My Beloved Sister Passes Away.
Honoring a lifelong ANGEL
My sister Fonnie Rucker was born with Downs Syndrome 66 years ago. Doctors thought she'd live only 25 years. For decades the "beautiful light in her eyes" shined bright, and captured hearts worldwide. Fonnie's Memorial Mass, concelebrated by five San Jose, California diocesan priests, was held September 17, 2022.
Grateful For Family & Friends Love
2022 was indeed a difficult year of personal loss, but a lifetime of fun & loving memories with our families and friends helped lift our spirits. This extended musical photo gallery showcases some treasured times.
Click to see video:
https://share.vidday.com/e/h-uz5cuj
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
TV Academy Board of Governors - San Francisco Chapter
Special recognition 2022
'NATAS' is the premier and most recognized non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of excellence in television. Prof. Rucker now chairs the SF Chapter Diversity Committee, and engages members in very candid and long overdue discussion ab issues and concerns in the broadcast industry. See video links below.
lONG OVERDUE TV Industry conversations
Understanding What 'Diversity Inclusion' Means
This very revealing new 2022 series by the San Francisco & NorCal Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences' breaks new ground as it candidly explores the life experiences and cultural concerns of professionals working in television news.
February: Impact of George Floyd & BLM Global Protests
March: Women in Television News, Their History & Now
April: Muslims & Middle Eastern Journalists Concerns
May: Asian TV Journalists / Hate Experiences Revealed
June: LGBTQ Journalists, The"Invisible Diversity"on TV
September: Latino/Spanish Speaking Journalists Share
Prof. Bob Rucker produces these candid insider conversations, and draws out thoughtful interactions for better understanding of what individual cultural identities bring to the TV industry. They also discover and inspire common ground for continuing discussions at broadcast stations nationwide . These eye opening talks help energize brainstorming in newsrooms looking to do more meaningful storytelling that informs, and connects with all viewers from every cultural community.
Read: Focus less on salary, more on inclusion
Capturing American History Unfolding.
2020 Global reactions after George Floyd was brutally killed
Resources for classes
In Plain Sight:
Meeting This Moment in History:
Sharing Life Experiences:
Those subtle and overt examples of racism in our daily lives. Students at San Jose State University respectfully share candidly:
Video: Racism: My Experience
Two Bay Area police pros on BLM:
Kim Petersen, Fremont PD Chief
Sean Washington, PD Captain
Sharing Life Experiences:
Meeting This Moment in History:
Sharing Life Experiences:
Meeting This Moment in History:
Meeting This Moment in History:
Meeting This Moment in History:
Why silence is not the answer.
Station 19: "Get Up. Stand Up."
Storytelling #4
What was learned & missed?
Background information:
What's Going On & Unique Reactions
Livermore Storytelling Sessions: 'Hearing Your Truths'
Livermore Storytelling Sessions: 'Hearing Your Truths'
Screen TV episode:
Station 19: "Get Up. Stand Up." Season 4 Episode 12
100 years after Tulsa race massacre
Still reckoning with police violence after George Floyd death.
Tulsa 2021: An America Tragedy (CBS, 5/31/21)
Creating Racially Just Workplaces
Ten lessons for talking race
Saying publicly "I'm a racist."
"Not the end of the story." Washington Post Opinion, 4/21/21
TV's "Friends" lack of diversity, 2021
Facebook called "toxic workplace environment" 4/23/21
Racial bias in the U.S. Military, 3/18/21
CA pastor enables people to publicly say they are racist to help heal. 2/23/21
Americans see Blacks, Asians & Latinos all facing discrimination
Denver mayor talks about who they are and being a 'welcoming place,' 2017
INFO & INSIGHTS ON:
Arab & Middle Eastern Americans
Livermore Storytelling Sessions: 'Hearing Your Truths'
Livermore Storytelling Sessions: 'Hearing Your Truths'
Livermore Storytelling Sessions: 'Hearing Your Truths'
How to videotape your Social Identity insights and stories:
People candidly discuss their cultural identities, and share concerns about stereotypes, and false perceptions.
CLICK links to learn briefly about each of these cultures:
How to videotape your Social Identity insights and stories:
People candidly discuss their cultural identities, and share concerns about stereotypes, and false perceptions.
CLICK links to learn briefly about each of these cultures:
Stats: Livermore's Population
Definitions of "Diversity Terms"
Learn about the values and
traditions of others in the world:
SCHOLARLY REPORTS:
Robin DiAngelo - Author
Racial & Social Justice Her Video: Explaining common excuses
Examining systematic racism 2021
Stephen O. Roberts citations in:
Apathy toward systems of racial advantage or denial they exist, 2020
Bay Area Police on Black Lives Matter
Bay Area Police on Black Lives Matter
Bay Area Police on Black Lives Matter
Insightful interactions on video:
Fremont, California Police Chief Kimberly Petersen speaks with Prof. Rucker about her career, BLM, and her diverse family. (Announced her retirement in 2021)
African American Fremont Police Captain Sean Washington shares his personal insights on BLM. (Announced as the next Fremont, CA Police Chief.)
Insightful interactions on video:
Fremont, California Police Chief Kimberly Petersen speaks with Prof. Rucker about her career, BLM, and her diverse family. (Announced her retirement in 2021)
African American Fremont Police Captain Sean Washington shares his personal insights on BLM. (Announced as the next Fremont, CA Police Chief.)
Capt. Washington speaks to SJSU Diversity in Media class, Fall 2020.
Former San Jose Police Chief Eddie Garcia opens up about 2020 unrest ( He's now the Dallas police chief. )
Meeting This Important Moment
Bay Area Police on Black Lives Matter
Bay Area Police on Black Lives Matter
America is finally ready to share.
Learn how to approach friends &
neighbors in meaningful ways to create a welcoming environment.
Smithsonian:
How to Talk about Racism & Racial Identity
PBS Kids:
Talking Race & Racial Identity
Popular TV Entertainment On George Floyd & Police Issues:
America is finally ready to share.
Learn how to approach friends &
neighbors in meaningful ways to create a welcoming environment.
Smithsonian:
How to Talk about Racism & Racial Identity
PBS Kids:
Talking Race & Racial Identity
Popular TV Entertainment On George Floyd & Police Issues:
ABC's Grey's Anatomy & Station 19
Hollywood cauldron of Race Issues."