shape Archives - The Race Card Project

False construct that still shapes us

June 18, 2024June 18, 2024 David Meredith Hindman, DNA, false construct, not real, Race, shape, VA, Williamsburg

David Meredith Hindman,
Williamsburg, VA

We know that race is not real – all humans share 99.9% DNA, and yet it has shaped our perceptions of one another as a supposedly easy way to differentiate people and has been used as a basis for power imbalances, oppression and domination. But this is a knowledge that, at best, is head knowledge, and so race continues to inform, shape and influence how we see each other and live with one another. I hope we can learn to see one another simply as beautiful, unique human beings and children of God and outgrow our current use of race as it often makes us White folks too big and our world too small.

Education is the key to change

July 16, 2018July 16, 2018 Acceptance, america, Autumn Segrest, change, education, Highland Heights, identity, key to change, KY, oppressor, school, shape, struggle, suburban, teacher, traditional, white woman

Autumn Segrest,
Highland Heights, KY.

As a white woman from suburban America, it can be hard to understand the struggles of the countless people who were not born into whiteness. Their experiences with racism and prejudice shape their identity as much as my privilege shapes mine. But through education, whether it be traditional schooling or sharing ideas, we can fight against the oppressors of our time and blossom into a world of acceptance.

Race generalization is not for everyone

February 22, 2017 Alex Campbell, Aurora, Color, different, everyone, generalization, generalizations, history, IL, Race, shape, size

Alex Campbell,
Aurora, IL.

People come in many different shapes, sizes, colors, and with different histories. It is unreasonable to pack many millions of people into one single idea. Terms are made to have wide acceptance and understanding and that is fine. However, generalizations (especially race) should never go past the simple idea of convenience.

Fitting Into A Group Is Overrated

May 13, 2016 cookie cutter, fit in, God, Jemima Castillo, overated, shape, South Jordan, UT

Jemima Castillo,
South Jordan, UT.

God didn’t use a cookie cutter when he shaped our lives. We are never going to fit in perfectly and that’s okay!

How can whites prove their worth?

March 31, 2015March 31, 2015 accountability, bad day, community, dialogue, prove, Race, school, shape, student accountable, teacher, TheBadApple, USA, white, white teacher, worth

TheBadApple,
USA.

I have come home from a bad day at work and am looking for honest open dialogue. I am a white teacher who works with children of all races, shapes and forms. One student in particular I have worked with is struggling with issues such as lying and stealing. I have tried positive praise, finding ways to involve her int he community in our school. Well, I had to give her a consequence the other day, and the mother screamed to my supervisor that basically we are racists who are mean to her daughter. I was hurt and took it very personally, as I have never seen her as a skin color and would treat her differently. I found out the mother demanded her daughter be moved to a different teacher last year when her daughter was reprimanded for similar behaviors. How do I change the perception without compromising my ability to hold the student accountable?

Life experiences shape our daily lives.

February 20, 2015February 20, 2015 chronic disease, daily lives, GA, Kristine Yager-Rushton, life experience, organ transplant, shape, Statesboro

Kristine Yager-Rushton,
Statesboro, GA.

Our life experiences make us who we are. I grew up with a chronic disease that led to me having an organ transplant several years ago. In my volunteer work, I get to share my story as I help mentor future organ transplant recipients on what to expect. I often find myself working with people from different backgrounds than my own. I also hear their stories as well as stories from the donor families and other recipients like me.

Many of the stories out here are way more interesting than my own. I want to hear yours and hopefully learn from it and have a conversation on race or anything else. That is what we need to do, share our experiences and learn from each other.

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