Kehinde Wiley is a Nigerian-American portrait artist based in New York City who aims to present black people firstly as people, and aims to make art work that represents black people in a manner that goes beyond the singular, often negative narrative that society has crafted surrounding them.
The Racial Imaginary (English 114-23)
The Racial Imaginary Course is an introductory English class taught by Professor Helen Rubinstein at Yale University. This class has allowed students to read and analyze texts about race as well as discuss their individual experiences. Students are encouraged to end the course with something more personal and creative, which is what we have compiled on this site for you. Thank you for taking the time to view our work!
This booklet is a collection of personal essays, interview-based pieces, and open letters created by students in The Racial Imaginary Course. Our individual goals in creating these works varied. Collectively, our goal was to draw from class readings, discussions, and research to share stories, experiences, or thoughts that somehow contribute to the dismantling of “the single story”. However, each piece contributes towards that goal on its own because we all share different experiences, and recognize that we all have different stories to share.
(Left- Right):
Row 1: Professor Helen Rubinstein, Olivia Genao, Martina Amate Perez, Melat Eskender, Biradater Adarkwah, Amaris Hester, Jessica Wang
Row 2: Claire Chang, Yasmeen Abed, Clayton Jelsma, Joojo Ocran, Nader Granmayeh, Labeebah Subair, Alvaro Perpuly
Shajaraat Zaytoon
Yasmeen Abed
“Each olive picked represents a hardship, a victory, a sadness, a happiness.”
What I Have Accomplished Is What People Should See
Biradater Adarkwah
“It was clear that he was surprised that a girl like me was able to get into a school like Yale.”
I Have Been the Good Immigrant, Now What?
Martina Amate Perez
“There is no “good” immigrant. Just people who deserve to live life as they can and choose”
Popo
Claire Chang
“My grandma created her own space in a world that still views Chinese women as second class”
A Letter to Abigail on Education and Black Liberation
Melat Eskender
“This type of education will show you what it means to be black and American”
When I was Younger: A Letter to My Sister
Olivia Genao
“Just like he did, you’ll see that society is all too eager to label you as one thing.”
Rebuking America’s Racial Story: An Open Letter
Nader Granmayeh
“…a new lens to view our racial divisions through and a means of moving forward armed with that knowledge.”
Dear AP Curriculum Writer
Amaris Hester
“expounding on these challenges completely ignores the rich cultural heritage found across Africa and the history that developed it”
Dear White People: Let’s Talk About Our Self-Segregation at Yale
Clayton Jelsma
“stepping away from white solidarity”
Nothing More Than a Single Story
Joojo Ocran
“When we choose one story and make it the only story about a group of people we risk forming a biased opinion about them which dehumanizes them”
Overcoming Racial Stereotypes
Alvaro Perpuly
“people only saw him and all the other Mexicans as bound for manual labor”
Letter to My Mother
Labeebah Subair
“Every time I make the choice to “own” my identity, although sometimes it may not seem doable, I am empowering myself and my experiences by dispelling the narratives society often attempts to force me to own.”
Yes To It All
Jessica Wang
“a single narrative cannot embody the complexities of whom people really are”
Thank you for taking the time to view our work. We hope you enjoyed it!
The Racial Imaginary Course 