I feel guilty without a jury.
Rudy Vogt,
Louisville, KY.
I feel constantly blamed for the actions of family I never met.
Mugged…Most assume black mugger…wrong
Lynne Moffitt,
Virginia Beach, VA.
When I was living in Louisville, I came home from work and was mugged when I got out of my car. I had looked around before I got out and this nice young man was walking down the sidewalk. He looked like a typical University of Louisville student which was only blocks from my apartment. He didn’t speed up or slow down but we just naturally intersected when I got to the sidewalk. He told me not to say anything and I knew then I was being attacked. I screamed and he hit me in the face, knocked me down and stole my purse. Many of my neighbors came out to assist me and some even gave chase to my attacker but didn’t catch him. I noticed whenever I told the story I didn’t mention his race as it was not relevant but many people wanted to know it. As if that made any kind of difference. Mostly they asked, “was he black?” I don’t think anyone has ever asked if he was white or Hispanic or Asian. And were visibly disappointed when I would answer no since they wanted to talk about how afraid we should all be of black young men. So I discovered that those who asked usually turned out to be racist. So now I use my story as a quick way of weeding out those I don’t wish to become closer with.
Should I celebrate my own success?
Robert Kahne,
Louisville, KY.
I am a straight white male in my late 20s. As my career moves forward, I face the reality that every step I take forward retrenches a power structure with which I don’t necessarily agree.
I’m not racist, my friend’s black
Nick Wheatley,
Louisville, KY.
I have heard so many people make racist comments and then use this as an excuse for not being racist. Racism isn’t about who you’re friends with. Racism is about making a race feel inferior to your own.
You are. Don’t waste time explaining.
Gwendolyn Kelly,
Louisville, KY.
People of color spend too much time defending, justifying, explaining how they are or are not “like everyone else” and trying to fit in or making a show of not trying to fit in. Stop it! It’s exhausting, a waste of resources, and demoralizing. We are. We don’t need to explain our existence.
HELP WANTED: Black Entrepreneurs and Intellectuals
Jarel Johnson
Louisville, KY
In a recent study assigned in class, I found that a lot of African American children are growing up in single mother homes. There is a lack of African American male presence in the lives of many Black children. A substantial growth of positive Black male role models is imperative if the Black community wants to lift themselves out from this horrendous cycle of economic, educational, and social despair. However, it can not be just any Black role model but one who is successful in something other athletics and entertainment. Black entrepreneurs and intellectuals have to play a bigger role in helping young African American children realize there is other paths to success besides making it pro or having a rap career.
Half black, Half white, Still black.
Kenton Mobley
Louisville, KY
The world sees a black man, and that is all that matters to them.
I am more than my race.
Cestau Clark
Louisville, KY
It was against the law for my parents to be married in 1966. I was born in 1967. Florida was unkind to us then. But somehow, I still believe people are generally good. Race was a card I had to deal with everyday. Everyone wanted to know what I was…Well, I’m just me. I call myself “generic” now. I can look like several races of people. It really doesn’t matter now like it did then. I’m happy and that is what matters. I don’t answer race questions anymore on applications etc…I want it to be excluded. My heritage matters to my family. My color is just a reflection of DNA from many different people. Each one my children are a different hue, different eye color (same dad). I raised them to be good people and that is what matters.
Racism too exploited by the media
Warren Winburn
Louisville, KY
The media stretches out the race issue like an elastic toy. studies have shown it is not as large as much as in the past, it is dying down it is clear to see but the more we talk about it the more it boils up and causes tension.
I’m a minority within a minority.
Claudia Delatorre
Louisville, KY
So much too say. I am Hispanic, white and grew up middle class. I have had Hispanics say I am not Hispanic enough because of the way I look and because I did not grow up in a ‘bario. I have gone shopping with my mother and spoken Spanish; store associates will follow us because they believe we will steal. “Your white, how can you speak Spanish”” is your mother a house keeper” “Is anyone in your family in the cartel?”” you speak Spanish with an American accent””your Spanish is too proper” “your English is very good, where did you learn it?” “are your parents illegal” “did they cross through Texas”” funny, you don’t have an accent when you speak English”
