I’m not white, I’m a Scot.
Samuel J. Lawson, Indianapolis, IN. I’m always annoyed when I have to fill out a form that only includes five or six races and there...
His bus stop’s my white school.
Sally Childs-Helton, Indianapolis, IN. I was raised (white) in the pre-segregated south and grew up with separate bathrooms, water fountains, and schools. My parents ran...
When people ask… What are you?
Naomi, Grand Rapids, MI. I am an American, of Mexican decent… No, I don’t speak Spanish, no I don’t know where my family is from...
You’re deaf, but you talk good…
Warren Miller, Indianapolis, IN. I have been profoundly deaf since early childhood but raised in a hearing family and attended an oral school. I was...
I’m not white. I’m ginger.
John Stinchcomb, Indianapolis, IN. It would be awfully boring if we all looked alike. Like music & art the broader the spectrum the better.
“You’re pretty for a black girl”
Autumn Rainey, Indianapolis, IN. I remember growing up in a mostly Caucasian area, and I was told this often. What was likely meant as a...
Academically smart, Athletically ungifted
Ed Wang, West Lafayette, IN. As an Asian living in the U.S., I have been underestimated my whole life and probably will for the rest...
“What are you?” I’m a girl…
Amanda Totteana Muniz, Anderson, IN. All my life I’ve had to face the question, “What are you?” This always made me uncomfortable, and irritated. Last...
Wishing I knew my own language.
Celestina Garcia, Bloomington, IN. Cripplingly aware of my Hispanic heritage, yet I feel that it doesn’t belong to me. I have my mother’s Anglo nose,...
In Rwanda they were all black.
Jan Ramer, Indianapolis, IN. I lived in Rwanda for 2.5 years, and got a small taste of what it is like to be in the...
White flight child knows no brOTHERs
Jeffrey Kingdon Danville, IN Whether my 50’s era parents chose their life in the suburbs due to racial considerations or were simply following the trend...
I know I’m well spoken, surprised?
Carrington Anderson, Indianapolis, IN. Never sure why I get “You’re so well spoken” so often. Not sure why people look at me and expect me...
We must preserve our nation’s history.
Vicki Vardaman Lynn, IN When I took my 4 year old grandson to the Indianapolis Children’s museum’s exhibit of Ruby Bridge’s school and the reproduction...
How to keep the poor disunited
Bryan Maloney, Indianapolis, IN. A dirty little secret of institutionalized racism in the USA is that racism is a great way to distract the working...
