Lara Jean DeShayes,
Oakland, CA.
I was born in Olongapo Philippines to a Filipina mom and French-American Naval seaman. In Oakland, I’m often assumed to be Latina or Hispanic but as I’ve travelled around the world, people often mistaken me for someone of their own race: Turkish in Istanbul, Greek in Athens, Italian in Naples, Catalonian in Barcelona. In the world of multiracialness growing, I find it odd for people to assume what race you are by looks. Why not just ask?