The AmRen “Race Card Project”

For nearly a year, National Public Radio has periodically broadcast vignettes from something called The Race Card Project. The project’s website asks “How would you distill your thoughts, experiences or observations about race into one sentence that has only six words?” It encourages readers to submit their sentences and to elaborate if they wish; hundreds of entries are on the website’s “Race Card Wall.”

We are told that racial diversity is a great strength–perhaps our greatest strength–but the Race Card submissions make it clear that diversity is a source of anxiety, tension, and conflict.

They highlight the difficulties of living in a multiracial society:

“Can’t avoid racism in this country.”

“Disheartened that non-racial issues become racial.”

“Forced busing. Kid misses neighborhood. Anger.”

“Lost in a sea of White.”

Some people write about being of mixed race:

“Biracial. Choosing everyone instead (of) no one.”

“My white half is erasing my Iraqi half.”

“I am not mixed. I am”

“I’m mixed, and discriminated by both.”

Many entries are about transracial adoptions and the problems they cause:

“Yes, he really is my child.”

“Your son looks nothing like you.”

“White dad, black son, daily frontiers.”

“Are they yours? Are you sure?”

Some submissions are about uncertain racial identities:

“North Africans are clearly not Caucasian!”

“Is Puerto Rican a separate race?”

“But you do not look Bolivian.”

“Yeah, but you’re not BLACK black.”

White guilt is a common theme:

“Condolences for the wrongs of my ancestors.”

“It’s hard to overcome your history.”

“What’d I do? Still feeling guilty.”

“Is it my fault I’m white?”

Several submissions try to minimize racial differences:

“Humanity does not recognize race differences.”

“Race is fiction. Racism is fact.”

“Human race, only race that matters.”

The NPR broadcasts repeat liberal views on race, but there are a few entries on the Race Card Wall that point out anti-white double standards or express positive white identity:

“Only white countries must embrace diversity.”

“White pride: terrible; Black pride: progressive.”

Affirmative action killed southern white middleclass.”

“White and proud. Enough said.”

“White guilt is killing American society.”

“White guilt doesn’t work on me.”

Perhaps submissions like these were more common, but as in most “conversations about race,” the other side decides what to publish. So what would a race-realist Race Card Project look like?

Let’s find out.

In the comments below, please post your six words, and feel free to elaborate. You may make multiple entries, but please be sure they are thoughtful and not mean-spirited. Next week, we’ll publish some of the posts with the most upvotes, as well as our favorites.