Tag Archives: race

rocks at my window

Posted on September 25, 2010 by Linnea Ashley

Iganga Town, Uganda September 25, 2010 They smiled at me through my open window, me splayed out in the bed watching a movie on my laptop. I’d just pulled my earplugs out because I…I guess I heard them coming. Our … Continue reading →

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mad mzungo

Posted on September 5, 2010 by Linnea Ashley

September 4, 2010 Iganga Town, Uganda I was fuming. My mind working out possible solutions to a work problem. The sun glaring down on me, perspiration filming salty and shiny on my top lip. The ground, uneven and muddy, passed … Continue reading →

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colonial me

Posted on August 21, 2010 by Linnea Ashley

August 21, 2010 Iganga Town, Uganda I haven’t mastered this pseudo post-colonial era in africa. In truth, this is my first true interaction with the way things probably were. I have a high fence with broken bottles glittering in the … Continue reading →

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foreign in language

Posted on February 1, 2010 by Linnea Ashley

“how old is he?” The he in question was toddling about, intermittently crying for no particular reason and grinning at me from behind his cohort Samuel. “he is two.” “and…?” I pointed at Samuel. “he is 18 months. Breastfed,” my … Continue reading →

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united colors of benetton

Posted on January 13, 2010 by Linnea Ashley

We were the United Colors of Benetton. Indian, Korea, Malaysian, Black…Christian, Sikh, Heathen…the comfort was in the differences that somehow made us the same. And that was my reality through high school – until I made a conscious decision to … Continue reading →

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white woman

Posted on January 13, 2010 by Linnea Ashley

“whi wom…whi wom…” they followed me for a ways down the path., as much a greeting as a declaration. To the throng of excited children assembled, I am a “whi wom” – white woman. Some Liberians have explained it as … Continue reading →

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protest or riot

Posted on January 7, 2009 by Linnea Ashley

the thing is…it does more damage. not simply to property, although the blazing cars and crushed car and business windows show proof of that, but of lives. fourteen arrests so far and what does that mean for young brown people. … Continue reading →

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profiling

Posted on January 2, 2009 by Linnea Ashley

the rain wasn’t coming down hard but it was persistent. i draped my letter jacket, leather side down, on the soaking parking lot and squinted in the waning light looking for the locked lugnut so i could remove the flat … Continue reading →

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conflicted

Posted on May 2, 2008 by Linnea Ashley

i’ve wanted to write for more than a week. so many things going on personally and beyond…but a friend of mine sent me this video and i finally got the chance to sit down and watch it…take 11 minutes and … Continue reading →

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ears wide shut

Posted on March 26, 2008 by Linnea Ashley

i’ve been stewing. i didn’t start off this way. at first i was panicked. turning on my television last tuesday morning i caught the blue ticker tape running under a video of obama. “obama talks about race today”. i cringed … Continue reading →

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