So I talk a lot about my own opinions on what race is or why it’s relevant, and usually from the personal perspective of someone who lives in between worlds. Well, I’m going to keep that up in today’s entry, but the only thing I’ll tweak is whose perspective it is.
A little bit ago I interviewed some friends of mine who are also multiracial and had them answer some questions about how it factors into both the daily life and their lives as a whole. One of these friends is also a Dickinson student, but a couple years younger than me. The other is a good buddy from home and happens to the person who helped me to come up with #mixedkidproblems as a twitter hashtag back in high school.
Both are guys whose outward appearance may not give away their ethnic recipes as much as others’ might.
Avi
White father and Black Mother, grew up in Pittsburgh, PA
What is your oldest memory of being aware of the racial divide in your family history?
“I would have to say that my oldest memory(ies) of racial divide is the celebration of holidays, which normally only contain one side of either family.”
Do you identify with one ethnic/cultural background more than the other(s)?
“I identify even with both races, however there are instances where I choose/select a particular ethnicity in order to blend and empathize with others.”
What do strangers assume your race to be?
“Most strangers would probably think I’m mixed. But I hardly ever get a correct answer of black and white. It’s always some other mixes.”
Have you ever felt prejudiced against?
“There are times that I have felt prejudiced against, but my reasoning/understanding doesn’t necessarily point towards race.”I also mixed it up a bit (get it?) and threw in some miscellaneous questions as well…What’s your favorite cuisine?“Favorite cuisine is either Asian, Southern, or Mediterranean.”Biggest fear in college?“Biggest fear is graduating without a job.”If someone was going to buy you a store gift card, which store would you prefer?“Store gift card to some food place that I can’t normally afford.”
What is your oldest memory of being aware of the racial divide in your family history?
“Probably in elementary school when I had back to back family trips to Louisiana and Chicago.”Do you identify with one ethnic/cultural background more than the other(s)?
“Definitely identify more as Asian than white.”What do strangers assume your race to be?
“People think I’m Hawaiian or Mexican.”Have you ever felt prejudiced against?
“Yes.”What’s your favorite cuisine?“Mexican food.”Biggest fear in college?“Becoming a slave to the Establishment.”If someone was going to buy you a store gift card, which store would you prefer?“Total Hockey.”
