Redefining the south’s reputation for racism.
Lanthe Keller, Knoxville, TN I grew up in a small suburb outside of Seattle, WA. I played with and had friends in my class who...
Kids’ mother tongue isn’t their mother’s
Elise DuBord, Cedar Falls, IA. Growing up in the Midwest, I started studying Spanish as a second language in high school, fascinated with learning about...
She’s nice for a black woman!
Barry Watkins, Santa Rosa, CA. My mother took me back when she told me that. She was loving & guileless. She drove off the road...
“Mythical norm”, is what I be
Donald Malchow, Milwaukee, WI. A friend explained to me that I was the “mythical norm” in our society while we were in college. That really...
Don’t waste your time on college
Patricia L. Gadsden, Central, PA. As an African American female in the 1960’s, I was discouraged from attending college. It was explained to me that...
All races in family equals love
Val Andrew, Overland, MO. My parents taught us early on to accept all people and invited international college students of different races, religions, and nationalities...
Regaining and loving my lost culture
Lourdes, Atlanta, GA Being born and raised in the South in predominantly white areas being a hispanic was a lot. It was hard to make...
Gay and black is truly me.
Matthew English, Lakeland, FL. Michele was at my college today for convocation. Her words spoke the truth. I will always listen.
My Black Panther freshman college roommate
Alan Ritter, St. Louis, MO When I arrived at MIT, my assigned roommate was an African American guy from Detroit. In the fall of 1969,...
Wearing your difference on the outside.
Mona Khadr, Washington, DC. “But where are you from, originally?” is a question I get a lot. When I was younger, I answered proudly (“Egyptian!”)...
White but not proud of privilege
Shannon Wagner, Washington, DC I studied History in college and have been on a quest of understanding the African American experience, oppression, inequity and the...
Respect my fears. I’ll respect yours
Holly Burngasser, Inwood, WV I had the experience to going daily from my cushy white suburb into the black ghetto area of Cleveland. I could...
Teaching white students about social justice.
Terri F. Reilly, St. Louis, MO. I don’t only teach white college students, but many of them come into the classroom with blinders of privilege...
Bangladeshi-British immigrant. Mom of all-American twins.
Sadia Rodriguez, Round Rock, TX. If I had to limit myself to a single identity, I’d say that I’m a mother of twins above all...
I am me, do not panic.
James Eliot Griffith Stillwater, OK It’s irritating how in this day and age if I just tell someone I’m Mexican (which is the side of...
I don’t care about blacks anymore.
Paul Rojas, Tulsa, OK. I’m going to come out and say it…the same thing thousands, probably millions of people in this country are feeling, at...
Privileged White Girl, Am I Really?
Tina Myrum, Alexandria, MN. Growing up in a small town, there was not a lot of racially diversity. However, I listened to the news, read...
