Chandra | Mixed Roots Stories

Mixed Roots Stories Partners with CMRS

MIXED ROOTS STORIES and CMRS Conference Partner

Mixed Roots Stories is partnering with Critical Mixed Race Studies in bringing arts and cultural programming to the 2014 conference. We are seeking submissions from performing artists and filmmakers whose work explores stories of racial and cultural mixing as a central theme. The overall theme for the 2014 conference is “Global Mixed Race,” and submissions that reflect this will be given special consideration.

We will be screening short films on Thursday evening, November 13, 2014, and holding a live performance showcase on Friday evening, November 14, 2014.

Films:
We are looking for short films under 15 minutes. Your submission should include an online link to your film (private link is fine), a press kit, and a short statement (50 words or less) on how the film addresses the mixed experience and fits the theme “Global Mixed Race” (trailers for feature films will be accepted).

Live performance showcase:

We are looking for stand-up comedy, spoken word, dance, short scenes, monologues, vocalists, musicians – or other forms of live performance. Your piece for the showcase should not be longer than 8 minutes. Your submission should include an online link with no less than a 2 minute preview of exactly what you will present, and a short statement (50 words or less) on how the piece addresses the mixed experience and fits the theme “Global Mixed Race.”

Mixed Roots Stories submission deadline: January 15^th, 2014
Please e-mail Mixed Roots Stories submission materials to: cmrs@depaul.edu

Visit the CMRS website and Facebook page for updates:

http://criticalmixedracestudies.org

https://www.facebook.com/criticalmixedracestudies

We look forward to seeing you in November 2014!!

1918 Interracial Love Story

Handshake between races a over white background

Do you live in AZ or know someone who does? Make sure to check out The Black Theater Troupe’s production of Wedding Band. There are shows Sept 19 at 2pm, Sept 20 at 8pm, Sept 21 at 2pm and 8pm and Sept 22 at 3pm.

Wedding Band is the story of an interracial couple in 1918. Near the end of World War 1, Julia a black woman and Herman a Jewish baker are deeply in love. They have been together for 10 years, despite the very real threat of arrest and criminal punishment under the laws of South Carolina for any interracial couple who marry or live together.

Here is the website to reserve tickets:

http://blacktheatretroupe.org/

WTTF…a modern day Guess Who is Coming To Dinner?

I have seen several previews on TV for NBC’s new comedy Welcome To The Family. I wasn’t too interested until I saw a commercial yesterday that talked about interracial families. The two teenagers in the show were talking about the growing number of multiracial families in America and how they will be one too. I have NOT been able to find the clip anywhere online…but when I do, I will be sure to post it. Now as I look into the storyline more… I see that it is more than a teenage pregnancy story. It is a story of the Yoder and Hernandez families being joined by their teenagers falling in love. A classic Romeo and Juliet plot with a splash of racial and cultural differences. Though it is nice to see the presence of multiracial families on TV, I am not surprised that it again will be under an unwelcomed relationship, and child. We will have to stay tuned to see how the story unfolds…

http://www.nbc.com/welcome-to-the-family/

Mixed Character Takes On Comic Books

Have you heard? Miles Morales (African American and Puerto Rican) takes over for Spider Man in the Marvel comic series. He currently has appeared in 90 issues. It will be interesting to track how they portray Miles’ mixed story with an extra layer of super hero.

You can read more about his character, here on Comic Vine: http://www.comicvine.com/miles-morales/4005-79420/

And here in an article written by mixed author Marcia Dawkins: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marcia-alesan-dawkins/marvels-mixed-race-ultima_b_917442.html

Actor breaks silence about being Mixed!

How much are multiracial stories influenced by family/extended family?

Obviously family has influence…but to the point of silence? This story left me with so many questions! I would love to read the script…and better yet sit down and have coffee with Tom Sizemore. Sizemore chose to “modern day pass” as White after his grandfather, who did not like “white folk” told him to “never reveal his mixed-race heritage to anyone in Hollywood if he wanted to become a bona fide movie star.” Well, now he has chosen to break his silence by telling his grandfather’s story, and in turn part of his own through the storytelling vehicle of theater. How have your family/extended family shaped your mixed race story?

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2011/02/tom-sizemore-one-man-show-geffen.html

Congrats Mixed Up Clothing!

Congratulations to Sonia Kang founder of Mixed Up clothing. Her children’s clothing line that focuses on “building friendships through fabrics” has been nominated for a Red Tricycle 2013 Totally Awesome Award. Winners will be announced Sept 1^st. Sonia and Mixed Up clothing has been featured on the Today show and has a new collaboration with Chocolate Me (written by Taye Diggs). Tia Mowry-Hardict clothes her son in Mixed Up clothing, you can find out more about where to get Mixed Up clothing at http://www.mixedupclothing.com/. Mixed Nation http://mixednation.com/ has teamed up with Mixed Up clothing for a giveaway. Click here to enter to win: https://www.wf-site.com/microsite/pages/cca80757deead6e8

Sonia and Mixed Up Clothing: Keep up the good work, sharing the mixed race story through your creative design of apparel for children.