nickname Archives - The Race Card Project

Why Can’t Anyone Pronounce My Name

March 5, 2024 classroom, first experience, name, NH, nickname, pronounce my name, school, substitute teacher, teacher

Tayeece,
NH

Since I was born, nobody could pronounce my name. In school, appointments, meeting new people, etc. Everyday I would have to explain the pronunciation of my name and even give people a nickname for myself. I tell them, just call me “Tay” or “Tie.” It wasn’t until my 7th grade substitute teacher, who asked me how to properly say my name told me to never let anyone butcher my name. This conversation at 13 years old changed the way I feel about my name forever, I love my name and wouldn’t change it, even though little me wished I had a “simpler” name.

CubanAmerican Gringi is not acceptable nickname.

July 4, 2016July 4, 2016 American, Cuban, daughter, FL, Gringi, hurt, light skin, nickname, Pamela Torres, skin, tease, WEST PALM BEACH

Pamela Torres,
West Palm Beach, FL.

CubanAmerican daughter often teased for being light skin. It hurts.

Nickname Joe real name is Jose

July 10, 2015July 10, 2015 CA, define, Joe, Jose, Mexican, Mexican-American, name, nickname, Sanger, shocked, white name

Jose,
Sanger, CA.

My name is Jose im 17 years old as a child growing up in school I was called by Joe by my peers. Ever sense kindergarden my teachers and friends called me Ioe I never knew why until now. I’m a Mexican-American but my skin color is more on the lighter side. Many people ask me what race am I, I ask them what you think and I get white as a response. I learned that me being so light that people call me Joe because I look white many people think my name is Joe but then when they hear my real name they get shocked. Joe is a more white name that usally white people have. My grandparents came from Mexico and I don’t know why I’m so light but I am but I’m not asamed on who I am I’m proud that my full real name is Jose Vincent Ramirez and not Joe that everyone think it is.

I am not plain white rice.

May 8, 2015 CA, grandmother, heritage, holocaust, Jewish, last name, more than just, nickname, Nicole Rice, rice, San Juan Capistrano, skin color, Trail of Tears, white, white rice

Nicole Rice,
San Juan Capistrano, CA.

I am more than just ‘white’ even though everyone looks at me and says that is all I am. I have a lot more in me than just white, but no one will ever know unless they ask. I have even received the nickname ‘white rice’ because of my last name and skin color. But the truth be known is my great grandmother from my father’s side is pure cherokee indian and my biological mother is 100% Jewish, my heritage comes from the trail of tears and the holocaust. This is my heritage and yet I am still looked at from society as plain white rice.

Sterling Whites is my town’s nickname.

April 3, 2013 Ann Arbor, High School, Jacob Barshaw, MI, nickname, Sterling Heights, Sterling whites, Understanding Race Project, University of Michigan

Jacob Barshaw
Ann Arbor, MI
Understanding Race Project- University of Michigan

For my entire life I have lived in in a town called Sterling Heights. When I was in elementary school, close to 800 children went to my school. Only one was black. Until last year, not one black person owned a house in my subdivision.
In high school, the only black kids who went to my school were recruited for athletics.
I live 12 miles from Detroit. Sterling Whites is my towns nickname.

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