delight and I hope you enjoy the show! A Meltingpot Minute About Multicultural Witches During the Meltingpot Minute, I take a moment to preview next week's episode and to share my review for the amazing new novel, The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow.  Literary Links from the Show Grab your copy of Eyes that Kiss in the Corners To keep up with all of the amazing content Joanna puts out in the world, visit her website at JoannaHowrites.com. While you wait for Joanna's book about YoYo Ma at the border, check out this article from Time magazine about some of his humanitarian work. Joanna just finished reading Punching the Air by Yusef Salem and Ibi Zoboi. You might want to read it too. You might also like American Street by Ibi Zoboi. I reviewed it a few years ago on the blog.  If you'd like to take some classes or learn more about writing for children, do what Joanna did and check out the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). Buy yourself some beautiful pajamas or a lovely nightgown, so you can read in bed in style...like me. Visit the Printfresh online store and use the promocode LORILTHARPS for 15% off your order. By the way, they also have beautiful writing journals as well.   ********************************* How to Support the Show 1. Subscribe or Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform. 2. Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts 3. Do your online book shopping on the My American Meltingpot Bookstore 4. Make a donation via paypal on the My American Meltingpot Website. Thank you!      

On episode 64 of the podcast, I’m introducing a new segment called Writing Wisdom with Lori. On these mini-episodes, I’ll be sharing actionable inspiration for writers, aspiring writers and creative folks looking to put pen to paper. I want to give you a jolt of what you need to live your best literary life. Think tips, hacks and mindset motivation to get you going, or keep you going on your writing journey.   For this very first writing wisdom segment, I'm talking about the most important lesson all writers must learn, and that is that anybody can write. If you can follow a recipe, then you can learn to write. During this brief episode, I'm sharing how new writers and seasoned writers alike, can look at their writing practice like a person who is learning to bake. We start with a recipe, follow the steps, then begin to experiment until we can successfully execute a beautiful cake – or novel – from scratch. Listen to the show for actionable inspiration and writing wisdom that will hopefully help you believe in your right to write. Literary Links for more Writing Wisdom If you're looking for a good no-nonsense (recipe) book on writing, I love Stephen King's On Writing. I re-read it whenever I need inspiration and tips on writing fiction. If you love podcasts as much as I do, and would like to listen to an inspiring podcast on writing, try the Write-Minded Podcast. Hosted by the director of NaNoWriMo Grant Faulkner and the publisher of She Writes Press, Brooke Warner, the show offers interviews with stellar writers on specific craft-focused topics. If you want to take a writing class - anything from memoir to screen writing - consider Gotham Writers Workshop. They are based in New York City, but with online classes, you can live anywhere and take one of their courses.  If you want to hear how some badass women use their writing to change the world, for some added inspiration for your writing practice, listen to the How to Be a Revolutionary Writer episode from the MAMP podcast. (It will definitely get you fired up and ready to write.) And if after listening to this episode, you just want to bake a cake from scratch, try this recipe for Old Fashioned Chocolate Cake. It's the same one that appears on the back of the Hershey's cocoa tin and it is delicious.  Do you have any questions about your writing practice? Are you struggling with some part of your journey? Are you seeking permission to write? Leave me you questions and comments on the show notes page for this episode on the My American Meltingpot blog, and I'll try to answer them on my next "Writing Wisdom" episode. ******************************** How to Support the Show 1. Subscribe to the show on your favorite platform. 2. Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts 3. Do your online book shopping on the My American Meltingpot Bookstore 4. Make a donation via paypal on the My American Meltingpot Website. Thank you!    

On episode 63 of the podcast, I’m joined by award-winning author, Jennifer Steil, to talk about her brilliant new novel, Exile Music. Exile Music tells the remarkable story of an Austrian Jewish family who has to flee Nazi occupied Vienna during WWII, and then finds themselves living as refugees in La Paz, Bolivia. Jennifer stumbled upon this fascinating and mostly unknown piece of history – European Jewish refugees living in Bolivia – when she was living in La Paz with her diplomat husband, and was inspired to write a novel about it.  During our conversation, in addition to getting the story behind Exile Music, Jennifer and I talk about her life as a journalist turned creative writer; how a job opportunity in Yemen inspired her first book, a memoir called The Woman Who Fell from the Sky; we talk about the time she was kidnapped while pregnant, and how that harrowing experience inspired her first novel, The Ambassador’s Wife; and we talk about the #OwnVoices movement and who has the right to tell whose stories. Jennifer Steil is an award-winning author, journalist, and teacher who lives in many countries (currently Uzbekistan). Her new novel, Exile Music, released by Viking in May, won the Grand Prize in the international Eyelands 2020 Book Awards, and was chosen by Art in Fiction as one of the best novels about art in 2020, and by Book Authority as one of 16 Best New Music Books to Read in 2021. It has received stunning reviews, including a starred Booklist review, and was chosen by Good Morning America as one of the 25 Novels You'll Want to Read This Summer.  Her novel, The Ambassador’s Wife, published by Doubleday in 2015, won the 2013 William Faulkner-William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition Best Novel award and the 2016 Phillip McMath Post Publication Book Award. The novel, which explores white savior complex, freedom of expression, art, terrorism, and parenthood, was shortlisted for both the Bisexual Book Award and the Lascaux Novel Award, and has received considerable critical acclaim, notably in the Seattle Times, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, and The New York Times Book Review. It has been published in several other languages, including Italian, Bulgarian, Greek, and Polish. This is a riveting episode that goes way beyond the book and digs deep into the writing life. I hope you enjoy it! **************** Get #Lit with these Links about Jennifer Steil and More... To read more about Jennifer Steil and to keep up with her work, visit her online home at Jennifer Steil.com. To purchase a copy of Exile Music, and/ or any of Jennifer's other books, visit the My American Meltingpot online bookstore. Check me out on the Printfresh Pajamas blog where I share my thoughts on books by Black authors to read beyond Black history month. Don't forget, if you want to buy a pair of beautiful PJs from Printfresh, use the code LORILTHARPS at check out for 15% off your purchase. Don't forget Printfresh sells stylish journals too. If you're interested in reading more about the two new memoirs penned by biracial Black women, check out the article in the New York Times. And/or go buy a copy of Surviving the White Gaze and Raceless at the My American Meltingpot Bookshop. To read more about the #ownvoices movement, check out this article on the OwnVoices movement from Read Brightly To get a summary of Colson Whitehead's speech that Jennifer referenced during our conversation about cultural appropriation in writing, you can get a good summary of Whitehead's speech here. ************************************** How to Support the Show 1. Subscribe to the show on your favorite platform. 2. Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts 3. Do your online book shopping on the My American Meltingpot Bookstore 4. Leave me a tip via paypal on the My American Meltingpot Website. Thank you!

On episode 62 of the podcast we’re rewinding to listen to debut author and actress,Tembi Locke, talk about writing her brilliant memoir about love and loss, From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily and Finding Home. In our conversation, Tembi and I talk about the reasons she decided to write this searing love story about life before and after her Italian husband’s death from cancer; her writing process as a new author; why writing memoir is so powerful; what life is like for a Black-American woman living in Sicily; raising confident multiracial children; and the healing power of food. Yes, we covered just about all of my favorite things in this one brilliant conversation.  At the end of the conversation, I share some exciting news and updates about Tembi and From Scratch, regarding her connections with Reese Witherspoon and some other Hollywood-based projects. Personal News on the Meltingpot Minute Speaking of multicultural memoirs, during the Meltingpot Minute, I share some exciting news about my own life. Like Tembi, who is a Black woman who found lasting love while studying abroad, and then wrote all about it, I wrote a memoir too. My memoir is called Kinky Gazpacho and takes place in Spain instead of Italy. Tune in to hear my exciting news and what it has to do with writing, memoir and Spain. Literary Links from the Show To follow Tembi Locke, please visit her website where you can also find all of her social media handles. To keep track of when From Scratch the Netflix series, visit the From Scratch page on Netflix. To find out more about the Waiting to Exhale Series on ABC, check out this article about the Locke sisters on LitHub. If you haven't read Terry McMillan's classic, Waiting to Exhale, get your copy wherever you like to buy books. If you haven't read any books by Tembi's talented sister, Attica Locke, you might want to start with The Cutting Season. I loved it. Tembi is as much a grief activist as she is a writer. If you're looking for resources to help you move through grief, visit her platform, The Kitchen Widow for help or inspiration. If you're interested in reading my memoir about my complicated love affair with Spain, you can find Kinky Gazpacho anywhere you buy books. ****************************** How to Support the Show Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts Do your online book shopping on the My American Meltingpot Bookstore Leave us a tip via paypal on the My American Meltingpot Website. Thank you!  

On episode 61 of the show, we’re talking about Blackness, Identity Politics and self-publishing as a form of activism with Dr. Yaba Blay, author of the just released book, One Drop: Shifting the Lens on Race.  Dr. Blay’s book, One Drop is a gorgeous coffee table book filled with beautiful full-color portraits of people who identify as Black.  The people are divided in groups: Mixed Black, American Black and Diaspora Black and each portrait is accompanied by a personal essay about the person’s racial background and lived identity experience. But this is not just a book of pretty pictures, One Drop also has a deeply researched explanation of the history of Blackness, the history of whiteness and the significance of the one-drop rule in America. Some of the faces in the book are recognizable, like journalist Soledad O’Brien, but the majority are the faces of ordinary people with extra-ordinary stories to tell. During our conversation, Dr. Blay and I discuss the origin story for One Drop, why she chose to self-publish the book after mainstream publishers rejected it, and how she felt when a mainstream publisher decided to re-publish the book now in 2021, seven years after its original publication. We also talk about colorism, how annoying and counter-productive it is to question someone’s Blackness and who the one-drop rule really benefits? We had a passionate conversation that went way beyond the book!   Literary Links from the Show During the Meltingpot Minute, I reviewed the book, Good Talk by Mira Jacob. Good Talk is a graphic memoir about coming of age as an Indian American woman, marrying a white man and raising brown children in the age of Trump. To learn more about Good Talk and Mira Jacob, please visit her website. To learn more about Dr. Yaba Blay, visit her website and catch her on the gram where she posts regularly about her many projects and passions. To buy your copy of One Drop: Shifting the Lens on Race, please consider purchasing from Uncle Bobbie's Coffee and Books or your favorite Black-owned bookstore. We mentioned author Zetta Elliott during the episode. Zetta is a prolific children's book and YA author, who has a lot to say about equity and the publishing industry. Listen to Zetta's episode on the podcast for an inspiring conversation about writing and self-publishing. To support the show, remember to do your book shopping at the My American Meltingpot Online bookstore. If you're interested in reading more about skin color politics, check out my book, Same Family, Different Colors: Confronting Colorism in America's Diverse Families. Beacon Press is the progressive and innovative publisher who picked up Yaba's book, One Drop. Check out Beacon's amazing catalog of diverse books. ******************* Don't forget to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts. And feel free to leave us a tip via PayPal on the homepage of the MAMP website. Thank you!  

On episode 60 of the podcast, we’re digging into the Meltingpot vault and replaying an episode that was inspired by the book, White Like Her: My Family’s Story of Race and Racial Passing (Skyhorse) by Gail Lukasik. The book is all about racial passing and family secrets in Gail’s family. I’m joined on the show by Gail Lukasik and Philadelphia journalist, Shannon Wink. Like Gail, Shannon was raised to believe she was white, but when she was doing some genealogical research for her job, she discovered some colorful family secrets of her own.   During this lively conversation we talk about that moment when both women found out that their relatives had been passing, how their own racial identities have shifted from white to not white, but not Black either, and the toll of family secrets. I loved this conversation and it really made me rethink my own definitions of Black and white here in the United States. At the end of the episode, I have some exciting updates to share from Gail and Shannon. Elizabeth Gilbert is Listening to Black Women Authors Did you know that Elizabeth Gilbert has started a book club called the Onward Book Club? She launched it after the murder of George Floyd in an effort to do something about racial injustice in this country. Listen in to hear what it's all about and how you can get involved. Literary Links from the Show You can buy a copy of the paperback version of White Like Her on Amazon or from Bookshop.org Elizabeth Gilbert's book club, Onward, can be found on her website, ElizabethGilbert.com You can read Shannon Wink's original story (and see photos of her family) about finding her roots on her website. And if you like books about racial passing, consider Brit Bennett's, The Vanishing Half.  SUPPORT THE SHOW Please visit the My American Meltingpot online bookstore when making book purchases. You get great discounted books and the show gets a small commission. Please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts Consider a monetary donation via PayPal on the My American Meltingpot website. Look for the yellow button on the lower right-hand side of the blog. 

On episode 59 of the podcast, we’re having a birthday party for a very special book. And that book is, Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America. Hair Story is the first book that I ever wrote, with my good friend, the journalist and author, Ayana Byrd. Hair Story covers the history, politics, business and culture of Black hair from 15th century Africa to modern-day America. And today, we're going behind the scenes and looking back at how Hair Story came to be. Ayana and I birthed Hair Story 20 years ago and it debuted on February 1, 2001. Our publisher, St. Martin’s press, re-released the book in 2014 when we added two additional chapters and updated the text to incorporate all of the massive changes that had happened in the decade since the book’s debut. Namely the Internet became a thing in the world of Black hair and the Natural Hair Movement exploded. Ayana Byrd joins me on the show as we look back at the journey to get this groundbreaking book into the world and the massive impact Hair Story has had in its two decades of life. From college syllabi to high school classrooms, from beauty salons to documentary films, Hair Story has gone global.  Literary Links from the Show You can buy Hair Story anywhere books are sold, including Bookshop.org and Amazon.com. To find out more about Ayana Byrd, visit her website. Listen to the audio documentary recently produced by the Canadian Broadcast Company about the history of Black hair where I was interviewed. To order your copy of Cicely Tyson's memoir, Just As I Am, check to see if Amazon has them back in stock. Or try Bookshop.org. Check out debut author J. Elle's exciting new YA novel called Wings of Ebony. Please remember to Rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts. You can also leave a tip on PayPal to help cover the costs of the show. You can find the link to donate on My American Meltingpot.com.    

Welcome to 2021. It's a new year and I'm ready for something different. Not just for this world and the United States, but for this podcast. So, I'm making a change. I don't want to talk about racism anymore. What do I want to talk about? Something that lights me up. Something that makes me excited. Something that I wake up thinking about and fall asleep dreaming about. Something I really and truly love. Books! Yes, books. Multicultural books to be specific. Books written by authors of color, books that center the experiences of people of color. Books that share the stories of different cultures colliding or collaborating. Be clear, I still want to be an anti-racism warrior, but rather than dissect the damage racism imparts, I want to show people what's possible through stories. And I want to inspire people of diverse backgrounds to write their own stories. Because multicultural stories matter and they can be the thing that sparks the change we're all still waiting for. On episode 58, I'm sharing how this is all going to play out on the podcast. I'll talk about the guests who are coming on the show, the topics we'll be discussing and I'll be asking for your input on a new name for the show. I'm so excited for this change and I hope you'll continue to tune in to the Meltingpot so you can enjoy the literary love fest for multicultural books that I am creating.  For complete show notes and some extra colorful literary links, visit the website MyAmericanMeltingpot.com  

On episode 57 of the podcast, we’re replaying our Christmas show from 2019 because it's still very relevant today. Maybe even more so. On that episode, I set out to answer the question, "Is Christmas for white people?" Now, I’m not white and I’ve been celebrating Christmas with my very Black family for more than 40 years, so clearly Christmas isn’t intrinsically a white people’s holiday, but there are plenty of people of color in America who don't deck the halls or jingle any bells on December 25. Considering the fact that 2020 has been a banner year for people to start paying attention to issues of racial injustice, white supremacy, and the whitewashing that permeates just about every facet of American culture, I thought this was the perfect time to revisit this episode. It’s a really good one and I promise it’s not all bah humbug!  Joining me on the show for this racial rehash of Christmas, is Dr. Marc Lamont Hill. Dr. Hill is the Steve Charles Professor of Media, Cities, and Solutions at Temple University. He is the author of several books, including his latest book that just came out in November, 2020, We Still Here: Pandemic, Policing, Protest, and Possibility. A public intellectual and an award-winning journalist, Dr. Hill has received numerous prestigious awards from the National Association of Black Journalists, GLAAD, and the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. Dr. Hill is also the owner of the Philadelphia based bookstore Uncle Bobbies Coffee and Books. During our conversations, Dr. Hill and I discuss the immigrant experience and Christmas. We talk about the actual multicultural origins of Christmas. We explore some of the alternative celebrations folks have come up with that feel more in line with their cultural and ethnic heritage. And we consider the idea that celebrating Christmas as a person of color, could be considered a radical act of redefinition. This conversation will definitely have you thinking differently, and maybe a bit more colorfully, about Christmas.  * * * * * * * * To keep up with Dr. Marc Lamont Hill, visit his website where you can read his full bio and find all of his social media links. If you live in the Philadelphia area, check out Dr. Hill's awesome bookstore, Uncle Bobbie's Coffee and Books. Please show them some love through the pandemic. Check out this blog post I wrote about whitewashing Christmas in America, specifically about Santa Claus vs. the Three Kings. Please leave a gift for the podcast in the form or a rating or a review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you like to listen to podcasts.  And please don't forget to subscribe to the show so you'll know when we we're back with fresh new episodes in early 2021. Happy Holidays. 

November is National Native American Heritage Month and it’s the month we Americans celebrate Thanksgiving. On episode 56 of the podcast, we’re going talk about both of these so-called holidays and how and what we should be doing to celebrate. Clearly Thanksgiving 2020 is going to look a lot different than years past. You may be alone or far away from extended family for the first time. Some people may not have the funds to pay for an extravagant Turkey dinner this year. Some people may be mourning the loss of loved ones to Covid-19 this holiday season. Overall, I think it’s safe to say that Thanksgiving is not going to be “normal” for anyone, so what better time than to rethink the reason and purpose of this All-American holiday. Back in 2018, for our very first episode in fact, I was joined by Dr. Crystal Fleming, a sociologist based at Stony Brook University and the author of How to Be Less Stupid about Race. Dr. Fleming and I talked about the inherent problems in celebrating a holiday that both downplays the real contributions of Native American people to that first Harvest celebration, and erases the legacy of brutal atrocities committed against Native people by European colonizers. It’s an important conversation that we're replaying because there are so many truth bombs people should hear, especially before celebrating Thanksgiving this year.  Stay in Touch I’d love to hear how you’re going to honor the Thanksgiving holiday Meltingpot community. Please feel free to tell me your plans by leaving me a comment on IG @LoriLTharps or in the comments on the My American Meltingpot blog. And if you’d like to keep up with Dr. Crystal Fleming, check out her website at Crystalflemming.com or follow her on Twitter at alwaystheself. I’ll add the links to the show notes. This is the end of Season 5. I'll be back in your ears in early 2021. Until then, check out the My American Meltingpot Facebook page for new and colorful content!

This is episode 55 of the podcast and the seventh and final episode of the 'Don’t Be Racist Series.' Think of it as the recap episode. I’ll be reviewing all of the anti-racism lessons learned over the last several weeks, and I’ll be reviewing the momentous presidential election that just happened as well. And at the end of the episode, I’ll be giving you some final words of advice to take with you as you continue your journey to be committed anti-racism warriors.  I hope you remember those simple lessons as you go about your daily life, and if you do,  I guarantee your journey to being an anti-racism warrior will be a successful and satisfying one. I won’t say it’s going to be easy, but I also don’t want you to think it has to be hard. Quite frankly, I think it’s a lot harder to be a racist than it is to be an anti-racist.  Harder, lonelier, and far less sweet. I believe in you anti-racism warriors. Thank you for listening! Thank you for showing up for this series! Thank you for doing the work.  Resources to Continue on with Your Anti-Racism Journey Black Lives Matter: It's not just a slogan or an important truth. Black Lives Matter is an active social justice organization with supporters and activities that span the globe. Check them out for resources for further learning and for opportunities to volunteer your time, talents and money. The My American Meltingpot bookstore on Bookshop.org: Don't forget you can find all of your anti-racism literature and other great books by authors of color in my carefully curated list of books on Bookshop.org The Obama Foundation: The Obama Foundation's mission is to "inspire, empower, and connect people to change their world." Check them out to find out ways you can get involved. Colorlines.com: If you haven't checked out this daily news site that centers the voices and perspectives of people of color and other marginalized groups, then you should. It's an excellent resource published by the racial justice organization, Race Forward. EmbraceRace.org: For parents and educators looking for resources on how to raise anti-racist children and children of color who are resilient and proud of their identities, EmbraceRace.org is a wonderful resource that offers webinars, teaching tools and community. And you can always find more information and inspiration on the My American Meltingpot blog!

On episode 54 of the podcast –  number six in our Don’t Be Racist Series – I'm sharing a tough but necessary lesson. We’re going to be talking about what to do when friends and family members are Trump supporters. I’m not going to teach you how to talk to them or how to get them to change their ways. Nope, today’s lesson is all about disengaging. I’m going to tell you why you should disengage with these Trump supporting friends and family members and how to do it.Now, there are many reasons why you should divorce your Trump-supporting family members and friends? But here are three: 1) Because their crazy can be contagious. 2) Because trying to reason with them doesn't work and it leaves you frustrated and angry. And 3) Because if you maintain a relationship with these people in your life, you are exposing yourself to potential harm. You wouldn't engage with members of a doomsday cult, so why engage with members of the cult of Donald Trump? Even if it is your cousin?Listen in to hear how to disengage with family and friends, including my personal experience divorcing two of my own family members. No, it's not easy, but it's also not as hard as you think. And ultimately, it's the best thing to do for your own peace of mind. Think of it as a form of self care for you, the anti-racist warrior. (Side note, if you have children, it's very important that you keep them safe from people who think Donald Trump is a decent human being.)And if you think this message is important, like I do, please forward or share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it. And please, don't forget to vote! 

Last week on the podcast, we talked about the importance of using your voice to confront racist behavior. On today's episode, we're flipping the script to discuss what NOT to say as an anti-racist warrior. In other words, how to avoid ever having someone say to you, 'You can't say that, that's racist.' Listen in to hear my list of questions, sentences and phrases you should remove from your vocabulary and why…if you want to be a good anti-racist warrior. Note, white people, this episode really is for you.  Clearly this episode would take hours if I actually covered every single word or phrase that could be considered racist. So, I don't do that. Instead, I’m sharing a short list of common phrases, questions and sentences that people say, that for the most part are considered racist or racially insensitive when uttered by white people. Of course, there is always an exception to the rules I'm sharing – and nuance and context matter too – but if you remove these phrases from your daily chatter, I promise it will aid you on your journey to being a good anti-racist. Links and Additional Resources on What Not to SayThe racist history of mispronouncing and renaming people of color.Teen Vogue explains why 'Black on Black crime' is a racist phrase that falsely pathologizes the Black community.A hilarious video that demonstrates why you shouldn't ask Asian Americans and Latinos where they are from.A heartfelt column from the Chicago Tribune that explains why we should make the shift from 'slave' to 'enslaved' when referencing African Americans in antebellum America.Proof, that hard shell tacos with tomatoes and cheddar are not Mexican food.You can grab a copy of Anti-Racist Baby for yourself or a friend on the My American Meltingpot online bookstore. And don't forget to visit My American Meltingpot for more resources and inspiration.  

Did you realize you can live your whole entire life and never say a single racist thing or have a single racist thought, but if you’re not using your voice to speak out against racism, then you're not an anti-racist? In fact, some might even say you’re an accomplice or at least complicit in the crime of maintaining a racist system. On episode 52 of the podcast, the fourth lesson in our Don't Be Racist series, we're going to be talking about using your voice as an anti-racist warrior. So far, we’ve spoken about mindset and taking action. On this episode, we’re going to deep-dive into taking action by using your voice to call out racism when you see it. On the show, I break down how and why anti-racism warriors must do this. “The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people. -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”Don't ForgetVote!: There’s still time in many states to register, request a mail-in ballot and to participate in early voting. The Republicans would love a close race and we can’t let that happen. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris need a decisive win in November. Please vote like your life depended it. Because mine sure does. Shop the My American Meltingpot online bookshop: You will find a delightful – and newly updated – collection of books for kids and adults with a multicultural focus. Every purchase you make on the My American Meltingpot online bookshop, supports the production of the podcast and independent bookstores all over the country. Read: This list of inspirational quotes from some of our greatest leaders and thinkers about the importance of using your voice in the face of racism, oppression and injustice.  

This is our third episode in the Don’t Be Racist Series on the My American Meltingpot podcast. Last week we spoke about taking action. This week, we're going to work on decolonizing our minds. In order to be a true anti-racism warrior, decolonizing and unlearning many of the untruths we’ve been taught our whole lives is essential. So, today’s lesson is all about how and why decolonizing your mind is a must. This episode is just the beginning of a process because decolonizing your mind is a lifelong pursuit. Opening up to the idea that you need to unlearn and relearn American history is the first step. And then you must keep educating yourself with resources that are not written by the so-called winners of history. During the show, I share seven decolonized truth nuggets that will jump start your decolonized education.  Resources to Help You Decolonize Your Mind For teachers and educators, a great article on decolonizing your history classroom with additional resources. A moving essay by a young Black woman who explains what decolonizing her mind and life looks like.  A great list of book titles from bookship.org to help decolonize your mind. A short Ted Talk to watch called: Decolonization is for Everyone. People of color might want to follow @decolonizingtherapy on IG. Educators and Parents might want to check out @decolonizeliteracy on IG for resources related to Black and Native experiences. Thank you for listening. Please stay motivated and don't forget to vote. A vote for Joe Biden is a vote against four more years with an openly racist, dangerous president.  Thank you for listening and please be sure to check out the show notes on the My American Meltingpot blog, where you can also leave me a comment about how you're enjoying the show and/or what lessons you'd like to learn in the series.   

On episode 50 of the podcast, we're continuing our "Don't Be Racist" series. And the lesson for this episode is all about taking action. Do Take Action to be an anti-racism warrior. Don’t sit on the sidelines and wait for someone else to do the work. Last week we talked about mastering your mindset. Finding your why for doing this work. Hopefully, it is now clear in your mind why you need to become an anti-racism warrior. So, the next step is to take action to bring about the change we want and need in this country. During the episode, I break down how to get yourself motivated to take action as an anti-racism warrior, and the types of actions you can take, especially if you're just getting started as an activist. I don't want anyone to feel overwhelmed or get burned out too fast, so take my advice to heart. We need our warriors in the game for all four quarters. Do This: To Be An Anti-Racism Warrior in Action Here's what you should remember about taking action as an anti-racism warrior: Start small - Don’t overwhelm yourself. But keep in mind that little actions can have big results. Find your zone of genius to make it easier to get in the game. Use the skills you have in the area where it is most needed. Find a friend to do the work together. Anti-racism work is more fun with a friend.  Don’t reinvent the wheel, you can just help roll the wheel up the hill. There are hundreds of local and national organizations doing anti-racism work and they need help. Volunteer for one of these organizations instead of trying to think up something new to do. I would love to hear what kind of action you’re taking on your journey to become an anti-racist warrior. Please leave a comment on the show notes page on the My American Meltingpot blog and tell me what you're up to! You'll also find more resources to help you take action. *This episode is sponsored by a new course on Teachable called, “Finding Your Role in this Moment of Social Change.” This course is ideal for anyone who wants to make a change in the world but doesn’t know how or where to start. This self-paced, 90-minute course will help you figure out the role you want to play in social movements and how you can make effective, lasting change. If you're looking for more instruction and a deeper understanding of how activists really make change with their work, definitely check out this course - taught by author and and activist Eileen Flanagan. You may remember Eileen from the moving essay she wrote about the connections between racism and climate change on the MAMP blog. She is the real deal and an excellent teacher.

Episode 49 of the podcast is our first official lesson in the "Don’t Be Racist Series." And the first  lesson is all about Mindset. In order to be an anti-racist warrior, you have to master your mindset. On the show I share why this is necessary, and how to get it done. Research shows that the difference between those who succeed with their goals and those who fail, often comes down to mindset. But the good thing is, we control our mindset. So, essentially, we are in control of whether we’re going to be successful at something or not. And because I want everyone who listens to this podcast to become confident and successful anti-racism warriors, then we have to make sure we're coming to anti-racist work with the right attitude, energy and purpose.  For the record, anti-racism work isn't about saving the colored people and it shouldn't be approached out of sense of guilt or ancestral obligation. Listen in as I break down why white people should be embracing anti-racism work and how to get in the right frame of mind for something that may seem scary or intimidating.  It's a short but useful episode, so listen in and take notes.  Useful Links + Resources  I wrote a blog post about the importance of a mindset change for white America as they approach anti-racism work. It should be helpful as you contemplate this work.  Check out the My American Meltingpot Bookstore on Bookshop.org for anti-racism titles and great multicultural fiction and nonfiction.  Homework Assignment to Help Master Your Mindset Watch one documentary about racial injustice. Here are three offerings on Netflix you might want to check out: 13th -This award-winning documentary by Ava DuVernay is about the criminal justice system and its treatment of African Americans. Immigration Nation - This new docu-series takes a deep look at immigration in the United States today.  The Two Killings of Sam Cooke - "While Sam Cooke rose to stardom as a soul singer, his outspoken views on civil rights drew attention that may have contributed to his death at age 33." Thank you for listening!

On Season five of the podcast, we’re doing something a little different. From now until the end of November, we’re running a special series called, “Don’t Be Racist.” On each episode, I’ll be sharing short, actionable, bite-sized lessons on how to be an anti-racist. New episodes will appear every Friday.  On episode 48, I'm sharing my reasons for launching this series and explaining what you can expect from me, your favorite anti-racism educator. In a nutshell, I plan to show up to make this series as pleasant and invigorating as anti-racism work can be. I'm giving you real-life lessons that you can start applying to your daily life right away. I’m not here to guilt you into doing better, or to beat you up for your ancestors' crimes. I just want to be the spark that inspires you to embrace an anti-racist attitude and take action. America needs you. The world needs you. I need you. So, tune in next Friday and be ready to work. Also, tell your friends about the series. Remember, sharing is caring. In the meantime, if you want some homework, go listen to a few of our past podcast episodes that will help get you thinking about anti-racism work, white supremacy and how to have conversations about race. This post offers a list of episodes to get you started. Finally, be sure to follow me on Instagram where I will be sharing additional content meant to inspire you on your anti-racism journey. Let's do this! 

On episode 47 of the podcast I sit down with Lauren Francis-Sharma, the author of the My American Meltingpot Summer Book Club selection, Book of the Little Axe.  Book of the Little Axe takes place at the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century and tells the story of Rosa Rendon, a Black Trinidadian woman who flees her island home and finds herself living among the Crow Nation in what is now Bighorn, Montana. She becomes the wife of a Crow chief and raises three mixed-race children with the nation. In addition to Book of the Little Axe, Lauren is the author of the novel, Til the Well Runs Dry, which was awarded the Honor Fiction Prize by the Black Caucus of the American Library Association. Lauren is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Michigan Law School. She is also a MacDowell Fellow and the Assistant Director of Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference at Middlebury College. During our conversation, we talk about how Lauren came up with this epic story idea; the real life characters that populate the pages of Book of the Little Axe; why it's important to tell the stories of people of color in a historical context; and how Stephen King inspired Lauren to leave her corporate career and pursue writing! I promise it is an inspiring conversation all around. For full show notes, please visit, My American Meltingpot.com. 

On episode 46 of the podcast, I want to encourage everyone to pick up their pens and fight. Yes, become a revolutionary writer. We can all put pen to paper and write for our lives. You don’t need permission to write. You don’t need fancy tools or equipment. You simply must write.   You can write newspaper articles, blog posts, poems and manifestos. You can  write novels, comic books, biographies and letters to your congressperson. You can write pamphlets, plays, memoirs and letters to your younger self. You can write text books and guide books and an entire magazine if you’re up for it. You can write song lyrics, movie screenplays, and letters to your racist uncle.     Join me as I share how revolutionary writers are born and stick around to hear from three extraordinary revolutionary writers – Tracey Lewis-Giggets, Kenrya Rankin and Zetta Elliott –  who are all busy creating revolutionary works right now.    By the end of the show, I hope everyone is inspired to write!   For full show notes and links to the work of our guests, please visit My American Meltingpot.com.

On episode 45 of the podcast, I'm talking about a brand new book series called The Queens of the Resistance. A perfect collection for any wanna-be Revolutionary Reader, The Queens of the Resistance series is a group of four biographies saluting four of the most beloved boss ladies in Congress: Maxine Waters, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Nancy Pelosi and Elizabeth Warren. Written by Brenda Jones & Krishan Trotman, these easy-to-read, illustrated biographies are super inspiring and informative. Also, the books themselves are absolutely beautiful to look at and would make a welcome addition to any bookshelf or coffee table.   It's another mini Revolutionary Readers episode, but we still get to hear from one of the co-authors of The Queens of Resistance series, Krishan Trotman.   Also, because self-care is also revolutionary, I also take a moment on the show to share my definition of a perfect summer beach read and two options for you to consider reading.   If you feel inspired by this episode and now you want to be a revolutionary reader, please share this episode with a friend or tell a lot of friends by leaving us a rating or review on Apple podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.   For full show notes with links for resources mentioned in this episode, please visit My American Meltingpot.com.

On episode 44 of the podcast we're continuing with our Revolutionary Readers summer series. The topic? We’re going to be talking about how to raise young revolutionary readers, with the hope that the young people in our lives go from being revolutionary readers, to revolutionary leaders. Think about it, reading can be the spark that leads young people to do great things. Keeping in mind of course, that 'great things' could be defined as becoming the first female president of the United States, or it could mean starting a food drive for those in need in one’s community.  In addition to my suggestions for raising revolutionary readers, I also share my latest book crush, The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennet. This book incorporates all the elements  I love to read about from Black identity, to family bonds, to colorism. You'll probably want to read it too! Be sure to check the show notes at My American Meltingpot for a full recap of the show and for additional book recommendations for the young revolutionaries in your life. 

I'm baaaack...for a special summer series on My American Meltingpot. Normally, I would have taken the summer off from the podcast, to relax and refresh, but I just couldn’t put down the mic when there is just so much to talk about. But rather than rehash the day’s news, respond to every new event, or simply continue producing regular full-length episodes about race and real life,  I decided to do something a little different. For the next five weeks, I’m going to be hosting the Revolutionary Readers Summer Book Club here on the  podcast. I’m going to be sharing some reviews, recommendations, and interviews with authors. These are going to be short episodes that will hopefully inspire you to read and learn and take action in these crazy times we’re living in. I’ll be talking about fiction, non-fiction, books for kids and teens. I’ll be sharing about the books I’m reading and why. I’ll offer suggestions for books to help you cope and even books to make you laugh when everything else seems to be falling apart. Basically, I'm going to be talking about how books and reading can be part of the revolution.  The book I'm talking about on this episode, is called Exile Music by Jennifer Steil. For full show notes and links to books and resources, visit My American Meltingpot.com.  P.S. I hope you LOVE our new logo as much as I do!

On episode 42 of the podcast (the final episode of Season 4 by the way), I’m giving a lesson on colorism - that is the preferential treatment given to others based on the color or shade of their skin.  At this pivotal moment in American society, as people grapple with dismantling racism, it is critical that folks understand that racism has a crafty cousin named colorism.  And the truth is, if we don’t recognize the role colorism plays in maintaining a white supremacist society, then the fight to dismantle racism will never be won. If you want to slay the dragon, you have to kill all her helpers too. So, stay tuned for my primer on colorism, taught in five easy lessons that will help everyone be a better warrior in the fight against racism and discrimination.  But before we get to the conversation on colorism, I'm taking a meltingpot minute to honor Juneteenth Day, aka, Black America’s Independence Day. For additional resources on colorism and/or Juneteenth Day, please visit the My American Meltingpot blog.  Don't forget to leave a review and/or a rating of the My American Meltingpot Podcast on Apple podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts. I'll be back for the summer season of the podcast in July. 

Happy Loving Day! Do you know what Loving Day has to do with today's current racial justice moment? Listen in to this inspirational Meltingpot Minute to hear how a supreme court decision in 1967 paved the way for people of different races to legally marry in all 50 states,  AND dealt a serious blow to white supremacy. I hope this episode enlightens you about our history, and inspires you to keep fighting for our future.  For more information about Loving Day and how you can celebrate it with your family and community, visit MyAmericanMeltingpot.com.

I know it's not Friday, but I wanted to launch this special Rewind episode of the podcast  – with a new intro – as soon as possible. This moment that we're in right now as a nation, demands it.  Back in April 2019, journalists Akiba Solomon and Kenrya Rankin joined me on the show to talk about their new book, How We Fight White Supremacy. While I knew at the time how powerful the episode was, today I am convinced that this episode was made for this moment. Not only do Akiba and Kenrya break down exactly what white supremacy is and what it looks like in our daily lives, we also talk about the many ways we all can participate in the fight to dismantle this pernicious and multi-layered system of oppression. The episode is extremely informative and enlightening, but more importantly, it is encouraging. Yes, there are tears on this episode, but I promise there is laughter too.  My hope is that all who listen will understand why we have to fight white supremacy and how to get started. Nobody is promising a simple or easy battle, but it is possible once you understand that white supremacy is a lie and a distraction that harms us all.  Even if you listened to this show when it first aired in 2019, I beg you to listen again with fresh ears. Considering what is happening in America right now, I guarantee this conversation will resonate deeply.  For More Information  Please buy a copy of How We Fight White Supremacy for yourself and a friend. On Amazon, or an indie bookseller.  To keep up with journalist Akiba Solomon, follow her on Twitter at @akibasolomon. Update: At the end of 2019, Akiba left Colorlines to become Senior Editor at The Marshall Project.  To keep up with journalist Kenrya Rankin, visit her website, Kenrya.com. Update: At the end of 2019, Kenrya became Editorial Director of Colorlines.  For more resources on how to fight white supremacy and racism, please visit the Resources page on My American Meltingpot. If you want to join the My American Meltingpot book club, we're doing a diverse reading challenge for 2020.  Remember that one of the easiest things you can do in this fight is to bring someone else along who needs to get to work but doesn't know where or how to start. Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. Peace! 

On Episode 39 of the My American Meltingpot podcast, I explain my agenda for white America in light of recent events in New York City and Minneapolis. Essentially, it's time for white people to fix America's race problem.   Here's a taste of what you'll hear on this incredibly important Meltingpot Minute.  Black Lives Matter "Black people have been marching, protesting and reminding the public that Black Lives Matter for centuries, but it hasn’t really moved the needle in ending racism. We’ve changed laws, yes, but we haven’t dismantled racism. We haven’t been able to convince white and white adjacent people that Black lives are as inherently worthy as their own.  Racism is Like an Addiction But We All Feel the Pain Racism is an illness that white people suffer from. All white people. Even the white people who don’t feel like they caught the racism. Trust me, they have it. But let’s just say, you’re one of the white people who might consider themselves super woke and not racist. I’m proud of you and happy for you. But you still have to do the work that Black people cannot do. You must be the doctors that help your fellow racist white brothers and sisters out. Racism is like an addiction. And like anyone who suffers from an addiction, you can’t solve the problem for the addict. They have to do the work themself. First they have to admit that they have a problem and then they have to be willing to do the work to rid themselves of the problem. Black people could have the definitive 12-step Racists Anonymous guidebook or even the racism equivalent of methadone and it wouldn’t help if white people won’t accept the fact that they are in fact sick.  #FixYourselves White people, this is your problem to solve. And here’s the thing. You’re not solving the racism problem to make Black people feel good. You’re curing yourself from an insidious affliction that hurts you just as much as it hurts people of color. Just like a drug addict may feel good when he inhales, or shoots up, we all know he’s killing himself. The same is true for racism. And just like second hand smoke, your addiction hurts all of us too. So, white people get to work. Fix yourselves. Fix your families. Fix your kids. Make this your number one issue. Talk about it at book club. Pray on it at church. Have conferences. Go on retreats and meditate on it. I believe in you. I know you can do it. I mean, if you can put a man on the moon, you can definitely rid yourselves of racism. People of color want you to do this for yourselves. We know you’ll feel so much better when you’ve rid yourself of racism. And we will certainly feel better too." Resources for Further Study Teaching Tolerance - An educational organization that provides social justice resources for parents and educators.  Embrace Race - A parent-led organization that creates tools and resources for parents and educators to raise children who can confidently navigate issues of race and identity and be stewards of social justice.  An Anti Racist Reading List compiled by author Ibram X. Kendi for the New York Times.  Podcasts for Learning about Racial Justice My American Meltingpot Resources   

On episode 38 of the My American Meltingpot podcast, I am excited to have award-winning author, Erin Entrada Kelly join me to talk about her brand new book, We Dream of Space, her impressive career writing middle grade novels, and why she's so committed to including (truly) diverse characters in all of her work. Since Erin is also a Filipina-American, and it’s the middle of May, we also take time to chat about being Asian American in the age of Covid-19, and how celebrating Asian-American Heritage Month can help combat some of the discrimination we're seeing against this community.  Erin Entrada Kelly is a New York Times bestseller whose book, Hello, Universe won the Newbery Medal in 2018. Her 2017 fantasy novel, Lalani of the Distant Sea received six starred reviews and was named one of the best books of the year by the New York Public Library, The Horn Book, Booklist, BookPage, and others. Erin is the author of six books in total, all of which are Junior Library Guild Selections. Her latest book, We Dream of Space, is her first work of historical fiction. It’s set in January 1986, in the weeks leading to the Challenger disaster. We Dream of Space Giveaway! If you’d like to win a free copy of Erin Entrada Kelly's newest book, We Dream of Space, simply follow My American Meltingpot on Instagram and leave a comment on our post for this episode with the hashtag #WeDreamofSpace. Everyone who follows MyAmericanMeltingpot and leaves a message with the #WeDreamofSpace hashtag by Monday May 25 2020, 8pmEST, will be entered to win. The winner will be announced on Instagram on Tuesday and the book will be sent directly from the publisher. Note: Only people living in the United States are eligible to enter because of limitation on shipping due to #TheRona.   For complete show notes, please visit, My American Meltingpot.com.    

Episode 37 of the podcast is a quick Meltingpot Minute. Yes, it's a short episode, but it's long enough for me to share my honest review of the 2019 Booker Prize winning novel, Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo. The book is a delightful invitation into the lives of a diverse group of Black British women. Spoiler Alert: I loved it. Girl, Woman, Other is the perfect pandemic read. Why? Because the book is actually more like a collection of connected short stories than a novel, so even when my brain was fried, which it has been a lot thanks to our lockdown lifestyle, I could easily read a chapter of the book, and feel like I’d just read a great short story. Then the next time I picked the book up, whether it was one, or two, or three days later, I didn’t have to remember what I’d read the day before, because I’d be introduced to a brand-new character with a brand-new story to dive into.  Listen to the episode to hear all of my thoughts about Girl, Woman, Other, and who I think will also enjoy this massive, but also massively readable, tome. And then please let me know if you too liked the book. Also, let me know if there are other books by Bernadine Evaristo that you think I should read next.  For complete show notes, please visit My American Meltingpot.com.  Episode 37 of the podcast was sponsored by the My American Meltingpot store. 

On episode 36 of the My American Meltingpot podcast, we’re talking all about what it takes to raise our children to be bilingual. What’s the best approach to take? When is the right time to start? Do parents have to be bilingual in order to raise children who speak more than one language? What are the challenges and benefits involved? To help answer these questions and more, Manuel Malia joins me on the show.  Manuel is a Spanish Lecturer at Princeton University and has over 20 years of experience teaching in colleges, high schools and elementary schools. A native of Spain, he is also pursuing his doctorate in Spanish linguistics with a focus on second-language acquisition at Temple University. The father of three bilingual children, Manuel is also my husband. In addition to Manuel, I've asked three different moms to share their unique experiences raising their children with more than one language. So, during the show, you'll also get to hear how different people approach this bilingual journey, in French, Chinese and Spanish.  This is a really inspirational and informative episode and I hope people listen and get encouraged to bring a second language into their home. Episode 36 of the podcast is sponsored by Booklandiabox.com.  Booklandia is a monthly subscription service that delivers Spanish and bilingual children’s books to your door. Find them on social media @Booklandiabox and online at Booklandiabox.com. Be sure to listen to the episode to hear how you can get a special discount when you order from Booklandia. For full episode show notes, visit My American Meltingpot.com. And please remember to leave a rating or review on Apple podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.   

Episode 35 is a quick Meltingpot Minute dedicated to spreading the word about the new #BooksareEssential campaign.  Publisher’s Weekly, the publishing industry trade magazine, launched the #BooksareEssential campaign to raise awareness of the need for books in society in general, but even more so during the Covid-19 pandemic. It seems pretty obvious that people need distractions when locked inside their homes 24/7, and books provide myriad ways of escape. But also, for all the parents who are suddenly thrust into the role of homeschooling teacher, books are the new essential tools of the trade. And let’s not forget that books can also provide us with coping strategies for living in small spaces, dealing with unruly children, recipes for baking bread, and many of the other things we’re all dealing with for the first time during the pandemic. Tune in to hear how you can help participate in this campaign and help save the book industry - from authors to booksellers – from collapsing.  For full show notes, visit the My American Meltingpot blog.  To purchase books online, consider buying from Barnes & Noble, Powell’s Books or Bookshop.org. Be Well!

On episode 34 of the My American Meltingpot podcast we’re talking about travel, family and finding self. Yes, we’re in the middle of a global pandemic and travel is probably the last thing on anyone’s mind right now, but this episode isn’t about planning the perfect cruise or finding cheap flights. My guest on the show is Lisette Austin, and she shares how travel helped her find herself as a mixed-race Black woman who also happens to be adopted. And then we dive into this new trend in the travel world called DNA travel and how it connects with identity, family and finding self. Yes, these are our favorite things to talk about here on the Meltingpot.  Lisette Austin is an award-travel expert and is the host of the Globetrotter Lounge podcast where she interviews women who have found creative ways to travel more. She is also the creator of the online course: Jet Set 101 - Becoming a Travel Hacker. When Lisette is not talking travel, she is a web designer who also spent years working in university research. She lives in the Seattle area with her husband and teenage son. Topics Discussed on the Show: Multiracial Identity politics Traveling while Black and Brown Why DNA Travel is a great option for adoptees and Black Americans How to DIY your own DNA Travel experience How travel can help you find your authentic self Why Lisette fell in love with Brazil and subsequently became a "Brazil nut."  For complete show notes, please visit the My American Meltingpot blog.  Thank you for listening and always remember to live your life in color.  

Episode 33 is a quick Meltingpot Minute episode where I'm sharing some tips and suggestions on how to be a Meltingpot Mom during a global pandemic.  As mothers during these unprecedented times of social isolation, lockdown, fear and homeschooling(!!!), we are tasked with not only managing the worries and concerns of our children, we also have to keep them safely occupied, and supposedly teach them things that they will need to be successful members of society.  I don't have any downloadable worksheets, nor am I going to suggest you do anything that would require you or your children to  change out of your jammies. No, my easy tips and no-stress suggestions are for ways you can bring some multicultural magic and sprinkles of diversity into your current lockdown lifestyle as a parent. As always, I hope they inspire. For complete show notes, more resources, and links from the show, please visit the My American Meltingpot blog.  Episode 33 was sponsored by the My American Meltingpot store, where you can now by Same Family, Different Colors T-shirts and sweatshirts for your entire family.   

(Note: This episode was recorded before the outbreak of the Corona Virus.) On episode 32 of the podcast, my guest is chef and educator, Karen M. Ricks. Karen is the founder and owner of the online cooking school, Our Kitchen Classroom. Karen is a Black American woman, married to a white man, and together they have a nine-year-old son. Karen and her family currently live in Tirana, Albania, but Karen considers herself a global citizen. Before moving to Albania, Karen and her family lived in Italy, and before that, Japan. On the show, Karen shares how a plan to spend one year teaching in Japan, turned into 10 years of living in Japan (where she also founded a Montessori school), followed by training as a chef in Italy, and finally to a nomadic lifestyle that involves a lot of good food and exciting adventures.  During our conversation Karen shares: -What it was like to be an interracial couple in Japan  -What her husband learned about being a minority for the first time in his life -How she is raising her multiracial son to embrace his unique identity outside of the United States -How surviving the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan inspired her to open a school in Japan -Why cooking is the perfect tool to teach children of all ages -What world schooling is really about -How following your passions can be done anywhere in the world -Why she wants more multiracial families to travel, see the world and share their experiences Plus a whole lot more. Karen's life is so full of exciting surprises, I guarantee this interview will leave you inspired to do more, wherever you are in the world.  For full show notes for this episode, please visit the My American Meltingpot blog. Follow Karen Ricks on Instagram, 

This is not a Corona virus related Meltingpot Minute. On episode 31, host Lori L. Tharps has a quick something to say about the misuse (or is it abuse) of the word multicultural. Businesses, marketers, podcast hosts and your friend Karen, are all using the word multicultural to describe anything that's not white. And that's not fair. Nor is it accurate. Listen in for this quick lesson/rant where Lori breaks down what multicultural really means and why we should care that people are hiding behind the multicultural label instead of standing up for their own cultural communities. It's a Meltingpot Minute you don't want to miss. **** Episode 31 is sponsored by the new My American Meltingpot store where you can buy clothing that allows you to tastefully wear your identity. Check out our t-shirts, sweatshirts, tote bags and coffee mugs for kids and adults. Buy something for the diversity diva in your life and support the Meltingpot at the same time!

On episode 30 of the My American Meltingpot podcast, meet serial entrepreneur and activist, Sonia Smith-Kang. Sonia is a multicultural advocate who draws from her rich cultural heritage as an Afro-Latina and proud military brat born in Puerto Rico and stationed on the Hawaiian island of O'ahu. She has dedicated her life to amplifying the voices of the underrepresented and is the founder and designer of Mixed-Up Clothing, co-founder of Culturas, MulticultiCorner and Mixed Heritage Day. A thought leader, community activist and expert in diversity, Sonia also serves as president of Multiracial Americans of Southern California. A graduate of the University of San Francisco, Sonia is a registered nurse based in Los Angeles where she lives with her Korean-American husband and four multicultural, multiracial and multilingual children. On this episode, Sonia shares how she grew up proud of, and comfortable with, her African-American and Mexican-American heritage, but still found herself struggling with her Mixed-Race identity until she was an adult. She also talks about marrying her Korean-American husband and the challenges they faced with their union and raising their children. From focusing on the family, our conversation turns to all of the entrepreneurial activities Sonia has engaged in to continuously amplify the voices of the Mixed-Race community. We begin with her unique children's clothing line, Mixed-Up Clothing, and move on to her recent venture, Culturas, a website that brings together all of her multicultural services and products. It's a wonderful conversation that hopefully will inspire people to boldly live their own multicultural lives, and find ways to combine their passions with their purpose – and maybe even profits! For complete show notes and more Meltinngpot content, visit: MyAmericanMeltingpot.com.

Episode 29 of the podcast is our first stand-alone Meltingpot Minute. Starting in Season 4, the Meltingpot Minute will be a bite-sized episode where host Lori L. Tharps shares the latest news, views and pop culture reviews, all from a multicultural perspective. Even though it's not what we wanted to do, our first Meltingpot Minute is all about the Corona Virus. Like all things relating to this global pandemic, this episode wasn't exactly planned. In fact, it was recorded in Lori's bedroom closet, late at night, instead of at our usual NPR studio. Listen in to hear what multicultural messages we can all learn from Corona 2020 as Lori speaks from the heart about where we are now as a society in the face of this unprecedented scenario. And if you want to read more of Lori's thoughts about why being racist and stupid in the face of the Corona virus is a bad idea, check out her recent blog post on the topic. 

On episode 28 of the podcast we are going to be talking about interracial relationships in the 21st century. More specifically, we're going to discuss why, 53 years after the Loving decision made interracial marriage legal in all 50 states, we are still divided over interracial unions. On the one hand, studies show that more people support interracial relationships than in the past. But on the other hand, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's recent interracial union proved that a lot of people just aren't ready to accept love across the color line. Joining me today to chop it up about where we stand as a culture on interracial relationships, is TaRessa Stovall. TaRessa is a mixed-race author, journalist, and identity rights rabble-rouser who works to evolve the conversations around identity and challenge racism. She is a Seattle-native now based in Atlanta. Her new memoir, Swirl Girl: Coming of Race in the USA is coming out this spring. Here's some of the things we talk about in this episode. • Why Black/White interracial relationships are the most controversial in the United States. • Who really has a problem with interracial relationships. Hint: It's not just white people. • Why Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's interracial relationship made people uncomfortable and angry. • The painful history of anti-Blackness in the United States • The untold history of interracial mixing in the United States •Why interracial relationships aren't the answer to America's race problem • How we make progress as a nation towards the acceptance and respect of interracial relationships. Resources from the Show To learn more about TaRessa Stovall and her new book, Swirl Girl, visit her website. To follow TaRessa on Instagram, find her @Taressatalks You can also follow TaRessa on Facebook  For more information about the supreme court decision that legalized interracial marriage in all 50 states, visit Loving Day.org and / or watch this beautiful Loving documentary. Please don't forget to rate and review the podcast on Apple podcasts. And for complete show notes, visit My American Meltingpot.com.

On episode 27 of the My American Meltingpot podcast, we're talking about the joys and challenges of travel when you're part of a multiracial family. What makes traveling as a multiracial family unique and different? Tune into this honest and fact-filled episode to find out. Be warned, we're talking about more than hair products and sunscreen...although those multicultural essentials do come up in our conversation. My guest on the show is Carmen Sognonvi from the luxury travel blog, Top Flight Family. Not only is Carmen a family-travel expert, she also has a background in racial justice work. Bonus, Carmen is a Mixed-Race, Asian woman, married to an African-American man, raising two beautiful, brown daughters, so the wisdom she shares on this episode is both professional and personal. Be sure to listen all the way to the end of the episode to hear all of Carmen's tips, tricks and resources to make your next family trip - foreign or domestic – more memorable, meaningful and fun! For show notes and more meltingpot content, visit My American Meltingpot.com. And don't forget we'll be back with all new podcast episodes in Season 4, starting on March 13, 2020. 

On episode 26 of the My American Meltingpot podcast, we're talking about parenting confident Mixed-Race children with educators, Ridvan Foxhall and Sharon H. Chang. This is our second rewind episode and it's a good one. As parents of Mixed kids, Sharon, Ridvan, and I all share personal experiences and practical tips and resources for raising Mixed Race children who are confident in their multi-ethnic identity. We cover everything from colorism to traveling to ancestral homelands. We know this parenting journey isn't always easy. Hopefully this episode will help pave the way. Sharon H. Chang is an award-winning author, photographer and activist with a lens on racism, social justice and the Asian-American diaspora. She is the author of the critically acclaimed academic book, Raising Mixed Race: Multiracial Asian Children In a Post-Racial World. Ridvan Foxhall is an occupational therapist and certified Positive Discipline parent educator and coach. In 2006, Ridvan founded the Peekskill chapter of the Children’s Theatre Company which is dedicated to building character on stage by instilling in children a sense that they can be a voice of positive change in the world. For the full show notes from this episode, please visit My American Meltingpot.com. Please don't forget to rate and review the My American Meltingpot podcast on Apple Podcasts so we can be found and heard by even more people.  

On Episode 25 of the My American Meltingpot podcast, we have the first of a series of rewind episodes. I am joined by author and journalist, Meredith Broussard to talk about the bias baked into our technology. Yes, we are talking about racist technology. From self-driving cars to soap dispensers, we discuss all of the different forms of technology that have been created without taking into consideration the diversity of the consumers using said technology. Meredith Broussard, the author of the award-winning book, Artificial Unintelligence: How Computers Misunderstand the World, breaks down how and why most technology is racist (hint: part of the reason why is because the tech field is woefully white and homogenous), but she also gives us ideas about how we consumers can fight back against the bias. It's a fascinating deep dive into the world of tech and will leave you feeling a whole lot smarter than you did before tuning in, but this conversation might leave you feeling freaked out about self-driving cars too.  Check the show notes on My American Meltingpot.com for links to all of the books and references mentioned on the episode. 

Are you dreaming of a white Christmas? On episode 24, of My American Meltingpot, we’re talking all about Christmas. More specifically, we’re going to be interrogating the idea that Christmas is for white people! Now, I’m not white and I’ve been celebrating Christmas with my very Black family for more than 40 years, so clearly Christmas isn’t by definition a White People’s holiday, but there are plenty of people of color in America who do not deck the halls or jingle any bells on December 25th. On this episode we try to get to the bottom of why some people of color don’t feel like Christmas is their holiday, even if they are Christians. We also explore the immigrant experience with Christmas, the actual multicultural origins of Christmas, and some ethnic alternatives to a "white" Christmas. Joining me for this racial rehash of Christmas is Dr. Marc Lamont Hill. Dr. Hill is the Steve Charles Professor of Media, Cities, and Solutions at Temple University. He is the author of several books, including Nobody; Gentrifier; and Beats, Rhymes and Classroom Life. A public intellectual and an award-winning journalist, Dr. Hill has received numerous prestigious awards from the National Association of Black Journalists, GLAAD, and the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. Most recently Dr. Hill opened a bookstore and a community based education center in the Germantown section of Philadelphia.  This episode will have you rethinking the reason for the season in a totally Meltingpot way! For show notes and additional resources about the December holidays, please visit My American Meltingpot.com.

On episode 23, I'm celebrating the one year anniversary of the My American Meltingpot podcast! After one year, 22 episodes and a lot of blood, sweat and tears, I've really learned a lot. Not just about launching a podcast, but about all of the ways race intersects with real life. Thanks to the fact that I've had really amazing guests on the show, I feel like I've learned just as much as all of you. So, listen in as I recap my top 10 meltingpot lessons learned after 22 exciting episodes.  Be sure to listen all the way to the end of the episode, when I announced a trivia question relating to the show. Whoever gets the answer correct will be added to a drawing for a My American Meltingpot gift bag o' goodies.  Thank you for listening and thank you for your support! And don't forget you can always find more Meltingpot content and all of the show notes at My American Meltingpot.com.

On episode 22 of My American Meltingpot, we’re going to be talking about the sixth leading cause of death in America, Alzheimer’s. After all, November is National Alzheimer's Awareness Month. And yes, we’re going to talk about statistics and studies, but because this is the Meltingpot, what we're really going to focus on is the impact Alzheimer’s has in communities of color, the toll of Alzheimer’s on families and caregivers, and what we can all do to help bring more attention to finding a cure for this tragic disease that kills our loved ones, not once, but twice.  Joining me for this important conversation is journalist, award-winning author and self-proclaimed Alzheimer’s activist, Marita Golden. Golden, a literary legend, is the author of 17 works of fiction and nonfiction. Her most recent books both deal with Alzheimer’s; The Wide Circumference of Love is a novel and Us Against Alzheimer’s is an anthology of essays and stories written by a multicultural collection of authors. Us Against Alzheimer's was just released in September of this year. There’s so much to learn about Alzheimer's and believe it or not, it’s not all bad news. I hope you listen to this important episode.  For show notes please visit MyAmericanMeltingpot.com.

On episode 21 of My American Meltingpot, listen in on my conversation with author, Laila Lalami. Laila is the author of the book, The Other Americans, our fall book club pick in the My American Meltingpot book club. She is also the author of three other award-winning novels including, The Moor's Account and Secret Son. A native of Morocco, Laila is a professor of creative writing at the University of California Riverside.  The Other Americans begins with the mysterious death of a Moroccan immigrant, but is so much more than a murder mystery or a thriller. A perfect fit for the MAMP book club, The Other Americans is a rumination on family, belonging, love and who gets to call America home. It is so good, and in this episode we get to hear what inspired Laila to write the book, how she got in the headspace of the rainbow coalition of characters that narrate the story, and why she had to decolonize her own language in order to find her true writing voice.   For the full show notes, with links to the resources mentioned in the episode, please visit the My American Meltingpot blog. 

On episode 20 of the podcast, we’re going back to Spain for Part II of my audio memoir. Just to recap, on the last episode, it was all about Spain’s hidden Black history. Or rather, how Spain’s hidden history of over 400 years of African slavery was coming out of the closet and is now being examined and shared by academics, artists and authors all around Spain.  For Part II, we’re leaving history behind and stepping into contemporary society. In chapters 3, 4 and 5, you’ll hear about what life is like for Black people living in Spain today. That is, Black Africans, Afro-Spanish people and African Americans. Needless to say, just because Spain is learning to embrace her Black past, doesn’t mean she is eager to embrace all of her Black citizens.  For more resources about life in Spain today for Black people, please check the show notes on the My American Meltingpot website.