Blacks are always…but you’re Okay!
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...
You can be prejudiced, not racist
Chanel Tate South Holland, IL This is something my African-American mom would say to me all the time when I was a kid and I...
Black man, don’t assume I’m racist.
Joan Maxwell Chicago, IL This happened to me in college in 1971. I was an education major, and a black student spoke to our Philosophy...
Why doesn’t my ethnicity have value?
Harry Bulkeley Galesburg, IL We don’t pick our race or our ancestors. Mine began coming to this country in 1635. They founded Concord, MA and...
Black woman, Mink coat, Food Stamps
James Batavia, IL As a young adult, living on my own and working two jobs to support myself, I was waiting in line at the...
Stepfather Does Not Always Know Best
Meghan Normal, IL I never really thought about race until my mother remarried my stepfather. He constantly talks down about other races that are not...
No words spoken, but already judged
Danielle Amodeo Chicago, IL Only being 18, I have come into contact with a spew of racism and judgment. Being labeled before even saying anything,...
Clinging to “inequality” is much safer.
James Washington Chicago, IL It’s much easier to cling to race than force myself to go to college. It’s about time it become about my...
White woman knows it’s elitism too.
Julia Chicago, IL I tried to post this last week but don’t see it. I hope it gets there this time. I listen to non-whites...
Kendra, 2: taught to exclaim “n*****”
Rebecca Zeissler Salem, IL I was Kendra’s teenaged babysitter. One day, before he left for work, Kendra’s father gleefully showed me the new “trick” he...
Am I the only one here?
Dena Boyd Lincoln, IL In high school my Chinese friend, Zeyi, asked me to help her sell some Chinese food at the Chinese festival in...
Black Man, proud with no apologies.
Bart71 Chicago, IL I am who I am. I accept who I am. I love who I am. Black men have jumped over all forms...
KKK crosses even now ~ North Carolina?
Nancy H Long Springfield, IL I drove through North Carolina over Memorial Day weekend last year and passed a house with its lawn covered in...
We have so far to go
Peggy Wagner Kimble Glencoe, IL President Obama’s election in 2008 was one of the highlights of my life. The relentless racist backlash against the President...
Any black kids in your class?
Pamela Tish, Dupo, IL. When I began my first teaching job in Cahokia, IL, “Any black kids in your class?” was always one of the...
