There’s no finish line to color
Omar, USA Race has two meanings, and both can haunt us. The color of our skin, hair, eyes, etc.. or the delirious desire to be...
Latinas with fros are sexy too!
Jeanette Ruiz, Atlanta, GA. Growing up I learned to hate my afro hair. I was the only one in my family with course African hair...
My white girl braids ignited confusion.
Nicolette, Alpine, WY. “You’re not black.” “No, I’m not.” “Then why do you have black-girl hair?” “I just like braids, that’s all.” When I had...
Oooh..can I touch your hair?
Soledad O’Brien, Submitted via Twitter: @Soledad_OBrien. @michele_norris #theracecardproject
Mommy, why wasn’t I born white?
Victoria Finney Cambridge, MA I still remember how upset she was when I asked her this. Like I had said something wrong that I shouldn’t...
Yes, he’s my dad… Yes, I’m Japanese.
Isabella, The University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH Ever since I can remember people have been shocked to see what my dad looks like. My...
I changed countries, now I’m black
Kehinde Yemen I sat down at a store today in the middle of Mumbai and a cute little girl about two years old was walking...
White men run errands too
Michael Kelley Los Angeles, CA I am a White man and when I am out running errands, some Black or Hispanic person will invariably ask...
Your hair’s pretty. What are you?
Renee Bracey Sherman. Oakland, CA. “Can I touch your hair?” they ask, hand already extended, a mere inch from my thick brown curls. I feel...
Puerto Rican. Mexican. Caucasian. That’s me.
Carissa Renee Chacon, Wayne State, Detroit, MI Born with the curliest, thickest dark brown hair (well now it’s auburn). Hazel eyes that have green and...
Whites can’t tell blondes apart either
Erin Jones, Lake Placid, NY How many times have I known people (mostly fellow whites, but also blacks?) who can’t tell two people apart if...
One white, one brown, same parents.
Adana, Seattle, WA. I have 2 children. My son looks just like his papa: dark, wavy hair and alabaster skin. My daughter looks like me:...
No one knows unless I tell
Natasha Smith, Philadelphia, PA. I am white. I look white. I am white? Pale skin, red frizzy hair, littered with freckles. Often I am asked...
My friend is Italian not Mexican.
Justin Banks, Mission Viejo, CA. It’s weird how simple hair and skin color can categorize humans into different ethnicities and cultural origins that might not...
My dad was born in Kenya (and he is not black)
Jess, Valencia, CA. My dad was born in Kenya. People then assume he is black, and I do not blame them. However, before I can...
“You look white”, erases my father.
Janaki Kuruppu Rockville, MD As a child, my skin was darker and my hair frizzier, thanks to the genetic contribution of my father who was...
