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.
so tired of being asked “what are you?”
© Maria P.P. Root, PhD, 1993, 1994
this is one of my favorite things
(via whitegirlswithbindis)
This is how pale you get when you refuse to go outside! I’m sure my Irish heritage doesn’t help either.
Reminder that it is okay to be a mixed NDN and you shouldn’t feel shame in learning or talking about your heritage if you are not a full blooded NDN.
You are an NDN and you are just as important. You are valid. There is nothing wrong with being mixed, be proud of who you are.
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.
i’ve been working on an experiment on two different dating sites; I have two accounts on each, one with me with black hair, the other with blonde hair. Can you guess which profile receives the most messages?
brunette me: 5 messages
blonde me: 100+
My six year old daughter just asked me if she can go tanning outside…
She said she “hates” her skin and wants dark skin.
She went on to say that her family is darker than her and that she wants to be darker…(she only knows me and my dad’s side of the family, which are darker skinned people)
*heartbroken* I discussed it with her and explained all skin colors are beautiful but she still believes that she is too white.
help?? what can I do to help her feel better about herself?
