Everyday she sees my race matters.
Carniesha Kwashie,
Philadelphia, PA.
This is in response to my white staffer and the racism she sees I endure as we work on an project that states Racial Equity is a priority.
Shaiann Desvignes,Not Brown Enough to Be Indian
Pallavi Joy,
Philadelphia, PA
Growing up in a 97% white school system, and being raised by one Indian immigrant parent and one Indian American parent really affected the way I saw myself and my race. I was always too brown in school to fit in with all the white kids, but in Indian circles I was too American. Not fully fitting in with my American culture or Indian culture is a defining feature of my life whether or not I want it to be. I am still learning how to love my dual cultures.
Urban living has made me racist
Kenna Hensen
Philadelphia, PA
I’m so ashamed to say I have racist thoughts. I grew up in a small suburban town believing that no matter your ethnicity, racist remarks where never appropriate. I moved into a large urban city 5 years ago and found my thoughts and feelings on racism being altered by my experience with people in my neighborhood.
I live in an area with a high immigrant population of Asian/ Vietnamese / Hispanic families. I also live down the street for a low income housing project that has a high majority of African American families. The Asian and Hispanic populations are very hard working individuals, opening stores, restaurants and businesses. They put me to shame with their work ethic, often working weekends and holidays. I always see my Asian/ Hispanic neighbors working their houses, playing in the park with their children, or sending time with their families, after they have worked all week and into the weekend. We always greet each other with simple words and friendly gestures.
When I walk past the housing project, I am heckled by my neighbors who yell sexual and offensive comments, fail to respect quite hours in the evening and often let their children wander around late into the night. I feel voices that I’ve heard say racist and offensive comments creep into my head and I bite my tongue to hold back a lot of words I feel inside.
But why? Why has the negativity of Racism crept into my head? I have very good friends who are African American, Ive been in mixed relationships, I even have an “adopted” aunt who I loved. I see their children as my own I would never disrespect an individual of this race, but I am struggling to understand the overall values of this ethnicity and the reason that I feel the way I do. What is happening in our culture and why has the majority of this ethnic group ended up becoming the so displaced in our society?
“My Blood is Red, What’s Yours”
Ralanda King,
Philadelphia, PA.
Born and raised in the city of brotherly love, but I’m full of sisterly affection, I not black but brown and beautiful. the heart can see what our eyes can’t or refuse too. but, don’t charge it to my skin, but to my heart.
Such pretty hair, are you mixed?
Brendah Polanco,
Philadelphia, PA
What did we lose becoming white?
Rosa Friedman,
Philadelphia, PA.
My grandparents came to this country as children of Jewish families from eastern Europe. In order to become accepted as part of the racial elite and gain access to white privilege, they had to leave behind the things that distinguished them, their culture, language, and values. Now there is a hole in soul where that history should be.
My Race Works For My Race
Daniel A. Rodriguez,
Philadelphia, PA.
Hello, my name is Daniel A. Rodriguez and I am 15 years old. I am of Mexican and White descent. My parents came from Mexico shortly before I was born here, in the United States. My father is a construction worker and my mother is a house cleaner, which many consider “Mexican” jobs. I listen to them tell me of how they see the beautiful homes and things of the families of these “Americans”. I then say to myself, “Why do my parents have such stressful, life absorbing jobs, when my “American” family have good paying jobs and nice lifestyles”? My parents tell me on how they wish they could do the same for us, and how they came to this country so that we wouldn’t have a childhood like their own. They tell me on how they wish I can get a good job as an “American” and be the fruit of what they worked so hard for, leaving their whole family, constantly being discriminated, and being put down due to their limited speech. I now realize that i’m not either White “American” nor poor “Mexican”, but unique. I will excel as an individual, just like any other race, ethnicity and person can.
Race sees race. Love sees love.
Naette Lee,
Philadelphia, PA.
The nature of humans is that what we see is what matters. What we see has little to do with what is, or what is important. Maybe one day that will change.
That black girl lost her magic
Saniyyah,
Philadelphia, PA
I got that from the phrase “Black Girl Magic”. Every black girl is magically but some lose their magic. When times get hard those magical powers go away and you feel like nothing. As a black girl today we are taught to be strong and persist. But often things get in the way and we do not know how to deal with them. Negative emotions took over my body all my magic was gone.
Denial’s not (just) a river in Africa!
Bruce B. Rush,
Philadelphia, PA
I grew up in a generation where I lived through & was influenced greatly by expressions like “Say It Loud, I’m Black & I’m Proud,” and “Black Is Beautiful.” I wouldn’t want it any other way! At this stage of my life, I draw strength & inspiration from this line of the famous poem, “Invictus:” “…I thank whatever Gods may be for my unconquerable soul…”
Denial. Not just an African River!
Bruce B. Rush,
Philadelphia, PA
I slightly modified my initial essay to make sure it was unequivocally 6 words, without any claimed exception or exemption to the word count. It doesn’t flow quite like the original expression, but it is what it is. Teach our children Purpose, Determination & Focus (PDF).
“Are you Asian? Are you Caucasian?”
Santana O.,
Philadelphia, PA.
I’m asked by new people commonly, “Wow, you look so Asian! Are you Asian?” I’m also asked, “You’re really pale, are you Caucasian? Are you sure you’re black? WOW! You’re Puerto Rican & black. That explains it.”
That little black girl is SHARP !
Desiree C,
Philadelphia, PA.
I Am Not All Asian People!
Shirin Akhter,
Philadelphia, PA.
When I tell other that I am Asian, they don’t believe me because they think my skin color is a little dark or my eye shape or the way I talk. I am west asian, i am from the west side of asia. All asians don’t look alike, we don’t have the same eye shape or we all don’t talk the same way. I speak fluent english because I grew up in the United states. I never had an ancient, and if i did have an ancient it couldn’t be a chinese or korean ancient, it would be an Indian ancient because most people from west Asia sound like Indians, and Indians are asians too. My brother doesn’t have an ancient, neither does my sister. Lets just say because we moved to the US when we were kids, we were born in bangladesh but i knew more english then bangla. I speak english all the time so I got use to english, so when i try to speak bangla with my parents, I don’t remember some words. I still have a difficult time speaking bangla with my parents so they told me to speak bengali at home and speak english outside, so that I can learn both languages. In the other hand, my parents know amazing bangla but they don’t know english that much. Maybe it’s because at a time they need to know english and they didn’t have anyone to teach them. I couldn’t teach them because I didn’t even know it that time.
When someone gets to know me and they also know that I’m asian, things get tough. One day a guy asked me “ shirin, if your asain, why aren’t you quite like the other asians”. I just looked at him and walked away. I knew what my answer was, and I still know what my answer is to this question, i just didn’t say anything because of how ridiculous he sounded. But my answer will always be “ I am not like everybody, i’m not like other asians, everybody is different in their own way, and if I was quite, I would be lying to myself and other people, and i’m sure no one wants that. Everybody has a different personality, and everybody has their different way of showing who they really are.” I would actually say all that to that guy and maybe a little more. I wasn’t mad that he asked this, I was confused because I know that he is smart and for him to ask me that, it was ridiculous.
