Colorado Springs Archives - The Race Card Project

Before 9/11….Unique, After 9/11….ARAB!

September 11, 2025September 11, 2025 9/11, Arab, CO, Colorado Springs, Miriam Piper, stereotype, unique

Miriam Piper
Colorado Springs, CO

Before 9/11 I was just this unique mix of who knows what. I am really Palestinian and White, but no one ever knew what I was (Indian, Puerto Rican, Greek). But as soon as 9/11 happened, and living in a large military community who were then trained on facial features, I am now clearly recognized as an ARAB. They even try to narrow down the region I’m from like it’s a guessing game. I went from being unrecognizable to racially profiled everywhere… airports, military bases, government buildings etc. I lot of racial questionnaires (bubble questions) ask if you are mixed, which race do you identify with more? I always had trouble answering that question until I realized if you are being treated different in public, you tend to identify with the race you are being singled out for.

Latino, but I am a Republican

May 13, 2025May 13, 2025 book, CO, Colorado Springs, deportation, green, ICE, illegal, Latino, Mexican, podcast, red, Republican, veterans, white

Andres,
Colorado Springs, CO

As a second generation Mexican, with 2 parents that at one point came here illegally. I vote republican, I am a Republican. I voted for Trump, I support ICE. These things get me labeled a traitor, a bigot, or a brain washed conservative. My father came here illegally, but gained his citizenship under the Ronald Reagan administration’s Amnesty. My mother came over smuggled in the back of a Uhaul but gained her residency and proudly achieved US Citizenship this past December. I do not agree with handouts or weekly payouts for those coming here to abuse our system. I do not support our veterans, as a United States Marine Corps veteran, living on the streets while those that have given nothing for our nation are being fed with a sliver spoon. I agree with deportation and cleaning up our communities in such a way that our own citizens are provided for versus strangers. I am tired of being labeled things, or being grouped with racists for feeling that we need to get back to our core. My roots are Red White and Green, but I bleed Red White and Blue. I have this nation to thank for all the things that my family and I are blessed for, I can appreciate my heritage but recognize my present.

Every Race Has Been A Slave

March 19, 2024March 19, 2024 and Ukraine, Atlantic, Catholic, CO, Colorado Springs, Czechoslovakia, england, France, Germany, Ireland, irish, Italy, Jimmy Naughton, perpetrators, Poland, Race, Romania, Serbia, slave, slave trade

Jimmy Naughton
Colorado Springs, CO

Why does any race deserve restitution for their hardships? Every race has been enslaved, yet today’s discussions only ever focus on the Atlantic Slave Trade, i.e., the black slave. Hell, the Irish slaves were more plentiful in the English Empire, they were cheaper and treated far worse since they were Catholic, no thanks to Oliver Cromwell. If you go back far enough in history, you can find the dark pasts of every civilization and of every group of people. People of all races and all backgrounds will never be able to achieve peace if all they ever do is focus on the past and demand restitution for ancestors that are long dead from “perpetrators” who are also long dead. My family, both adopted and biological, come from all over Europe. I have blood from Germany, England, France, Czechoslovakia, Ireland, Poland, Italy, Romania, Serbia, and Ukraine. My ancestors came to America on a boat in 1915, when German and Hungarian forces invaded their village in Serbia during WWI, Serbia having been part of the Allied Forces. But you don’t see me at the German Embassy demanding restitution for the hardships that my family went through. Some of my ancestors were kidnapped, enslaved, and murdered by Barbary Pirates, yet you don’t see me demanding restitution from Muslims and North Africans? You see me focusing on the present and the future, using the opportunities given to me by my ancestors to succeed today, as well as continuing to see people’s character and not their color.

I speak better English than you.

June 14, 2023June 14, 2023 asian-american, CO, Colorado Springs, English, Nicole Huber, purse, speak, stereotype

Nicole Huber,
Colorado Springs, CO.

I am Asian American. Being an Asian American, no one clutches their purse tighter when I walk by, and no one finds it surprising that I teach at a university. But despite Asian Americans being perceived as the “model minority,” we are not seen as “real” Americans. I was adopted by a Caucasian couple when I was two weeks old, and grew up in a Caucasian family in Colorado. There is nothing Asian about me, except my appearance, of course. Nevertheless, people often ask me what nationality I am. I always reply definitively, “I’m American.” Then they ask me where I’m from, and I say Colorado. They shift uncomfortably, and then ask again. “No – I mean… originally.” The thing that gets me is that these people aren’t even familiar with any of the various Asian countries, so I don’t even know why they are asking. I could make up a country like Kerblinkistan and they would just smile and say, “Oh, how nice. You know – I had sushi for the first time on Sunday!” Perhaps the next time someone asks me, I will reply, “Haven’t you heard? All modern humans are originally from Africa.” But I usually play nice. When I finally tell them I was born in Thailand, it is usually met with a standard response: “Oh, so you’re Taiwanese.” No, I am not Taiwanese, nor am I even Thai. I’m American. And I’m pretty sure I speak better English than you do.

One Mirror With Many Different Reflections.

December 7, 2022December 7, 2022 African, anthropologist, Biologist, bloodline, CO, Colorado Springs, Diaspora, distinction, genetic, genetic trait, humankind, Keith R. Barnes, mirror, Native, physical, Pikes Peak Community College, pure, Race, reflection, skin color, social construct, superior

Keith R. Barnes,
Colorado Springs, CO.

I hear people talking about being a part of a pure race. Race is a distinction placed upon one’s physical and genetic traits most notably skin color. Race is a social construct created to make one category seemingly superior over another.
Biologists and anthropologists have discovered race mixing throughout the history of humankind. I have both an African and a Native American bloodline or diaspora (and maybe others). Therefore, what am I really – Black or Red? While I choose to identify as Black/African- American, I am really a mirror with many reflections.

Every race is part of me.

December 1, 2021 CO, Colorado Springs, every race, Sharon Dykes-Modlens

Sharon Dykes-Modlens,
Colorado Springs, CO

This has been a thorny subject all my life! Get with it people!

People of color under white privilege

May 4, 2021May 4, 2021 Colorado Springs, Pat Dailey Dolin

Pat Dailey Dolin,
Colorado Springs, CO

Coming from southern roots I grew up hearing the ugliness of racism, the celebration of the honorable fight against northern aggression and the excuses. I work to be aware of white privilege in everyday living.

Is your uncle Osama bin Laden?

September 11, 2019September 11, 2019 9/11, CO, Colorado Springs, Middle-Eastern, Osama Bin Laden, stereotype, Tiffany Compton

Tiffany Compton,
Colorado Springs, CO.

I always thought I was like everyone else until a kid in my 6th grade class asked me this question. After 9/11 my Middle Eastern background has been stereotyped and my life hasn’t been the same.

Because I’m White, I’ll never understand.

March 5, 2018 assume, assumptions, CO, Colorado Springs, Daisy Weeks, small grain, truth, understand, white

Daisy Weeks,
Colorado Springs, CO.

Assumptions, with small grain of truth.

“You’re not smart. You are Hispanic”

January 19, 2018January 19, 2018 Anthropology Class 101 Dr. Sandi Harvey, CO, Colorado Springs, Hispanic, Lauren Jewert, smart

Lauren Jewert,
Colorado Springs, CO.

Anthropology Class 101, Dr. Sandi Harvey

Why don’t you date your race?

March 4, 2016March 4, 2016 Alaskan, CO, Colorado Springs, date, interracial dating, Maranda, mother, Native, negative, Race, white male

Maranda,
Colorado Springs, CO.

My mother says she isn’t prejudice, yet she has negative comments towards me dating a white male. I am Native and Alaskan Native and African American.

I just want to remain anonymous.

November 10, 2015November 10, 2015 anonymous, CO, Colorado Springs, Hades, labels

Hades,
Colorado Springs, CO.

I came up with this instantly without even thinking. I think it fits the Race Card project because I believe some people truly don’t want to be known by their race or gender. Some just want to be who they really are without labels.

I have never enslaved anyone’s ancestors

June 10, 2015June 10, 2015 Ancestors, bigot, CO, Colorado Springs, demographic, enslaved, hate crime, homophobic, middle class, Paul, Racist, sexist, slave, white male

Paul,
Colorado Springs, CO.

I am not the enemy. I am a 40-year old white, middle-class male- the prime demographic; according to some. It hurts me when people assume that I’m bigoted, racist, sexist or homophobic. To many racial and gender-based groups; I am looked at as the enemy. Neither I, nor my family has ever committed a hate crime and yet, I am treated as though I’ve done a great wrong.

My friends and then your friends.

March 27, 2015March 27, 2015 best friend, CO, Colorado Springs, friends, Kyle Cruz, racial biased groups

Kyle Cruz,
Colorado Springs, CO.

When freshman enter my high school, we instantly separate to our “designated friends”. We are sectioned off into racial biased groups (all decisions are by students) and we stay with our “true” colors. But not my friend pact, if you look into our cafeteria you’d see a sea of different colors, like bottle less spices on a tray isolated from each other, and then there is us. Weird look of betrayal and hatred peers upon our group every once and a while subliminally asks us, “why in the hell?!”

Uncle Julian shot, only a Mexican

July 14, 2014March 4, 2015 CO, Colorado Springs, Douglas Rule, Grandma, grandmother, Mexican, shoot out, shot gun, Uncle Julian

Douglas Rule
Colorado Springs, CO

1904 Sopris, CO, killed in a shoot out. Only reason situation not dismissed is that my grandmother’s sister Laura was not just a Mexican.

Economic segregation will add to problem

April 18, 2014 CO, Colorado Springs, economic, KL Anderson, Las Vegas, NM, problem, School USA, segregation, USA

KL Anderson
Colorado Springs, CO

Educational disparity has long been a racial card, but it’s one the sinking middle class is now being dealt, too. This might actually play out as a great eye opener to the blue collar job holder who has been traditionally manipulated into bigotry.

1950 School Registration Joji becomes George

June 9, 2013June 9, 2013 1950's, CO, Colorado Springs, george, George Joji Hamamoto, name, registration, school

George Joji Hamamoto
Colorado Springs, CO

If race isn’t specified, assume white?

May 1, 2013 assume, CO, Colorado Springs, Race, specified, white

Terri
Colorado Springs, CO

I find it annoying that in news stories (suspect is an Hispanic man, 6 feet tall), or even generally speaking (I met the sweetest black woman today), people only mention the race or ethnicity of the person they are talking about if said person isn’t white. Is that only true if the speaker is white? Is it because I’m white that I often picture a white person unless otherwise noted? Do black folks usually picture other blacks when they hear stories, unless otherwise noted?

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