Race Talk
New magazine RiseUp to cover racial and ethnic issues in America.
With Barack Obama's historic nomination, race and ethnicity are sure to be hot topics for the rest of the year--which could be good news for RiseUp, a new weekly magazine that will be inserted in Sunday newspapers beginning June 22. Printed in Kansas City, the magazine is expected to initially reach 4.5 million readers. NEWSWEEK's Imani Cheers spoke with publisher and executive editor Janice Ellis about her goals for RiseUp. Excerpts:
NEWSWEEK: What motivated you to want to create a magazine that focuses on race and ethnicity?
Janice Ellis: I was born on a small farm in Magnolia, Miss., where racial tensions were high. On my life's journey and through watching my parents live their lives, I knew that I didn't want to ever use race or gender as a crutch. Throughout my life I've always had a rainbow of racial and ethnically diverse friends but in 2007, I realized it was time to begin discussing some important issues. What struck me most was the Jena Six case and how high-school children were using some of the most hateful symbols in our history in this day and age to hurt one another. That proves that there is a real educational gap around race and what we hold in common.
What is the overall goal of this magazine?
To celebrate race and ethnicity and help us better understand our differences, celebrate our commonalities and build a great foundation to bridge the gaps that divide us.
Is the launch linked to Barack Obama's presidential campaign?
No, when I wanted to start this magazine, Barack was not even in the race. As I mentioned, the real catalyst for the creation of the magazine was the Jena Six case in Louisiana.
Are Americans ready for a publication about racial and ethnic tensions?
I think the majority of Americans are. We have received a small percentage of dissent from white supremacist and hate groups, and we are not going to change their minds. It's a subject that if done right will never get old, and we'll never run out of things to talk about.
Why did you decided to distribute the magazine as a weekly newspaper insert and online publication instead of a traditional weekly or monthly magazine?
The subject matter is so important that it requires the frequent communication that only a weekly publication can provide. As for the online version, we wanted to capitalize off of technology and be able to reach a broad audience.
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Member Comments
Posted By: Slave of The Subduer @ 06/23/2008 4:59:19 AM
Comment: I think this magzine is good, if people just give it a chance. As lang as it doesn't start catagorizing homosexuals and people who tatoo themselves all over as being those who are also subject to racism since gays and freaks fall into a different catagory.
Posted By: Slave of The Subduer @ 06/23/2008 4:52:09 AM
Comment: You make some good points, but you must consider history as a whole, and realize that there are "good" people and "bad" people.(I used quotations because most people have their own idea of what good and bad are or is) You mentioned that blacks and women being able to vote were partial to whites who changed the laws. My question for you is "this should never had been a law in the first place since America's contitution say's freedom and rights for everybody not just white men. Due to racial conflicts in the past that were caused by whites is the result we see America suffering from racism now. In the early 80's my sister had rocks trown at her just because her father was black and she looks mixed. Yet she is never expressed hate for whites except when they did rscist actions. Remember cause and effect, it is one of the basic reactions that we learn as chidren. Also the saying."I will whip you so hard your children's children will feel it" this saying to some extent has become a reality. When the white Europeans slaughtered the Indians on a uncanny level, and yet know ine calls this racism or terrorism, yet they killed over 150 million native Americans to obtain goals. Due to these fears racism develops, I don' believe it is right that whites are blamed when they are blamed for something we didn't do, but because we are to blame for the start of this problem we should also be the first inline to fix it. I come from a mixed family my self and i have seen racial slurs directed at blacks in my family who were not doing anything, just taking their kids to the park or walking down the street, and getting called names for no reason.
I believe that anything that can cure this cancer of racism that we suffer from as Americans we should support unwaverly. I say give the magizine a chance, because if it can pull just one person from the darkness of racism whether they are black, white, mexican, or other. Then it is worth it.
Posted By: tariknouri @ 06/22/2008 5:53:16 PM
Comment: I was employed at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge in Phoenix AZ for the last four years on 01/25/2008 i was retaliated on because i complained to Human Resource about my supervisor sexually harassing me i lost my job beacause they were protecting her,she was here on a work visa from Turkey.