Great-Grandmother’s name sparked interest in heritage
Maggie Trela, Denver, CO. I was visiting California for Christmas when I was about 5 or 6, when I asked my grandma why we called...
Being Mixed Doesn’t Define Cultural Identity
Morgan Engelhardt, Norfolk, VA. A lot of times I get shut down for calling myself Pacific Islander or Asian because I look white. The truth...
No, my dad is not Filipino
Stephanie Delgado, Sanger, CA. Both of my parents are Mexican but my dad has lighter complected skin while my mom has darker. I’ve been asked...
No thanks man, I speak English
Manny DeVera, Gurnee, IL. A couple of my friends and I (all Filipino) were in San Francisco at the Golden Gate Bridge taking pictures when...
Filipino in America; American in Philippines
Ryan, Arlington, VA. Like many first generation Americans who have tried to “blend” to American culture so deeply, it’s hard to know what your racial...
Oh, so your mother is Dutch.
Alexander Calica, II, Carlsbar, CA. This phrase was often used by adults when I was growing up after hearing my answer to their question, “What...
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...
American Polish Filipina living in Spain
Ali Berlinski Spain “Being a biracial kid can be hard, especially when you have a white name and face that screams I give pedicures.” –...
I’m not Hispanic, thanks for asking.
Elizabeth Norris Taylor Fernandina Beach, FL I have lived my entire life with people coming up to me and asking, “what are you?” For a...
“Was your dad in the military?”
Lisa Crawford Austin, TX This is a question I’ve heard many times in my life–usually as a follow up to questions like “What’s your background?”...
Check one please… Doesn’t fit me!?
JayJay Porcadilla Colorado Springs, CO I am Filipino and Portuguese and much more! I was always afraid of the song “Play that funky music WHITE...
I’m American. I’m Filipino. Not Filipino-American.
Michelle Umadhay Seattle, WA Many people do not realize that when one culture interacts w/ American culture, in many ways, a third culture is born.
Aren’t you Mexican, Chinese, Japanese?
Jenny San Luis Field Fridley, MN Why do people assume that I am Mexican, if not that then they ask that I am Chinese, then...
