Harrisburg Archives - The Race Card Project

Built on love but not trust.

October 18, 2022October 18, 2022 america, built, foundation, Harrisburg, human, Jaylene Ortiz, life, love, PA, Trust

Jaylene Ortiz,
Harrisburg, PA.

America is built off of a foundation of love, but where is the trust? How much can we trust each other? The government? The people sent to help us? Who do you trust with your life? Can you think of anyone? Trust is a big part of America and human beings alone but do we still have it?

Don’t think I’m like you, I’m not

November 16, 2021 50 yeaer old, barbershop, Harrisburg, harware store, JP, loosen tongue, NC, not like you, racial slur, racism, sexisim, South, southern, white male

JP,
Harrisburg, NC

As a 50-year-old man from the South living in the south I frequently find myself in situations where only men from the South are around (barbershop, hardware store, etc.) It is apparent that this mono-population loosens the tongues of those who think they are now free to say what they want in a safe space. This is where I hear the innate racism and sexism which underlays my culture.

Don’t judge kids by their creators.

December 22, 2020December 22, 2020 creator, Harrisburg, Jonea Brookwood, judge, PA

Jonea Brookwood,
Harrisburg, PA.

“Protect” sister from favorite childhood movies.

June 11, 2020February 14, 2022 black sister, Emmy Corey, Harrisburg, Hollywood, Media, PA, passing, protective, stereotype, USA

Emmy Corey,
Harrisburg, PA.

I’m a white Alabama native from an all-white town with a black sister who is 17 years younger than I. I love passing down the things that I enjoyed at her age- dolls, movies, books. For the most part, she likes receiving them too. The problem is that before she came along, my world was incredibly white. My childhood relics are images that don’t include her. From my white American Girl Dolls to Little Women, I have so much anxiety about what or how to pass down my treasured belongings to her. And then, I have anxiety about my anxiety. Isn’t that another form of controlling her story? But I think my own story was controlled, too. It lacks the complicated beauty of the story she and I now create together.

In nature, only humans fight differences.

December 13, 2017December 13, 2017 dark skin, defferences, fight, Harrisburg, hatred, human, nature, PA, rejection, Trealavon Grier

Trealavon Grier,
Harrisburg, PA.

As a dark skinned African American, I have only experienced racist rejection from others that look like me. Self hatred, unfortunately, is real. Now in my 40’s, I realized how much of my life was wastep on other people’s issues. This was the beginning of self love and the fulfillment of my true destiny; to glorify my God in the skin that I am in by loving it first!

Brilliance Is Not Determined By Color

July 18, 2016July 18, 2016 Brilliance, determined by color, Harrisburg, Kelly K. Buck, PA, potential, shade, skin color

Kelly K. Buck,
Harrisburg, PA.

Unfortunately as events have shown, some still believe that its either the only or contributing factor, as to how others should be treated. The value and potential of life, doesn’t decrease because of the shade of our skin.

Zip codes matter more than color.

January 8, 2016January 8, 2016 Color, Harrisburg, matter, Nashae Pitts, neighborhood, PA, zip codes

Nashae Pitts,
Harrisburg, PA.

Hello, you speak very good English

December 24, 2015 English, Francis Ngugi, Harrisburg, immigrate, PA, you speak good English

Francis Ngugi,
Harrisburg, PA.

This is what they all said when we immigrated here.

I dream of everybody getting along.

November 16, 2015November 16, 2015 can't we all get along, Dream, Harrisburg, Mykel, PA

Mykel,
Harrisburg, PA.

My color will NEVER encumber me!

October 6, 2015October 6, 2015 being black, definition, destiny, Diane V. Boone, encumber, Harrisburg, never, PA

Diane V. Boone,
Harrisburg, PA.

There are over 32 definitions of BLACK; none of which describe who I am, where I’m from, or the great destiny I INTEND!

Is equality even an option anymore?

February 5, 2015 controversial topic, equality, Harrisburg, option, PA, Terryn Brown

Terryn Brown,
Harrisburg, PA.

We are offered and promised equality as a right, but when we say we are just as equal as the next person it becomes a controversial topic is society.

“But you don’t act Puerto Rican”

January 28, 2015January 28, 2015 actions, but you don't, Harrisburg, Jaylene O., PA, Puerto Rican, stereotype

Jaylene O.,
Harrisburg, PA.

I’m mixed. But I am predominantly Puerto Rican. I explained this once and I got the response “But you don’t act Puerto Rican.” ……..What? Since when is race defined by actions. I shouldn’t have to act any certain way to be considered what I am. I speak Spanish and Puerto Rican slang and I dance salsa, bachata, etc. I will not have my race put into a stereotypical category based on actions. I am Puerto Rican, no matter how I act. Race is in no way defined by anything but your family’s background and genetics.

Father, Husband, Soldier, Taxpayer, Voter, Mentor.

September 22, 2014 america, castaway, children, differences, father, Harrisburg, husband, M. Peek Fitzgerald, Mentor, PA, soldier, taxpayer, Voter

M. Peek Fitzgerald,
Harrisburg, PA.

In my 53 years of life I feel that I must carry something like this every time I leave my home. This is not the America I fought for. Not the America that I have to explain differences to my children. I’m an American too and I feel like a castaway in my own land.