I’m blond, not your racist cohort
Kara Cox,
Charlottesville, VA.
I constantly get people making racist comments about others to me. They see blond hair and blue eyes and assume I feel the same way they do.
Bigots can change, cuz I did.
Don O’Neal,
Charlottesville, VA
I was raised to be a bigot. But I grew past that and raised a son to be different than I was raised. I live in Charlottesville VA. When the white supremacists came to town I literally stood arm in arm with diverse neighbors, willing to fight to keep hate out of our town.
Black Man Father Kids Race
Derrick Carter,
Charlottesville, VA.
Trying to understand and teach my biracial children and how they can make the future better for every race.
Tribalism is more divisive than race.
Elias Jones,
Charlottesville, VA.
It is tribalism that leads to assumptions both affirming (they are like me, they accept me, I am safe with them) and disruptive (they don’t like us, we don’t trust them, they are different). Tribalism perpetuates white privilege, empowers classism – which is informed and compounded by racism and sexism – collectively absolves abuse, fosters narrow concepts of community, amplifies distrust and fear, fuels separatist desire, and validates misconceptions. Too often, empathy ends at the tribal boundary. One reason those who choose bias over acceptance rebuke science is because modern science no longer categorizes humans by race, but by ethnic groups. Race is concept too easily institutionalized to enforce classist agendas. Ethnicity is closer in tone to cultural specificity. Consider the existence of tribes and how they might reinforce perceptions and attitudes toward race; law enforcement, political parties, families, neighborhoods, churches, hobbyists, etc. If your tribe insists on attributing all characteristics (positive and negative) to race, how likely is it that you will too? Unless you choose not to.
The white community must do more.
Clare Pugsley,
Charlottesville, VA
I chose these six words because America in 2019 is a place filled with more open (and hidden) racism and bigotry than I ever could have imagined. I feel a responsibility as someone who has benefited from white privilege throughout my life to speak out against prejudice when I witness it. In particular, I believe that many others fail to recognize their own white privilege, especially if they experienced economic hardships. The systemic racism that still exists within our society prevents people of color from truly experiencing the same opportunities that those of us in the white community enjoy. Those in positions of power (unfortunately most of whom are white) need to do more to create a community in which everyone has the same access and ability to succeed.
#URTRCP #TheRaceCardProject
Black culture is alien to whites
Jane Levin,
Charlottesville, VA.
There’s a fantastic scene in the film, An American Werewolf in London, where the American backpackers go into a pub called the Slaughtered Lamb. They are so uncomfortable because they are so out of place and completely clueless about the local culture. To say they feel conspicuous and uncomfortable is an understatement. That’s what it’s ike for whites to enter a completely black gathering. We don’t have enough exposure to the uniqueness of being immersed in African American culture.
Accept the reality; own YOUR story
Juan-Day
Charlottesville, VA
I chose these words because there’s nothing left to say. I’ve grown tired of the same dance around this issue. Race matters because history matters. History hasn’t been kind to brown skin. Educate yourself and your loved ones. If WE don’t appreciate our brown-ness it’s laughable to expect others to.
Must we forget our Confederate ancestors?
Jesse Dukes,
Charlottesville, VA.
This question was on my mind recently, when I wrote an article for Virginia Quarterly Review about Confederate reenactors at the 150th anniversary of Gettysburg. I don’t actually have any Confederate ancestors I’m aware of, but most of the reenactors do. All of the reenactors I talked to considered slavery to be an abomination, considered Jim Crow to be evil, and espoused no prejudice against people of color. But, they feel a powerful connection to the Confederacy because of their heritage; because their great-great-great-grandfather marched up a hill in Gettysburg or some other battlefield and watched his friends get shot, or got shot himself. They’re proud of their forebears. They imagine their ancestors as brave and noble people, and say things like “Those boys weren’t fighting for slavery, they were fighting for state’s rights and freedom”. And in certain individual cases, they might be correct, even if the Confederacy collectively fought to preserve slavery.
Historical arguments aside, if white southerners wish to oppose racism today, what responsibilities do they have toward the past? Must they forget or renounce their Confederate ancestors? Is there a way they can honor their memory and the vastness of their sacrifice, while still acknowledging the racism of the 19th century South, and the horrors of slavery?
Listen to Jesse Dukes’ story NPR’s Morning Edition.
I have failed my biracial daughter.
Michele Malmstrom,
Charlottesville, VA.
My daughter has always had very low self-esteem. I tried her entire life to address the problem by complimenting her and giving her the tools for building her confidence: cello lesson, in which she excelled, girl scouts where she achieved the silver award, college educated with a B.A. and at 24 she is considering entering a Master’s program, etc. Since reaching adulthood she has opened up a lot about her feelings stating: Both groups – her white side (me) and her black side (her father) have repeatedly told her 1st “You are not really black” (both in color and action) and secondly “If you have even a little black you are considered black.” She says that she doesn’t feel like she belongs anywhere! Not only that but the statements are in complete opposition to each other… When a black person says “You are not really black” they mean “You are not accepted” but when a white person says it, it is meant as an off-handed compliment which of course puts her down instead of builds her up. Conversely, when a black person says “If you are even a little bit black than you are black” comes off just as off-handed as the above “compliment”, you belong to us weather you want to pretend you are white or not.” And obviously, when a white person says it they are saying “you are NOT white”. If I knew then what I know now I would have pushed her on her father’s side instead of leaving it up to him to see her. I have failed my biracial daughter!
Quit blaming me because I’m white
Chris Grimm
Charlottesville, VA
I grew up in the somewhat inner city of Alexandria, Virginia. I was not brought up to hate anyone. My parents raised me to respect everyone not based on their color just who they are.
