Damn Mom, You’re Right. I’m sorry.
David Pham Poughkeepsie, NY When I was young, my mom told me a macabre anecdote about the Vietnam War. She remembered that American soldiers would...
Ancestors were wrong. I am sorry.
Tim Minter, Bellevue, NE I am the descendant of slave holding Americans. My ancestors owned a plantation in Sedalia, SC – and, along with that...
You’re not white, What are you?
Sheena Biggerstaff Atlanta, GA I get this statement/question combo all the time. It’s amazing how many different races I’ve been grouped into by people trying...
Girls are different? Sorry, didn’t know.
Katharine Corona, CA When I was young I grew up on a street with boys and ended up being a pretty big tomboy. I enjoyed...
White/Hispanic looks/is all white not sorry
Ruby Marlowe, Brooklyn, NY. Italian-Irish mom, Puerto Rican-Mestizo dad, never met dad’s family as his side was pretty bad along with dad who was never...
I’m a living apology, I’m sorry.
Annaleis Thibault, Bolton, MA. As a white, middle class american, I feel as though I owe reparations for the crimes committed by my ancestors.
Understand NOW Didn’t then I’m sorry
Gingie Hunstad Cedar Rapids, IA So enjoyed hearing you speak at Coe College….and have heard you often on NPR
I’m genuinely sorry about my family.
Katy Wilkerson, Houston, TX. In the deep South, in my experience, racism is pervasive, especially when you talk about poorer and poorer white people (not...
How to think well of oneself?
B B, Flathead Indian Reservation, MT. One may change; one may relinquish imposed ideas of self. Maybe every day; maybe every hour. Maybe never. I...
I am sorry for my ancestors
Krystal, Tillamook, OR. Half of my family is from Europe, the other half is from America–as in, Native Americans. When my great-grandfather passed away, they...
I’m sorry but it wasn’t me.
Margaret Hayes, Hopkins, MN. I went to a school that had a large minority student population. I always loved and was proud of my district...
Condolences for the wrongs of my ancestors
Jane Portland, ME Oppression must stay in the past. I’m sorry.
I’m SORRY! I don’t speak MEXiCAN!!!
Erick Ruiz Lakewood, CA People sometimes, I guess mix Spanish with the term Mexican being a language. Besides I’m not Mexican, I’m Guatemalan, so I...
All 5th grade girls except Mavis.
Phoebe Ruona Minneapolis, MN I went to a little 2-room country school in MN. There were 3 black kids in our school. Mavis was in 5th...
