The Race Card Project
By Michele Norris
Brandi N. Scarlett,
Lansing, MI.
When people ask me what ethnicity I am, I get excited. I am so proud to be mixed race. My mother is white and First Nations, and my father is Jamaican. However, I always make sure to tell people no matter WHAT I am, I identify as being black. I interact with the world as a young black woman. That is how society treats me and I am not ashamed to embrace that.
Jasmine Baker
East Lansing, MI
Growing up I was placed in the gifted and talented program in my elementary school. I learned to speak what this society refers to as “proper English.” Because of that, many Black students would tease me and tell me that I’m black, stop talking like a white girl. What does that even mean? I laugh about it now 🙂
Description: This is me in Ephesus, Turkey on a Study Abroad trip to Green and Turkey Summer 2014
Kit Carlson,
East Lansing, MI.
Nicole,
East Lansing, MI.
My grandfather was blind all my life. All I knew was that there was an accident. It wasn’t until he passed that I learned that the accident involved a white man. My grandfather was a doorman and was pushed into the glass door. My grandfather never spoke of the incident. I’m actually glad that he didn’t because nothing is worse than feeling angry and helpless, especially when you are a child. Instead he taught me his work ethic and to always do my best. Success is the best revenge.
Sarah,
East Lansing, MI.
Dr. NiCole T. Buchanan,
East Lansing, MI.
I don’t want people to be blind to my color. Instead, I want them to see me in my entirety, including the fact that I am a Biracial Black woman, and I want them to actively embrace these parts that make me whole. I believe most people have good intentions in advocating for colorblindness, but colorblind ideology often results in marginalizing those pieces of me that I happen to value highly.
Nicole Turek,
East Lansing, MI.
Karen Sturdivant,
Lansing, MI.
When it comes to matters of race- Stevie Wonder can be seen as the great equalizer. His messages in song are universal and his soul is colorless.
Joyce Goodluck,
East Lansing, MI.
On Location, MSU.
Before coming to MSU I knew one side of racism from media. Whites discriminating Blacks. I even once experienced that when I passed by Akers Hall and some one shouted at me from his window black and African. I was like he is a racist.But whom am I in that aspect of life?Soon I discovered that I am almost like him in my behavior. I tend to associate more with people of my skin color hoping that the skin color makes us more compatible. I decided to try befriending whites. Later when I started to approach them I found out that my theory was wrong, you don’t get along with some one because of skin color. Instead I was spoiling my experience at MSU.
Drew Baker,
East Lansing, MI.
Shannon Nobles,
Lansing, MI.
Katelyn Prine,
East Lansing, MI.
As a white student who grew up in rural Michigan, my conception of race did not exist in my small community. For me learning about race is best done through meeting people who have faced the struggles and building relationships. Groups like MRULE on campus have inspired my growth and encouraged me to take what I now know and have learned back home.
Brandi Schroeder,
East Lansing, MI.
I have a rather diverse group of friends, and the other day one made a comment about my origins. I grew up in a predominantly caucasian town where my high school held maybe 10 black students. My friend, who happens to be Somali, asked this question, and upon my answer he said “but you’re so cool with us” as if the lack of my town’s diversity would have an effect on my interactions. A human is a human is a human.
Marlee Sherrod,
Canton, MI.
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