first Archives - The Race Card Project

Mom, talk about your “black firsts.”

September 20, 2020September 21, 2020 Black, Dr. Willa, first, High School, integration, Janice Lowe, Jim Crow, mom, New York City, NJ, NY

Janice Lowe
New York City, NY

My mother, Dr. Willa Lowe was one of the first black English teachers in several high schools in New Jersey, Washington, DC and Ohio. She was part of that first wave of school integration in which talented African American teachers were hired before African American students were admitted. She was born in the Jim Crow South and ended her career as a college professor at an HBCU. Mom is in her eighties and ready to talk. I need to interview her NOW!

First black family on our block!

June 30, 2020June 30, 2020 black family, block, DC, first, neighborhood, Tawana Littlejohn, Washington

Tawana Littlejohn
Washington, DC

We were welcomed with mostly open arms, the year was 1967.

See my humanity first, race second.

November 7, 2018November 7, 2018 concede, destroyed, different, first, humanity, humankind, ignorance, MI, Michigan, oversimplify, Race, second, self-interest, Sylvia Stancil, tapestry, understanding, USA, Wayne State

Sylvia Stancil,
Wayne State,
MI

While I will concede that these mere six words may represent an oversimplification to addressing extremely complex issues, recognizing the humanity first in anyone is a good foundation upon which to build open and honest dialogue. There is a thread of commonality that should serve to bind us provided one recognizes the importance of each thread to the tapestry of humankind. Having traveled to six continents and meeting people from various cultures has underscored for me that we are by far more alike than we are different. Driven most likely by self-interest and fear, orchestrators of hate and ignorance continue to sow the seeds of divisiveness. In doing so, where bridges of understanding may exist, they are damaged and/or destroyed. It is up to all of us to continue to build stronger bridges that can withstand the oppressive weight of racism.

Please, Listen to my story first!

June 12, 2017June 12, 2017 Clemen W, dreams, DSM, first, IA, listen, minds, react, stereotypes, story

Clemen W.
DSM, IA

Many people look at me and/or hear my accent and immediately create a full story about me in their minds. They react and act according to what they’ve assumed about me (Based in their own stereotypes).
Please, listen to my story first. You might be surprised with who I am, what I have done in life, what my dreams are, and how I could enrich your life.

Hard to be the first on

November 20, 2015 @letbeasley, #ShiningALight, #theracecardproject, first, hard, Secundra Beasley

Secundra Beasley,
Submitted via Twitter: @letbeasley
#TheRaceCardProject #ShiningALight

First I am Black, not Female

November 6, 2015 1970, Alma Scott-Buczak, Black, black girl, Cliffside Park, College, Easton, female, first, first experience, Graduate, Lafayette College, NJ, non-issue, PA, reflect, scholarship, students of color

Alma Scott-Buczak,
Cliffside Park, NJ.

I was in the first class of women to attend Lafayette College in Easton PA. It was also the first class to have a concentration of more than 20 students of color. Over the past 40 years I have often been asked to reflect on my experiences as one of the first women. For me that was a non-issue. It is my experiences as a first in my family to graduate from college, low income, scholarship black girl that were especially relevant and formative to who I have become. For me going to Lafayette in 1970 was first about being Black at a very white college and only then about being female.

You people weren’t the first Americans

October 15, 2015October 18, 2015 Americans, CA, first, go back to your country, hisotry, Hollywood, honest, Ilene Santoyo, white people

Ilene Santoyo,
Hollywood, CA.

White people always think that they were the first people in America those whom are racist are always say to Mexicans, “Go back to your country.” and to be honest it was our country and now it is being shared between us all we are united and it’s what wouldn’t change.

Blacks are always…but you’re Okay!

December 30, 2013 blacks, Chicago, exception, first, IL, only, Phyllis Batson, stereotype

Phyllis Batson
Chicago, IL

It’s tiresome for folks who are, even in this day and age, ‘first’ or ‘only’. I would so much rather be the ‘go to’ person for legitimate dialog than that friend, colleague, neighbor who is somehow OK, the proverbial exception to the rule. It negates who I am and who we all are as humans – unique and individual, flawed and perfect at the same time.

Dad said, “You were here first.”

October 28, 2013October 28, 2013 1961, first, IA, Joan Fumetti, South, traveling, Windsor Heights, you were here

Joan Fumetti
Windsor Heights, IA

Traveling from our white Iowa world through the South in 1961 we stopped at a roadside food establishment. Dad went to get in line behind a black man, who started to give up his spot.. I didn’t understand at the time but I could feel that something significant had happened.

I am human FIRST. Black second

November 23, 2012 Black, first, human, Jermel Thompson

Jermel Thompson

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