“There’s a Facebook post that’s getting shared around and I can’t get it out of my head.”
‘Can’t we all just agree to disagree?’ Of course we can disagree on some things, but human rights? Um, no thanks.’: Woman responds to viral post about political opinions
‘A flu-like bug started spreading. ‘You’re black and strong, nothing will happen to you.’ The healthy white girl got her own room instead.’: Dancer powerfully explains ‘I will never color my shoes’
“The makeup artist takes 30 minutes to figure out my foundation color. The theaters ask me to find my own flesh-toned tights and undies because ‘they don’t know where to get my color.’ I do my own hair because the ladies don’t know what to do with my curls. I will NEVER COLOR my shoes.”
‘I called the midwife at 4 a.m. She came in and immediately asked, ‘Where is HE from?’ She pointed at my husband.’: Woman in interracial marriage says ‘our story is beautiful, but racism is woven into it’
“I told my friend all about Emmanuel’s amazing qualities and pulled out my phone to show a photo of him. To my dismay she said, ‘Is he poor? Does he live in a mud hut?’ I was completely taken aback. It never crossed my mind others would not be as accepting as I was. Not long after, I left and never returned.”
‘One day, he will fit the description. How will I protect my autistic son from his skin?’: Special needs mom urges ‘it is not my responsibility to end racism’
“Caleb is autistic and struggles with comprehending and engaging in conversation. My reality is that I can’t have race conversations. I don’t know if he will ever understand.”
Reflections from a Token Black Friend
“There is no escape. There is no level of success that will spare you. We are black men, and that is all that matters to some. Many white people do not understand their level of ignorance — especially the good ones.”
‘I thought she’d be browner. Disappointing, huh?’ they said. I struggled with her not looking like me.’: Mom of mixed race family comes to terms with herself, ‘I should never have justified comments’
“A boy said, ‘Yuck, do you shave your sideburns?’ I was mortified. I’d lighten my hair with at-home kits. When my white friends got their noses pierced, I joined in. But I swiftly took it out again, because it made me look ‘too Indian.’”
‘Well, mommy, I’m not just black. I’m white too!’ I had to explain, ‘I know baby, but people may just see your hair and tan skin.’: Mom to multiracial family urges ‘race talk’
“With everything currently happening in the news, I began to realize I needed to have ‘the talk’ with my children very soon. To see the confusion on their faces hurt.”
‘My innocent son was already born a stereotype. He has to fight to prove his worth, because of his skin.’: Mom and son run in honor of Ahmaud Arbery, ‘Don’t turn a blind eye’
“Today I cried heavy tears. Today I ran with my 9-year-old who has no clue how cruel this world can be. One day, I will have to explain all this to my compassionate and loving son.”
‘Her mother told me she could no longer be friends with me because I was black. We snuck around town, stealing moments of friendship when we could.’: Woman says ‘you can change the world’ in wake of Ahmaud Arbery death
“I had a white best friend I had known since 5th grade. When we got to high school, her mother figured we were old enough to hear the truth: ‘She’s black. You can no longer be friends.’ We snuck around town stealing moments of friendship when we could. I want something different for my 7-year-old daughter.”
‘I am a black man who jogs. My wife won’t let me out of the house unless I wear enough colorful and ‘innocent’ clothing so as not to appear threatening.’: Man urges for compassion in wake of Ahmaud Arbery’s death
“I am black, 6’2, and 240 pounds. I am also a Soldier and former EMT. I’ve been a licensed attorney and active duty Army Officer for 9 years. I am a good person! But none of this matters, because I am still a black man who jogs. Every time I step out the door, my wife is afraid my appearance alone could get me killed.”
