Play Book Tag discussion

NPR journalist Michele Norris spearheaded a project for over the past fourteen years that she named "The Race Card Project." This giant-sized book is the compilation of the conversations, essays and photographs it has generated. Intrigued? I certainly was, when I recently read a review of the book right here on Goodreads.

The phrase, "playing the race card," is a phrase that Norris finds repugnant. So, she flipped it on its side and used it in a more positive way. Norris first had printed two hundred black postcards, with the words: "Race. Your Thoughts. 6 Words. Please Send." The postcards were then placed in bookstores, restaurants, airports, etc. Norris did not know if people would respond, but they certainly did. In time, she added the words "Anything Else?" The response has been staggering. Over time, 500,000 people have participated, representing all races.

Here are some of the phrases that people wrote in their responses.

*I'm afraid to wear a hoodie.
*Don't fear me, I'm like you.
*Yes, I'm tobacco pickin white trash.
*I'm his mother, not the nanny.
*You're pretty... for a dark skinned girl.
*Can you speak Indian for me?

A doctor wrote in and then was interviewed by Norris. His words were: "55 MPH means you, black man." His discussion made a big impact on me. He is an Ivy League trained physician, but has experienced white patients walking out of the exam room when they meet him. He always drives the speed limit, for fear of the police stopping him. And, he keeps a copies of his driver's license and car registration in the upper visor of his car. This is so that if he is stopped, he does not have to reach down to find them.

**This is a book well worth looking at. I even think schools should use it as part of their curriculum.

An amazing review and sounds like an impactful book.

Thanks, Jason! It's such a relevant project that the author spearheaded and good, that so many people took part in it.