Mara Andino
Los Angeles, CA
My parents are both Puerto Rican. My mom has red hair and freckles constantly mistaken for Northern European, my dad is Black and Tiano Indian. Growing up in NYC in the 60’s and 70’s not many people looked like ma and spoke Spanish too. It was a struggle too dark for white friends too light for black friends . Plus I went to one of the few public college prep schools so being mixed, female and “gifted” made it very isolating. I was grateful for my large family. At least I had a sense of belonging with them.
