Category: White People

How Do You Two Know Each Other?

“How do you two know each other?” That question never fails to surface when I’m out socially with one of my friends that happens to be white. Scratch that—that question always surfaces when I’m out with one of my friends that happen to be white. I know a majority of you find it an innocent... Read more »
By Woodlawn Wonder,
February 17, 2016 at 2:30 pm • 

Racial Missteps Aren’t Just For White People

We’ve all done it, haven’t we? We’ve all said something that was so breathtakingly racially or culturally insensitive, that you can barely believe it came out of your mouth. God knows I’ve made my fair number of embarrassing racial missteps. Like the time I told a blue eyed, blond haired Latina that she didn’t look... Read more »
By Woodlawn Wonder,
April 30, 2015 at 5:04 pm • 

What Do Ferguson and The South Side Have In Common? Nothing.

As our collective national debate swirls around the events in Ferguson and Cleveland, I have a simple story to tell. A story that illustrates why race still matters and why we as a nation have difficulty advancing towards a meaningful dialogue on the subject. Wednesday I was making arrangements with a long time friend about... Read more »
By Woodlawn Wonder,
November 30, 2014 at 1:34 pm • 
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Halloween Blackface Evolution: Jay Z & Beyonce

Pro tip:  If you want to pay homage to your favorite black celebrity or sports figure via your Halloween costume, THIS is the way to do it: (H/T on the image to Vibe Vixen) The unidentified couple on the right really has the Jay Z and Beyonce look down without darkening their skin.  Creative, appropriate... Read more »
By Woodlawn Wonder,
October 29, 2014 at 7:19 am • 

Blackface On Halloween---Again

I knew it was coming.   It does every Halloween. There’s always some offensive blackface costume followed by denials of racism with a side of righteous indignation for people to “lighten up.” Then the perpetrators claim to not understand why their witty costume caused such an uproar—usually after they lose their jobs or have been publicly... Read more »
By Woodlawn Wonder,
October 27, 2014 at 7:05 am • 

White Gentrification In Chicago: Why Not Woodlawn?

In my previous post a sharp eyed reader asked me why I didn’t recommend my own neighborhood of Woodlawn to a young woman inquiring about moving to Chicago. The reader raised a very good point. I wrote back to her with the following reply: XXXX, Now that’s a head scratcher. And an excellent question. Because... Read more »
By Woodlawn Wonder,
February 25, 2014 at 5:00 am • 
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White Gentrification In Chicago: My Response

Yesterday, I posted a letter from a reader who was concerned about potentially gentrifying neighborhoods of color when she moves to Chicago. Her issue is that gentrification will raise rents and property values making it increasingly expensive for families who have been there for years—or in some cases generations–and they’ll be priced out of the... Read more »
By Woodlawn Wonder,
February 13, 2014 at 6:00 am • 

White Gentrification In Chicago

Before anyone gets all huffy, the title of this post is exactly what was in the subject line of the email I received from a reader last month. How could I not open that email and take a look? The reader writes: Hi, I’ve been trying to research gentrification history in Chicago and came across... Read more »
By Woodlawn Wonder,
February 12, 2014 at 11:56 am • 

Why Would A White Person Move Into A Black Neighborhood?

Haven’t you ever wondered what motivates a white person to move into a black neighborhood? I have. As the weather breaks and long lost neighbors return to outdoor activities, I see my white neighbors and I start to wonder. I start to wonder about their personal story. I start to wonder how they found their... Read more »
By Woodlawn Wonder,
April 26, 2013 at 6:41 am • 
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