The Race Card Project
By Michele Norris
Mya Wilson,
GA
See my skin, it’s not to be breezed over like the elephant in the room! It tells part of my story; not all of it. I am a walking dichotomy like most people. I am soft and strong. I am reserved and loud. I speak the King’s English and I speak Ebonics. I am a human who won’t be boxed in or dismissed because the unfamiliarity of my culture is threatening.
Guadalupe Mitchell,
Damascus, OR.
Growing up, most people just saw a little brown Mexican girl. I remember when entered the second grade and my family had a moved to a predominantly white neighborhood, I was placed in an ESL classroom. My classmates made fun of me because my Spanish was not very good. After struggling for about two weeks there, I was tested and placed in a regular classroom. I never forgot this experience.
Lily S,
Durham, NH
As humans, we all have emotions and feelings. Although our experiences make us different, together we are one. Race shouldn’t be something that divides us. We are more alike than people realize. It’s important to be aware of this and educate ourselves and others. Once we realize this, we can build a better future for ourselves and future generations.
Natasja Hirabayashi,
Worcester, MA
It’s always interesting experiencing how others react to me. I’m ambiguous and that has confused, intrigued, or even enraged people that I have come across. You never really know how someone is going to respond to you.
Rachel Brinson,
Centennial, CO.
People always want to put me in a box and assume what I find offensive, what I find familiar, and how I choose to see myself and others. No one chooses to see human first, identity second. I will forever be explaining that the body given to me is arbitrary, and I exist inside of it. I am adopted and was raised as a German Lutheran. I grew up around many Asian cultures but never experienced African American culture until I was well into my 20’s. Biologically, I have an African father and a white mother, but my birth parents do not define me; my family does.
David Brady,
Portland, OR.
Travel to see new cultures and experiences? I do. But, we can experience the richness of culture here if we look past appearance. Listen, let others’ stories speak.
Olivia Kisiel,
Salem, NH
Manchester Community College. All people who don’t experience racism need to understand that they will never get how it impacts people and how awful it is.
Kirl T. Lawson,
Oakland, CA.
I have so many tales to share about my experience with my color (or lack of “definitive color recognition”). growing up in Chicago, I was called “a white n*****” by friends at times w/ affection and at times derisively. Initially the appellation hurt my feelings until I took an objective look at myself in the mirror. Years later and moving to San Francisco and working at city hall, a female constituent asking for me but not remembering my name, described me as “he is either a “black white-man” or a “white black-man”. Hearing that relayed, those phases resonated with me in their succinctness. These are the ways that people view/see me. it’s been a blessing and a curse as either can create discomfit for the viewer and then extent to me. Black folk ask me “what ‘is” you” seeking racial confirmation. I tell them “you know what I is” you just want me to verify/affirm it
Anne Huntemer,
Sonora, CA.
Coming from a place of privilege, how can I help welcome and fight for my friends of color? I know I haven’t experienced what you have, but I’m here to support you in any way I can.
Shava,
Lake Oswego, OR.
At times it can be confusing. I have wondered where I fit in. But in the end…I’m so glad to have the depth of experience that being multicultural has given me. I’m black, white and I’m Jewish. It’s amazing!
Caitlin Zembruski,
Manassas, VA
The town I grew up in is a very diverse community. There are specific areas that vary racially and ethnically, as well as class. My family lives in the lower-working class, living paycheck to paycheck. I lived in a neighborhood where there was not many other white kids and many of my friends were of a different color than me. Although, I found this very enriching that I was able to discover and experience new cultures all in my hometown. I had gained perspectives that I would have never been able to understand if it weren’t for my experience. However, I feel that because of my experiences, I have a weird/hard time fitting in. Let me explain; growing up in the ‘hood’, I had a different relationship with things, like money or neighborhood violence for instance, that my privileged white counterparts cannot relate too. On the flip side, I feel that certain times I’m assumed to be just like those privileged counterparts and stereotypes just because of my color (or the lack there of). Overall, I feel that my upbringing in the diverse community helped me gain a beautiful perspective on the wide range of cultures; I only wish that I could be seen individually for all that I believe and have become.
Takiyah L.,
Oakland, CA.
If all it takes for me is to take on the burdens of intersectionality, just so my brother and sister, and future generations of Black and Brown youth will not have to experience that, then I am all down for the cause. I would not want them to endure such things, I would not want this for anybody actually. Though, the trials and the tribulation are what adds a profound uniqueness to each culture of color. I feel like as society, we came a long way, however, we have an even longer way to go. I believe with time and effort, we will eventually get to that point where race is not an issue, but until then, we keep fighting. #BlackLivesMatter.
Anonymous,
Cupertino, CA
This is my experience as a Russian immigrant to the US! Whenever I hear complaints about immigrants, it is always implied that due to my light skin I am an exception.
Karen Orellana,
Suwanee, GA.
Last year I joined a group that focused on finding civil ways to improve the polarization in this country. We work on asking questions and listening first before sharing our own stories. I know there is a lot to learn about other people’s experiences, especially about race. So my goal going forward is to be more curious, more open to what people want to share, even if their message is painful to me. Allowing them to share their pain is the first step I an take in helping them heal.
Kasumi H
University Park, PA
I came to the USA to attend Penn State as an undergraduate student in 2010. I was born in Saitama, Japan and grew up in Shanghai, China. When I arrived, it felt like I was turned into a spokesperson for all Asians. Before, I was just a person, a girl, a student. My experience is inherently mine, unique and valid — so are other people’s. Please don’t expect me to be an expert on all things Asian. There are aspects of Asia I still have yet to explore. I can only offer you my pieces of the great jigsaw puzzle that is Asia. The rest, you need to find on your own.
Henriette Hakopian,
East Grand Rapids, MI
I love to understand people, their journeys, preferences, experiences and perspectives. I have had to learn that because I am white, it is hard to talk about race.
Kevin Hayes,
Ackerman, MS.
“Love sees no color”. “What the world needs now…”. Pretty much says it.
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