The Mixed Experience

In general being mixed is both a blessing and a curse. It's not like I asked to be born different or to have a multi-ethnic background, so it's hard when people try to make it an issue by treating me like I'm an abhorrent person, or assuming I'm something I am not and being rude in accordance with said assumption. At the same time, there are those that think my multicultural status makes me an amazing creature that has been blessed with all the positives of my ethnic background. What I have come to appreciate the most are the neutral and unbiased people I have met that don't focus on the specifics of my ethnicity all the time, and can learn to appreciate me for who I am as a person.

Within the United States, for the most part, people seem to not be so timid about asking questions and understanding my background. Outside the U.S., It's another story altogether. Most foreigners don't seem to understand the concept of interracial marriage unless it's within their own cultural background (like the intermixing in Latin countries or within Muslim culture).

I got to do some traveling abroad and some people seem to think anything different from the "norm" is awesome (in China & Japan) while others are seemingly flabbergasted that I even exist. Also, people outside the U.S. don't seem to know what African-American, Black or just African, in general, is in most places. I had to name a country in Africa to even begin to explain my Father's ethnicity to them. I always figured that other countries learn about world history as well, but this is not the case. I found this hard to swallow, and even more depressing was that most people wouldn't ask, but rather assume what I am and ended up treating me terribly because of it. I was mistaken for a specific ethnic group that was not highly regarded where I was staying on one occasion, in Dubai, and my American accent didn't help that either. So, in turn it made for a horrible experience and makes me not want to travel to that country again.

These are just some of the things I've come across, experienced, and observed through my travels and life experience. This may not be the same for every mixed person especially considering that we all don't look the same. I just want to share and talk about the things I've had to deal with.

Thank you for reading!

Blogger Manifesto

Let me start by saying this has been a dream of mine that has come to fruition, finally. I had the intention of starting this blog a year or two ago, but something always got in the way whether it was my schedule, nerves, or simply laziness (for lack of a better term). I have written and rewritten in my head some of the blog posts I wished to create, imagined how I would say and present things, but when it comes down to it I figure I can't make everyone happy and should focus on the message, and what I wish to express to everyone as a whole.

On that note, I'd like to say that this is not a blog about fashion, current events or crafting etc. This is the experience of one mixed girl hoping to reach out to other multi-ethnic people all over the world, and possibly educate others that don't come from a multi-cultural background as to my experiences and how difficult it can be to traverse the world as a walking question mark. (I say question mark because everywhere I go, people either assume, guess or wonder what I am in their attempts to categorize me, somehow, in their internal ethnic glossary.) I will address this in blog posts, at times using poetry, and maybe share some of my creative writing (completely unrelated). Sometimes I will write about personal struggles and/or issues, and it will not merely be about being multi-ethnic or culture.

I would like it if my readers would not turn the comment section into a debate, but rather a forum for discussion or understanding. If you have nothing nice to say do not post please because your comment will be deleted. I would like my readers to come away feeling enlightened to a new perspective, more connected to me (for those who are friends), like they can relate to an experience, enjoy some good creative writing/poetry, and/or share their own experiences as well. I want my readers to be satisfied in some way, whether it's from reading posts, having a great discussion, or enjoying the creative writing. I would like for you to leave this blog feeling like you've broadened your horizon of knowledge, opened up your mind to others around you, and learn to love all people no matter what their ethnic background is because when it comes down to it we are all human.

Please read and enjoy!