Why are your eyes so red
Danae’ Monroe,
Norfolk, VA
We all bleed the same color, red. But instead of remembering this, some people choose to be racists, with hatred in their eyes and their heart.
Disgusted with How I am Treated
Noah Jay Geneski,
Norfolk, NE
I am a white teenage boy and I have heard countless stories of the discrimination of people with even the slightest change of skin color. These other human beings who should be treated equally and respected are instead treated as stereotypes and characters. I get judged by my personality and overall character, while people with darker skin tones get judged based on their traits they can’t control. It is barbarically unfair.
I’d Love to Hear Your Story.
Charlotte Siragusa,
Norfolk, VA
As a white girl living in the USA I think it is incredibly important to educate ourselves to the best of our ability; which, to me, means listening to others stories and what they have to say.
I am Hispanic enough for you!
Ian Diaz,
Norfolk, VA
Intersectionality exists. Too long have I been told that I’m not Hispanic enough, not white enough, and not black enough to exist in certain spaces. But I am enough. Others cannot dictate my existence. I am who I am and I am a proud, mixed gay man.
But Black Mental Health Matters Too. . .
Drew Ferebee,
Norfolk, VA
What are some character traits you think of when someone ask you to describe a black man? Whats the first thoughts that pops into your head when you think of a black woman? Strong. “He was a strong, easy going black man.” “Behind every man is a strong black woman.” For years society has categorized us as the strong ones. So growing up you had to look up to your “Strong Black Daddy” and not feel fear or show emotions, you’re the man of the house you don’t have time to be sad. or you have to be the “Strong Black Woman” your mom is to the world. You have to be superwoman you don’t have time to be a sadwoman. You have to be there for everybody else, and make sure everybody is okay before yourself. I have some good news. Everything you just read wasn’t true. You don’t have to be superwoman you can be superwoman and sadwoman at the same time! Society has put this false reality into our heads that showing your emotions are a sign of weakness and that talking about your feelings is a bad thing. I’m here to tell you they’re not. Supressing your emotions only leads to a life of suffering in silence, which then leads to depression and eventually a life thats going to need serious healing. Truth is we all need healing. We are all dealing with something whether it be self esteem, depression, or even grief. Most people don’t know that your most traumatic experiences will stem from your childhood. “What happens in this house stays in this house.” Is a term often said by black families, meaning that no matter what happens to you in this house, what ever happens to your siblings in this house, whatever happens to me in this house remember it stays in this house and stays in your head. Not understanding that this philosophy is creating a lot of broken, hurt, fearful, as well as terrible memories for children around the world. Your memories are what shape your thoughts about the world. Imagine living in a world where you’re carrying around the weight and hurt of your childhood because you were trying to fit this unrealistic identity of “Strong” because you’re told to NEVER be weak, and being weak is a wrong thing. Maybe you are living this life, maybe you’ve been superwoman all your life as well as sadwoman on the inside. Today, I encourage you to be free, I encourage you to speak your truth! Free those thoughts that are trying to control your thought. Release every hurt that has held you hostage. And let go of every memory that has molded your view or bad perception of the world. Your mental health matters, and yours does too. Black Mental Health Matters too.
I wish my nana was proud
Maura Grieco,
Norfolk, VA
My nana is Japanese American, she moved to the states at age 20 after having my mother and marrying my grandfather, a white man in the navy. She is proud of being Japanese and embraces her culture outwardly now, But did not when my mother was younger.
She never taught my mother or uncle Japanese, for she feared them speaking another language and getting bullied. She herself completely cut herself from speaking the language for years and forced herself to trudge through a language she barely knew.
I am so proud of my nana. She is a strong woman. But it hurts me to hear her stories to try to conform to the white, western culture that she was forced into.
Black does not define my race.
Cameron Scott,
Norfolk, VA
Many people judge me for my color but what many people do not know is that I am mixed with three different races.
I’m not black, I’m actually brown.
Bionca Bryant,
Old Dominion University,
Norfolk, VA,
Black defined is the very darkest color owing to the absence of or complete absorption of light; the opposite of white. Melanated people are no such thing. We are all light and my skin is brown, not black.
I won’t bear my ancestor’s sins.
Jonathan T Sciance
Norfolk, VA
I am me, I want to be judged by my history, not my people’s.
You’re too white to be black
Alyssa Swearingen,
Norfolk, VA.
I come from parents who are different races. I have a mother who is white, and a father who is black. All my life, I get told “You don’t look black,” or I get asked if “I’m sure I am HALF black.” I’ve been told numerous times that I look like I’m only white. As a young girl, this discouraged me. I started off fighting it. I would argue with everyone and try my best to prove my race. However, as time went on, I began to fight less. I began to just hold my tongue. It was so much easier to let people think what they wanted, and say what they wanted. Now as a woman, I am starting to get my fight back. I refuse to hide a part of who I am.
I’m a red headed Puerto Rican
Lauren McEnerney,
Norfolk, VA.
ODU
I’m black. so I am dangerous?
Brianna Branch
Norfolk, VA
I’m black and therefore I am seen as a threat to others because of my skin color. I have never tried to or had the desire to harm someone else. Sometimes people lock their doors when they see my friends and I walk past and yell racists comments out of the window when they drive by for no reason at all; my friends face similar problems but you can’t make everyone see the world with a colorblind perspective.
Meet My WHITE AFRICAN AMERICAN Son
Janice Davidsson,
Norfolk, VA.
You can’t help who you fall in love with and this American girl fell in love with an African boy. So that makes our son African American. Here’s the catch that a lot of people have an issue with… He’s white. He has blonde hair and blue green eyes and is the reason I have taken out stock in sun screen. For all who claim Africa what country is it that you are claiming? My Husband and son are proud to be South African and they shouldn’t have to deny their roots that are still deep in both South Africa and the States because it upsets the few who claim a continent full of countries.
