Naked, upside-down, backwards. Equal we’re born.
Claudia J. Ford Providence, RI For the vast majority of natural births we all come into the world exactly equal. But race remains the social...
Born American, never accepted as American
Ramon Fontaine Pittsburgh, PA Since 1917, and before Alaska and Hawaii, Puerto Ricans have been US citizens. We have fought in every US war since...
Born white, Pakistani Heart, International soul
Marilyn Gardner, Boston, MA. Born in the United States, Grew up in Pakistan. Hold American passport. Birthed 5 kids on 3 continents. Now trying to...
Black and part of the solution.
Maurice Kemp, San Antonio, TX. I did not choose my race. No one did. I was born into a world with preconceived notions about my...
Not Really Indian, American Born Desi.
Rahul Iyer Mesa, AZ Not Really Indian, American Born Desi is what could be used to describe me. Not Really Indian (NRI) is a term...
Tenth generation American, still asked origin.
Leah Perlongo, Sunapee, NH. Ever been asked “Where are you from?” and the answer they expected was not the town you were born, but a...
Mommy, why wasn’t I born white?
Victoria Finney Cambridge, MA I still remember how upset she was when I asked her this. Like I had said something wrong that I shouldn’t...
Two worlds, where do I belong?
Manuel Catalan, Lompoc, CA. Being a Mexican American always makes me think about how race affects everyone. I was born in the United States but...
Where is the country of “White” ?
Armando Reyes, TX. I was born in Texas. 5 generations of my family were born in Texas. Before Texas was part of the US. I...
You’re American? Were you born here?
Araceli, Pasadena, CA. No I wasn’t born here. Does it really matter? My family moved to this country when I was 2.5 yrs old. I...
Identity is the root of suffering
Scotty, Detroit, MI. Race is real. Sometimes, it is also necessary to play the role we are born into. Most of the time, however, we...
I’m white but I’m also European
Gianna Radoi, USA. People think that being white means you are American. I am second generation, born and raised in America, but my parents are...
Being “mixed” race is super frustrating.
Amber, Boise, ID. No one gets to decide what “race” they’re born as, but a lot of people have the privilege of being able to...
