On Race — isms — Medium

Collection edited by Jess Brooks

“KARIMA — ORANGUTAN”

An African-Italian woman’s response to racism in Italy/a super enjoyable song FAQ

Jess Brooks1 min read

“Fruits are exotic. Humans are not.”

“To many people here, I look “exotic,” and when they find out that I’m from Guam, my “exoticism” increases. However, I’m not exotic. I’m a…human being. Fruits are exotic. Humans are not. This hasn’t been the only time that I’ve experienced something like this during my time at Princeton so far. I’ve heard, “What’s it like to be from a ‘territory?’ ” and “Have you ever heard about [insert big-name U.S. company]?” and, the most invasive of all, “What are you?” What am I? I’m a human being and a Princeton student, just like you.” Not sure how I feel about the term ‘exotic’ in any geographic context.

Jess Brooks2 min read

“The Problem With Baby Hairs, ‘Urban’ and the Fashion Industry”

“Saying “urban” is just them trying their hardest not to say black. Like it would just fucking kill them to admit that black culture has a…direct influence high fashion. Calling these looks urban is not the same as crediting black people. It’s nothing more them doing linguistic gymnasts to completely erase black people from black culture.” Yes. We see you, racists who don’t realize they are being racist but the fact that they are creating careful euphemisms suggests they realize, in some part of their brain, that they are doing something wrong. FAQ

Jess Brooks1 min read

“Anti-Muslim ads could threaten lives”

“The First Amendment protects Geller’s right to be obnoxious, but she should be shamed for trying to combat anti-American extremists by…

Jess Brooks1 min read

“One Powerful Illustration Shows Exactly What’s Wrong With How the West Talks About Ebola”

“The Ebola epidemic hit a particular nerve with the artist. “People in the African continent are more regarded as an abstract statistic…

Jess Brooks2 min read

“Reverse Racism Text”

“The hilarious Christian Lander & Andrew talk about a text Andrew received which leads them to discuss reverse racism. Make sure to leave…

Jess Brooks1 min read

“The West ignores the stories of Africans in the middle of the Ebola outbreak”

“Once again, sensationalism and generalization seem to be the only ways that Africa can be presented in the West. Once again, my country…

Jess Brooks2 min read

“Europe’s Anti-Semitism Comes Out of the Shadows”

“The scattered attacks have raised alarm about how Europe is changing and whether it remains a safe place for Jews. An increasing number of…

Jess Brooks1 min read