Irma McClaurin

Irma McClaurin, PhD is the Culture and Education Editor for Insight News of Minneapolis. A bio-cultural anthropologist and writer, she lives in Raleigh, NC (www.irmamcclaurin.com) (@mcclaurintweets). Most recently, she provided technical assistance to the Friends of Oberlin Cemetery to acquire Landmark status for an historic African American Cemetery in Raleigh, NC.

"Race" and the persistence of health disparities: How far have we come?

Thursday, 21 March 2013 00:00 Irma McClaurin, PhD, Culture and Education Editor

This is an excerpt of a speech delivered at the first annual "Springing Towards Health Gala" of the Minnesota Black Nurses Association on March 9, 2013 at the Crowne Plaza Minneapolis North, Brooklyn Center.

JustSpeak: Unlearning racism requires taking positive (affirmative) action

Monday, 25 February 2013 13:30 Irma McClaurin, PhD, Culture and Education Editor with Dr. Kesho Scott (Grinnell College)

The recent racist incident at Washburn High School of Minneapolis, in which a black doll was hung (lynched), is disturbing. We are living in the 21st century. And yet, not too long ago in 2003 Duluth, MN built a memorial to commemorate the unlawful and unjustified lynching of three young Black men in 1920. Despite this example of racial reconciliation, in 2008 an effigy of Presidential candidate Barrack Obama was found hanging from the Duluth memorial.

Justspeak: Eliminating the Rolodex of inequality

Monday, 04 February 2013 00:00 Irma McClaurin, PhD, Culture and Education Editor

At a recent networking event for women in Raleigh, I listened as a panel of experienced women executives shared their experiences with the audience. One question posed was about how non-profit and corporate board members were recruited. One response stood out in my mind. The speaker indicated that she often recruited board members by tapping into her friends and colleagues. The answer affirmed a thesis of mine—there exists in our society what I call the “rolodex of inequality,” and what it produces is homogeneity or sameness.

Artspeak: New Year’s Promise: Live Simply, Laugh Often, Love Fully

Friday, 01 February 2013 00:00 Irma McClaurin, PhD, Culture and Education Editor

The three maxims in the title greet me each morning. They are kitchen magnets placed above my stove, meant to guide me on the attitude I should carry into my day and into life generally. I take them to mean: 1) do not overly complicate my life (with work, obligations, possessions, other people's problems, or needless drama); 2) find joy and fun in my daily routines; and 3) make time to be connected and deeply embrace the passions that arise from friendships, family, and special friends/partners/lovers.

Justspeak: (RE)Visioning a World without Violence Against Women

Friday, 21 December 2012 12:00 Irma McClaurin, PhD, Culture and Education Editor

The senseless murder of 22-year-old Kasandra Perkins by her boyfriend, Kansas City Chief's linebacker Jovan Belcher, 25, and his subsequent suicide, is a double tragedy that highlights the degree to which domestic violence has permeated our culture. Perkins was also the mother of a three-month old daughter fathered by Belcher, and according to news reports, his mother and the child witnessed the murder. What is unique about this case is that most of the original media coverage focused on Belcher, the perpetrator—who, why, what? Questions about his motivations, state of mind, etc., pre-occupied the airways.

More Articles...