interview Archives - The Race Card Project

“Shonda?” No interview. “SK?” Wow, interview!

September 18, 2025September 18, 2025 application, Black, female, FL, Green Cove Springs, interview, job, name, rebrand, Shonda Kay Purvis, white

Shonda Kay Purvis,
Green Cove Springs, FL.

I have had to rebrand myself and change my name because “Shonda K. Purvis” (and her “BLACK” resume) doesn’t get job interviews, but SK Purvis (and “his” “WHITE” resume) does. (By the way, I am a Caucasian female. You thought I was black, didn’t you?)

Oh I see, you’re Mr. Crawford.

September 5, 2022September 5, 2022 but you don't sound, Detroit, Emmett Crawford Jr., interview, job, MI, phone, voice

Emmett Crawford Jr.,
Detroit, MI.

Because of my resume and my phone voice, I was given an interview for a job.

In my subconscious, he is white

January 20, 2018January 19, 2018 attorney, black boss, interview, Katherine Hannan Wears, NY, Ogdensburg, perception, subconscious, white, workplace

Katherine Hannan Wears,
Ogdensburg, NY.

When I was a practicing attorney, I scheduled an appointment with an attorney who was a specialist in the field of construction litigation. The contact was made through an attorney I knew well. As I waited at the appointment, I didn’t consciously think, “What will he look like?” When he arrived, I realized that I had not contemplated that he would be black. I was shocked by the realization that my subconscious had controlled by thinking. I know that he saw the look on my face. I didn’t know whether or not to apologize or not.. I have been haunted by this brief moment for years. It still bothers me as I try to re-train my subconscious. Now, I am an Associate Dean and have taught classes such as “Law of the Workplace”. I tell the students this story of the control of my perception by my subconscious. I want them to look into themselves. It is so difficult to begin a discussion about race and get deeper than the obvious. Few students act with prejudice with intentionality. So few try to truly understand and empathize.

Can your name effect you negatively.

May 9, 2016May 9, 2016 CA, define, DMV, effect, interview, judge, name, negative, Ricardo Juan-Ignacio Sanchez, Ricky Sanchez, Sanger

Ricky Sanchez,
Sanger, CA.

My full name is Ricardo Juan-Ignacio Sanchez. I go by Ricky because I am afraid of people judging me for my name. When someone calls me by my full name at the DMV or somewhere else, I get a lot of weird stares and looks at me. If people look at me up and down just because my name, then how is it going to be for a job interview. Will this hurt my chances to get a good job? I feel like it is going to and this isn’t right.

I’m Linda Kuriloff. Russian Jew? No.

April 14, 2016April 14, 2016 interview, Jewish, Linda Kuriloff, New York, NY, Orthodox, Russian Jew

Linda Kuriloff,
New York, NY.

I once had an interview for a job at a company where the owner was Orthodox. I realized when he shook my hand that he was battling with his conscience because he probably expected that I was Jewish.

“I thought you’d look more hispanic.”

January 6, 2016January 6, 2016 Amanda Perez, DC, first experience, Hispanic, interview, job, Washington, you don't look

Amanda Perez,
Washington, DC.

This was said to me when I arrived for a job interview and they were meeting for the first time.

The Race Card Project Partners with PBS for “America After Ferguson”

October 2, 2014October 2, 2014 American After Ferguson, conversation, Ferguson, Gwen Ifil, interview, Michele Norris, MO, NPR, PBS, Race, racism, six words, The Grace of Silence, the race card project

We are excited to share our partnership with PBS to capture the reactions from “AMERICA AFTER FERGUSON” — a PBS television special moderated by Gwen Ifill.

This PBS town hall meeting, moderated by PBS NEWSHOUR co-anchor and managing editor Gwen Ifill, explores the many issues brought into public discourse in the wake of Michael Brown’s death in Ferguson, Missouri.

The program, recorded before an audience on the campus of the University of Missouri-St. Louis, includes national leaders and prominent thinkers in the areas of law enforcement, race and civil rights, as well as government officials, faith leaders and youth.

It is such a special treat to work with my dear friend Gwen on this project. She is the perfect person to navigate a deep conversation through difficult terrain.

Gwen Ifill interviews Michele Norris on her Race Card Project:

WATCH America After Ferguson, PBS

READ Gwen’s Take: After Ferguson – What I Learned

Although this powerful town hall taped in St. Louis, YOUR VOICE can still be included in the dialogue no matter where you are.

Remember to Engage in the coversation via Twitter (#AfterFergusonPBS, #TheRaceCardProject)

Share your SIX WORD reaction to the show at our home www.theracecardproject.com.

You didn’t sound black on the phone

May 12, 2013 Elizabeth Asche Douglas, interview, job, NY, phone, Rochester, sound, telephone

Elizabeth Asche Douglas
Rochester, NY

The first job I got as a teenager, based on my written application and telephone interview, was immediately withdrawn when I showed up at the appointed time and place to begin work.