“Rahsheba…that is an interesting name”
Rahsheba Major, Columbia, SC This was said to me by an unsmiling white female department store cashier, likely around the same age as I, early...
I’m an Arab named Dave Hall
Dave Hall, Brooklyn, NY. I get my name from my Yankee (English-American) father, whose ancestors arrived in Boston in 1630 but I get my complexion...
My Name Was a White Girl
Brooke Cobbin Jacksonville, FL For years, I have been pleasantly surprising people because when they read my name Brooke (Morgan) Cobbin they expect to see...
Serena, like the “black” tennis player.
Serena Serrano, Eugene, OR. I grew up in a hispanic house hold and I remember whenever someone would ask me what my name was and...
She is the Black People’s Victory!
Ebony Nichole, Cincinnati, OH For three days after my birth I was nameless because my Mama didn’t know she was having a girl. Born very...
Grateful, granny called me black boy
Kevin Browne , Submitted via Twitter: @drbrowne #TheRaceCardProject “Black Boy” for Michele by: Kevin A. Browne I was grateful; granny was prophetic, almost making me...
Since when is female a different race?
Andi Ray Bartnek, Canada. I grew up in a household with 4 generations of females and have spent my whole life having to justify my...
Exotic name! where are you from
Vidhya Mallikarjunan, Blacksburg, VA. I was born and have lived in the US for my whole life. And I’ve been blessed to live in a...
Hi I’m George, what’s your name?
Larry Taylor Webster, TX Six words which could have saved a young man’s life.
Me llamo Lora y hablo español.
Lora McManus, Altadena, CA. Being transracially adopted (by Caucasian parents) comes with a plethora of advantages and challenges. One of the most common misconceptions that...
More letters add less Dr. Makombe
Scheri-lyn Makombe, IN. My confidence increased when I got married, even more when I graduated from Medical school. I never thought that the addition of...
I really should have corrected them
Anonymous, Resident When we were working in the hospital one night and your name was mispronounced repeatedly and eventually got brushed off, I really should...
But what’s your actual Chinese name?
Bowen Tan, Canada When I was growing up, there was one question that I specifically feared: “what’s your name?” At first, it seems like just...
Why we hafta be “Afro” Anything?
Walter T. Pearson, Jacksonville, FL. I’m a black man, of many various ethnicities, Fifth American generation, from a family of military veterans,including my children who...
