The Race Card Project
By Michele Norris
Lynn Delgado,
CO
“But you don’t seem Puerto Rican”- growing up and even now I have fairer skin than my Puerto Rican mother. My mom has darker skin, more of a brown sugar color skin tone while I have no melanin. I grew up looking whiter than the rest of both sides of my family, not to mention I would speak like a valley girl even though I’m from Colorado. I would get judged by my skin color and the way I talked.
Sophia Villasenor,
Anaheim, CA
Moving to Boise, Idaho when I was 7, I dealt with a change. I quickly felt as if I wasn’t the same as everyone else since I was one of the only Mexican kids in the Elementary School. The only other Mexican kids were my siblings so we all we told we were different. Whether classmates flocked to me because I was different in their eyes, it was overwhelming being paid attention to due to my skin color.
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 a small offense in high school. I didn’t know what she meant until she explained it was because of her skin. She was labeled and meaner and harsher than the truly was, simply because of the way she looks. I realized right then that my whiteness comes with so much more privilege than I ever thought
Bobby Cash,
Los Angeles, CA
Look past the color, see the soul.
America Rosiles,
Hawarden, IA
A person should not be judged based off of their skin color, they should be based off of their actions!
West Sioux High School
Kelly Waddell,
Modesto, CA
People often misinterpret race and ethnicity, though neither can fully define a person. Embracing people from all walks of life helps us fully understand the amazingness of what society can offer. We all have a story. Learn from those around you. Let them open your eyes.
Yeshonda Lee,
New Orleans, LA
My skin color is just as beautiful as any other shade of skin color.
Lei-Anna Bertelsen,
Bozeman, MT.
I’ve grappled with this question all my life. My dad told me a story when I was a second grader after a boy called me names based on my skin color. My dad explained that when God made people, it took three tries to bake us to just the right color. When I was younger, I felt much more defensive when asked, ‘Where are you from?’ because it evoked in me the insecurity of ‘Where do I belong?’ But at my age and in today’s world, I choose to believe Its really a seeking question of ‘How are we connected.’ And I can feel confident in knowing we all belong as citizens of Earth to the human race.
Ronisha,
Laugna Niguel, CA
I am of mixed race. My mother is one hundred percent Filipino and my father is white. In the summer, my skin is dark due to extra sun exposure. In the winter, my skin is pale. In the summer, I get compliments such as, your skin is so beautiful and glowing, you are so exotic, etc. In the winter, I feel ugly because of stereotypes like “Becky”
Joseph Benjamin,
San Antonio, TX.
I’m a light skinned black man who grew up poor and black in the south, but because of my skin color I’ve always been treated differently from birth to the time when I realized the significance of it being white while black. I went with a dark skinned friend to apply for my first job. I was hired he wasn’t even though he had work experience and I didn’t. Doors were always more open for me because of my skin tone. I was black light culturally black without the dark skin.
Anonymous,
USA.
“White boy”, , , .
What I don’t understand is why there has always had to be a race at the bottom. No one seems to be able to get the freaking idea of racial equality through the six inches between their ears. First it was Africans. Then Jews, Asians, Latinos, Middle Eastern Peoples, there is always one at the bottom. Why do humans always feel the need to elevate themselves above one another? Same species, same intelligence, same hands, same ears, we are so much more alike then different. Yet no one can ever get that. And practically my whole life is dominated by “your a white boy” and “your racist” and my school life: “get out of here ‘white boy'” “you can’t do anything because your white” and I live in a very culturally diverse community which is a good thing, but I’m so immediately judged by my skin color. It does not freaking matter what your skin color is! I can’t get a girlfriend because I’m white. I cried looking at my white hands when I was younger because of how much it was the cause of my problems. I don’t think the world will ever change. Maybe it will change who it is racist to, but seems to never stop being in some way, racist.
Deborah Williams
Clearwater, FL
Fear affects all of us. Bad people are out there but it’s not based on skin color. When you walk by, take a moment to look that fear in the eye. Smile and say HI! You will see that 99.9% of the time your fear was unfounded.
Anonymous,
USA.
“White boy”, , , .
What I don’t understand is why there has always had to be a race at the bottom. No one seems to be able to get the freaking idea of racial equality through the six inches between their ears. First it was Africans. Then Jews, Asians, Latinos, Middle Eastern Peoples, there is always one at the bottom. Why do humans always feel the need to elevate themselves above one another? Same species, same intelligence, same hands, same ears, we are so much more alike then different. Yet no one can ever get that. And practically my whole life is dominated by “your a white boy” and “your racist” and my school life: “get out of here ‘white boy'” “you can’t do anything because your white” and I live in a very culturally diverse community which is a good thing, but I’m so immediately judged by my skin color. It does not freaking matter what your skin color is! I can’t get a girlfriend because I’m white. I cried looking at my white hands when I was younger because of how much it was the cause of my problems. I don’t think the world will ever change. Maybe it will change who it is racist to, but seems to never stop being in some way, racist.
Eric D.,
Houston, TX.
While my son was in elementary school, I asked what race dose he tells his schoolmates he was. He quickly responded, “White”. When I asked why, he said that his skin color wasn’t brown or black. As he grew older he learned about both his Spanish and African American heritage. Now in 8th grade when you asked his race he will quickly tell you, he is “Blackican”. He may not be politically correct in his newfound word, nevertheless his sincere effort to embrace his heritage instead of the color of his skin makes be a proud parent.
Laundry is the only thing that should be separated by color. ~Author Unknown
Aida Verri,
New Orleans, LA.
You are not ugly, pretty, stupid, smart, strong, weak, violent or calm because of your “race”. Your skin color isn’t your race, isn’t your culture, isn’t your identity.
Keith R. Barnes,
Colorado Springs, CO.
I hear people talking about being a part of a pure race. Race is a distinction placed upon one’s physical and genetic traits most notably skin color. Race is a social construct created to make one category seemingly superior over another.
Biologists and anthropologists have discovered race mixing throughout the history of humankind. I have both an African and a Native American bloodline or diaspora (and maybe others). Therefore, what am I really – Black or Red? While I choose to identify as Black/African- American, I am really a mirror with many reflections.
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