first generation Mexican, pressure to succeed
Carla Jean Perez, Boone, IA As a Hispanic with a father from Mexico, there is always the pressure to exceed to be better, it will...
I’m the future, can’t you see?
Lauren Lola Newark, CA Why are people always so curious about what my racial makeup is? They treat it like it’s a game- like they’re...
Valhalla Awaits Me When I Die.
Chris D, South Bend, IN. He is truly wise who’s travelled far and knows the ways of the world. He who has travelled Can tell...
Diversity is central to my identity
Sabiha Viswanathan, Menlo Park, CA. Race is beauty. I could not imagine my life without diversity. Learning about different cultures has fostered my love of...
Grew Up Black. Now part Mexican.
Michelle Y. Bess, Chicago, IL. My mom is from California, my dad is from NYC. They raised my 4 siblings and me in Washington State....
Texican and Kansan adopt beautiful Chinita.
Sandy Mayer, Los Angeles, CA. I was surprised that our daughter’s Guatemalan foster family lovingly called her Chinita but understand that this is accepted in...
Age 5 They don’t serve Mexicans
Mario Lopez, Chicago, IL Our family was on vacation on the way to visit family in Mexico and we went to some restaurant in Texas...
My Japanese half, GI dad unknown.
Katherine Suszczewicz USA When you don’t know, your imagination will choose to make something up. Over and over again.
Ni de aquí, ni de allá
Ana Rodríguez, Wayne State, Antioch, IL Selena’s dad explained it best in his monologue where he talks about how tough it is to be Mexican-American....
We assumed their father was black!
Melissa Weir, Trout Valley, IL. We like to think that we are like every other family, whatever that means. But questions like “are those your...
Black Little Mermaid steals the show.
Sarah Mutombo, Louisville, KY. I attend Louisville Collegiate school, and in my 8th grade year I participated in middle school Musical: The Little Mermaid, Jr....
Born Norwegian, Raised American, not illegal
Linda Kristensen, Grand Rapids, MI. I am writing this for my daughter who is 34 with Autism. She became my daughter in 1980 when I...
Acadian-Irish women need not apply
Janice Marquis, Canada. White woman seeking work 8 years in Canada not being hired because I am 16 generations in Canada and white and English.
Adopted but am I still Mexican
Kasey Nichols, Clemmons, NC. I’ve known I’ve been adopted since I can remember and never questioned my ethnicity until I reached middle school age because...
Smart black kid plays tennis alone.
Raheem Cash, Alexandria, VA. As a kid I spent a lot of time being one of two or three black kids in honors classes. Spent...
Privilege means responsibility to be better.
Morgan Lavandowska Minneapolis, MN As a 21 year old white woman, I have the privilege of being white that gives me power to do what...
