University of Michigan Race Card Images Archives

African roots camouflaged by chameleon skin.

December 16, 2022December 16, 2022 Aftrican, Ann Arbor, camouflaged, chameleon, Marilene de Ritis, MI, Roots, Understanding Race Project, University of Michigan

Marilene de Ritis
Ann Arbor, MI
Understanding Race Project- University of Michigan

Being blonde isn’t always more fun.

April 4, 2022April 4, 2022 blondes, Color, dumb, fun, Grand Rapids, hair, Heather Raymond, judgement, MI, underestimated, Understanding Race Project, University of Michigan

Heather Raymond
Grand Rapids, MI
Understanding Race Project – University of Michigan

People say that “blondes have more fun,” but having light hair isn’t what it is cracked up to be. Many times I find myself at the receiving end of stigma when I have a “blonde” moment: dumb, human mistakes blamed on the color of my hair. These “blonde” moments then turn into judgement of my intelligence and my mental capacity usually being underestimated.

Please don’t tell me that you’re colorblind.

May 13, 2015May 13, 2015 Ann Arbor, colorblind, MI, Racist, Understanding Race Project, University of Michigan

B.,
Ann Arbor, MI.
Understanding Race Project – University of Michigan

It’s just another way of saying you’re racist. (What does it say about you, that you have to deliberately ignore an intrinsic part of my identity in order to see me as a human being?)

Different colors, same on the inside

December 15, 2013 Color, Detroit, groups, Inside, MI, outside, same, tension

Nathan S
Detroit, MI

With all of the talk of racial tensions in the US today, it is important to remember that the only difference between the commonly accepted races is skin color and, sometimes, facial features. Beyond that, people are all largely the same. Studies have been made showing that the vast majority of genetic differences in humans are within racial groups, with only about 8% of differences being between groups. People are people, regardless of color. It’s time we as a society grow up and stop playing us vs. them.