Lessons I do not want to teach my children–about Dharun Ravi, Trayvon Martin, Shaima Alawadi

Thursday, April 12th, 2012

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After Indian American Rutgers student Dharun Ravi was convicted of bias intimidation, I sent the very long New Yorker article about the case to my teenagers so that they can understand what kind of digital footprint they leave whenever they do anything online, and to remind them that regardless of what they might actually be doing, they need to be aware that sometimes those actions may be perceived quite differently by others, including people who do not understand technology and culture, including people with power.

Linsanity’s Impact on My Son

Wednesday, March 14th, 2012

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I missed the first week of Linsanity because I was caught up in fighting the racist China-fear-mongering Pete Hoekstra political ad that aired during the Superbowl.

Explaining History and Racism to Grandpa

Friday, January 27th, 2012

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The importance of understanding history and politics in raising multicultural kids.

Racism in the Extended Family on the Holidays

Monday, December 5th, 2011

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The Sunday after Thanksgiving is the day we gratefully drive back to our own home in our own town with our own way of doing things, and are stuck in the car together for hours and have no choice but to talk to each other. I call it the post-holiday debriefing (and I recommend this in my Multicultural Toolbox workshops as one strategy for combating racism and intolerance in the extended family).

Distant Relatives versus Nearby Friends on Thanksgiving

Wednesday, November 9th, 2011

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My parents say that there is a Chinese saying (there is always a Chinese saying) about how distant relatives are not as good as nearby friends.

Ode to Halloween Costumes, Plus a Warning about Bad Ones

Wednesday, October 12th, 2011

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Growing up in the age of Farrah Fawcett, I knew that one had to be blond in order to be beautiful, by definition. However, once a year, I could be whatever I wanted to be, travel backwards and forwards in history and literature. It was also a chance to pretend to be pretty and show off how smart I could be.

The Unexpected Joys of Parenting Teens

Wednesday, August 31st, 2011

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I never knew I would enjoy the humor and light breezy spirit of teenagers so much. When the kids were little, I was so afraid of what these teenage years would bring.

Rhythms of the Season

Thursday, August 11th, 2011

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After a long trip away from home, one of the first things I always do upon our return is take all the kids to buy groceries at our favorite Chinese grocery store. I love watching them zip around, squealing as they load up our basket, “Ooooh! It’s been so long since we’ve had cong you bing!”

Celebrating Japanese Culture with the Obon Dance

Thursday, July 7th, 2011

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Celebrating Japanese culture with the obon dance—just follow the old aunties

Islam and Child Discipline: Is Hitting Ever Ok?

Thursday, June 23rd, 2011

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In the past, when I have written about Islam’s perspective on child discipline, I described it as one where gentleness is preferred according to the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the examples set during his own life.

Crime Without Punishment: Why the Death of Vincent Chin Resonates Today

Tuesday, May 31st, 2011

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Before I came to Michigan for graduate school, the only thing I knew about Michigan was that it was where Vincent Chin was killed. My parents’ Japanese-American neighbors warned me to sell my father’s Toyota 4Runner and buy a Ford Bronco. I asked about safety as much as I did about academics before I decided to come.

Mother’s Day in Mandarin at the Chinese Speech Tournament

Saturday, April 30th, 2011

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My daughter Hao Hao was once a timid child who cried at every little thing. She even got kicked out of sports camp because she dissolved into a flood of tears every time she got “out” in softball or tag. Once when she was at Leslie Science Center, she cried on a hike through the woods because she was afraid of the spider webs on the trail.

Sorting through the varied hues of Easter – cultural or religious holiday?

Thursday, March 31st, 2011

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Because I went to Catholic Schools, I had no idea that there was more to Easter than Easter Mass.

Reading, sharing, curating and subverting books to expand the definition of normal

Monday, February 28th, 2011

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I just finished reading Lac Su’s memoir, “I Love Yous are for White People,” a story about growing up poor and Vietnamese American in Los Angeles dodging gangs, alcohol and an abusive father.

So what’s the big deal about sleepovers, anyhow?

Monday, January 31st, 2011

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On my 16th birthday, a blond classmate was shocked to discover that I would not also, automatically, be allowed to date. “But it’s a Constitutional right that you are allowed to date when you turn 16.”

Living in harmony in a great world house on Martin Luther King Day

Sunday, January 2nd, 2011

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I sometimes think that one reason some people resist multiculturalism and resent diversity is that it is simply not easy to live together with other people. It is no fun to compromise. It is challenging to understand and overcome difference.

Is Christmas any less Christian if you put up a Bodhi Day tree?

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

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I nearly scared my children to death with the pronouncement, “Now that weire Buddhist, maybe we shouldn’t celebrate Christmas anymore.”

Introduction to Adventures in Multicultural Living: The Project Explained

Monday, November 1st, 2010

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It all started when my husband first asked me to marry him.

I said, “Under one condition, that we never live in the Midwest.”

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