Your grades don’t define your limit
Davis Bruce,
Richmond, VA
As a kid I was always worried I may not succeed at what I want to do because I never do well in school. Today I see that they only effect you if you let them
Jasper? That is a white name.
Jasper Little,
Chesapeake, VA.
A lot of people are also very surprised the way I sound, they say I sound white.
Complacency is complicity, no in between!
Whitney Michelle Boone,
Stephens City, VA
Old Dominion University
The “quiet girl” in the back
Alyssa Banas,
VA.
Before I attended college, I was known as the “quiet girl” that sat in the back of the class. I loved meeting new people, but I just had a hard time communicating with people without being shy. My teachers always told me to participate in class because the ideas I wrote down on paper was considered as “intelligent.” When I reached college, I realized that I need to step out of my comfort zone. During my freshman year in college, I rushed in a sorority and was involved in plenty of clubs. Those who bump into my in college are now always saying “Wow! You used to be the quiet girl in the back of the class. What happened?” Going to ODU has definitely helped me step out of my comfort zone and allow myself to open up without people judging me.
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.
Be the good in the world
Ashley Garneau,
Virginia Beach, VA.
If I’m privileged, I didn’t know
Stephanie D Schrodetzki,
Old Dominion University,
Chesapeake, VA
I didn’t know that the color of my skin afforded me privileges until I watched a video about students moving forward on a line or staying still based on sentences that applied to them. Even though I didn’t have an advantaged youth, I was able to achieve success anyway because of the color of my skin. I still don’t believe that it explains away my success entirely, but educating myself on the disparities that other races face while growing up and trying to succeed, made me see. It is harder for other ethnicities to succeed in life and I needed to be made aware. It’s unfair. And sad.
I’m white and I’m raising a biracial child.
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.
Jasper? That is a white name.
Jasper Little,
Chesapeake, VA.
A lot of people are also very surprised the way I sound, they say I sound white.
My child is of human race
Ngan Lam,
Virginia Beach, VA.
I learned race, prejudice, racism, stereotype, and developed my own personal biases, but when I look at my child I only see a precious human being and spirit…just him and forget about all that I learned.
