Mixed Geek

Geeks and nerds were ridiculed and not viewed as acceptable members of society in the 80s and 90s. Always assumed to be awkward, nonsocial, uncoordinated and lame outcasts. I used to hide the fact that I was still watching cartoons in high school, reading comic books (obscure Japanese ones), and drawing manga characters. I hid this especially since I was mixed and already received enough harassment about that, and didn't want to add more details to alienate me from the rest of the students. I hated (and still despise) stereotypes and I didn't want to get lumped into that category as well since life was already hard enough with what people placed on me about race.

Nowadays, it's okay to be nerdy and even encouraged to be a geek. I can let my "freak flag fly," and have only just begun to express myself outwardly (as a geek) in the last few years. I've had some funky hairstyles, colored my hair, and bought clothes depicting some of my favorite shows or galaxies. I love how, in our mainstream culture, I can be myself and am accepted online. There are still some obstacles when I meet people in the real world regarding my appearance, but I just try to ignore the stares and judgment.

I think it has been harder for people to recognize me as racially mixed anymore. Partially because of all the changes I've made to my hair and wardrobe. Also, as I've grown older, I seem to appear more ethnically ambiguous. It has made life easier, but at the same time I miss some of the questions I used to be asked. Only because I know that they must be jumping to conclusions, and would be surprised once they found out the truth.

Anyway, here's to the new geeky future! I hope this continues to be the norm so that my future child doesn't experience what I did. I'm sure they'll still get teased anyway because that's what kids do, but at least they can feel free about what they enjoy.