Emmy and Peabody Award-winning journalist Michele Norris discusses her book on race and shares powerful replies from ordinary Americans. They talk about unequal adoption fees based on skin color, racial challenges, the importance of diversity, and American racial history.
The book 'Our Hidden Conversations' reveals Americans' thoughts on race, including the challenging truths surrounding adoption and skin color variations.
Diversity is not about lowering standards but widening opportunities for everyone and acknowledging that talent is equally distributed while opportunities are not.
Deep dives
Engaging Conversations about Race and Identity
Michelle Norris, a journalist and author, discusses her book 'Our Hidden Conversations' which delves into Americans' thoughts about race and identity. She initiated the conversation by distributing postcards that said 'race, your thoughts' with instructions to share six words on the topic. Over 500,000 postcards were received, revealing a desire for open discussions on race that moved beyond headlines and included personal experiences. Norris highlights one particular story about the cost variations in adopting children based on their skin color, shedding light on the challenging and often uncomfortable truths surrounding race.
Diversity and Standards
Norris challenges misconceptions about diversity and its importance in America. She emphasizes that diversity is not about lowering standards but about widening opportunities for everyone. By creating diverse spaces, it allows for a larger pool of talent, acknowledging that talent is equally distributed while opportunities are not. Norris discusses the resistance to diversity programs and the teaching of American racial history, emphasizing the necessity of understanding and confronting the nation's history and not attempting to outrun it.
The Impact of Family Kitchens
Norris shares insights from her podcast 'Your Mama's Kitchen,' where she interviews notable individuals about their family kitchens and what they grew up with. The discussions often touch on identity formation, as the kitchen serves as a place for nourishment, arguments, and laughter. Norris invites guests to recall their favorite childhood dish and shares her own story of Friday fish sticks smothered in condensed tomato soup. Through these conversations, she highlights the significance of family kitchens in shaping personal stories and memories.
“Underneath, We All Taste Like Chicken” - Emmy and Peabody Award-winning journalist, author and podcast host Michele Norris shares some of the poignant replies she received when she asked ordinary Americans to write six words about race. Michele’s latest book, “Our Hidden Conversations,” is available now.