When ‘sorry’ becomes a catchphrase
Cal in Color
Even in this community aware of mental disabilities, it can be difficult for BIPOC to feel comfortable taking up space and asking for what we need.
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Category Archives: Cal in Color
Existing in white-dominated spaces
Cal in Color
In a white-dominated institution such as UC Berkeley, we need to talk about the emotional labor that students of color inevitably undertake to exist here.
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So, what do we do now?
Cal in Color
Ethnic studies should be a requirement, backed by law, for all levels of education, for all kids, who will inherit the unjust systems we leave behind
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Politicians shouldn’t get to say ‘hope’
Cal in Color
Too often, when major social movements become overtly political, the rhetoric of hope, in turn, becomes a political tool.
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Is it me? Or white supremacy?
It felt like if I could think of it, then it had to be wrong. It was no longer a judgment of my skill, but my own condemnation of myself within the space.
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Sister, sister
Cal in Color
Microaggressions — as my sister and I know — are frequent occurrences: At some point in the life of each student who’s a BIPOC, you endure this unfortunate fate.
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A Black girl’s magic
Cal in Color
Even if magic wasn’t real, I found the need for wild imagination — especially amid the harsh realities of West Oakland — was profound.
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Views via violin
Cal in Color
While taking AP and honors classes, my sister and I would come home and trade stories about how the teachers would awkwardly stare in our directions after reading the N-word.
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Trails of smoke
Cal in Color
The privilege of patriotism is a luxury that Black Americans cannot afford. America prides itself on freedom, and yet treats its BIPOC as second class.
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Dreaming while Black
In freshman year, I had an ethnic studies teacher who posed an interesting question to the class: “When did you realize you were Black?”
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