The Race Card Project
By Michele Norris
Lamar Johnson,
Knoxville, TN.
I used to get so upset when someone used N***** to describe me. I then realized that I got upset because I thought of myself as a N*****. When I chose not to believe I was a nigger, I became free of the word and it no longer has an impact on me.
Arely Herrera,
Memphis, TN
One of my professors of the “(De)constructing Race in America” course I am currently taken has embedded the importance of having your own “narrative” in my mind. Now, for me, it is always important to look at the history and re-write what my race means to me. “Mexican” doesn’t completely describe where I or my people came from.
Teri V. Markanson,
Crescent City, CA.
Before I knew what the definitions were, these words were used to describe me as a young child.
Matt Nightingale
Santa Rosa, CA
My name is Matt, and my family and I are white. About five years ago, I learned a powerful lesson from my son.
I had taken my kids to go swimming. I noticed my 7-year-old son Zach playing with a little African-American boy for quite a while. That night as I tucked him in, he brought up something funny his new friend had said.
I wanted to see how he would describe his new friend to me, so I said, “I think I saw you with your friend. What did he look like?” He thought for a second and then said… “Hmmmm… Friendly?”
I saw an African-American boy. Zach saw a friendly boy.
P. Davidson
USA
In the White Middle Class world, it is absolutely taboo to mention that someone is Black. Only as a last, desperate resort can you even think of mentioning it. This results in a lot of conversations like the following:
“While you’re on your way, can you drop this folder off to Sherri?”
“Who’s Sherri? I don’t think I know her.”
“You know, Sherri. She used to work in Customer Service, but now she’s in Proofing.”
“Still doesn’t ring a bell.”
“Her cube is right next to Dan’s.”
*Shakes head, frowning in confusion*
“You know, we had a birthday party for her last week.”
“I was on vacation last week.”
*Leans over to 1 nanometer from co-worker’s ear, whispers in the lowest voice they can manage, eyes rotating all around to make sure no one can possibly hear*: “She’s black.”
“Oh.”
I understand why White people do this–fear of being labeled as a Racist. My question is, does it really offend Black people if someone describes them as Black? Or is that just White people’s perception?
Shel Cantor
Astoria, OR
Describe someone. You probably included the color of her eyes. You didn’t ignore her eye color, yet you don’t prejudge her nor treat her differently based on the color of her eyes. Race must become like eye color.
Jennifer Cantrick
Ann Arbor, MI
While in reality race is one aspect of thousands that makes a person who they are, in America more often than not race is used as a defining characteristic rather than a descriptive one. The disproportionality in the way people see race over every other factor besides gender as a key defining aspect is embedded in our culture and our history. Because of these culturally and historical contexts, prejudices, discrimination, and racial tensions still exist today.
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