Mixed Race Studies

Press Release for That Daughter’s Crazy

Paradox Smoke Productions
2014

Some apples don’t fall far from the tree. Paradox Smoke Productions is proud to announce the launch of their new documentary, That Daughter’s Crazy, starring Rain Pryor. That Daughter’s Crazy is directed by Elzbieta Szoka, and produced by Sam Adelman and Daryl Sledge, and will be ready for film festivals in early 2014.

Carrying on a career as an actor/singer/comedian, beyond the shadow of her legendary father, Rain Pryor is an original, bold, and energetic voice, who brings us influences of her upbringing with a deep love and respect for her father. Her quest for individuality is exemplified in her award-winning one-woman show, Fried Chicken and Latkes, which dramatizes growing up in Beverly Hills in a bi-racial, half Jewish/half black household.

The film features footage, photos, press clippings of Rain’s life and career, as well as various interviews. A social commentary, the film explores themes of diversity, relationships between parents and children and a profound perspective of one entertainer’s journey.

Paradox Smoke Productions is devoted to developing unique and provocative stories; a fusion of narrative of films, documentaries, and theater pieces.  Other credits include the Academy Award nominated short documentary film, Salim Baba, as well as Screen Door Jesus, Welcome to Academia and Beautiful People.

“What attracted me to our project at first was an electrifying performance of Rain Pryor in her highly acclaimed one woman show. As an “intellectual/artistic globetrotter” from what is still called “Eastern Europe,” I was curious what hid beneath her evocative title. The religious and performance ritual at its best! Axé, Rain! Shalom, my brother,” said Elzbieta Szoka, Director.

All media inquiries in reference to That Daughter’s Crazy, please contact Sam Adelman, tel: 212.600.5920 or email: sam@paradoxsmoke.com.

Black-white mixed race identity rises in the South

The Brookings Institution, Washington, D.C.
2015-08-12

William H. Frey, Senior Fellow

As shown in my book, “Diversity Explosion,” the growth of black-white marriages in the United States is unmistakable, as are the gains in the population that identifies itself as “white and black,” particularly among the very young. As further evidence that the white-black divide is eroding, it is useful to look at the region most historically resistant to change: the South. Because of past prejudices and customs, the white-black population, as a percentage of all blacks, is still considerably lower in Southern states than in other parts of the country (see map). In a slew of states leading from Maryland to Texas, “white and black” populations represent less than 5 percent of the black-only populations. In Mississippi and Louisiana, “white and black” populations constitute only 1 percent. These figures compare with more than 20 percent of “white and black” persons in a handful of states with sparse black populations in the West, Great Plains, and New England.

Read the entire article here.