“Strong stereotype hides real human pain.”
Jainaba, Sioux City, IA I chose these words because African Americans are often seen as strong and tough, but this stereotype hides the emotional and...
Some will never understand the pain.
Michael McMillian, San Clemente, CA I was born in Louisiana in the 80s where issues like poverty, educational disparities, and racialized policing were part of...
Pain is hard, friends are complicated
Jaclyn Flint, Elmira, NY I’ve been through a lot of pain, friends are complicated. You hang out with people for so many years, don’t know...
Just want credit it is due.
Jasmine Shabazz, Beachwood, Ohio. So, never once have I blamed the white kids and there families for slavery. Never once did I say there ancestors...
Our tears aren’t for your consumption
Adrienne Davis, Durham, NC. I feel like white folks want to consume our pain and oppression but don’t want to commit to be accomplices in...
Pain anger confusion impatience exhaustion pride
Jua Fluellen, Washington, DC. I would like for more people to deconstruct the role race places in the way they are perceived and responded to...
Biracial woman: strength, confidence, confusion, pain.
Melissa Flowers, Trinity University My mother is caucasian and my father is black. I have immense privilege in my life, and I feel that being...
She gave the eraser back.
Harry Ford, Minneapolis, MN. Race is a difficult subject given the large amount of pain many people of color have experienced related to race within...
We must overcome deeply rooted racism.
Amanda Adams, MA. People don’t realize how deeply ingrained racism is in our country and in the whole world. We can’t ignore such a painful...
On the internet, nobody has race
Clayton, CA. I spent a lot of my misguided youth playing video games into the late hours of the night. It was how I found...
I awaken further to the pain
Kenzie Raulin, Silver Spring, MD. It gets harder and harder to awaken to the pain caused by ‘white’ folks, out of ignorance, pain, greed. It’s...
America Bigger, delete the word N*****!
Nelson Morgan, Miramar, FL. My hue is from God. My pain is from man.
The ever lingering question is WHY?
Yochanan Kushnir New York City, NY Manhattan The answer is drowned in silence and pain.
Born white 1956, but feel ashamed.
Jani Lee New York City, NY I accept what African American friends/co-workers say, I would like to answer, “But it wasn’t me.” I listen, feel...
Why would someone not like Dorothy?
Sean D. Stuber USA I don’t remember what I said that prompted my daughter’s question. It was during a casual conversation about my experiences growing...
