Where Biochemistry senior Wei-Lun Chiu is from, Asia, race did not matter. Everyone was Asian, there was not much diversity. However, once he came to America he saw that everyone was different — there were more races here than in Asia.
“When I came to the United States, I could see that even though people say it doesn’t, racism still exists here,” said Chiu. “I feel like I am less here because I am Asian. When I go on MSU confessions website, I see that they say a lot of stuff about us that isn’t really true — not all Asians are what they think.”
In efforts to create a conversation surrounding these issues, two student organizations have partnered with Michele Norris’ The Race Card Project as a part of MSU’s yearlong 60/50 project.
The project allows anyone to submit a six-word story, using their thoughts, experiences or observations to give an opinion on cultural and human rights issues today.
“The project is intended to get people talking about race and cultural identity issues on campus,” said Kendra Pyle, adviser for the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Club, which is working on the project.
This too was Norris’ idea for the project, to create conversations.
Pyle said that the project is important because MSU is a very diverse community and at the same time she thinks people are still very reluctant to be talking about race.
“This is a safe way to kind of get people to start a dialogue and to engage,” Pyle said.
Pyle explained that they are trying to remind people, especially those who are white, that we do not live in a post-racism society, pointing to things like the education gaps, disparity in the number of colored people in prison, and the higher suspension rates among Latino and black populations.
“I think people treat people equally — but the system is oppressive, there is a lot of racial inequality in the system,” Pyle said.
Pyle said that this project will give students an opportunity to actually share how they feel, share their experiences, and really share their stories.
Pyle believes that the project is completely necessary because people of color often feel like their stories aren’t heard.
Chiu himself is not comfortable talking about race because he was not used to having to have this discussion. He hopes that when students go online to read other people’s stories, they will be inspired.
Chiu’s six-word story was “They’re all unique in their way.”
The Race Card Project will also be at the rock on Farm Lane Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., encouraging students to participate.
“Hopefully they will learn that we shouldn’t judge people,” Chiu said. “I want to show you guys that (Asians) are good too — that we can be awesome.”
