Norfolk Archives - Page 2 of 3 - The Race Card Project

I promise to stand against injustices

February 28, 2020 Kaylena Crowell, Norfolk, VA

Kaylena Crowell,
Norfolk, VA

Growing up, my mom taught me to stand up for what I believe in, no matter the consequences. My family, originating from California, had open views, and I was taught to see no color. Despite this, I grew up in a rural, backward town in Southwestern Virginia, wherein my graduating class of 125, only 2 were not white. As a child, it was scary to stand up for what was right, even though I knew I was making the wrong choice by being a silent bystander in situations. Now 20, and attending an incredibly diverse college, I promise to stand against injustices of all kinds. I will not be silent. I will not be compliant. I won’t be the silent bystander. I will make my mom proud that she taught me to do what is right.

Love is blind- it sees NO color!

October 29, 2019October 29, 2019 colorblind, Kristin Lindquist, love is blind, Norfolk, VA

Kristin Lindquist,
Norfolk, VA.

I am more than a stereotype.

October 8, 2019October 8, 2019 Antoinette G Murray, Norfolk, stereotype, VA

Antoinette G Murray,
Norfolk, VA.

You are white so you’re rich

March 4, 2019March 4, 2019 Alexandra, Norfolk, VA

Alexandra,
Norfolk, VA
Old Dominion University

I’m white and I’m raising a biracial child.

March 4, 2019March 4, 2019 bi-racial, Josie, mother, Norfolk, Old Dominion University

Josie,
Norfolk, VA
Old Dominion University

I’m white and I’m raising a biracial child. No, he isn’t adopted. No, I did not birth him. Yes, I love him with a mother’s love. He is my nephew. He is amazing. Raising him has opened my eyes to a whole new perspective on race, what it means to be racist, and how I can make the world a better place for him and for all children.

They are Canadian and won’t tip.

February 11, 2019August 18, 2020 Canadian, Norfolk, restaurant, Robyn, stereotype, tip, VA

Robyn,
Norfolk, VA.

Real Canadians do not tip in Canada because their wait staff is paid an adequate salary. However, black people, in the restaurant world, have been given the nickname Canadians because they normally do not tip. I feel like this is so wrong to stereotype people and give them unacceptable service just because they feel as though no matter how hard they work they aren’t going to get a tip in return. How about you treat everyone equally and maybe you will get a tip because you treat them with respect like any rightful human being.

No, I dont have to choose

February 14, 2018February 14, 2018 acting black, acting white, both, choose, culture, love, mixed, Norfolk, Olivia Divers, pick, preconceived, two cultures, VA, white pople

Olivia Divers,
Norfolk, VA.

When you’re mixed with black and white people always have this preconceived idea that you have to “pick” which of the two cultures and behaviors you pick up on. You’re expected to choose between “acting black” or “acting white”. I am both. I will always be both. I love both. No, I don’t have to choose.

Humans. Only species identifying this way.

April 17, 2017April 18, 2017 human, identify, Norfolk, one race the human race, Sophia, species, VA

Sophia,
Norfolk, VA.

“Waiting on the World to Change”

March 21, 2017 change, Hannah, John Mayer, Minority, Norfolk, song, VA, Waiting for the World to Change

Hannah,
Norfolk, VA.

I chose this quote from a popular John Mayer song because it so relevant to where we still are today. This song, created in 2006, is more relevant 10 years later than it was then and that is a problem. And even though I am not a minority, the hate in this world is still astonishing to me. That is why I am waiting on the world to change.

Why must I choose one race?

October 31, 2016 application, biracial, Cassandra Young, check the box, choose, define, Norfolk, Race, survey, VA

Cassandra Young,
Norfolk, VA.

Often times when filling out a survey or application we are asked to select our race. Many of the times the directions state to only choose one. I am biracial and one race does not define me.

Why Do You Act So White?

October 31, 2016 act white, Myra, Norfolk, stereotype, VA

Myra,
Norfolk, VA.

I feel othered for being lightskinned.

October 20, 2016 black enough, Lexie Nobrega, light skin, mixed race, Norfolk, Oreo, other, stereotype, VA, whiteness

Lexie Nobrega,
Norfolk, VA.

I was never “black enough” to fit in with the black kids, but I am not white either so I obviously did not fit with those kids either. I was called an “oreo” often-black on the outside but my personality was equated to that of stereotypical whiteness. I always embraced being of mixed-race, and fight against this idea that I have to fit myself into a stereotype in order to feel a sense of belonging. I embrace who I am and encourage others to do the same.

Why do you sound so white?

October 20, 2016 but you sound, connection, ethnicity, High School, Ladaja Kennedy, Norfolk, Race, sound white, VA

Ladaja Kennedy,
Norfolk, VA.

Growing up, I went to a predominately white school with mostly white friends. Because of this I was usually not hanging around with people of my same race and ethnicity, thus not sounding like the others or having connection like everyone else did when it came to it. Then later when I went to high school, the population was a large shift for me and I often had to deal with the scrutiny of sound better than my peers or even being viewed as being viewed as stuck up compared to others in my class. The thing that also got me was that my white peers would even question and sometimes laugh why I spoke like them with a name such as mine but in my mind it just made me question who I was.

I am black, I am proud.

October 20, 2016 Anthony Taylor, Black, Norfolk, proud, VA

Anthony Taylor,
Norfolk, VA.

“That black girl talks so white”

March 14, 2016 black girl, Ciara Myers, Norfolk, talk, talk white, VA, white

Ciara Myers,
Norfolk, VA.

Being Mixed Doesn’t Define Cultural Identity

February 23, 2016January 17, 2023 Asian, cultural identity, define, filipino, identify, mixed, Morgan Engelhardt, Norfolk, Pacific Islander, truth, VA

Morgan Engelhardt,
Norfolk, VA.

A lot of times I get shut down for calling myself Pacific Islander or Asian because I look white. The truth is, I’ve always preferred to identify myself with my Filipino ancestors rather than my white ones. It feels like home to me.