Your husband’s black? But you’re Asian.
Nina Ball, Baltimore, MD. When people first meet my husband and/or see a picture of us together, the surprise is obvious. I’ve had a few...
Ashamed that accomplished minorities surprise me.
Anonymous, Seattle, WA. No matter how liberal and progressive I might claim to be, no matter how many workshops I’ve been to or essays I’ve...
How soft black hair is. . . surprise
Charlotte, Houston, TX. I grew up close to African Americans. They were guests in our home and people on the bus with us. I never...
Drawl big words. They are surprised.
Roy Turrentine, Normandy, TN. Race is actually just a part of our natural xenophobia. Over the course of being a southerner rooted in agrarian dialects...
Great Grandfather was a white slave.
Robert L. Ricklefs Kansas City, MO This may be a surprise to some Americans of color!
You don’t look like a Filipino
Caitie Curry, Rancho Santa Aargarita, CA. People always get confused on what ethnicity I am. My mom is Filipino and my dad is white, and...
I know I’m well spoken, surprised?
Carrington Anderson, Indianapolis, IN. Never sure why I get “You’re so well spoken” so often. Not sure why people look at me and expect me...
I’m white; where do I confess?
Anonymous, Annapolis, MD. Shouldn’t blacks learn something about white attitudes. I’m often surprised by what we hear about whites.
My eloquence should not surprise you.
Angie Cruz, Los Angeles, CA. The fact that I am a Latina should not make you assume I am not intelligent. I am college educated,...
Try so hard – still see color
Sherri, Juneau, AK. As hard as I try to see people as people, not black or white or Asian etc., I can’t seem to deprogram...
No such thing as ‘White Privilege’
Remy, Surprise, AZ. Being white isn’t a luxury. Being white can be a burden. What I mean is. People automatically assume I am raciest based...
Secret shame: Still surprised by similarities.
Debbie Staton Sterling, KS I was taught from a very young age that God created and loves everyone, regardless of race or nationality and not...
My surprise moment – I’m a minority
Alex Summit, NJ Technically on this planet I am a majority being of Chinese decent and male, but growing up in suburban white northern NJ...
