Mixed heritage. Feeling strange growing up
Katie Moore
New Echota, GA
I used to hate the way I looked growing up. My mom & brother had fair skin & freckles & I had darker skin & hair. I like the way I look now. I’m proud of my heritage. I am of cherokee, creek, German,& African decent. I stand taller than most women & my hair is almost to my knees & very straight with several shades of auburn & browns. I have a daughter now that took after her father more; wavy hair, fair skin, & blue eyes.
More than what meets the eye
Brooke Evans,
Auburn, GA
Many people assume that because I’m white I have all of the opportunity or the upper hand compared to people of other races. While in some cases that might be true, I’ve faced my own struggles too. I didn’t always have it easy growing up and I’ve had to work hard for what I have. I’ve been working and paving my way from the time I was 16. I’ve supported myself and paid my way through school. I’ve seen many people have things handed to them, but that has never been me. This goes back to how I define race. It is more than what meets the eye. You never know what people are dealing with from the outside. Always be kind. Never assume. Love people.
Hispanic Guy Trying To Fit In
Cesar Bazo,
Auburn, AL.
I know deep inside myself that I belong to a minority group here in the United States. I am a Peruvian living in Alabama. However, the fact that I belong to a minority group does not make me feel inferior or less likely to succeed. On the contrary, I believe this country has given me the unique opportunity to thrive both academically and professionally. I feel so grateful for all the opportunities that have been bestowed upon my family and me. With much dedication and effort, we have started a new life that is opening doors all the time. Indeed, I have been able to get a master’s degree and work both as a Spanish teacher and an ESL instructor. Currently, I am pursuing a doctoral degree in Adult Education. I am well-aware of the fact that I would not have been able to accomplish these goals in my native country, mainly because of economic constraints. Little by little, I am trying to fit into this new society. I must admit that when I first got here almost four years ago, I felt a bit fearful about my future prospects. Nonetheless, nowadays I feel quite confident about my situation. I sincerely hope that this humble testimony can encourage other Hispanics living in the United States to study and work hard in order to make their dreams and their family aspirations come true!
What kind of Asian are you?
Hallie,
Auburn, WA
This is what I get the most as an international student studying in the United States of America. I feel like it is about how I look, what kind of language I speak, where I come from, ‘am I Chinese’, ‘can you understand other Asia nations’ languages?’. Some people might come to say, ‘oh so you cannot speak that language, I thought you guys are the same’, which is annoying and offensive at the same time for other people and me. I don’t think that people should judge each other like that because we are all human and live on the same planet.
Not all cops are bad cops
Manveer Singh,
Auburn, WA
Just because there are a couple of crooked/racist cops doesn’t mean all are the same. With everything going on with our country cops are seen in a bad way by some because of horrible things done by a few.
Veil, black, nationality, gender, food, proper names
Asmaa Benbaba,
Auburn, AL.
In more instances than one, the veil is considered as a symbol of subservience and exclusion by western media. As a result, a lot of people reproduce the same thoughts and behavior towards those women who choose the veil as an identity and refuse to think critically of the socio-cultural and historical milieu that the veil represents.
The Butter Mexi- Rican, That’s Me
Evangely Arzola,
Auburn, WA
I am Evy, born with the curliest, long brown hair, brown skin, and black eyes. I am biracial, Mexican, and Puerto Rican. There’s always been a push and pull regarding my ethnicity. Most people don’t believe me because my facial features aren’t those of a Puerto Rican or Mexican. People confuse me with other ethnicities. Surprises me when they tell me ” but you don’t act Puerto Rican, you must be this or that”. I never understood since when was race defined by actions. I don’t have to act a certain way to prove what I identify myself as. I’ve had experiences where people are shocked when I start speaking Spanish fluently because I don’t look Hispanic. However, I don’t allow ignorance to affect how I view myself and my identity.
Not from here, not from there.
Arizbeth Martinez,
Auburn, WA
Having moved to the US from Mexico when I was a kid, oftentimes I find that I don’t feel welcome in both cultures. In Mexico, I am not Mexican enough and in the US, I am not American enough.
A brokenness often neglected, never forgotten.
Daniel Harrison,
Auburn, AL.
What do I mean by neglected? I don’t just mean the easily targeted racists who are the enemy to be removed or reformed. Nor do I mean to target anti-racist activists who may unknowingly add fuel to the fire with false accusations. I mean the moral problem deep within the human soul and psyche. Call me a pessimist here, but as long as humans remain solely human in their judgments, there will remain some hint of racial superiority or inferiority. Pride or shame in what kind of person looks back at you from the mirror. This brokenness of human nature can be mended, though it is often neglected in protestations for political and social rights. I think in order for this problem to be mended, it has to first be acknowledged as not just a lack of education, but as a pattern of immoral actions. Despite the desires of many postmodern thinkers to put the minority experience as a norm against a class of so-called “white supremacy”, there must be some idea of how actions by any race can have unjust and immoral motivations. Ideas like these are controversial and not without debate. They are the question even of religions and philosophy the world over. How can humanity survive itself? How can we possibly get along with each other? This issue will never be forgotten because it is an issue of what values humans have and how a person can have worth. The definitions will constantly be redefined – “race”, “racism”, “gender”, “ethnicity”, and so on – but the constant question will be related to a peaceful human coexistence. In short, racism is a human issue, and as long as humans exist, they will act in immoral ways involving race but there will never stop being attempts to create a more peaceful world.
Trust me…I am a doctor
Dr. Carmen Beverly
Auburn, AL
Not your nurse, maid or clerk…really a fierce brown lady doctor trying to keep everyone well.
Challenging the knowledge has no age
Hugo Santos,
Auburn, AL.
I am a literature professor in Brazil and after completing 40 years of age, I’ve decided to come to United States and attend a PhD program. If a program of this importance is already quite challenging, it becomes even more challenging when it is done in a second language, especially if you are a Latin person. So, next time you see any international student before you, embrace him/her, praise him/her and exalt the fact that he/she has decided to do this. Imagine yourself doing a graduate program in a language that is not yours.
Diversity educates the mind and soul!
Vivian Dimmel
Liverpool, NY
Retired inner city school teacher who had to return to the suburbs and the mindset of ignorant people in my retirement.
Alabama. MLK assassinated. Students cheered. Horrified
Jerry Falek
Santa Cruz, CA
A group of us in our 60s and 70s were talking about the Civil Rights movement. My friend Eduardo was a veterinary student at Auburn. We were stunned when he said that the announcement came when he was in class. Some of the students cheered. He, and we, were horrified.
