Michelle Norris: Material Through A New Light

It was an informative experience getting to hear Michelle Norris speak first hand after studying her work, The Race Card Project, for a few weeks now. I gained new insight of her work and how it came to be. She spoke elaborately on the geography of the mind and how we think about things, specifically race. Norris constantly talked about what race means, which culminated into an answer through the revelation of her own story. Most of her career she ran away from her race and cultural identity, until she understood the power of being a black woman. It was at this point that she consequently realized the importance of the conversation about race and how talking about it would force progression of racial equality and understanding in our society. When she came to this realization she began her project that initially entailed her giving out cards and asking people to send them back with their thoughts about race and anything that pertained. Due to the mass reception she received she further developed her project into what we know now as, The Race Card Project, a site that has archived over 35,000 cards in its short existence thus far. Within the cards she spoke about similar ideas of racial tension and progression that come up in our AMST Black Social Movements class as well. She spoke about the role of everyone in the natural fight for equality minorities face. Norris stated that this movement effects everyone and there is more to be done, whether your cultural identity, race or ethnicity is connected with the ‘dominant culture’ or one that has been oppressed since the beginning of OUR history. Norris used events such as the March on Washington and Dr. King speech as a symbol of the progression we have made and a reminder of what still needs to be done. It was an honor being able to listen to someone with endless knowledge and experience, such as Michelle Norris, speak on this topic that affects us all.