This book is the culmination of a long journey into the subject of race in America. Through micro memoirs, interviews, stories, and commentary, NPR award winning journalist, Michelle Norris offers us a way forward— not necessarily to reach common ground but as a way towards building bridges.

Our Hidden Conversations (Simon & Schuster 2024) has been a work in progress for more than a decade. But it couldn’t be more timely.  It seems we are as close to a breaking point of misunderstanding as we ever have been. What started as Norris’ small inquiry has expanded to one of the most comprehensive personal accounts and thoughts on race that we have. What makes it so effective is that each entry speaks as a valuable contribution to layered conversation. None of what people think and feel is easy.

Its concept was simple. Send a post card addressing this simple prompt:

Race. Your Thoughts. Six Words. Please Send. 

The response was overwhelming. First in the postcard form, then online. Over half a million people have submitted their stories to The Race Card Project inbox. Norris has amassed a treasure trove of personal experiences.

The answers are challenging and complicated. The stories are surprising in both depth and candor, spanning the full spectrum of race, ethnicity, identity, and class. Even at just six words, the micro-essays can pack quite a punch in what they reveal.

Examples of responses.

You’re Pretty for a Black girl.

White privilege, enjoy it, earned it.

Lady, I don’t want your purse.

My ancestors massacred Indians near here.

Beautiful differences made ugly by fear.

Mommy, why can’t we play together?

Native American voiceless in race conversations.

Stop pretending your racism is patriotism.

Yes, white skin and still Mexican.

You don’t look Jewish to me.

Asked for equality got integration.

Stop seeing my son as a predator.

Amazing what a punch so few words pack. Each one is a story many feel.

Many go further than just six words. Submissions included backstories, photos, and heirlooms: a collection much like a scrapbook of American experience you rarely get to see. Some developed ongoing relationships with Norris and she was able to flush out their stories over time.

This provides a window into the tumult that is America. Many of the conversations are uncomfortable to read but they open space into deep-seated thoughts, private discussions, and submerged memories.

Michelle Norris, author

The breadth of this work came as a surprise to Norris. All races participated and surprisingly, many were white. This unexpected panorama provides a rare 360-degree view of how Americans see themselves and one another.

The only criticism I have is that many of the stories on a given topic were repetitive and Ms. Norris’ commentary was often more longwinded and preachy than it needed to be. Understandably, this was her platform and because of that, commentary and research was to be expected.  But don’t think the book needed to be over 500 pages and that could be a deterrent to potential readers. On the flip side, I can’t imagine the difficulty of choosing from the abundance of stories.

That aside, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about some of the stories. This is an important book that should be required reading for all of us. It is eye opening and heart rendering. It makes news stories human. Perhaps, it might even make us more thoughtful of how we speak and act toward one another.

It stands as a reminder that even during times of great division, honesty, grace, and a willingness to listen can provide a bridge toward empathy and maybe even understanding.