Ten years ago, @michele_norris launched the Race Card Project, which asks people to describe their feelings on race in just 6 words. She thought few would respond. Here are some of the responses—out of half a million so far—that she’s received. on.natgeo.com/3z5EBeL 
“Black Boy. White world. Perpetually exhausted.”
After a frightening encounter with police right before entering college, Esayas Mehretab decided not to tell his parents, who had fled persecution in Ethiopia. But he discovered that keeping quiet about these challenges takes a toll.
Maren Robinson: "White husband became Iranian September 11th"
Rom Barkhordar: “'You don't look Iranian!' I am."
Rom Barkhordar: “'You don't look Iranian!' I am."
Rom Barkhordar is Iranian American. His wife, Maren, is blond and of European descent. September 11 became a line of demarcation in their lives. “I would say that definitely was the first moment I had that I just physically feared for [Rom’s] safety, and that has not gone away.”
“With kids, I'm dad, alone ... thug!”
People in his affluent neighborhood on the coast of central California were friendly enough when ultrasound technician Marc Quarles was accompanied by his wife, who is white & German, and their mixed-race children. But the reception was always much less friendly when he was alone
“I am not an exotic creature.”
Hana Peoples said the constant guessing game about her identity, as well as the harassment and unwanted attention she’s received from “creepy men,” makes her feel like a specimen. Her six-word story was born of exasperation.
“Native Americans, America's invisible invisible invisible.”
"We are not being acknowledged on our own lands, our own continents, our own territories and in the history books... but here we are, the invisible peoples," says Gene Tagaban, who is Cherokee, Tlingit, and Filipino.
"I'm ashamed for my ancestors' race."
Lindsey Lovel Heidrich was born in Arkansas and her ancestors ran a small plantation in Georgia and owned slaves. "When I try and bring things up, or I try and criticize the South, you know, it's never gone over great with my family."
“We aren’t all ‘Strong Black Women.’”
When Celeste Green first sent her six words to the project, it kick-started an online exchange that lasted for days. "Has 'strong' become a euphemism for 'it doesn't matter how we treat them, because they'll survive?'" wrote one commenter.
When Celeste Green first sent her six words to the project, it kick-started an online exchange that lasted for days. "Has 'strong' become a euphemism for 'it doesn't matter how we treat them, because they'll survive?'" wrote one commenter.
“I wish he was a girl.”
Why? Because young Black males are “perceived guilty until proven innocent," says Kristen Moorhead.
Why? Because young Black males are “perceived guilty until proven innocent," says Kristen Moorhead.
“Ashamed that accomplished minorities surprise me.”
Daniel Robbins is a firm believer in the equality of all people. But he's troubled by his seemingly involuntary reaction to seeing a minority doing well at something. He struggles to eradicate those low expectations.
Daniel Robbins is a firm believer in the equality of all people. But he's troubled by his seemingly involuntary reaction to seeing a minority doing well at something. He struggles to eradicate those low expectations.
.@michele_norris is a Nat Geo Explorer whose work is funded by @InsideNatGeo. Learn more about her project here: on.natgeo.com/3zkUzSn
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