In their compelling book, Tell Me Who You Are: Sharing Our Stories of Race, Culture, & Identity, authors Winona Guo and Priya Vulchi embark on a transformative journey across the United States to explore the nuanced realities of race and identity. Motivated by the absence of substantive discussions about racism in their high school curriculum, Guo and Vulchi deferred their college admissions to travel to all 50 states, conducting over 500 interviews with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
This ambitious project, often referred to as their “Race Across 50 States,” aimed to collect personal narratives that shed light on how race influences daily life in America. The resulting compilation features 115 of these stories, each accompanied by photographs, offering readers an intimate glimpse into the lived experiences of people nationwide. The book serves as both a mirror and a map, reflecting the complex landscape of American identity and guiding readers toward a deeper understanding of racial dynamics.
Prior to this endeavor, Guo and Vulchi co-founded the organization CHOOSE, dedicated to enhancing racial literacy. In 2017, they collaborated with Princeton University’s Department of African American Studies to publish The Classroom Index, a textbook designed to equip educators with tools to discuss race and identity in the classroom. Their work emphasizes the importance of storytelling in bridging racial divides and fostering empathy.
Tell Me Who You Are not only presents these personal accounts but also provides readers with concrete steps to engage in meaningful conversations about race. By integrating narratives with historical context and practical guidance, Guo and Vulchi offer a comprehensive resource for individuals seeking to confront and understand racial inequities.
Their journey underscores a critical message: understanding race in America requires listening to the diverse stories that shape our collective experience. Through their “Race Across 50 States,” Guo and Vulchi illuminate the power of personal narratives in driving social change and advocate for a more inclusive and informed national dialogue on race and identity.
