Proudly hispanic, only viewed as Caucasian
Rohyn Contreras-Schofield, Fitzwilliam, NH I grew up in rural NH surrounded by a white community which didn’t allow me to embrace my hispanic/latino side, I...
I don’t fit in your boxes.
Dave Lawrence, Mechanicsville, VA For most of my life, when I was asked my race, I was forced to choose just one — and I...
Never Been Asked: “What Are You?”
Ella Harris, Columbia, MD I always felt disconnected from my African American identity. With my blonde hair, light green eyes, and fair skin, the world...
You look White, but I’m Black
Laureen Crooks, Canada Just another example of a child who learns the social construction of race. At six years old, I recall asking, “Why can’t...
You do not look white
Evan Arce, Orlando, FL My father was ginger with blue/green eyes. My mother was milk-white with black hair. My kids have brown and dirty blonde...
I look white & I’m not racist.
Lynn, Great Falls, SC. I tend to look white; especially when not in the sun. I’m actually a mix of: European (German, Irish, & British),...
I am not one for boxes.
Denise Duvernay, Cupertino, CA. People are always trying to figure out exactly, what I am. But does learning my nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual background, or...
But, you don’t look white.
Anonymous, USA Growing up I received comments on my olive skin tone. I grew up within a white family and culture. Many curious people often...
Not as white as I appear.
Susi Matthews, Kansas City, MO. I am 1/4 Navajo plus Cherokee and Mohawk. I am also English, Irish, Scots and German. I LOOK white; my...
If I’m Filipino, Am I Asian?
Danicka Sailer, Honolulu, HI I am 25% Filipino. My Father was 50%, and my grandmother was full. Although I look white and most of my...
Not everyone who looks white (is white)
Sandra Miller, USA There is only one race – human. I am proud of my Semitic heritage, and I check other.
I look white. I’m half Indian.
Heather Nath, Buffalo, NY. My father is from India. My mother is Irish/British. I’ve had the “privilege” of looking 100% white woman my entire life....
You’re Mexican? But you look white
Sofia Camarena, Austin, TX. Being born in Oaxaca, and still having people question how “Mexican I am” is frustrating.
I look white but I’m hispanic
Kassandra Lynn Pasquale, Bonner Springs, KS. I never really liked how people automatically assume that I’m white just because I always really pale. Just because...
I don’t know if I’m white.
Lincoln Ozawa, Renton, WA. I asked my parents if they think I’m white and they couldn’t answer. Father is of Japanese & Hawaiian descent, mother...
My kids DON’T have “fractured” identities!
Kelly C, Los Angeles, CA. My husband is Japanese and I look “white” though I don’t really know what I “am” because my father was...
No, I’m not Hispanic. I’m Arab.
Ian M., Orange County, CA. My mom is an immigrant from the Middle East, my dad was born in Texas, yet my brother and I...
Half black, nobody knows or cares
Peter Nanula, Newport Coast, CA. I look white and was raised in mostly white areas, so no one knows I am half-black. Because they don’t...
