The Race Card Project
By Michele Norris
Autumn Danielsen,
Maquoketa, IA
Moving from a bigger city to a small town, I hear a lot of comments like: Why do you dress that way, you should dress your race, that’s not how you’re supposed to dress. For me clothes are clothes. If I find something I think is cute I am going to wear it, I do not care if it is the clothes for “my race” or not. I currently am enrolled at Eastern Iowa Community College.
Anthony Strong,
Pheonix, AZ.
Being mixed, half black and half Cuban, my life has been a hurricane of racial confusion, offenses, and frustration. I was raised in a predominately African-American area and then moved into a primarily white suburb by my mother. I have had a chance to look at things from all angles. One thing remained through all of the cultural change around me and that was being told that for a Black boy, I didn’t “act black”. Whatever that is suppised to mean…
Gentry Hopkins,
Nashville, TN
Being biracial presently gives an interesting viewpoint on many social aspects. I often get the questions “are you more white or more black?” or “I’d say you act more white”, but what if I were just wanting to be biracial.
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville Sociology 110.
Brittany Barnes
Reno, NV
I am adopted. I was born in Irian Jaya, Indonesia, now known as Western New Guinea. I don’t really tell people where I was born, because I don’t find it necessary in conversations and it never really comes up. People look at me and automatically assume that I am African-American and this is not the case, but I don’t really correct them. I consider myself black just to make it easier for people, but what would you call me if someone were to label me. I have done extensive research and I have found that I am Papuan if I were to label myself, but then our government has those stupid boxes to check what race you are. I now put other Pacific Islander because Indonesia/Papua New Guinea are considered to be Pacific Islands. I am a person of mixed cultures given the circumstances and the environment I was raised in. I don’t talk “black” or act “black” and people always say oh you’re such a white girl, or oh you’re so white washed. It may sound like a joke especially when it comes to friends saying this, but it’s like, why does having a skin color have to limit someone’s ability to talk or act a certain way. I feel that my friends judge me all the time because of the way I sound or act and it’s tiring. I want to tell people where I come from, but I hate explaining my life story. So for whoever is reading this, tell me…what do you think? Are people who are born in Papua New Guinea considered black? Pacific Islander? Is there anyone else out there that was born in Papua New Guinea? I need someone to talk to about this. Even just to hear opinions about this. Thanks.
Chappell Watkins,
Indianapolis, IN.
I’m a 47 year old black male I’ve grown up in all white neighborhoods, and over the years I’ve had multiple white friends tell me I’m not black I’m white as if it were a compliment. My question is if you think calling me white is a compliment, what do you think of being Black ?
Paco Romane,
San Francisco, CA.
I grew up in an all white racist small town, with a hispanic nickname (paco), a white mom, and a black step-dad who’s last name was White. It taught me a lot including I believe there are two different kinds of white people: those become “black” around black people and those that get more white around black people. I was the latter.
Anika Moore
Gulfport, MS
You can not act a color. You can not be a color. Just because I speak as though I have read a book once in my life does not make me instantly “an Oreo”. Please stop.
Desiree’ Parker,
Sacramento, CA.
In a room full of black people I am comfortable, in a room full of white people I am comfortable, in a room full of mixed races I am comfortable. I act “black”, but I have no reason to hate them just as they have no reason to hate me. We all descended from the same root, mankind. You define your ethnicity, your culture, and you ultimately your limits. But our race… that is human.
Brittany Moore,
Syracuse, NY.
Thomas Vance
College Park, MD
14 yr old teen tired of white people saying I don’t act black.
Anne Ward Masterson
Anchorage, AK
Growing up Black, White and Cherokee in NH in the 1960’s and 70’s made for some painful tensions. In Kindergarten other children would see my mother and tell me she couldn’t be my mother. People would ask me ( and really, still do…) What are you? On the days I am patient I explain my heritage. On the days I am cranky I have been know to exclaim “Human!” The biggest tension is straddling multiple cultures. In college other black students insisted that I only claim my African American heritage. One went so far to explain that before he met me, he thought all interracial marriages should be dissolved and the children “Gotten rid of.” White students would exclaim ” but you don’t look/act black!” The best thing and the hardest thing has been being strong enough, loving enough, patient enough to be that bridge between different cultures offering a mirror for people to reflect on their assumptions AND for me to reflect on my own.
Subscription to our newsletter open soon.
Indulge in timeless elegance with our hand-curated collection of luxury vintage men’s fashion. From classic suits to iconic accessories, our online store offers a premium shopping experience for the modern gentleman who appreciates quality and style. Shop now and elevate your wardrobe with our carefully selected pieces that celebrate the art of craftsmanship and heritage fashion.
