You have a black girl’s hair
Lauren, Fairpoint, NY. I was required to do this for a MSW course on ethnic diversity. As a white, Italian-American woman, it was very difficult...
You don’t look Japanese to me.
Tojo, Chicago, IL. Even the really Japanese people in my family don’t appear shockingly Asian so I can see where this comes form, but I...
I am German, not a Nazi
Peter Alison, Richmond, VA. I come from an Austrian mother and an American father, so when people ask me about my ethnic background I tell...
America is not for black people!
Taylor Valdosta, GA Systematic racism exits and is targeted towards blacks. It’s in the government and in schools, Its always and will always continue to...
I’ll Call Myself Whatever I Want
Samantha Lauren New York, NY Hate when people have the audacity to say to ANYONE that they ought to “just call themselves American” instead of...
I’m Mexican-American, heritage comes first
Bessie King Boston, MA I don’t think I have been offended by being asked “Where are you from?” before. I was raised to know that...
Being American doesn’t automatically mean white.
Melanee West Helena, AR Growing up in the military kids would explain they were biracial by saying “I’m X and American” meaning they were ethnically...
I AM A BROWN SKIN AMERICAN
Annie Chicago, IL I AM NOT AFRICAN, NEVER BEEN THERE AND DON’ CARE TO GO. I WAS BORN ON AMERICA SOIL. DON’T CALL/LABEL ME ONETHING...
Italian-American with no Mafia connections
Michele Deramo Blacksburg, VA Despite media depictions of Italian-Americans as criminals and buffoons, fewer than 1% have any connections to organized crime.
I am Mexican-American. No, really!
Anna Council Bluffs, IA My dad has a thick accent and looks very Mexican, but can’t speak Spanish. I look and pass as white, but...
Hispanic, Oriental, Caucasian, formerly monolingual, American
Dean Lincoln, NE I never know what to put down for my ethnicity when filling out official forms. I used to put down whatever I...
Does Race Matter???
Mari Bailey Temecula, CA I am Japanese. I married to American man. However, when I tell people that Im married, people ask if Im married...
Not Mexican enough, Not white enough
Tricia Redlands, CA I am a Mexican American that grew up in a home that did not speak Spanish. Both my mother and father were...
Don’t tell me what I am.
Nicole “Nico” Cisneros USA I know what I am! I’m Cuban-Filipino-American; first-generation Filipino on my mom’s side and second-generation Cuban on my dad’s side. I...
