Racial Profiling

Posted on July 24, 2013 by Kaia Calhoun

At church this past Sunday (Willow Creek Community Church) Bill took a few moments to discuss the court event that is hot on the press lately. At a point in the talk he mentioned racial profiling and how white folk couldn’t possibly understand what it is like for an African America father to have to explain racial profiling to his kids in order to keep them best protected, particularly with the cops. I racked my brain to verify he was right, that I couldn’t understand, but surprisingly I did find a common ground.

While I studied for 5 months in East Africa I almost immediately grew weary of the badgering requests by locals for money – one man even came right up to me while I was working on an essay, sat down next to me, and asked if he could have my computer. I remember trying to explain myself in all of these encounters. I tried to explain that I had actually saved up for this trip for a long time and that if I gave them my money I wouldn’t be able to eat lunch and if I gave them my computer I wouldn’t be able to buy another one to do my school work. Was I ultimately better off than them, probably, but that by no means meant I would be able to survive my trip there if I gave away the meager supplies and funds I had.

It didn’t take long for me to realize that these people were asking me for money and things because I have white skin. I was a walking wallet to them, not a real, emotional person. I loathed this. In fact, I loathed it so much that I grew a strong distaste for most of the locals I came across. Granted, just a few weeks after I arrived I was brutally mugged so maybe that had something to do with it too. Regardless, before long it was only the students at my school and my host family, or the host families of other US students, that I felt safe with and like my skin color didn’t matter. But what was most troubling about this was that I felt completely alone in my feelings. To this day, I don’t think a single one of the other US students in the program grew a dislike for any one African. And I wonder if they simply didn’t notice that they were being constantly profiled or that they really didn’t care.

The brief chat about racial profiling this past Sunday liberated me. I finally realized that I wasn’t alone with my feelings. If no other whites in Africa shared my feelings I now know at least African Americans do here. And now I feel for them more than I ever did because I get it. I get how it feels to be watched by beady eyes. I get how it feels to not be received with an open mind. Friends, it hurts to not be seen as a person. In Africa I was seen as a thing, as money. Here, I think we too often view African American’s as a threat. Isn’t it right to view each person with a clean slate until they prove you otherwise – innocent until proven guilty, not guilty until proven innocent? Just some thoughts.

I’m going out on a limb here. I may not be politically correct with my words. But I am trying to view racial profiling through the lens of solidarity. Truth is, yes I experienced racial profiling. But the truth also is that I have not experienced the sort of racial profiling that African Americans experience every day here. I cannot claim complete understanding, but I can at least claim a shred.

What do you think?

Children’s Books | Book Reviews

Posted on July 17, 2013 by Kaia Calhoun

I love children’s books. Last week I read through a batch of seven that were recommended in Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market and I loved all but one. These were all promised to reveal great writer/illustrator relationships – picture books that the illustrators work not only adds color and animation to the story but actually adds to the story itself.

Here are the six I now want to add to my collection.

Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type

This is a quirky tale of a farmer at odds with his dairy cows because of a sudden typing ability. These cows discovered a typewriter in the barn and set to work making demands of the farmer. I was skeptical of this book at first, I figured it wasn’t my type of tale but I’m glad I read it because I giggled my way all the way to the end.

The Wriggly, Wriggly Baby

A set of new parents finds themselves always trying to hang onto their baby. This little baby is always on the move and, in this story, gets out of the house for a full day of adventures around town. Without his trusty sidekicks, dog and cat, in tow this story shares what could have been a bad ending if it weren’t for them. This rhyming book is a great read; the illustrations are colorful interpretations of the adventures in ways that makes them worthy of continuous hearty chuckles.

The Journey of Oliver K. Woodman

Very simply, this is a story of a niece who misses her uncle. The tale starts with a letter written by the niece requesting a visit from her uncle. He replies that he can’t make it but Oliver K. Woodman would love to make the trip in his stead. The catch, Oliver K. Woodman is actually a life-size wooden doll figurine, so you can imagine how his hitchhiking across the county would be thoroughly entertaining.

Bertie Was a Watchdog

Bertie is a teeny tiny little mutt. One night a big, bad burglar enters his home and when Bertie sounds the alarm the burglar simply laughs and starts picking on the pooch. Bertie is clever though and ultimately outwits the burglar. This is a feel good tale of how even the seemingly inadequate can prevail if they tap into their unique gifting – the perfect kind of book for teaching kids that just because they can’t do things the way the world says they should doesn’t mean they are any worse off to do the things God has gifted them to.

A Very Hairy Scary Story

Sarah stayed too late at her friend’s house. The minute she stepped outside to walk home she was struck with fear of the night and imagines multitudes of terrifying creatures in her midst. It’s a tale of learning how to obey your parents the hard way isn’t always the best idea but it sure does stick.

The Day the Goose Got Loose

The goose is a family pet. One day she gets out and causes trouble in every niche of town. Ultimately it is a tale of imagination and friendship with a rockin’ rhythm and illustrious drawings.

I want to know YOU

Posted on July 10, 2013 by Kaia Calhoun

Today I was snooping around one of the blogs I occasionally check in on (http://jamiedelaineblog.com/) and it struck me that I would like to be known by those I follow. That being said, I have a new passion for getting to know my readership. So, today’s blog will remain short because I want YOU to share a short story about yourself with me (comment below or shoot me an email with your story at asunshinemoment@gmail.com). This is especially for all of you who follow me closely – although some of you I already know very well 🙂

I have a couple other questions for you wonderful friends of mine…

As a follower of my blog or other blogs or a potential follower of my blog or other blogs, what sort of correspondence with the blogger would put you over the moon?
I personally like it when a blogger responds to a comment I leave on their blog or likes or comments on my own posts.

This one is kind of random, but I have been intending to change my blog URL for quite some time now but can’t seem to settle on what I want. Which URL do you think would be best and why?

blog.asunshinemoment.com (or something like it… from what I understand this draws better and more attention to my business as well)
kaiacalhounblog.com (or something like it)
Do you have any better ideas?

Again, make yourself known by me today! I would love to be friends 🙂

10 TIPS TO WRITING YOUR BLOG

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Kaia Calhoun

Post the right things, the right way, at the right time.

The best content is new information or an extensive commentary on existing content.
Be passionate about your blog and committed to providing information that matters.
The more often you post, the more attention you receive.
The more unique subject lines get higher search notice.
The top 100 blogs post 5 – 6 times a day – 3 posts a week is the absolute minimum, if you want to make any headway at all, and 3 posts per day marks the beginning of a serious traffic increase.
Your blog should be conversational, not formal, with a clear, authentic, and approachable voice.
Less is more. Strive for simplicity and remove words until a sentence breaks – any words that don’t add meaning should be taken out.
Write findable content – select words and phrases that match your target audience’s searches.
Use lots of links.
Be provocative.

SOURCES… real life experience and Publish and Prosper: Blogging for your Business

Musings of a Musician’s Wife: blogging for a good story.

Posted on June 14, 2012 by Kaia Calhoun

Good blogging requires an act of self revelation that is well beyond my comfort zone. I’ve made a pact with myself to divulge the truth and the most interesting aspects of the truth in my life, I’ve found, are some of my deepest, most private moments. I’ve been thinking on this since I’ve started sharing with this blogging world. But I also have to remember that many other brave souls have gone before me.

I love a good story. I love, even more, taking a role in a good story.

Yesterday Josh and I ventured up to Milton for a short vacation together after such a length apart. We are here for just a day, but it is lovely. Mom and Dad Calhoun requested we drive the truck up so we could help them move some things today so Josh, the dogs, and I all clambered in yesterday evening. Approximately ten minutes later Haley did a juicy toot right on my leg that left a residue and a gigantic lingering stench. Right after she did her dirty she craned her neck to smell her mess and Sam followed as soon as he caught wind – oh the joys of dog ownership.