eye-opening Archives - The Race Card Project

Change On Counter Not In Hand

August 10, 2022August 10, 2022 change, counter, customer, eye-opening, first experience, Kristina T. Sanders, racism, SC, Sumter

Kristina T. Sanders,
Sumter, SC.

A regular day at work turned into an eye opening experience. I had helped a customer pick out a pair of shoes, and it was time for him to purchase them. The customer was a tall middle age Caucasian gentlemen. I gave him his total and he pulled out the money. I held my hand out to receive the money and he look and me and simply placed the money on the counter. I was shocked and surprised that this had occurred. He wanted to make sure his hands didn’t touch mine. I said to myself, “Wow, racism does still exist.” I was compelled to write about this event because it surprised me how much racism still exist in the 21st century.

White female learning curious appalled privileged

March 3, 2022 discomfort, eye-opening, Madison, privilege, Sue Carlson, talk about race, UWA, WI

Sue Carlson,
Madison, WI

The last couple years have been eye-opening. I’ve learned to listen and observe much more carefully rather than just asking people about their experiences. I’m glad the topic of race is discussed so much more openly now and that I’ve had wonderful people around me to support my learning and to call me on my privilege. I’ve also gotten better at being with the discomfort that comes with some of these discussions.

Blinded by upbringing. Eyes open now.

May 31, 2015 Angela Messerschmidt, blinded, eye-opening, MO, St. Louis, upbringing

Angela Messerschmidt,
St. Louis, MO.

Why is your name Pablo?

May 31, 2015May 31, 2015 commune, eye-opening, Hispanic, my name is, name, OR, Oregon State University, Pablo, Pablo Chauvin, Portland, small town, southern OR, stereotype, what's in a name

Pablo Chauvin,
Portland, OR.

My name is Pablo and I’M WHITE. I grew up in a small town in Southern Oregon on a 40 acre commune. My parents are college educated and my Dad was a philosophy major with a never ending thurst for knowledge. So why the name Pablo? Growing up in a small town and going to a high school that is so small I knew everybody’s last name, I didn’t think twice about my name. College is a different story. My freshman year at Oregon State University was eye opening. You think meeting girls can be hard? I found myself introducing myself to women and being questioned about my name. “Tell me your real name”, one would say. “Show me your drivers license and prove it”, another would say. To this day, I still get questioned about my name. Are you hispanic? Where are your parents from? Where did you name come from?

I welcome diversity and shun suffocation

May 12, 2014 diversity, eye-opening, lifestyle, Races, share, stories, suffocation, Vancouver, WA

Kacie
Vancouver, WA

I grew up in a very white area of the U.S. and still at 23 years old, I’ve had very few friends of different races or lifestyles. Only within the last year have I learned a lot about a different race (Hispanic culture, particularly Mexican) and it has been the most eye opening year. I believe we need to share our stories more.