Introducing Two New Special Correspondents!
by Latoya Peterson
It is with great pleasure that I am able to introduce you to the two newest additions to the Racialicious team!
Thea Lim
Our first new correspondent is the fabulous Thea Lim, who I shamelessly harassed to write for our blog until she finally gave in and became part of the team!
Thea Lim lives in Toronto where she does communication work for a not-for-profit women’s health advocacy group, and tries to convince people to read her novel, The Same Woman. Her writing has been published by Second Story Press, the Utne Reader, and Canadian Woman Studies/les cahier de la femme and she helped establish the Shameless Magazine blog. In January she is moving to Houston to do her MFA, and she has a soft spot for Ne-Yo.
AJ Plaid
Our second fabulous addition has a very special job. I will expand upon the reason for this in the Editrix Letter, but AJ Plaid has the distinction of being Racialicious’ first Sexual Correspondent.
Andrea (AJ) Plaid runs The Cruel Secretary, where she blogs about race, gender, and sex. She’s also a contributor at Michelle Obama Watch. Sex has served as a leitmotif throughout her life ever since she saw her late father’s porn magazine collection at a young age.
Andrea has written about HPV, African-Americans and vegetarianism, and her hometown’s artist scene for various publications. She’s written reviews about DVDs concerning sex and sexualities for the Library Journal. She has been quoted in the Washington Post and Chicago Tribune regarding the decline of the NAACP, African Americans’ protectiveness toward Senator Barack Obama, and the rift between white feminists and feminists of color in defending Michelle Obama against racist and sexist media attacks. Andrea was born, reared, and received her liberal arts degree. concentrating on Women’s Studies, in Ohio. She obtained a master’s degree in librarianship, where she wrote an independent study about founding and maintaining a sex-positive library, in Boston, MA. She currently lives and dances salsa in Brooklyn, NY.
Please help me welcome Thea and Andrea to the team!
Carmen Van Kerckhove is co-founder and president of 
Brigitte wrote:
Welcome ladies! I cannot wait to read your contributions to the site!
Posted 28 Jul 2008 at 11:30 am ¶
geo wrote:
Welcome aboard, Ladies!
I’m anxious to read you all’s upcoming contributions.
Posted 28 Jul 2008 at 11:31 am ¶
cosmicsistren wrote:
Welcome!!!
Posted 28 Jul 2008 at 11:43 am ¶
Fiqah wrote:
WHOO-HOO! Go, AJ! Happy dance time!
Posted 28 Jul 2008 at 11:44 am ¶
Lyonside wrote:
Welcome to both of you!
Posted 28 Jul 2008 at 11:49 am ¶
SarahSimone wrote:
Welcome. I’m really looking forward to reading what you have to say!
Posted 28 Jul 2008 at 11:50 am ¶
Deena wrote:
Welcome to you both! I’ve enjoyed your guest contributions, so I look forward to your upcoming posts.
Back to lurking!
Posted 28 Jul 2008 at 12:19 pm ¶
C-Marsh wrote:
Welcome!!!! I look forward to some interesting articles!!
Posted 28 Jul 2008 at 12:20 pm ¶
Jas wrote:
Welcome. Always nice to get some new perspectives.
Posted 28 Jul 2008 at 12:33 pm ¶
G.D. wrote:
*golf claps*
Posted 28 Jul 2008 at 12:38 pm ¶
Persia wrote:
Two awesome picks, IMO. Hooray!
Posted 28 Jul 2008 at 12:41 pm ¶
Fatemeh wrote:
YAAAAAY!
WELCOME, LADIES!!! Your input here has been really great, so I’m glad to see you become official!
Posted 28 Jul 2008 at 12:46 pm ¶
Ali wrote:
Woot Woot! TCS! Can’t wait! Welcome ladies!
Posted 28 Jul 2008 at 1:00 pm ¶
The Cruel Secretary wrote:
::steps through doors, hears clapping, talking, and dancing::
@ everyone–I’ll let Thea speak for her badass self. For me, thank you all for your well wishes. I feel welcomed already!
::wicked smiles at Persia and winks at La Editrix::
@ Persia–hmmm, I feel part of my perks as the new Sexual Correspondent should be doing something deep with Sendhil Ramamurthy, don’t you?
::goes to the turntable, throws on some Fania All Stars, and dances with Fiqah::
Posted 28 Jul 2008 at 1:11 pm ¶
hello my name is cat wrote:
Welcome ladies! I’m really excited about continuing to hear more of your perspectives.
Posted 28 Jul 2008 at 1:31 pm ¶
Jennifer Gandin Le wrote:
Fantastic news! Every time I see these ladies’ bylines at the top of a post here, I know I’m in for a treat, so I’m psyched that we’ll be seeing much more of them.
And congrats on your future move to Houston, Thea! That’s my hometown (I live in Austin now), and although it’s got its quirks and issues, it also has a lot to give, including endless incredible Viet food, the entire Montrose neighborhood, and cheap Tex-Mex food.
Posted 28 Jul 2008 at 1:36 pm ¶
gatamala wrote:
I’m glad I can freely express myself physically.
*flips bottle, pours 3 shots*
gulp…DAMN!!!
*wipes mouth with sleeve*
glad yall are here
Posted 28 Jul 2008 at 2:06 pm ¶
Black Canseco wrote:
Cruel Secretary,
I tend to disagree with you a bit—all the more reason to look forward to regular features from you! yippee!
Posted 28 Jul 2008 at 2:08 pm ¶
Joseph wrote:
@TCS
Yes, definitely: PVC catsuit.
Posted 28 Jul 2008 at 2:38 pm ¶
drispe wrote:
Is it just me, or is there a feminine slant here? The “staff” seems to get on without regular male contributors. Since you constantly examine race, I would think that both halves of the world’s population could get in on the act.
Posted 28 Jul 2008 at 2:39 pm ¶
Latoya Peterson wrote:
@drispe -
Yup, the feminine slant is intentional. I spent the entire weekend surrounded by the fabulous femmes of the Women’s Media Center and the stats for women on op-ed pages, television, in major positions within the media and in most of our chosen fields are abysmal.
It’s not even close to the kind of representation we should deserve - 3% of media higher ups are women, though we are 51% of the population. Women are more likely to be one time only contributors to talk panels, are only 8-15% of contributors to the op-ed section (even on WOMEN’S ISSUES, which are still dominated by male voices) and are still seen as optional, irrational, or shrill in most sections of the media, both new and legacy.
So, just like this is a predominantly PoC space, it will also remain a predominantly femme run space. While we have wonderful and talented men who comment here and contribute (did you forget about Luke Lee, Sewere, and Merq?) as well as blog buddies who we quote and cross post from, with things the way they are, I’m keeping it girly.
Now, let me ask you this - how many comments have you posted in predominantly male spaces asking where are all the women?
Posted 28 Jul 2008 at 2:48 pm ¶
Daomadan wrote:
Welcome! I’m looking forward to what you have to say.
Posted 28 Jul 2008 at 3:13 pm ¶
Thea wrote:
Oh! Thanks for the warm welcome! So excited to be part of the fambly
Posted 28 Jul 2008 at 3:25 pm ¶
The Cruel Secretary wrote:
::blows kisses at everyone::
@ Black Canseco–Yippee! I tend to disagree with your perspective as well.:-D As long as we are civil about it, I’m cool. Dig?
@ Latoya–snap-tastic response, friend.
@ gatamala–I. Heart. You.
@ Joseph–::wicked, wicked smile::
::grabs Joseph for a spin on the dance floor::
Posted 28 Jul 2008 at 3:40 pm ¶
FranSky wrote:
I may be totally off but I got the feeling from listening recently to one of these two contributors, that there may be a touch of homophobia in her views. I know this is a blog on race, but often intersectionality is brought up & I think it may be important to be aware of readers who don’t carry a heterosexist view of race in pop culture.
I wish the new contributors success!
~F
Mod Note - Please email me with specifics. - LDP
Posted 28 Jul 2008 at 4:34 pm ¶
drispe wrote:
Latoya,
Whatever Luke Lee, Sewere, and Merq might have contributed in the past isn’t evident in the home page’s available posts(going back several days). First impressions… I just find it ironic that people who would otherwise strive for diversity rein it in to right the wrongs they’ve suffered. It’s refreshing that you at least admit to it, though. During my regular visits to sites comprised of contributions by both genders, I don’t notice one outweighing the other. Sorry I can’t help with the “gotcha”.
Posted 28 Jul 2008 at 4:36 pm ¶
Free wrote:
Welcome Ladies. I look forward to reading and learning from both of you.
To Ms. Plaid: We share the same “leitmotif,” except the collection belonged to my later mother. I’ve been wondering who you are, so nice to know.
Posted 28 Jul 2008 at 5:20 pm ¶
bdsista wrote:
Yay another Librarian on board, even tho I work at a lowly middle school in Maryland….
“Juggles books in the air with glee!”
Oh, I get Joseph next…where the hell is my catsuit?
Posted 28 Jul 2008 at 5:22 pm ¶
sfsinger wrote:
Further reasons to love this blog!
Posted 28 Jul 2008 at 5:27 pm ¶
TierList E wrote:
Awesome! I’ve always liked what you guy’ve written and I can’t way to see more. Congrats!
Posted 28 Jul 2008 at 5:51 pm ¶
Latoya Peterson wrote:
@drispe -
First impressions… I just find it ironic that people who would otherwise strive for diversity rein it in to right the wrongs they’ve suffered.
You know, I hear that same argument about white writers on this site…
My answer is still the same, and best summed up in this statement from Resist Racism:
Sanctuary is not segregation.
In so many movements, women of color are marginalized. MoC and White Women tend to dominate the conversations. Black women are an afterthought. Women of color of other backgrounds are rarely mentioned at all, outside of a “victim of her culture” narrative.
I am not going to apologize for maintaining one space on the internet that will put us first.
On that note, that doesn’t mean that we will never explore men’s issues, just like that doesn’t mean I won’t post things written by whites. But men - and white folks - aren’t really hurting for a place where they are heard and respected.
It’s refreshing that you at least admit to it, though.
If it’s intentional, no reason not to cop to it.
During my regular visits to sites comprised of contributions by both genders, I don’t notice one outweighing the other. Sorry I can’t help with the “gotcha”.
I can’t help you either. I’ve edited out what I read and it generally comes from a PoC perspective, most of that is women dominated or collaborative group blog. So outside of Talking Points Memo and newsfeeds I don’t really go to spaces that would give me that kind of headache.
(Oh, along those lines, if anyone knows of a good female run hip-hop blog, let me know.)
Posted 28 Jul 2008 at 5:57 pm ¶
Marge Twain wrote:
Wow…AJ/TCS and Thea Lim? I’m very excited to read more from you both. It looks like ya’ll have plenty of fans but I’d like to chime in with more congratulations!
::
“The “staff” seems to get on without regular male contributors. ”
I’m with drispe in that I find it extrordinary that you ladies appear to have a wildly popular blog here and you apparantly have engineered some method of typing without the use of penises.
Posted 28 Jul 2008 at 6:05 pm ¶
Marge Twain wrote:
@TCS: I’d like to “do something deep” with Sendhil Ramamurthy
Posted 28 Jul 2008 at 6:09 pm ¶
The Cruel Secretary wrote:
@ bdsista–friend, though I have a librarian’s degree, I’m not a librarian. After grad school, I realized that it’s not the profession I wanted to be in. So, I’m not.
As for Joseph…
::spins Joseph to bdsista, puts on some Poncho Sanchez/Celia Cruz remix, and triple-dances with Free, TierListE, and gatamala::
Posted 28 Jul 2008 at 6:14 pm ¶
Latoya Peterson wrote:
@Marge -
We type with our P-Mates. It works the same way.
Posted 28 Jul 2008 at 6:23 pm ¶
The Cruel Secretary wrote:
@ Marge Twain–Sendhil would have to wear the PVC, though.:-D
Posted 28 Jul 2008 at 6:41 pm ¶
wendi muse wrote:
welcome, y´all and parabens!!!!
i´ll be sure to continue reading from brazil!!!
Posted 28 Jul 2008 at 7:47 pm ¶
Katie wrote:
Link the TCS’s blog is not working!!! Waaaah!
Posted 28 Jul 2008 at 9:31 pm ¶
Alexandra wrote:
I late to the party but welcome and I look forward to reading both your posts.
Posted 28 Jul 2008 at 11:24 pm ¶
Winn wrote:
I’m thrilled at this announcement! Two of my favourite contributors posting regularly: now that’s something to celebrate! TCS, I’m like you: got a second master’s in counseling after deciding library sciences wasn’t quite the right home for me. But I still think librarians are the shit! Your pithy and informed statements on the last ep of ATR are proof that the some of the coolest people spent a lot of time in the stacks!
Posted 28 Jul 2008 at 11:29 pm ¶
waxghost wrote:
Katie, I noticed that too, but if you click on her name, it takes you right to it.
I’ve enjoyed and learned through TCS’ comments in the past and can’t wait to see what Thea Lim has to say too. *raises a glass to both*
Posted 29 Jul 2008 at 12:12 am ¶
Prometheus wrote:
I hadn’t really noticed before that there seem to mostly women readers and contributors. Anywho, I’m a man and I’m glad to welcome your two new contributors!
Posted 29 Jul 2008 at 12:42 am ¶
Persia wrote:
@TCS– according to my friends who were at San Diego Comic Con, we are going to have a lot to talk about this fall!
Posted 29 Jul 2008 at 6:45 am ¶
EvilAngelfish wrote:
Welcome, AJ and Thea! Looking forward to more of your contributions!
Posted 29 Jul 2008 at 7:16 am ¶
EvilAngelfish wrote:
@#26
There was a cross-post from Jay Smooth on the 23rd, a cross-post from Zuky on the 18th, a post from Jafari Sinclaire Allen on the 16th…perhaps you should have scrolled down a bit more or clicked the ‘earlier posts’ arrow to see representatives of the other half of the population “getting in on the act.”
And speaking of impressions, are you bothered by the feminine slant?
Posted 29 Jul 2008 at 7:36 am ¶
The Cruel Secretary wrote:
::gets up from bed, rubs eyes, sees commenters flopped on bed and floor, eases from room::
@ Persia–oooo, for real? If my eyes weren’t deceiving me, I could have sworn Mohinder was getting some sugah in the “Heroes” trailer I saw pre-”Dark Knight” showing I attended this past weekend. (Since I wasn’t hired as the body/stunt double for that scene, I can’t say for sure.;-)) And, after previewing “Akira’s Hip Hop Shop,” I think James Kyson Lee (”Ando”) needs to have a “get some sugah in every episode” clause in his contract.
Posted 29 Jul 2008 at 8:29 am ¶
Ailurophile wrote:
Welcome Thea, welcome AJ! I look forward to reading your contributions!
Posted 29 Jul 2008 at 9:44 am ¶
untitleme wrote:
Hello to Ms. Lim and Ms. Plaid!!
Posted 29 Jul 2008 at 12:18 pm ¶
deb wrote:
Welcome ladies! Hope you will enjoy contributing as much I as I enjoy this site.
I really liked the recent sex and race edition of ATR! AJ you have to guest host again. :thumbsup:
btw, AJ any plans on interviewing crunk-ass d*ckologist Alexyss K. Tylor?
Posted 29 Jul 2008 at 12:25 pm ¶
The Cruel Secretary wrote:
@ everyone–y’all are too, too wonderful. Hugs on the house!
@ deb–Latoya and I tossed around some ideas and possible guest contributors; Tylor’s name didn’t come up on the short list, as they say. At least, not yet.;-)
As for doing another ATR, that’s entirely up to Carmen. I’m not sure about the logistics of this, but, IMHO, a fun ATR would be a roundtable discussion with the Racialicious team. But again, that’s up to Carmen–and the rest of the team.
Posted 29 Jul 2008 at 1:45 pm ¶
jmn wrote:
Welcome to the team! I look forward to reading your insights! =)
Posted 29 Jul 2008 at 2:17 pm ¶
BlkWmBlowTheTrumpet! wrote:
Congratulations AJ!
Her blog has wonderful writing and thoughtful discussions!
Peace, blessings and DUNAMIS!
Lisa
Posted 30 Jul 2008 at 4:23 am ¶
Persia wrote:
@TCS– I don’t know about sugar, but he’s definitely gonna have stuff to do. I accused my friends who were at Comic-Con of making it all up but they promised they haven’t!
Posted 30 Jul 2008 at 9:18 am ¶
Dan wrote:
Welcome Thea and AJ! I look forward to reading your commentary.
Posted 30 Jul 2008 at 10:13 am ¶
Yemisi Blake wrote:
Hello guys, welcome!
Looking forwards to reading your posts.
Yemisi
Posted 01 Aug 2008 at 4:14 pm ¶