The Problem with Assimilation

In this rich interview, Dr. Lucretia Berry talks about the age when kids begin to show racial bias, what parents can do to help their kids to be inclusive and not fearful of those who are "different," and how she has taught her own biracial daughters to be culturally competent.

In this warm conversation, I speak with Rod Green, who grew up in a mostly white suburb and is now raising his kids in the same mostly white suburb. He tells us why he decided to stay and how he and his wife work to ground their kids in their identity.

This is a deep, rich conversation with Lara Provencal Capuano, mother of white biological and Black adopted children. She shares her reasons for adopting her sons and the things that she and her husband have learned along the way to help all of their children thrive.

This was a riveting, incredibly informative conversation with Anastasia, who is biracial (Black and white) and Jay, who is ethnically Chinese and culturally French and Chinese! Hear how they navigated some of their cultural differences to build a happy, strong marriage.

SEASON FINALE: In this last episode of Season 7, I talk to Ally Henny, vice president of The Witness: a Black Christian Collective, and author of I Won't Shut Up: Finding Your Voice When the World Tries to Silence You. We talk about her upbringing in rural Missouri, and her journey finding her voice in the wake of Michael Brown's murder.

Here Jenny Thomas tells her fascinating story of being biracial and transracially adopted. She talks about the racism she experienced from her birth mom, and the racial identity instilled in her by her adoptive mom. Hers is a story strength, overcoming and faith.

Here I speak with Dr. LaShunda Leslie-Smith, CEO of Connected Communities, about a better way to lift impoverished communities. Toxic charity is... toxic!

This was such a fantastic conversation with Melody Wollgren, who is biracial Korean. She speaks of growing up trying to assimilate into the white world around her and the emotional dissonance that created.

On this episode, I speak with Author Tasha Jun about her recently released book, "Tell Me the Dream Again: reflections on family, ethnicity and the sacred work of belonging. " She talks about growing up rejecting her Korean heritage, learning to fully embrace it and now raising kids to know who they are. It was a rich, electrifying conversation!

In this episode I talk with author and playwright Monique Franz about the joys and challenges of interracial marriage and the common response of biracial people towards racial injustice.