The University of Tennessee Archives

No one wants to hear your heritage

December 7, 2022December 7, 2022 German, heritage, immigrant, Knoxville, Macy Willett, proud, second generation, story, The University of Tennessee, TN, tradition, we al have a story, white

Macy Willett,
Knoxville, TN

Yes, I do have a heritage. Yes, I am also white. While I celebrate the unique backgrounds of my friends and coworkers, I often feel as though I have no identity or culture to grasp onto. No one wants to hear your “percentages” and what comes along with you if the end result is that you are simply Caucasian. But, I am the daughter of a second-generation German immigrant who moved to the states as a single mom. I have stories, traditions, and culture. I am proud of my heritage, even if that looks like a percentage number to some people.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville Sociology 110

Redefining the south’s reputation for racism.

May 26, 2022May 26, 2022 College, first experience, Knoxville, Lanthe Keller, racism, South, The South, The University of Tennessee, TN

Lanthe Keller,
Knoxville, TN

I grew up in a small suburb outside of Seattle, WA. I played with and had friends in my class who looked nothing like me and only when moving to the south did I realize I had never seen so many white children. The south has a reputation for racism, it’s nestled in conversations, and, at times, the backbone of relationships. I want to redefine this horrid stigma that has persisted and help others understand that when you are born, based on the color of your skin, you have a societal privilege that no white person will ever be able to understand.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville