PAGE 6
RISE
RACE & IDENTITY
10 STRUGGLES
OF BEING BLACK
AND WHITE
It’s not easy being black and white. Here are ten
struggles that are faced by people of mixed races
every day.
by Brianna Raysor
1
2
3
THE EXPLANATION
No, I am not adopted. I understand that it
may be confusing to you because my mom is
white and I’m not, but I do have a dad, and
once you see him, it’ll make more sense.
6
"PICK A SIDE"
Since they are two sides to your identity,
people expect you to identify with one or
the other.
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THE NAMES
FEELING MARGINALIZED
Sometimes you get the feeling that you
aren’t “authentic” enough for either race.
So, where do you fit in? Will you ever truly
be accepted by either side?
5
BEIN AN "EXCEPTION"
When somebody excuses you from a belief
they have about one of your races, because
you are not “fully” that race. For example, “I
HATE black people, but you don’t count
because you aren’t ‘really’ black. You act
white.” hmmm, thanks???
"Are you sure that you're black?"
Sorry, but I don't just have my parents' birth
certifica tes in my back pocket.
STANDARDS
Don't fetishize or idealize me because you
think I'm 'exotic' looking.
p.s. I answer my text messages.
"Mutt". "Hybrid". "Halfie". "Oreo". Okay, we
get it. Just stop. I'm not a cookie.
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4
THE DOUBTERS
DISCRIMINATON
Believe it or not, people still discriminate
against us. Just because YOU don’t
discriminate does not mean that others
don’t. Stop being so insensitive to our
experiences and feelings.
9
HAIR
10
IDENTITY
Yes, my hair is naturally curly. No, you can't
touch it.
IPeople identify you before you get a chance
to identify yourself. Therefore, they treat
you as who they THINK you are, not as who
you KNOW you are.