So Chinese and For What Reason
Marissa Ding In high school, I was simultaneously comfortable with my Asian identity in my predominantly white surroundings, yet constantly questioning why I cared so...
Caught between defying and affirming stereotypes.
Ryan C Los Angeles, CA Chinese, 20-something-year-old male, university student, and gay. Never going to be a doctor, lawyer, or businessman–contrary to familial and societal...
What are you? I’m a human
Theresa Lenberg, Chisago City, MN Ever since I can remember I have been asked this question. People are quick to assume I’m white but also...
No. I’m not your average face.
Clara Chun, Los Angeles, CA. I’m a Thai-Chinese, Korean, White girl. It’s about as confusing as it sounds, but I refuse to not acknowledge a...
But, you are not really Chinese
Lianna Thomas, Congers, NY. I am a Chinese adoptee. Ive lived in NY practically my entire life (since I was 7 months old). My family...
Adobo Beef Stew Rice Potatoes: Dinner
James Estanislao Herr, Los Angeles, CA. Dad’s side came over in 1717–Swiss-German and Irish with some Danish and Greek thrown in. Mom came over in...
Me llamo Lora y hablo español.
Lora McManus, Altadena, CA. Being transracially adopted (by Caucasian parents) comes with a plethora of advantages and challenges. One of the most common misconceptions that...
Return to China you Chinese pigs!
Zhaozheng Tan, Malaysia A Malaysian with Chinese ethnicity, enjoying the flavorful culture and stories we share, but yet discriminated in a land where I was...
Where do you really come from?
Blanche Tsetong, Australia. I get this question often. Mostly at work. It never fails to infuriate me, particularly because the question is only ever directed...
Racially Chinese in Singapore, not elsewhere
MX Teo, Singapore How race is known and defined in Singapore differs from how it is defined elsewhere.
With kids, people don’t separate us.
Steve Cox, Jackson, OH. Prior to having kids, people usually thought my wife (Chinese ethnic, Thai national) and I (white) were separate. If we went...
But what’s your actual Chinese name?
Bowen Tan, Canada When I was growing up, there was one question that I specifically feared: “what’s your name?” At first, it seems like just...
All-American Girl: Minority at Work
Stefanie Bernosky, Houston, TX. I was raised as an All-American girl to an All-American family in an All-American town. I even looked “All-American”, proudly featuring...
Are you Chinese or something?
Brigitte Dees, Stillwater, OK. Growing up half Japanese, Native American, and white in Oklahoma was a challenge. I don’t look like anyone else and people...
I ‘speak well’ ’cause I’m adopted
Grace Jiahui Robinson, Kentwood, MI Of all the six-word phrases I could’ve chosen (‘I am NOT your sexual fantasy,’ or ‘I’ve felt safe here til...
Who’s the white guy with Cameron
David Mercando, Norcross, GA This October my wife and I celebrate our 31st anniversary. We are a mixed race couple. I am white and my...
My RACE: Representing American Chinese Eyes.
Eileen Ho Ann Arbor, MI Understanding Race Project- University of Michigan Do we look at race or see with race, or both?
