I’m American – where’s my checkbox?
Blair White Haddad, Los Angeles, CA. Being the child of an adopted mother, for a long time I only knew half of my genetic make...
The Mirror Reminds me I’m Latina
Silvia. My Salvadorian mother came to the United States and wanted us to assimilate. We spoke English in the house and most of my mom’s...
“You probably don’t speak English”
Michelle Liv, New York City, NY. Brooklyn As a person of color, it still angers me that mainstream society still regards what is “white” as...
My kids are “beige”, not white…
Linda Levittown, NY My three children are a mix of English/Irish and Puerto Rican and when you line them up in a row, you can...
You speak Spanish? But you’re white!
Adriana Pedroza Both of my parents were born and raised in Mexico. Looking at my family pictures, I’m the odd one out. As a child,...
What am I? Dirty but clean
R. E. Longdon Clarksville, PA My family complexion has always been called dirty or ruddy. My ancestors came from Europe through England but family folklore...
I’m urban anglo not suburban white
Leslie Brooklyn, NY From the southwest. Speak English and Spanish.
Caucasian, trying not to be white
Anonymous Mobile, AL I was born and raised Caucasian, though of course, like most Caucasians, I was referred to and referred to myself as “white.”...
But you speak English so well!
Lisa Lee San Francisco, CA Asian Americans are constantly reminded that they don’t “belong” in America, despite their contributions of building up this great nation....
No, I do not speak Spanish.
Delia Moreno Valley, CA I am so tired of others expecting me to know every bit of Spanish, simply because I am Mexican. It is...
We assume you don’t speak English
Sabrina Leira Denver, CO Sometimes when people are trying to do the right thing, they end up being wrong. For instance, every year at school,...
Dude, I can speak English Too!
Irmarie Richmond, VA Just because I am Hispanic, it doesn’t mean I only know how to speak Spanish. I’ve been speaking English since I was...
No, really — I’m from Iowa.
Thi Thumasathit Palo Alto, CA I’m Asian-American. I was born in Thailand, but immigrated here when I was 3 months old so I speak perfect...
But you speak in perfect English.
Krisha Jain Los Angeles, CA I’m an international student from India, and when I tell people that, I always get the same response.
I can understand English perfectly well.
Cecillia Wong Mountain View, CA Even though I just got off the phone with my parents in another language, there’s no need to slowly emphasize...
I’m not Mexican because I’m brown!
Tammie Cordova Eugene, OR People think because I have olive colored skin, brown eyes, and brown hair that I’m Mexican. Not that there is anything...
