Kia Johnson, Mesquite, TX But I am 100% amazed at God for creating me and others with this beautiful complexion. We are survivors daily of others’ criticism. We create on a level that is awed by others and stolen as well. We are the most diverse race of people because we have to be in […]
I’m as confused as you are.
Katie Doering, Chicago, IL p>Imagine being asked over and over again, “What are you?” Everyone from strangers on the subway to my childhood dentist has chimed in with a guess. They make me feel as though the answer should define me, as though it is the most important thing about me. The problem is that […]
I’M SO OVER THIS BLACK THING
Joe J, New York, NY Yes, this reflects my feelings after living in 3 mostly black communities in Brooklyn. I left due to gang violence by which I mean nightly gunfire and my neighbor Tom shot in the head thru his kitchen window. And many other attacks on young Jewish kids which the black parents […]
Stop feeding your own stereotypical identity!
Joris Mertens, Belgium. I’m a security guard at a cultural centre in Belgium. Eventhough this is a private organisation, we keep our doors open to the public each day until 11pm. This off course also attracts the attention of our city’s street youth. Most of the time I don’t mind them, for their presence actually […]
My children don’t look like me.
Ava Nanjung, San Diego, CA As an Indian/White mother to my three biological children of color, strangers find no issue asking me or them if they are adopted. Not one inherited my white skin. I wish one of them looked more white. If they did, I wouldn’t have to worry about them simply existing in […]
Completely Out Of Apologies And Patience
Heather Wohl, Dallas, TX White are treated so badly in Dallas TX that I have zero compassion left. I will not listen to any more about being woke until it is called being awoken. Treating people in a way that makes you nonfunctional in society is a choice. It is not my choice. I am […]
I’m Chinese, I’m not a virus!
Sandy, Irvine, CA I know everyone’s scared of the virus but no prejudice, please.
I’m A Sister, Not A Savior
Zoe, Covenant University, Tuscaloosa, AL My upbringing in a predominately white community and church subtly trained me to look at those of color as disadvantaged. I was taught that I, as a white Christian, had something to offer to “improve” the lives of people of color. As I have grown older and been given opportunities […]
Don’t come near me, or else.
Anna, Venezuela. I look white but I’m not
You’re you. I’m me. We’re beautiful!
Leah Wright, Cartersville, GA. My mom is my hero because she stood tall against her racist family and refused to pass on the fear and hatred my ancestors clung so tightly to. She raised me with the understanding that we are ALL God’s children. That is why I don’t understand so-called Christianity today. So much […]
Race Is Not Who You Are!
Diana, Van Nuys, CA Try to prove your being a human by your deeds and not the appearance!
Shy and quiet? Must be rude
Kristyn Sherman, Johnson, KY
Variety is the Spice of Life
Kevin Crowe, Thomasville, NC In this world, there are those that will try to lessen others because these “others” don’t fit a mold. Whether it’s due to your skin being too dark or too light, because of who you date or love, or even something as trivial as the clothes you wear. There are some […]
Not as white as I appear.
Susi Matthews, Kansas City, MO. I am 1/4 Navajo plus Cherokee and Mohawk. I am also English, Irish, Scots and German. I LOOK white; my full sister looks Native. I experienced the reactions she got when we were kids on vacation. A small restaurant in Colorado thought she was Native America and refused to serve […]
I don’t know my Native language.
Jessica Elaine Matz, LaVergne, TN. I look white and I was raised white, but when we were kids, we went to the occasional pow wow and were told “this is part of your heritage.” My uncle recently joined one of the Cherokee tribes, but I haven’t yet. I feel weird about it because there’s so […]
Miss Jessie Burton is my hero
Perry, Washington, DC.
My Family Well Kept Secret Revealed
Mary F. Howard, Stockbridge, GA. I discovered I am one-fourth Native American. My paternal grandfather is full blood Cherokee. I just learned several months ago by eavesdropping on a conversation about race between my paternal uncle and aunt. They had just learned of additional children by their father outside of the marriage. It has often […]
To us, there was no boundary to love.
Elysia, Portland, OR. We are expecting our first child in December 2015.
You came, you smiled, we loved
Jennifer Blankenship, Grand Terrace, CA.
Yes i’m from Deerfield, and yes I love country music.
Cailie Currier, Durham, NH
I’m not a privileged white person.
Anonymous, Concord, NE I was born into a poor family, my father could not find work due to a disability and my mother was a high school drop out. My father had a degree in Psychology. He interviewed for jobs but was not hired because “they could not read his handwriting.” My father was born […]
Instinct brings Hate, Empathy brings Love
Lexie Bommel, St Louis, MO I sometimes flinch when I’m next to a black then I calm myself down and give a smile no one can choose the color of their skin and I know I’d to be sad if someone thought I was scary solely based on my looks.
I’m brown but, I’m not hispanic.
Vaniza Bailey, Wilkes Community College, Wilkesboro, NC Don’t Assume, Get acquainted! Not all brown people with dark hair are Hispanics, they could be Filipino, that girl beside me is Hispanic and she’s my best friend. Yes, we seem to look alike its because Filipinos were colonized by Spain for a long time, long enough to […]
African American woman who loves people.
Imani A Coleman, Concord, NC I am an African American woman who loves people. However, I understand that there is a lot of work the world has to do to bring more understanding of all people. Race is…
Love and learn from one another
Hannah Leigh, Chico, CA
Love. Race shouldn’t matter. Hope
Daryl Dar’rell Brown, Asheville, N.C Understanding is important. Health comes before hate. Also in some instances race. People will learn what life is actually about. I transferred to a predominantly White high school and most of my peers accepted me. People shouldn’t disturb the peace over race. People have to eat. Respect is important also. […]
I am me, not my parents.
Tanner Hueser, Sergeant Bluff, IA Just because my parents are perfect and want me to be this and that does not mean that is what I truly want in this world. I want to do what I love, not what my parents love.
Born Wright, I’m a bridge builder
David B. Wright, San Diego, CA I believe my parents raised me to believe that there was only one race and we all belonged to it. I have striven to live up to that and still need to improve. I am a Wright which means Builder and I am constantly trying to build the bridges […]
“You really aren’t a real Mexican.”
Ai Lee Blankenship, Lexington, NC I come from a home that consists of a Deaf mother and father. My father is Italian/white while my mother is Mexican. Instead of learning both English and Spanish, I have learned English and American Sign Language in order to effectively communicate with my parents. I have always heard the […]
I’m different from what you assumed.
Ray Suarez, Washington, DC I grew up at a time when just from my name and face I knew I would be misjudged, dismissed, and underestimated. You have to find a zone of calm to live in, or you’d go crazy from it!
You are stronger than you think
Deitra Dowdy, Thomasville, NC Life will come with many difficulties and inconveniences. Just push through them and you will be amazed at what you can overcome.
Not every white (person) has white privilege
Kayla Miles, Lexington, NC I don’t believe anything else needs to be said.
I am a United States Citizen
Kinyata, Greensboro, NC I’m a student at Davidson County Community College and this post was an assignment. I chose I am a United States Citizen because so often people hear my name and ask what country am I from. Sometimes it’s frustrating when people assume my origin-based off of my name.
Don’t turn your back to it
Hollie Hill, Denton, NC
The skin I’m in is resilient
Temeka Robinson, Thomasville, NC
White, Veteran, Nurse, Single, Funny, Scooterist.
Ed, USA
The size of your eyes doesn’t matter.
Jessie Nguyen, Chicago, IL Whether your eyes are small, big, brown, blue, can’t see, etc., don’t focus on your eyes. Focus on anything else than your eyes (i.e. homework, taxes, etc.)
Max incarceration is still affecting colored people.
Avelina, Grand Rapids, MI
Dark But Light And Its Right
Mirabella Maldonado, Atlanta, GA You Can Be Dark But Weather You Show It Or Not Is A Different Story! I Am A Mexican Girl With A White Mom And A Mexican Dad.
The skin I’m in is resilient.
Keisha, Spring, TX.
Every Life Matters, Every Single One
Cameron Hunter Duncan, Salisbury, NC
I Am Shattered Pieces Scattered Black
Lauren Anderson Kansas City, MO I’m not sure what I would consider myself. The only thing that I know is that I am brown-skinned, but light-skinned. Many believe I am mixed with another race or other race(s), but my parents are both Black. I’m not really sure what it means to be Black or where […]
White and some kind of Asian
Miles Foltynowicz, Edwardsville, IL. I’ve dealt with racial ambiguity most of life. It is not uncommon for someone to ask me, “What are you?” in reference to my race/ethnicity without explicitly saying so. Others play the Asian guessing game: Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean et cetera. If you are hoping I will reveal my proud ethnic heritage […]
Turning away costs us almost everything
Jessica H, Seattle, WA. A society which chooses to live with such oppression and misery becomes a society without trust or hope: a nation of desperate confidence men hoping they too will not be nothing, despised, a thing without hope.
Standards of Beauty
Kelly Le, Chelsea, MA. Sometimes I feel like the only way I can feel beautiful is if a white person tells me I am.
White Martial Artist, who’s not White.
Gerard Liston, New York, NY. The way I look confuses people. Most cant pin point my heritage. I am by birth Irish and Ecuadorian. Furthering my cultural heritage is my love of music. I love to play the drums and that love took me all the way to Africa. There I learned to play the […]
Thank You Seretse and Ruth Khama
Charles Jensvold, Detroit Lakes, MN. Thanks Seretse and Ruth; Thanks Richard and Mildred Loving and all who preceded us and did the heavy lifting. “When will that great day come, when everyone is one, and there will be no more misery and God tells man he’s really free, R E A L L Y F […]
Everyone is unique, embrace your difference
Aaron Williams, Davie County High School NC/Davidson County Community College, Mocksville, NC Everyone is different, instead of fighting our differences we should all work together to embrace them. Each difference sets us apart and makes us unique. When we accept these differences and encourage others, we will all be more successful.
Men I love aren’t safe here
Arlinda Vaughn, Dayton, OH. My partner is a tall, dark muscular black man (with a PHD). When he lived in Texas, the police arrived at a gas station that he was in and tased him 8 times without warning or discussion. My brother (with a degree) has been regularly pulled over. Once, a police officer […]
Restore Hope; Peace, Love, Unity, Respect
Kristan Aiko, Aiea, HI.
Somewhere between Salsa and Country!
Stephanie Connors Eureka, CA Music is one of my biggest reminders of the cultures that I grew up with. It fills me with nostalgia and pride, longing and love of the people who came before me. The people from: everywhere! I love all of it now. From day to day I swirl around in a […]
America’s hooded winter must yield spring
Julie Delegal Submitted via Twitter: @julieinjax @totn @michele_norris #theracecardproject
White mother afraid for her children
Sally, Poughquag, NY.
Look like them, Sing like us
Geoffrey Wodell Wheat Ridge, CO Many years ago an African-American Country-Western singer, Charlie Pride, released a live album. After one of the cuts someone in the audience yelled out “Charlie, how can you look like them and sing like us?”. I have remembered that comment ever since and now, as a Norwegian-American Jew who sings […]
I love white partner and son
Hudson Giles-Lavender, Columbia, MO.
I’ll experience this, hopefully they don’t.
Takiyah L., Oakland, CA. If all it takes for me is to take on the burdens of intersectionality, just so my brother and sister, and future generations of Black and Brown youth will not have to experience that, then I am all down for the cause. I would not want them to endure such things, […]
Adopted at birth; family history unknown.
Kristi Boehm, Spring, TX. Every year on my birthday I give thanks to the woman who loved me enough to give me up for adoption. I couldn’t have asked for a better mother and father, and my family life was nothing but ordinary. As an aging adult, with no idea of whether I’m Swedish, German, […]
Ask him yourself if he’s black
Anne Gruel, Canada. My partner is from Jamaica and identifies as mixed race. His parents are black, but he has very light skin and has many white ancestors. I hate it when people ask: “Is your boyfriend black?” Yes, he is black. No problem with that. What they are really asking me is why am […]
I want to hear your song!
Barney Quinn, Bethesda, MD.
White Bones Ache For Black Moves
Mike Tracy, Oakland, CA. When I was 3 or 4 I asked my parents to put brown sugar on my oatmeal so I could grow up to be a running back like Jim Brown or Floyd Little.
Did you grow up wearing shoes?
Jessica Anderson, Denver, CO. I grew up in the Appalachian mountains of East Tennessee, but I now live in Colorado. People always ask ridiculous questions when they find out where I’m from, including, “Did you wear shoes?” and “Where are your overalls?” Being a white, M.A. holding, middle-class woman doesn’t shield me from these stereotypes. […]
Black clients funded our white flight.
Jane Meacham, Washington, DC. My dad is a lawyer in Kansas City, MO, who always had mostly black, working-class clients. When the city school district started to decline in quality in the early 1970s, we moved away to a nearly all-white suburban school district nearby. So I realize now, all these years later, that his […]
We assumed their father was black!
Melissa Weir, Trout Valley, IL. We like to think that we are like every other family, whatever that means. But questions like “are those your real kids” or “what happened to their real parents” make that impossible. Nonetheless we are a close, joyful, and fortunate family.
Change is uncomfortable but desperately needed
Kim Hill, Wilkes Community College, Crumpler, NC We all need to lean into the discomfort and make the changes needed to be better people for our own sake and others.
Equality is not better for everyone
Audrey Clow, Corvallis, OR Equality is not better for everyone because the people that have taken advantage must give up what they have taken from the disadvantaged. We must remember our past!
White, Lds, conservative, republican, Anti politicaly corect
Liana, Salt Lake, UT I have ancestors from scandinavia
Everyone is more beautiful on the inside
Christina H Beltrami, Community College, Wilkesboro Stony Point, NC This race card project could open many doors to those who are trying to have an open mind. I hope the words I chose reflect how I act toward others. It’s true that everyone should be beautiful on the inside more than the outside. There are […]
We Aren’t Here to Take Your Jobs
Erica Jaimes, Wilkes Community College, North Wilkesboro, NC I chose these words because it is known that immigrants, Hispanics in particular, take away jobs from American workers. However, we create new jobs by forming new businesses, spending our incomes on American goods and services, paying taxes and raising the productivity of U.S. businesses. Immigrants are […]
Equality starts with you, spread kindness
Delaney Van Andel, TROUTDALE, OR
Everyone’s unique in their own way
Kelsey Call, Wilkes Community College, Wilkesboro, NC Wilkes Community College I feel like everyone has their own strengths and no one should be judged for being who they are.
You have to actively fight racism
Megan Baker, Oregon State University, Klamath Falls, OR Passivity favors the side of the oppressor, always.
We could do so much more.
Kaitlyn Eller, Wilkes Community College, NC We are at a standstill right now when we should be taking action to spread love, kindness, and encourage unity. We have the whole world at our fingertips through our phones and yet we continue to sit back while discrimination impacts so many. Change begins with just one person. […]
Life’s boring if everybody’s the same
Joanna Benitez, Wilkes Community College, Yadkinville, NC I chose those six words because I have realized that many people are judged based on their religion or race, etc. I believe that its good that everyone is unique. It would be better if we all just got along and instead of judging or discriminating other, we […]
Looks Do not Define Intelligence
Tatayana T. North Wilkesboro, NC
Be a voice for those silenced
Morhgan, Salem, OR
Same Kind Of Different As Me
Scott Howell, West Monroe, LA Never let someone else’s opinion define you! Be your own kind of different!
I am not —– for a black girl
Destiny Tabb, Pittsburgh, PA I get many compliments and as much as I love and appreciate them they are always second-handed, like you are pretty for a black girl, or you are smart for a black girl or for s black girl your manners are very good.
I’m Jewish in a Baptist town.
Matthew Huffman, North Wilkesboro, NC Please help, all they offer me is bacon.
I am black people
Brayden S., Essexville, MI I am really proud to be part of the race of brown peoples. it may not look like I am brown people, but I am part African and part Cherokee and I really enjoy being brown
Connection is what brings us together
HOPE CRAWFORD, PURLEAR, NC I believe touching each other in deep meaningful connections; relating to one another in life’s joys, hardships, and life experiences are what help bring us together as one.
Be Stronger Than Your Strongest Excuse
Drew Sink, Lexington, NC
When Nothing Goes Right, Go Left
Carter Schmitz, Richmond, MN
The “Inside” is what is important!
Jennifer Blevins, West Jefferson, NC I am a student at Wilkes Community College and I believe that what is on the inside of a person is more important than what their appearance is on the outside.
Continuing struggle of mind and soul
Anonymous, Raleigh, NC
I’m not anyone else, I’m myself
Logan Cloutier, Collegeville, MN
“You’re black? But you act white.”
Veronica, Hickory, NC
Accept mistakes. Change, learn, and grow.
Andi Lattimore, Redford Charter Twp, MI Wherever our privileges lie, we need to recognize them and use them for the betterment of society while working to make our privileges just as accessible to everyone else.
YES, I AM A SALTY CRACKER.
CATHERINE LINEBERRY, LEXINGTON, NC I can be very moody.
I’m White, from the south, have a truck
Tayler Shepherd, Glade Valley, NC I chose this race card because it stereotypes all white men from the south drive a truck and are considered “white trash”.
Put it back in the deck
Joni Godwin, Albany, OR
Individualism is the glue we need.
Zoey Groth, SERGEANT BLF, IA
To all who is Native blood
Christine, Sioux City, IA Lawton-Bronson, Christine Wulf
I AM BROWN SO NO DETENTION
Alessandro Lucci, United Kingdom (England). I’m brown mate
Unique differences adding flavor to humanity
Jessica Maltzman, Saint Louis, MO Differences should be what makes us yearn to know more about others; their values, beliefs, interests, and what makes their heart happy!
Life’s boring if everybody’s the same!
Me, Kirkwood, MO, Awesome project
Racism cuts me out of solidarity.
Jayashree George, Edwardsville, IL I yearn to have solidarity with black sisters. But, as a South Asian female, there is a chasm I can’t seem to cross. I put it down as part of the divide and conquer strategy of white supremacy. Racism has divided people of color such that Black folk have an uphill […]
I Know Tons Of Black People
Seth Mishler, Fountain Valley, CA
There is still room for improvement
Kalyssa Longhurst, Mount Pleasant Community High School, Mount Pleasant, IA Kalyssa Longhurst, Mount Pleasant, Iowa. I currently attend Mount Pleasant Community High School in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Throughout my lifetime, I have noticed that individuals in our society are still making racist comments or partaking in racist actions. As a society, we need to come […]
Dys and Dis will not mean unlikely.
Hadasah A, Toano, VA Dyslexia and Disability has no color. I’m entitled to the same services as the green and purple students, which comes to school every day! I am likely to be successful, to dream, to choose a career, because I think I will be good at it! I can be a social worker, […]
Not your basic blonde white girl.
Noel Schultz, Mission Viejo, CA For the race card project I chose the six words “Not your basic blonde white girl”. There are many stereotypes that fly around those who are Caucasian, females especially blondes. Some say that blonde white girls who live in Orange County are pretentious and privileged. Claiming that everything is naturally […]
Faces of TRCP
SPOTLIGHT SCHOOL
In The News
Peabody Award
Recent Race Cards
