If you think you know the racial landscape of America, you might want to think again. Brandon Tensley, Sara Lomax, and Claire Jean Kim turn our assumptions inside out, forcing a re-examination of issues we thought we understood. From the multi-faceted views of Asian Americans on affirmative action to the uncharted racial dynamics of places like North Carolina, this is a conversation that refuses to stay within the lines.

Here’s what they’re saying:

  1. Affirmative Action & Asian Americans: It’s Not Black and White. Think all Asian Americans view affirmative action the same way? Think again. Claire Jean Kim shatters the notion that Asian Americans have a monolithic perspective on affirmative action. At its heart? A dance between the confining “model minority” myth and the shadow of systemic racism. Amidst national debates, says Kim, Asian Americans aren’t just spectators — they’re central players grappling with identity and policy. Kim challenges us: Look past simplistic media narratives and tune into the rich, varied voices within these communities.
  2. Media: Beyond the Headlines and Into the Weeds. Brandon Tensley issues a clear challenge: The media’s superficial snapshots on race and affirmative action are no longer cutting it. In this pivotal moment, when affirmative action is splashed as a breaking news headline, journalism shouldn’t just flit from one trending topic to the next. Instead, Tensley demands investigative depths that trace the multifaceted, ever-evolving narrative of racial dynamics. He envisions stories that don’t just touch on today’s controversies, but keep returning to the evolving issues, year after year. For Tensley, the stakes are too high and the complexities too rich for fleeting coverage. The clarion call? Media, it’s time to dive deep, stay persistent, and truly reflect the layered intricacies of this crucial debate.
  3. Unearthing North Carolina’s Silent Stories: The Crucial Microcosm in America’s Racial Landscape. For Brandon Tensley, North Carolina is more than just another state on the map. It’s a cauldron of racial dynamics that echoes the broader complexities of America’s racial discourse. But why is it so overlooked? Dive deeper, Brandon says, and you’ll uncover a myriad of underreported racial tensions that resonate far beyond state lines. From pivotal court decisions that ripple out with nationwide implications to grassroots movements that hint at the changing face of racial politics, North Carolina emerges as a compelling study. Tensley’s insistence? Ignoring North Carolina is like turning a blind eye to the nuanced fabric of America’s ongoing racial narrative. It’s time to zoom in, dissect, and truly understand this pivotal region as it offers a mirror to the nation’s wider racial battles.
  4. America’s Memory Lapse: A Direct Confrontation with Our Racial Past is Overdue. For Sara Lomax, America’s racial amnesia isn’t just a flaw; it’s a gaping wound. But why this perpetual loop of forgetting? Lomax charges that it’s more than just ignorance; it’s avoidance. And until America confronts these haunting legacies—of slavery, redlining, and many other systemic tools of racial oppression—we’ll remain trapped in a cycle of racial déjà vu. It’s as if the nation has hit a snooze button on racial reckoning. Lomax’s verdict? That alarm needs to blare louder, forcing America to wake up, face its past, and chart a genuinely inclusive future.
  5. Forward? Only If We Push. Hard. For Sara and Claire, achieving racial justice isn’t a mere wish on the horizon; it’s an ongoing mission demanding relentless effort, clear-eyed strategy, and unwavering unity. So, what’s the massive weight we’re pushing against? The deep-rooted systems that perpetuate racial biases, the skewed narratives that distort public perception, and the decades of policies that have marginalized communities. Advancing isn’t about a one-time push; it’s about a sustained, synchronized effort from every corner of society. The path is filled with challenges—misinformation campaigns, political roadblocks, societal apathy—but pulling back isn’t on the table. Their message is crystal clear: Progress toward racial equity is a relay race, a persistent handover of commitment, resistance, and action. It’s on all of us to make sure the momentum never falters.

Dive deeper. Watch the full Meet the BIPOC Press episode of “The Affirmative Action Ban: What You Need To Know” above.

Andaiye Taylor is Editorial Director at URL Media. She has more than 15 years of leadership experience at startup and Fortune 500 companies in the adtech and fintech verticals, in roles spanning account management, publisher revenue management, product development and content strategy.

For six years, she published Brick City Live, an award-winning New Jersey-based hyperlocal news publication, then launched a boutique consulting firm, Angle Content & Strategy, that has launched and managed revenue-driving branded content businesses for both enterprise companies and news publishers.

Andaiye graduated with honors from the University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in American History and Africana Studies, then earned her M.S. at Columbia Journalism School, where she was awarded the Lars-Erik Nelson Prize for Excellence in Reporting and Writing. A former fellow at the Tow-Knight Center for Entrepreneurial Journalism, she currently mentors journalism startup founders in the program. Andaiye is a 2023 Media Transformation Challenge fellow. She lives in Long Beach, California with her husband and two cats.