My Face Judged Before My Voice
Kaia Van-Seng, Santa Rosa, CA My identity is something I take seriously. It shapes who I am and how I interact with the world. So...
Mom, why do they hate us?
Theresa Salomon, Parkland, FL. A few months ago, as my 7 year old son was about to seat next to a class mate, he was...
“I’d never get away with that!”
Susie Wilson, Lake Forest, CA This was said to me by my friend who’s Mexican after I told a funny story about getting away with...
Our privilege blinds us from reality
Debanhi Garza, Fort Worth, TX I chose these six words to make a reflection on how being privileged can disconnect us from the experiences of...
Classrooms filled with diversity and opportunities
Kayla Levenson, NY As I am going to be an elementary school teacher in the future, it is important to me that everyone in my...
Empowering every student, embracing all backgrounds.
Darcie S Wallace, West Islip, NY As someone studying to be an elementary school teacher, it is essential that every student in my future classroom...
We MUST teach kids about racism
Sam S. Arlington, VA I’m a young white teen growing up in a rich white area. For the past few years I’ve tried my hardest...
No, I’m “really” from New York.
Kate Lee van Loveren, Ann Arbor, MI. I was born in New York, grew up in New York, and live in New York (when I’m...
Small Ohio Town: Color Didn’t Matter
Debbie Spragg Brisentine Plain City, OH I was born in 1954, lived in Mt. Pleasant Ohio, pop. approx. 500. Attended school from 1959-1972. Had both...
I will have an inclusive classroom.
Emily Jackman, Durham, NH As a future educator, I am constantly learning new things myself. I want to learn as much as I can to...
I never think of you as Asian.
Virginia, Cambridge, MA. I’m half Filipina. And I’ve always thought of myself as half. But one day at a faculty meeting a colleague told me...
Seen It With My Own Eyes
Elizabeth Swenson, Hacienda Heights, CA. I went to school in NC were it was predominately black & white in2006. My husband and the majority of...
Your hair color doesn’t define you
Madison Wells, Bettendorf, IA As a kid growing up I have always been told especially in school that I have no soul because of the...
People like me sit with you
Bobbi McCullen, Atlanta, GA I remember the first time I was made aware of “race”. My family had just moved to a new town, and...
Why Can’t Anyone Pronounce My Name
Tayeece, NH Since I was born, nobody could pronounce my name. In school, appointments, meeting new people, etc. Everyday I would have to explain the...
Who will love this black girl?
Gabby Mbeki, Boston, MA. In the fall of 1997, I started 6th grade at a day independent school in Connecticut. I grew up in a...
