A blog on the intersection between the media, diversity and inclusion by Kellye Whitney
So, actor Ray Fisher is in the news. He will officially not be continuing his role as Cyborg in the upcoming movie The Flash, but not because of bad behavior or illness. It appears he’s been fired for being too truthful. The short version is, he called out Justice League director Joss Whedon for racist, abusive behavior on set, and … Continue reading Cyborg Is No More — at Least Not Ray Fisher’s Version
My closest friends know I have a running joke about how in my next life I want to be reincarnated as a white man. I’d like to be 6’3″, fine, with thick, jet black hair, milk pale skin and blue eyes. I mean blue! That spooky, piercing Chris Pine/Paul Newman blue. The rest of me … Continue reading To Avoid Arrest and Death in Cases of Domestic Terrorism, It’s Best to Have Blue Eyes and White Skin
I wanted to be terribly hopeful and happy and excited about 2021, but I confess: I’m more like, meh. Honestly, it feels like just another day, which was, for me, par for the course for 2020. One day ran into the next, and before I knew it, my birthday passed. Then it was fall, and … Continue reading 2021, Cool.
So, Pinterest settled a huge discrimination lawsuit this week. Francoise Brougher, its former chief operating officer, received $22.5M. It’s big. But what’s interesting is that the women who initially brought the discrimination to light received virtually nothing. “Ifeoma Ozoma and Aerica Shimizu Banks went public in June with allegations of racial and gender discrimination, two months before … Continue reading Pinterest Settles Big Discrimination Lawsuit, Ignores Key — Black — Players
So, Google is in the news this week, and not in a good way. The company fired Timnit Gebru, co-leader of its Ethical Artificial Intelligence team, and her release to the marketplace was not amiable. Gebru announced her departure on Twitter after it happened, and immediately made it clear that it was hinky. She said … Continue reading There Are No Winners, Only Losers in the Timnit Gebru-Google Situation
In a word, what’s happening right now in the media, and low key in this country, is a shitshow. It’s like this Fast Company piece from Joe Berkowitz said: “We are heading down a dark path, and laughing all the way about the shoddy paving.” It’s ridiculous, but this is the reality. We are so bogged down … Continue reading The Media Is In Crisis, and It’s Taking America Down with It
So, that person’s refusal to concede the election has me thinking about leadership. Mine, the leaders I’ve encountered in the past, and those I’ve been privileged to work with recently. Self-reflection is really something. I think it’s a mark of maturity — especially when you can do it calmly, with an eye on improvement. Not, say, to … Continue reading Leaders Concede. They Know It’s Not the End, Nor Is It a Sign of Weakness
I was talking to my friend Kate today about my blog topic for the week. Nothing political, we both agreed, and we settled on entertainment. There’s a lot going on — some of it good! Hello, Georgia. We see you, girl — and despite our mutual distaste for some facets of politics these days, we’re … Continue reading Hidden Messages and Cancel Culture: The Whys, Wherefore’s and Whatnots as We Await Word on the Presidency
Trolls are still a thing. Like, a serious thing! It’s so weird, right? It feels kind of pathetic to lash out at strangers online. Or is it just me? I mean, we can see that it’s almost certainly a waste of time. I suppose I should qualify that we. I mean as the more reasonable … Continue reading Social Media Trolling Should Not Be Your Preferred Method of Online Communication
A Life Not Grey 