“He’s not really yours, is he?”
Stacey Golden Portland, OR I am Euro-American and my husband is African American. When we decided to adopt children, we adopted children that had bio-parents...
I treat blacks differently, with empathy
Liz Nardi Bend, OR I am not the friendliest person, often don’t answer the question “How are you?” when asked by clerks, but if the...
My whiteness empowers daily racial blindness
Jim Beaverton, OR As a white man, I am constantly swimming in a sea of racial ignorance. I have the privilege of never having to...
Conversations about race are existentially dangerous.
Martin MacKenzie Clackamas, OR I think these discussions have become so politically charged that no on can escape danger to one’s job, civil liability, or...
Race must become like eye color.
Shel Cantor Astoria, OR Describe someone. You probably included the color of her eyes. You didn’t ignore her eye color, yet you don’t prejudge her...
Another project to perpetuate racial divide
Jan Allsman Sisters, OR Lets get ride of “hyphinated American” labels and start working together as “just folks”.
Second sorrow, childhood awareness of racism
Karen Davis Portland, OR First sorrow, family unable to love, second sorrow, learning of racism, still shocked 60 years later. How can this be? I...
Black leaders belittle their own race
Nancyann Irvin St. Helens, OR I would find it insulting if I were constantly told I was a helpless victim and could not do anything...
What color is THIS one, Daughter?
KT Holbrook-Yanit Eugene, OR What my white father asked because I dated young men of several ethnicities. I have to admit I was sad but...
I am more than a word.
Krislyn Real Beaverton, OR When I was younger race was something to be proud of. I grew up in central California where the Latin-American population...
“Ethnically Ambiguous” shouldn’t prompt guessing games.
Ana Byers Ashland, OR It is tiresome, rude and de-humanizing to be stopped by strangers so they can guess “where I am from.” It is...
You don’t look like a Latina
Marie-Elena Reyes Portland, OR I have been speechless when told this (often by white women). The first time, I was angry and hurt to hear...
