Yes I’m Jewish, Yes I’m Blonde.
Summer, Camarillo, CA I am Ashkenazi Jewish and have always known so, and was raised speaking English and Yiddish. I am fair skinned, blue eyes...
Why are they staring at me?
Sophia Villasenor, Anaheim, CA Moving to Boise, Idaho when I was 7, I dealt with a change. I quickly felt as if I wasn’t the...
I consider myself a white individual
Hannah Johnson, Marina, CA …and even though I am a quarter Vietnamese, I don’t feel comfortable calling myself anything other than white but also part...
“I’d never get away with that!”
Susie Wilson, Lake Forest, CA This was said to me by my friend who’s Mexican after I told a funny story about getting away with...
I never even thought about race.
Ric Leczel, San Gabriel, CA I grew up in a firehouse with every race. We spent every holiday together. Black and Mexican and Indian firefighters...
Both insider, and outsider—still American.
Al P, Tustin, CA Being a 1st Gen American is perhaps one of the most unique experiences to live. Where one is simultaneously an American,...
Humbled. Meant well. Feared as Karen.
Carol, San Mateo, CA I was walking by a school when I noticed a delivery driver who appeared to be either ill or exhausted. When...
I’m Italian, West Asian, North African
Leah Granen, Santa Clarita, CA I grew up thinking I was second generation 100% Italian/Sicilian. I realized that my grandfather and great uncles had Americanized...
Your skin color doesn’t define you.
Kelly Waddell, Modesto, CA People often misinterpret race and ethnicity, though neither can fully define a person. Embracing people from all walks of life helps...
Send the light skinned cousin in.
Gym Rati, Pasadena, CA. We were on a road trip and in Colorado a restaurant displayed a sign that Mexicans were not allowed. We sent...
I’m the future, can’t you see?
Lauren Lola Newark, CA Why are people always so curious about what my racial makeup is? They treat it like it’s a game- like they’re...
