Living Color is the first book to investigate the social history of skin color from prehistory to the present, showing how our body’s most visible trait influences our social interactions in profound and complex ways. In a fascinating and wide-ranging discussion, Nina G. Jablonski begins with the biology and evolution of skin pigmentation, explaining how skin color changed as humans moved around the globe. She explores the relationship between melanin pigment and sunlight, and examines the consequences of rapid migrations, vacations, and other lifestyle choices that can create mismatches between our skin color and our environment. Richly illustrated, this book explains why skin color has come to be a biological trait with great social meaning— a product of evolution perceived by culture. It considers how we form impressions of others, how we create and use stereotypes, how negative stereotypes about dark skin developed and have played out through history—including being a basis for the transatlantic slave trade. Offering examples of how attitudes about skin color differ in the U.S., Brazil, India, and South Africa, Jablonski suggests that a knowledge of the evolution and social importance of skin color can help eliminate color-based discrimination and racism.
“A fascinating inside look at the trailblazing series” (Entertainment Tonight)—discover the behind-the-scenes stories and lasting impact of the trailblazing sketch comedy show that upended television, launched the careers of some of our biggest stars, and changed the way we talk, think, and laugh about race: In Living Color. Few television shows revolutionized comedy as profoundly or have had such an enormous and continued impact on our culture as In Living Color. Inspired by Richard Pryor, Carol Burnett, and Eddie Murphy, Keenen Ivory Wayans created a television series unlike any that had come before it. Along the way, he introduced the world to Jamie Foxx, Jim Carrey, David Alan Grier, Rosie Perez, and Jennifer Lopez, not to mention his own brothers Damon, Marlon, and Shawn Wayans. In Living Color shaped American culture in ways both seen and unseen, and was part of a sea change that moved black comedy and hip-hop culture from the shadows into the spotlight. Now, the “in-depth, well-researched” (Library Journal, starred review) Homey Don’t Play That reveals the complete, captivating story of how In Living Color overcame enormous odds to become a major, zeitgeist-seizing hit. Through exclusive interviews with the cast, writers, producers, and network executives, this insightful and entertaining chronicle follows the show’s ups and downs, friendships and feuds, tragedies and triumphs, sketches and scandals, the famous and the infamous, unveiling a vital piece of history in the evolution of comedy, television, and black culture.
Recent media events like the beating of Rodney King and the murder trial of O.J. Simpson have trained our collective eye on the televised spectacle of race. LIVING COLOR combines media studies, cultural studies, and critical race theory to investigate the representation of race on American television. LIVING COLOR makes explicit the centrality of race and ethnicity to American life. 54 photos.
Published to coincide with "The NBC 75th Anniversary Special, " this striking, full-color book delivers a nostalgic panorama of the news events, personalities, characters and programs that have punctuated American life since 1926 when NBC debuted on radio.
In Living Color: An Anthology of Contemporary Student Writings on Race is a compilation of recent college student perspectives from La Salle University on the contentious and deeply divisive issue of race in the United States of America. Collected between 2014-2017, the works offer a broad range of reflections on race, privilege, prejudice, and systemic racism witnessed and experienced by university students today. Through writings composed both inside and outside their coursework, students share their voices in multiple genres-including research articles, poetry, personal essays, artwork, and multimedia projects. Faculty and staff introductions provide scholarly frameworks for the students' experiences and represent many disciplines across the university. At the heart of this book is a commitment to the principles of student-centered learning and social justice that pervade education in the Lasallian tradition. This anthology contains works appropriate to assign in college-level classes across the curriculum, in both undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as in high schools. Whether you teach within arts and sciences, business, nursing and health sciences, or other fields, In Living Color contains readings relevant to your classes. While created in the context of a Lasallian school, this text could be used productively by any university or high school educators interested in amplifying students' voices about race. Readings in this book can be assigned for faculty development activities, student organizations, campus and community events, and themed initiatives including student retreats and orientations. This important and timely collection invites us all as citizens of the world to enter into conversation with the student, faculty and staff authors, continuing the challenging but necessary work performed within these pages. The elephant in every college classroom is race. This volume does three things. First, it dares to broach this taboo subject. Second, it shows the elephantine nature of race by illustrating how it looms over the lives of students, faculty and all Americans. Third and most significantly, In Living Color is a how-to manual for discussing race in a sensitive, honest and productive way. You and your students need this book. --Dr. Brian J. Jones, Professor of Sociology, Villanova University, Villanova, PA As I read In Living Color: An Anthology of Contemporary Student Writings on Race, I found myself wishing that I were teaching a course in college theology, history, sociology, literature, psychology or music! I would love to have had such a resource on hand for students as I constructed a unit or even a course on issues relating to race and other forms of discrimination. The essays and poetry are provocative and evocative, challenging and enlightening. The additional material provided by the faculty including both essays from their specific disciplines and suggestions for using the material in each chapter make this a most valuable book. I highly recommend its use. I can even imagine using it with AP high school students. Doctors Reardon, Schoen and Longo deserve our gratitude for this contribution to conversations that we desperately need. --Dr. Honora Werner, OP, Associate Professor and Director, Doctor of Ministry in Preaching Program, Aquinas Institute of Theology, St. Louis, MO
In his holistic and intercultural re-visioning of pastoral care and counselling, Emmanuel Lartey attempts to capture the complex nature of the interaction between people who have been influenced by different cultures, religions, social contexts, origins and gender. He examines various models of pastoral care, drawing on experiences, reflections and theories from the 'Third World', and appraises the International Council for Pastoral Care and Counselling founded in 1979. He examines approaches to pastoral care that draw on liberationist perspectives from Latin America, Asia and Africa; feminist theology, womanism and Black theology. A contemporary spirituality is discussed which draws on different religious traditions including African, Eastern, Semitic and Western. Ultimately, this book aims to make pastoral care and counselling more relevant to the multicultural contexts within which most pastoral practitioners now live.
"We would never give Picasso a paintbrush and only one color of paint, and expect a masterpiece," writes Randy Woodley. "We would not give Beethoven a single piano key and say, 'Play us a concerto.' Yet we limit our Creator in just these ways." Though our Christian experience is often blandly monochromatic, God intends for us to live in dynamic, multihued communities that embody his vibrant creativity. Randy Woodley, a Keetowah Cherokee, casts a biblical, multiethnic vision for people of every nation, tribe and tongue. He carefully unpacks how Christians should think about racial and cultural identity, demonstrating that ethnically diverse communities have always been God's intent for his people. Woodley gives practical insights for how we can relate to one another with sensitivity, contextualize the gospel, combat the subtleties of racism, and honor one another's unique contributions to church and society. Along the way, he reckons with difficult challenges from our racially painful history and offers hope for healing and restoration. With profound wisdom from his own Native American heritage and experience, Woodley's voice adds a distinctive perspective to contemporary discussions of racial reconciliation and multiethnicity. Here is a biblical vision for unity in diversity.
