differences Archives - The Race Card Project

Too mixed too choose just one!

February 12, 2026February 15, 2026 CA, choose one, Citrus Heights, differences, latina, love, Mexico, mixed, Native American, paternal, Roots, Tess Escoto, TX

Tess Escoto,
Citrus Heights, CA.

My roots are in Texas and Mexico. While some may look at me and say that I appear to be Latina, often they aren’t sure. My father’s last name is of Italian origin and my grandmother and grandfather (paternal) both had blue eyes and black curly hair. My mother’s family is proud to be a mix of Native American and Texan heritage. I married a man who is African American, Filipino and Russian. I am amazed at the possibilities and love every difference that I see in those I meet. I could never choose just one race for any future kids I have. Let them choose and be proud of everything they are!

Unnecessary labels beget Unnecessary divide, turmoil

January 26, 2026 create, differences, divide, Jason Crocker, MA, Marlborough, Race, turmoil

Jason Crocker,
Marlborough, MA

I used these six words in order to encapsulate and display what race means to me. I used anaphora to further emphasize the fact that it is unnecessary by repeating it multiple times. I chose the word “beget” instead of “create”, as I felt that it was a better descriptor for what I was trying to say.
The main idea of my race card is to communicate the idea that racial divide is unnecessary, and that these unnecessary labels and groups cause what would’ve otherwise been two very similar people to see cosmetic differences between themselves, creating separation between them for no logical or rational reason. This divide begets turmoil for everybody regardless of what “race” they “belong to”.

Respect the differences you don’t like

December 2, 2025December 2, 2025 @michele_Norris, @Tyler1l1, #theracecardproject, differences, respect, twitter, Tyler Levine

Tyler Levine,
Submitted via Twitter: @Tyler1l1
@michele_norris #theracecardproject

Magnanimous old white dude making meaning

December 19, 2024 Charles A. Calahan, differences, IN, magnanimous, West Lafayette, white guy

Charles A. Calahan,
West Lafayette, IN

Each of us needs time to develop across differences across our life span.

When I dream, we are one!

March 19, 2024March 19, 2024 Booker Evans, differences, DNA, Dream, Minot, ND, one

Booker Evans,
Minot, ND.

Essentially people are the same except for a few percent DNA….most differences and responses to those perceived differences are manufactured. Perhaps by ignorance and lack of insight into the human condition.

Indéfinies surprises de la différence: bonheur!

January 11, 2024 Ann Arbor, bonheur, difference, differences, French, happiness, Jean M. Hebrard, MI, Understanding Race Project, University of Michigan

Jean M. Hebrard
Ann Arbor, MI
Understanding Race Project – University of Michigan

Different flowers make a beautiful garden.

October 10, 2023October 10, 2023 Andrea Mills, beautiful, differences, flowers, garden, MO, St. Louis

Andrea Mills
St. Louis, MO

Learn, accept, teach to love differences

October 3, 2023 Corning Community College, differences, Elmira, learn, Nick Fidurko, NY

Nick Fidurko,
Elmira, NY

We now as adults in the next generation of teachers have the job to educate and show others, along with our children who will one day become the next teachers of their generation and their children, that everyones’ differences are beautiful, special, and unique to each person. And even with our differences we are still equal and all deserving of love, acceptance, and compassion. It is up to us to teach the wrongs and the rights to those who do not know, it is up to us to build connections and show we are one, not separate forces who should be up against one another. Learn from one another, teach one another, accept one another.

Refuse to follow the racial constructs.

September 12, 2022September 12, 2022 Aspen X, binding, box, differences, follow, https://www.aspeninstitute.org/events/aspenx-new-orleans/, LA, New Orleans, political, racial, racial construct, Racquel Picou, refuse, social, superiority, USA

Racquel Picou,
New Orleans, LA.
Aspen X
To me race is just a social and political construct that is very binding. A reason for humans to hate each other’s differences and to create these unwarranted and detestable battles for superiority. I’ve been forced before to just tick a single box in standardized test that says if you’re not the same you’re below. Or if its wrong to want to know and take part in another culture. I believe that race is a term that should never have been created.

Plants, birds, people – celebrate life’s colors.

February 14, 2022February 14, 2022 birds, celebrate, Color, differences, education, Harper Woods, heart, life, love, MI, People, plants, religion, respect, Rose Mary Prifest, Wayne State, worship

Rose Mary Prifest,
Wayne State,
Harper Woods, MI

If there is anything important I learned in my lifetime, it’s acceptance of peoples’ differences. The key is education. It is opening your mind and heart to learning what makes people who they are. We may not agree with how they worship, whom they love, and how they celebrate, but we should always respect their existence and their human right to be themselves.

The world has a beautiful tapestry.

September 15, 2020September 15, 2020 beautiful, colors, cultural, differences, Mozart, Rap, tapestry, variety

Mel,
Sharpsburg, GA

The world would be very boring if we all looked the same. I love the variety of colors we see in the world. I see the beauty in all races and all faces. I appreciate all the cultural differences and talents that each culture brings to the world table. Form their cultural food items to the wonderful diversity in musical. Could you imagine a world without Mozart or rap? You can but, it would not be as wonderful.

Two worlds, where do I belong?

September 15, 2019September 18, 2020 belong, Born, CA, culture, differences, Lompoc, Manuel Catalan, Marine Corps, Mexican-American, military, serve, team, two worlds, United States, where do I belong

Manuel Catalan,
Lompoc, CA.

Being a Mexican American always makes me think about how race affects everyone. I was born in the United States but my family comes from Mexico, although I look like I could’ve been born in Mexico myself. I serve in the U.S Marine Corps and I get to experience and meet the many different people of different races and cultures that put their differences aside and work together as a team. The best part about realizing the difference in races is that those differences are what brings us together. Learning about each culture and race helps to understand better where someone is coming from and what they’re all about.

We are one human family

December 26, 2017December 26, 2017 culture, differences, echo, Family, human, International, Maeve, MI, real world, rudge awakening, worth it, Ypsilanti

Maeve,
Ypsilanti, MI.

I grew up in an international school where we celebrated each other’s differences. It was a rude awakening to grow up and learn that this is not the way it works in the real world. We are one human family, with a fascinating variety of cultures. We need to step out of our echo chambers and reach out to each other. It is often challenging and not always comfortable and ALWAYS WORTH IT.

Indéfinies surprises de la différence: bonheur!

December 15, 2017December 13, 2017 Ann Arbor, bonheur, difference, differences, French, happiness, Jean M. Hebrard, MI, Understanding Race Project, University of Michigan

Jean M. Hebrard
Ann Arbor, MI
Understanding Race Project – University of Michigan

Differences never change but opinions do

December 14, 2016December 14, 2016 6th grade, Central High School, change, CO, Denver, differences, Fire From the Rock, lesson, Molly W., opinions, students

Molly W.,
Denver, CO.

I am a 6th grade teacher and my class has been reading Fire From the Rock about the integration of Central High School in Little Rock in 1957. This six-word story was written by one of my students in response to our reading.

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/fire-rock

Do not tolerate differences, understand them.

July 17, 2016September 28, 2023 differences, Houston, tolerate, TX, understand

Anonymous,
Houston, TX.

Willing to LISTEN, not only hear.

June 16, 2016June 16, 2016 affraid, ashamed, differences, fix, hear, human, listen, Rochelle Fritsch, WI

Rochelle Fritsch
WI

The country’s history and current tension around race and ethnicity create a pull in which some of us need to talk about it, while others of us are so afraid, ashamed and uncomfortable that we only HEAR the concerns of others rather than listening, reflecting and perhaps even learning from them. Some want so much to believe that the “we are all human” mantra covers and fixes everything, when maybe part of “the fix” is acknowledging our differences. We are human. Our differences underscores the fact that we’re not clones. Let’s acknowledge that and move forward.

Why must our differences be wrong?

May 23, 2016May 23, 2016 differences, discriminatory, ethnicity, heritage, IN, Indianapolis, Sarah Whitlock, shallow, white, wrong

Sarah Whitlock
Indianapolis, IN

It is so frustrating to be around people who are discriminatory. I am tired of having to worry about offending someone because I make a comment that mentions their race or ethnicity. Such a comment is not a problem specifically because it is potentially negative, but because it mentions their race. Why are our differences a problem? Why am I automatically deemed offensive if I bring up someone’s origin? We are all different. We are all defined in some way by our race and ethnicity.

I don’t believe anyone has ever asked me where I originate. (There is actually racism against “white” people, although it is not nearly as prominent or frankly as important to deal with at present.) But I am Canadian, Dutch, and French. I am extremely proud of my heritage. And yes, a lot of my culture – both at home and in society – defines me by the fact that I am white. But I am also defined by the fact that I like to read and I was in choir in high school so I sing all the time and I love Italian food. But if someone asks me about or distinguishes me by any of these traits I am not offended.

Perhaps I have a shallow view because I have not experienced true racism. Perhaps I am idealistic because I have spent my life surrounded by other races than my own, but in an environment that welcomes and, for the most part, does not judge by race.

But I do not discriminate against any race or ethnicity. I do not define the majority by the actions of a few. Or at least I work hard to not do these things. I work towards a world not where we are color blind, but where we can define ourselves by our origin just as uninhibitedly as we are able to define ourselves otherwise without fear of negative response.

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