Berni Xiong

I coach. I speak. I write.

Berni Xiong has written 6 posts for Life After Hate.

Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow

By Berni Xiong ⋅ January 5, 2011 ⋅ One comment

As we reflect on our goals and ambitions for 2011, we are reminded of the setbacks we’ve had in 2010. However, we must be mindful of our accomplishments as well. Setbacks are temporary defeats that challenge us to rise above the situation and improve ourselves every step of the way until we reach the success [...]

If It’s All Foreign to Me, I Simply Ask Questions

By Berni Xiong ⋅ August 18, 2010 ⋅ 3 comments

A few weeks ago I was devastated to learn I was unable to attend the Annual Block Party hosted by TRUE Skool, a youth advocacy group that promotes hip-hop art and culture as a means of creative expression and educational development. My 16-year-old son and I were psyched to go having known about it for [...]

There's Everything Right About Being Unique

By Berni Xiong ⋅ July 18, 2010 ⋅ 5 comments

THERE’S EVERYTHING RIGHT ABOUT BEING UNIQUE This is my positive spin on, “There’s nothing wrong with being different!” For over a year now, I have wanted to bring up this topic: Why are we judged and criticized for challenging the status quo? So, you ask, why do people judge or compare? I believe it is [...]

Parents, Don't Let Your Children Fight Violence with Violence

By Berni Xiong ⋅ June 19, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment

My good friend posted a link to an article that was published on JS Online last week and urged me to read it. It was about Hmong and gang violence. My initial reaction after reading the article in its entirety was disappointment because I am not a proponent of any type of violence for any [...]

I Ran for My Life and Realized I Became Racist

By Berni Xiong ⋅ April 19, 2010 ⋅ 3 comments

I had a conversation with a close friend last year about interracial dating. I openly shared that I am typically attracted to all ethnicities, but that I do not prefer to pursue a relationship with a Black man. I also shared that for many years I have been aware of this preference, but rarely ever [...]

Life Was Hard. Life is Good. Let's Go Dance.

By Berni Xiong ⋅ February 18, 2010 ⋅ One comment

I witnessed in this single event a union of extremely diverse people who, during those five hours, spoke and understood a single common language where race, religion, gender, politics, age, sexual preference, culture, disability, income class, and body type didn’t matter.

Sammy Rangel “FOURBEARS: Myths of Forgiveness”

FourBears: The Myth of Forgiveness: isn't a simple memoir; it is a graphically illustrated guide from tortured child, to remorseless beast, to healing and change. This book is about helping others find their way out of their history and into the here and now. Proof that what once held you down can now hold you up. After the book reflects on a horrific upbringing it looks to offer key and ground breaking insights of the inner workings of the mind of a victim and later a perpetrator of hate and violence. Service providers working in treatment centers and institutional settings would greatly benefit from this work. Anyone facing issues with forgiveness and change might find a process toward healing and recovery.