the same people who say I cannot possibly be Native American because I have fair skin are the same people who turn the argument around saying that my skin is dark enough to be accused of going to a tanning salon.
to those who do not believe that my eyes are green. I’m the only person in my family with green eyes, at least that I know of. Mom side has blue eyes, Dad’s side has brown. And I came out wierd looking :P
© Maria P.P. Root, PhD, 1993, 1994
this is one of my favorite things
(via whitegirlswithbindis)
I can respect that. I suppose I do have passing privileges too in a sense, though there will always be people who ask "what" I am, because I have notably non-white features( I usually get asked if I'm "Oriental" *sigh*). I suppose from my experience I've been bullied by members of both my races. People stuck on the PoC vs White dichotomy are quick to insult someone who carries genes from each group. It's really hurtful. But it's definitely a different experience than flat-out PoC oppression.
Asked by Anonymous
I am sorry if I made you feel as if I believe your experiences are invalid; I must have worded myself wrong because I know mixed race people and biracial people experience racism. And it is very hard to be mixed race. There are those feelings of “where do i belong?” and “I’m too ____ to be in this group and too _____ to be this other group”. Mixed race people can feel alone and lost.
When people meet me, most of them say “are you wearing contacts?” or “what are you?” before they ask my name. I live in a small, rural town and I’m known as that “Indian” girl. When people talk to me it’s to get a Native’s point-of-view. I feel like they see me as nothing, as if I have no talents or abilities that make me unique, I’m just that “Indian” girl…
I am sorry you are bullied by both sides; that must be tough and a lonely situation. I hope you have friends and loved ones to talk to.
What about the prejudice in being bi-racial? I mean I'm half native and I deal with a lot of discrimination and mockery because of it. I can't speak for everyone, but most "halfbreeds"(as people like to say) I've met deal with a lot of unfair treatment for being the way we are, so I'm sure you've experienced the same.
Asked by Anonymous
I have had my share as I am sure every biracial and mixed race person has. I am in no way trying to say mixed race people do not experience racism; of course they can and do.
I just meant that I personally feel uncomfortable when people consider me a person of color because I have white passing privileges. I could leave this life, bleach my hair, and never mention being native again and I doubt anyone would contradict me. I do not experience racism on the same level that other PoC do.