born and raised Archives - The Race Card Project

Exotic name! where are you from

January 27, 2022January 27, 2022 American, Blacksburg, born and raised, innocent, name, negative, Race, syllables, VA, Vidhya Mallikarjunan

Vidhya Mallikarjunan,
Blacksburg, VA.

I was born and have lived in the US for my whole life. And I’ve been blessed to live in a town where my race doesn’t come up too often especially in negative ways. But still so innocently people will constantly ask “where I’m from” but I’m from Blacksburg. It’s so ostracizing, it makes me feel like I am somehow other, like just because you can’t say my name I’m somehow obviously different. And I love my name, it is mine, but so often no one takes the time to even try to say it right. They will say Tchaikovsky without a pause but cannot afford me two syllables. It gets old and it’s small, but it’s a constant reminder that people see me and don’t think of me as “us” but them.

Muslim is not synonymous with terrorist

September 11, 2021September 11, 2021 born and raised, Bowling Green, Fahad Alotaibi, Islam, Islamic, KY, Muslim, religion, school, stereotype, terrorist

Fahad Alotaibi,
Bowling Green, KY.

I was born and raised in n Islamic country. When 9/11 happened, I had no idea that the world would turn on us as being Muslim. I was thinking that others would notice the difference between a religion and terrorism. I understand that when people get harmed, they start thinking involuntarily. As a Muslim, I’ve been taught from elementary to high school not to harm anyone in the name of Islam, anyone who does so is not truly following the teaching of Islam. Any act I do, shall be my own decision and not a reflection of my entire religion.

Raised by whitefolks judged by blackfolks

September 21, 2015 Black, born and raised, cornbread, Family, humorou, judge, Lashanda Burns Carter, Motley Crue, Open-minded nonjudgmental, PA, Scranton, shy, well spoken, white, you act like a

Lashanda Burns Carter,
Scranton, PA.

I was raised by a white family from the age 4 until 13. There were some great things and some really horrible things. But I am who I am because of the environment. Open-minded nonjudgmental, well spoken, humorous, and very shy African American. Who loves Motley Crue and hates cornbread. Black people have said u act too white or even that I want to be white. White people say I am not like other black people. This is nit a compliment. Or that I am the coolest black person ever. My own people judge me more than any other people. I don’tget it. But I don’t get a lot of things. **shrugs shoulders**”