The Race Card Project
By Michele Norris
Jackie Spencer,
New York, NY.
The generalization we attach to people based on race is appalling. As an example when you speak of “immigrants” you do not think of this white blond person! I hope that raising this point makes people think before they generalize. We are all individuals with different beliefs and personalities and looks, but at the core we are all the same. Vive La Differance!
Alexis Ford
Ann Arbor, MI
Understanding Race Project- University of Michigan
As an African American, I have several generalizations placed upon me.
Some people just assume who I am. I am rarely asked. While a lot of
these assumptions hurt, I know the truth. I know only my own actions
and words define me. I know that I am an individual. I know who I
really am and ultimately that may be all that matters.
Elias Miller,
Richmond, VA
This is a variation of the famous Shirley Chisholm quote.
I feel like so much of the corporate training in diversity, equity, and inclusion has the wrong focus: it teaches us to make generalizations about racial or ethnic groups and to remember those generalizations when we interact with others. The intention is to promote awareness of various cultural narratives, but I’m afraid this type of thinking often does the opposite: it elevates difference over our shared humanity and perpetuates stereotypes. We would be better off listening to what others are actually saying, rather than trying to remember narratives that are MORE LIKELY to have impacted them based on their group status.
I’m a gay, white, Southern, atheist, academic librarian in my early 40s, and, while I’ve benefitted from identity politics in some respects, I’ve also been disadvantaged by the stereotyping that identity politics encourages. It should be possible to be aware of the diversity of beliefs and experiences associated with a given subculture without letting that awareness undermine our shared values. At this point, I do feel like much of the rhetoric about diversity, equity, and inclusion is promoting grievances, rather than solutions that help and unite us.
Alex Campbell,
Aurora, IL.
People come in many different shapes, sizes, colors, and with different histories. It is unreasonable to pack many millions of people into one single idea. Terms are made to have wide acceptance and understanding and that is fine. However, generalizations (especially race) should never go past the simple idea of convenience.
Coco
Centennial, CO
Stereotyping; the act of judging one based on society’s perception on a group of people, is a form of racism that has effected me personally. “Aren’t you supposed to be smart?” is a phrase that I have heard directed towards me many times due to the stereotype that all people of Asian descent are geniuses. The generalization of my race has personally made me feel stupid and inferior. I wish that stereotyping didn’t allow people to attack me with my culture.
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