I speak Spanish, I ain’t Mexican
Mariel Oak Hill, VA Most people assume that just because I speak Spanish i’m Mexican or Spanish–no, I’m Peruvian.
White, but never belonged = peopleless.
Ricki Fowler Bedford, VA While growing up, I spent 5 years in a town hostile to outsiders. I’d always been unlike other children, but there,...
But I never owned any slaves.
John Staunton, VA It is factually true that I never owned slaves. But while this statement is true for every American person of any race,...
Italian-American with no Mafia connections
Michele Deramo Blacksburg, VA Despite media depictions of Italian-Americans as criminals and buffoons, fewer than 1% have any connections to organized crime.
My great-grandparents said, “oriental” and “colored.”
Noah Johnson Wicomico Church, VA While sitting around the dinner table with my mom and grandparents, we began to talk about the Race Card Project,...
Rejected or accepted: Race or not?
David Zetoony Alexandria, VA When race is considered in a contest — whether its use is lawful or unlawful, ethical or unethical, motivated to equalize...
Black? Educated? What is that?
Renee Reives Lorton, VA Sometimes I feel stuck. I’m black and educated. I feel like a unicorn based on what so many people perceive and...
White flight and racism trump integration.
Robert Robillard Roanoke, VA I teach at a white flight private school that now aims to be diverse. Another element that must be as true...
Are you black? You look so …
Nicole Collins Bronzan Rahway, NJ I’m a mutt — black, Native America, Irish, you name it — raised all over the world as a military...
Biggest problem affecting quality public education
Denise Hills Tuscaloosa, AL I live in Tuscaloosa, AL. I’ve been involved with education, primarily at public schools, for years. This past election, I ran...
COMPASSION ANGER GOOSEBUMPS RISE I WEEP
HELEN CANNON LOUNSBURY Alexandria, VA I WEEP FOR THE HARD FOUGHT PATH WE ALL HAVE BEEN ON AND STILL ARE ON FOR RACIAL AND HUMAN...
powerful, struggle, overcome, justice, music, civil rights
Brian Lounsbury Alexandria, VA The Civil Rights movement was powerful, and such a struggle to overcome the injustices of one group toward another in a...
This fight is far from over.
Yatzek Krzepicki Ashburn, VA The banality of evil is frequently cited in the context of the atrocities of the 21st century; the failure to witness...
Too many white people in here
John Richmond, VA Why can black people say “there are too many white people around here” and people laugh it off but if i said...
Irish not Anglo. Catholic not Secular/Protestant
Patrick O’Laughlin Falls Church, VA ‘White’ by privilege, but not by culture.
