The Race Card Project
By Michele Norris
Sheila Troupe,
Redondo Beach, CA
At 75 years old I have watched many cities change demographics after a neighborhood becomes about 15% minority. The minority neighbors are often very meticulous about maintaining their property to very high standard, however white people still seem to feel them need to movement to whiter territories. Why?
Malaika,
Suitland, MD.
In 2014 I decided to move “down South” because I wanted to escape the higher cost of living (and the crazy, global-warming-induced snowstorms) of the Northeast. I thought moving down South would be a financially pragmatic, yet exciting, thing to do. I found a job down there making decent money and then after a few months I was placed into a role making the most money I had ever made in my life — a few thousand shy of 90k. A year later I walked away from it all because of race.
Living in the South made me more aware of MY RACE and MY PLACE in America. Never in my life have I encountered people who treated me so vilely just because I was me.
At first I thought maybe I did something wrong. Am I not working to my potential? I’ll work over the weekend. Maybe I’m offending people? I won’t talk as much and I’ll try to be more careful with my words. I already know I’m not the best dresser so I’ll try to wear better clothing. I will try to help out more and to smile harder. It has to be some kind of vibe I’m giving off. For months I tried and I tried and I tried… but still everyday I had headaches that wouldn’t go away. Even outside of work – at the stores, the airport, in the malls, and at the restaurants — everyone was either afraid of me or just ignored me. I felt like everyone assumed the worst out of me.
Things got better for me when I met a man from Philadelphia, a woman from Boston, and a military wife from Minnesota. They were recent transplants like me. Whenever I interacted with these people, I felt like me. My smile came back. My headaches were gone. I forgot that I was depressed and I was happy in those brief moments.
After a little more than a year of living down South I quit my good paying job without a plan. It was either stay and continue feeling like nothing, or quit and to feel like a person again. Never in my life had I felt so free, but I was also crying as I headed north on 85.
—-
Today in 2016 I am shoveling myself out of 28 inches of snow in DC. Since I’ve been back North, I’ve been on 13 interviews. Most of them were horrible because I lacked confidence. They can tell that I’m broken. My heart feels heavy and I don’t talk to people much. Friends and family urge me not to fall deeper into my hole.
I am in a hole that I can’t climb out of today… but I will eventually.
I have been lucky to have only known this feeling for a year.
Yvonne Hogan
Phoenix , AZ
I am white.
When I started dating a black man, my parent’s sat me down and my mother was so upset, she asked me not to come into the neighborhood. She didn’t want the neighbors to know. She was afraid that she’d have to move. My father said,”I thought you were smarter than this”; I reminded him that he taught me HOW to think and not WHAT to think.
Subscription to our newsletter open soon.
Indulge in timeless elegance with our hand-curated collection of luxury vintage men’s fashion. From classic suits to iconic accessories, our online store offers a premium shopping experience for the modern gentleman who appreciates quality and style. Shop now and elevate your wardrobe with our carefully selected pieces that celebrate the art of craftsmanship and heritage fashion.
