Judgment based on an individual’s ACCENT.
Ame Cruz,
Sacramento, CA.
It’s not just about blacks & whites. People tend to judge based on others’ accents as if they’re not good enough because they don’t know English well.
Discovering others judgments after finding love.
Lauren Bing,
North Canton, OH.
A little over two years ago, my eyes were opened to the unspoken opinions of the people closest to me. I met a guy who had such a great personality, we got along so well and he treated me like I deserved nothing less than being treated right. I couldn’t have been happier…until I started telling other people about my happiness. It started with some of my closest friends. It was a normal conversation telling your friends about your latest crush and showing them a picture. I couldn’t stop smiling until one of my friends made the comment, “thats nice but you can’t date him.” I sat there for a second then asked why? She simply said, “because he’s black.” At that moment my views shifted. I responded by saying “what matters what color he is if he treats me right?” She had nothing to say. She pointed out one thing that I hadn’t even thought twice about. I tried to let it go and still be happy. Then once I told my family I was taken by surprise again. My parents responded the worst. I couldn’t have been more shocked. I soon reverted inward and told no one about him. This took a toll on our relationship but we still chose to fight through their judgments. After months of keeping my personal life separate from my family I chose to speak up against their narrow views. I convinced my parents to meet him before continuing to judge him and they agreed. It didn’t happen overnight but they soon let their guards down and got to know him. It has been over two years and were still together. My family loves him and I can’t go anywhere without them asking about him. I wonder what would’ve happened if I never stood up for what I wanted. I am proud that I was able to change my family’s harsh misguided judgments while keeping my happiness.
Being blonde isn’t always more fun.
Heather Raymond
Grand Rapids, MI
Understanding Race Project – University of Michigan
People say that “blondes have more fun,” but having light hair isn’t what it is cracked up to be. Many times I find myself at the receiving end of stigma when I have a “blonde” moment: dumb, human mistakes blamed on the color of my hair. These “blonde” moments then turn into judgement of my intelligence and my mental capacity usually being underestimated.
Loving another human without judgement.
Philip Harding,
Chesterfield, MO.
Let’s build communities that are strong. Let’s have dialogues. Let’s become each other, let there be empathy, learning and understanding. Break down walls, build up culture. Create. Communities where we educate our children, eat well, and build lasting bonds. Let’s make our communities racially diverse. As long as we segregate ourselves, we will have problem after problem.
Same DNA but born this way
Lily,
Lake Forest, CA.
Currently taking Biological Anthropology and am finding it both fascinating and eye-opening. My six words are an excerpt from Lady Gaga’s song “Born This Way”. It probably looks corny or, perhaps, cliché but I did put some thought into it!
When I had first heard those lyrics, I had to research the validity because I had not studied human DNA before. Finding-out that we (humans) are fundamentally identical was relieving. I also learned that individuals that are closest to the equator tend to be darker skinned and skin tone becomes lighter the farther one’s self or ancestry is away from the equator. With the knowledge that we are fundamentally identical and skin color is based on your latitude, do you think more people would be more accepting to other races and not be too quick to pass judgment?
Won’t speak up, fear of judgement.
Shaniah Bartlett,
Burlington, VT.
I feel that on my college campus, I am not invited to speak out when it comes to race. Sure, they have the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, but I only see one race in the office. We have plenty of diversity events on campus, and I have attended several. I tried to speak up for myself, in a room where I was actually the minority. I felt targeted and shut down, not even listened to. Let’s remind each other that EVERYONE goes through some sort of hate, or struggle. Each life story is their own, not to be compared or made less of. I was told, “white girls are like ‘I’m just gonna go to my ski house this weekend'” Hello, a child from a single mother with four children who raised them by herself while maintaining a full time job. We didn’t have a ski house. We are thankful for what we do have, and that is an open mind. Get rid of the stigma of being proud of your race, even if it is a majority. Everyone deserves self respect and love. End the hate against each other, please.
Race, the easiest way to discriminate.
AnnAdèle Lloyd,
Asheville, NC.
Appearance is always how we make our initial judgement of someone on first meeting.
Identity is the root of suffering
Scotty,
Detroit, MI.
Race is real. Sometimes, it is also necessary to play the role we are born into. Most of the time, however, we don’t need to look at the world through a racial lens. This causes judgement and suffering because of who we take ourselves to be. What you see, you cannot be. “My race, my gender, my sexuality, etc.” Who is the witness of all identity? Look for yourself. See what remains.
I’m sorry for past uninformed judgements.
Dale Kolomaznik,
Dayton, OH.
I’d love to be a part of future discussions on this topic. I became interested I’m racial relations when, as an Air Force Reserve Officer Training Program (AFROTC) student at Louisiana State University, I saw a stark difference between the reaction to the OJ Simpson verdict between my white classmates in my black classmates. Ever since then I’ve read extensively on this subject and have had candid conversations with a couple close and trusted black friends. I am a white person.
My family is of mixed cultures
Debra Heiberg,
San Antonio, TX.
I want to see a world where there is not so much judgement
Race should never be a judgment.
Elon Race Card Project,
Isabella Cannon Room, Center for the Arts
Tired of judgment based upon appearance
Diane Eitel-Wortman,
West Long Branch, NJ.
Monmouth University
It works both ways…. I am tired of people not recognizing people as simplistic as the fact that we are all people.
Base your Judgment on the inside.
Colby Finch,
Eugene, OR.
Im Colby Finch, 16 yrs old. I grew up in foster care, and in the system, I met a lot of people who were colored. I made a connection with another youth. His name was Devonte, and my foster parents at the time were uneasy about people of color. I brought him back to my house to hang out, and when we walked in my foster parents glared as if he was dangerous. We hung out for about an hour, and then he had to go.
When he left, my foster parents looked at me, and asked ” You sure that *boy* didn’t steal anything?(*Censored) I was furious. I said “You don’t even know him!! Yet you judge him just by looking at his skin color!” They looked at me and my foster dad said “His type is known for that. He can’t come here anymore.” I walked out the house, went to Devontes house, and enjoyed myself. It’s sickening that a new person, whom you’ve never met, comes near you, and people make so many horrible accusations in their minds…all because of ones color.
I don’t want to be racist.
Johnny Boyd
Blue Springs, MO.
Sometimes I catch myself thinking things about people, or making judgements, based on their race or appearance. I know it’s wrong, but I learned to see differences at an early age.
