“She’s so pretty for being Black”
Morgan Cooper, Stockton, CA. In 2007, when my ex husband and I were expecting our baby girl, we jokingly called her “Blackanese”, a term I...
You’re cute for a black girl
Leah Thomas Florissant, MO I grew up in Saint Louis, MO and I moved to a mainly white private school in the 5th grade. I...
You are pretty for an Asian
Laurel Nelson, Corona, CA My whole life I never felt like I was the ‘right’ race to fit into being ‘pretty’ because of this phrase...
You are pretty, are you Indian?
Freda NC I am African American. Growing up I was often asked this question in some form or another “are you mixed, what are you,...
My Mother Hated My Dark Skin
Mike Elliott Alexandria, VA My mother was brown. Her skin a shade so perfect until the day she died she was “Puddin” to her family...
BLACK AND FAT WHICH WAS ENOUGH!
Shari L. Burgess, Wayne State, Detroit, MI How dare I be black and then choose to be fat. Elephant, Big Nose, Whispers and Out loud...
I’m not prettier because I’m white.
Rhiannon Watkins, Centennial, CO. Why are magazines always filled with white and light-skinned women? I have never in my life had a shortage of skinny,...
Alert! Very Dark woman traveling alone.
Tess, Melbourne, FL. Recently I have had to face the fact that my very dark skin is indeed the first thing most people notice about...
Who is your daughter’s father?
Itoko Richardson, Daly City, CA. I am Japanese and my husband is Black (he extremely dislikes to be called African-American). Our experience alone was interesting...
Your hair’s pretty. What are you?
Renee Bracey Sherman. Oakland, CA. “Can I touch your hair?” they ask, hand already extended, a mere inch from my thick brown curls. I feel...
Hair color, in a locked box
Shane Broyles, Submitted via Twitter: @sabroyles. Raleigh, NC. #theracecardproject Photo is not mine.
I finally accepted my own origins
Mimi USA I used to want to be white or Caucasian because I thought it would be easier but I finally accepted who I was and...
My skin is my greatest teacher
Eric Miyeni Johannesburg I don’t like the phrase “body part” much. At its worst it has a tendency to remind me of murders and psychotic...
Grace, pride, dignity, honour, love and light
Seydi, Detroit, MI. While growing up in Senegal some refer to me as dark as the buttocks of a cauldron, iIwas proud to be as...
One white, one brown, same parents.
Adana, Seattle, WA. I have 2 children. My son looks just like his papa: dark, wavy hair and alabaster skin. My daughter looks like me:...
“You’re pretty for a black girl”
Autumn Rainey, Indianapolis, IN. I remember growing up in a mostly Caucasian area, and I was told this often. What was likely meant as a...
Not just for being a black girl.
Anisha (Blair) Taylor, Riverside, CA. “Your beautiful. For a black girl.” . Those words spilled out the mouth of a young black male, in my...
