Archives

THE QUESTION: R410: How do blacks who have hair in beads or other tightly configured forms, such as some U.S. tennis stars and other media notables, clean their hair of perspiration, oils and dirt? POSTED AUG. 9, 1998 Robert, white <sml@tenforward.com>, Sequim, WA ANSWER 1: To wash my hair when it is in braids, I usually put an old pantyhose …

THE QUESTION: R420: I have worked in several hospitals in areas with large Filipino populations. I have noted that many of the women bring lots of food and love to share with all the other Filipino staff on the floor, and will often included me. If this food sharing a cultural thing? POSTED AUG. 14, 1998 Darci, 31<darlink@hotmail.com>, San Diego, …

THE QUESTION: R430: In San Francisco recently there was a debate over required reading in the public high school district. It broke down to a race issue. I continually heard the statement that the kids needed to read from authors who reflected their ethnicity to feel more positive about themselves. Is it possible this line of thinking could cause us …

THE QUESTION: R440: Many times when I am watching television, I notice that a good number of African-American females’ names begin with “La,” such as Latonya or Latoya. Is there something in family heritage that accounts for using that prefix? POSTED SEPT. 1, 1998 Matt D., 15, white <bluefan@hotmail.com>, Novi, MI To respond BACK TO TOP THE QUESTION: R439: I’ve …

THE QUESTION: R450: For the past 12 years, we have lived in a middle-class neighborhood. Demographics: 80 percent black, 10 percent white, 10 percent other (Hispanic, Filipino, Asian). The new high school near our neighborhood is 65 percent black, with a majority of black teachers. When the time came for the prom this year, the music committee (all black students) …

THE QUESTION: R460: It seems to me that having minority organizations or minority subcommittees of “mainstream” organizations only further points out our differences. How can we accept others and not label them if they are already labeling themselves? POSTED SEPT. 19, 1998 Stacy W., white female, Akron, OH ANSWER 1: In a democracy, the majority is supposed to rule. However, …