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kianamai — Multiracial Identity
#comic
Published: 2017-03-23 04:43:08 +0000 UTC; Views: 59312; Favourites: 2488; Downloads: 76
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EDIT: Hey! I made a kind of extension of this comic on tumblr using a little dog cat named Puppittykianamaiart.tumblr.com/post/16…
Being mixed race is an interesting experience and the experience definitely shapes who you think you are. Because I arguably look more black, despite being 50/50, and it's easier for people to categorize me as such (African American), I just kinda accepted that over time. I started identifying myself as just African American. But that's not who I am. I'm mixed. Both of these things at the same time. Also I'm not even African. I'm Jamaican/Afro-Caribbean. NOT ALL BLACK PEOPLE ARE AFRICAN AMERICAN FYI.
But even when I tried accepting that identity, it didn't feel right. I grew up in Hawaii with primarily Japanese traditions and a Japanese American way of life. So I always thought I identified with being Japanese more than anything. But because I didn't look the part, it was never really okay with other people. Same thing on the other side. I don't "sound black" or have black features other than my hair and skin tone (which is also debatable).
The world is so set on being black and white and people having to fit into specific categories. Apparently, it wasn't until 2000 Census that multiracial people could fill in more than one category for race. I remember that always being stressful during SAT tests. Having to either pick Asian or Black. Anyways, I think it's important that you don't have these black and white stereotypes of people and how they're supposed to be whether it comes to race or gender or sexuality or occupation or anything. All people are different. Yes certain stereotypes exist for a reason but don't be surprised when people don't fit them.
Also just... like don't tell multiracial people the kind of things mentioned in the comic^^^ One, it perpetuates a lot of racially charged stereotypes. And two, it just fucks with us lol. It messes with our sense of belonging and identity and for the most part we'll just take it because it happens all the time and what are we gonna do, y'know? Don't try to categorize us. We just are what we are and that's all we can be
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Comments: 653
'And you don't sound black' Oh sorry, I thought we were talking about skin color, not a band. My bad~
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I have a similar problem with people telling me how old I am or what my abilities are because I look and sound like a young teen when I'm 25. I just got my CDL license to drive a school bus and CONSTANTLY being told "you're too short/young to drive a school bus". Really, is that so?! Cause I'm driving one right now lol!
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I usually feel a little bit of guilt in curiosity. Sometimes when I see someone that's visually striking, or has a unique accent or something, I wonder where they're from, or, more accurately, what their ethnic background is. Because I'm a naturally curious person, and I like learning about as much as I can.
I love learning about cultures. People can be of different ethnicities and still belong to the same culture. There was a great video of a man from Colombia that was adopted into a Saami family and sang a beautiful song in their language. I love learning about the amazing foods, music, art, and stories that people have.
I'd love to eat a big plate of loco moco and listen to stories about how the Hawaiian islands were formed, or hear some old shinto or yokai stories.
I'd share what legends I have learned from my own heritage. Old Coyote stories, and tales from the Mabinogion.
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There's nothing wrong with asking people~ I ask other people all the time as well. Based on my experience and other people's that I've seen, it's only when people say "oh wow you really don't look like 'x' race" that it becomes uncomfortable
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I'm the same. I'd feel so horrible if I were to ask but all the different cultures and accents and looks are just so beautiful I just want to know all about where this person got there eyes and what ethnicity gave them their skin tone and where they got their accent. Awestruck curiosity isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I still feel like it's a rude thing to ask... so I just wonder in silence.
I'm Maltese with a little Greek and Romanian from my dad's side. I live and was born in Australia. I never quite know if I should say that I'm Australian or Maltese. I don't know if this is the same thing as illustrated.
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Seeing this makes me very happy. Some people seem to act as if culture and skin color are completely synonymous with one another, as if one cannot be a part of more than one culture, or possess any number of physical qualities that can be found in humans. Much of my mother's side of the family comes from Spain, but a few of them are from Venezuela, and Haiti. Yet, despite being pretty much 50/50, I look extremely white, lol. (Most of my Dad's side of the family has lived in the U.S. for four generations; before that, they came from Ireland.)
I understand why most people wouldn't assume that I'm hispanic just by looking at me, but this actually really used to bother me when I was younger. People seemed surprised that I could speak and write in Spanish before 2nd grade, and it always made me feel uncomfortable. I learned at a very young age that language can be used to share with others a part of you that isn't always visible. And some people don't understand or accept all of you. But that's okay, not everyone is going to get it.
The only person who needs to know who you are, is you.
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Wow o_o why does anyone CARE? You are simply YOU! Even if you were simply 'Asian or Black' you wouldn't know exactly how to behave just by the colour of your skin and shape of your eyes anyway because today its not socially acceptable to believe in scripts and stereotypes... Right? Why do they think you'd be any different on the inside if your outside looked different? Race is a social construction. Your cultures, your family, your community has made you who you are, you're not just some stereotype of 'Black or Asian'. Your choices in life aren't to either be really good at basketball or be really good at maths and it isn't okay for people to tell you that. XD Does that make sense? It's weird. I'm white but nobody knows that my 3× great grandmother was a Black woman from Africa and I have her dark eyes. I AM white (because other people identify me as such, of course) but that's an oversimplification, I think. Anyway, nobody sees me and notices it right away but lots of people have said 'WTF you have black eyes!' Or 'Woah you're eyes are dark for a whitey!' which I think is funny or weird because I don't think it's that strange so show traits from multiple origins?! Especially not in this day and age. I have lots of cultures and ethnicities on my heritage and OF COURSE I have African in my family line, everyone does somewhere. I'm not likening my situation to yours, of course. I am lucky enough to not be questioned on my race normally, likely 'coz I'm White. Anyway Either way, I don't get why they make such a big deal out of wanting to pigeonhole you and being fussy when they can't. Its mean and racist AF and people think they can just disown you on behalf of their entire ethnic community like that? That's so messed up... I'm a simple person, I don't understand this stuff 'coz I'm lucky enough to not have been exposed to it really... I aim to be friendly with anyone who is friendly and dude, it shouldn't make a difference to how you see yourself whether you look one race or another or mixed. You're you.
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pREACh!
Haha history is the base for the construction of all stereotypes and racism
*sigh* it's so disappointing
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I agree :/ I always just feel helpless and sad when I hear about things like this. But at least we know there are like-minded people out there!!
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This is very relatable, to me. I am mostly native American, but my father is white,
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This happens a lot to me, be cause I am mostly native American
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Can I just say that I think "Multiracial" peeps are some of the coolest looking folk. I love that ambiguity
If no one else says it, "You're cool just the way you are."
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A bit long but bare with me, and give your thoughts if you can. This is a topic we must address ever now and again.
The problem is our brains need to understand things through putting things and people into categories (race, gender, character, ideals, etc) to avoid facing what we perceive as controversial topics/questions. We like knowing who and what things are to the point of not recognizing anything outside of that description. It's a problem that's hard to solve and harder to point to unless taken to the extreme. (Racism, sexism, stereotypes, etc) The one thing we can do is take time to be open minded with people and ourselves.
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You're right in that this is something people should be aware of.
Anthropologically speaking, all black people do come from Africa because the direct descendant of Homo sapiens (Homo Erectus) is thought to have originated in East Africa, so all people in general are descendants of Africans lol But I understand what you meant from that, people should be aware that not everyone who looks or acts or talks a certain way is part of such and such place. I know a little of what you've experienced. By blood I'm Mexican, but I look like the typical white American, hence when I speak Spanish I sometimes get surprised looks from other people.
I like that you pointed out that stereotypes exist for a reason, but it doesn't mean everyone will fit into that typical category. Feel free to identify as whatever you want, you're the one that's going to live with that choice. Nice comic
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*snorts* "you don't SOUND black"??
so a black person have to sound "ghetto" now?
lol i for the most part speak proper, and im black
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RIIIGHT? It's so weird to imagine a person of colour saying that they have to talk/act a certain way just coz it's a stereotype... Like, wut?
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So TRue!
It's like me saying, "black people like fried chicken" when really not all black people like that at all
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HAHA exactly!!! But let's be real, WHO OF ANY RACE DOESN'T LOVE FRIED CHICKEN???
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Gonna come off weird but!
I absolutely adore mixed raced people due to the fact of different features combining together (I like figuring out what feature comes from where lol) and its not the most common thing in the world!
I didn't even realize what your ethnicity or what you looked like but had to look after reading this!
You're super gorgeous and please say your hair is long I love the wave
Real sorry youve had to deal with such rude people (including me if my interest in mixed races is awkward. lol)
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You don't need to ever explain your being to any other soul ever. Ha sorry, but that just drives me absolutely nuts. Next time someone says anything just straight up and tell them: "I don't need your opinion, I know who I am, but thank you."
You go you! c; <3 We love your positive energy and your strong personality. <3 It's inspiring!
P.S ALSO ADORABLE COMIC STYLE. <3
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THANK YOU!
I have to deal with this so. Friggin. OFTEN. It just drives me completely nuts. I'm Hispanic/Irish, but I look totally white. It gets so annoying having to explain my racial background every damn time I pronounce Spanish words correctly or try to make polite conversation with my Hispanic customers at work. Yes, I look like a white girl. But my skin tone does not define me. I'm Irish AND a damn proud latina. I don't need a tan and a damn sombrero to say otherwise.
Seriously, thank you for this. It means a helluva lot to all of us amazing mutts out there. ^^
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Me and my siblings also go through this problem at school! We are Polish Irish and Salvadoran but some of our classmates think we are not Hispanic but cause of our skin tone and we sometimes can't say Spanish words correctly but we ARE Hispanic and some people are SO surprised! But I can agree with you because when we say Spanish correctly everyone is surprised that a plain WHITE BOY OR GIRL IS SPEAKING SPANISH!!!
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Oh, my fellow sufferers! it really is annoying. I mean, I may not be able to roll my r's (Gotta love speech impediments!) but I mean it's really not that hard of a concept to understand. Plenty of people all over the world are of mixed race. Why can't someone with pale skin also be Hispanic?
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I know right? But I'm so glad I finally meet someone else who isn't in my family who suffers the same problem.
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Same. Chinese, Mexican, and Irish. I feel your pain 
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Mix race kids are the best. I got a few of them in my family.
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I'm a wide range of races, but as one of my grandfathers was all white and the other was mostly white, I look very white. I can see the traits of my other ancestors if I look for them, mostly my eyes, round face and high-ish cheekbones from my Innuit great grandmother, but people generally assume I'm white. I don't really care what race people think I am, but I admit it gets mildly annoying when everyone always assumes I'm 100% white. I wish more people understood that many people are a mix of races and not everyone looks like their entire ethnicity.
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I don't want to be an ethnicity, race, none of those.
We all want to be ourselves. I want to be me.
It will take time to be seen as such, but I'd rather be a good person if it's all I deserve.
We all deserve it.
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Omg I hate when people call me white. I look white but I am Hispanic and I'm proud of my heritage and it's so
annoying
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I absolutely hate it when people tell me ohhhh you're not italian, you don't look italian or speak it. or when they tell me, you're too dark to be hispanic and you can't speak spanish. OH SURE I CAN SPEAK GREEK BUT DOES THAT MAKE ME GREEK. NO SO SHUT UR FACES
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preach, the last sentences really hit home for me, because I've dealt with similar things before. I hope more people read this and take lesson, sometimes it is hard enough trying to figure out who you are when you are yourself, nobody else should be able to put you in a check box with anything, because we are all different somehow. (: <3
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Nicely portrayed in your comic, and well said with your comment in the description.
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In Latin America there are many mestizo and multiracial people and in spite of that there are problems of this type, that is why you should not be distressed, people are that silly everywhere. xD
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Oh wow! You're Japanese/Jamaican!? That's so beautiful! You be you because YOU ARE SO PRETTY! Fitting in to people's forms of 'beauty' is overrated, you are amazingly and gorgeously you!!!!
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I actually can relate to this ALOT. I'm Puerto Rican/Dominican, but I grew up in the United States since I was a baby, and though I do understand Spanish, English was technically the first Language I fully learned and I speak more of it (I mostly speak Spanish to my family when I can). I grew up in a town filled mostly Latinos so everyone was pretty comfortable with each other and related more with each other (Basically if you weren't Latino you were a minority in the town XD).
I remember growing up where in a lot of situations (especially middle school and high school) people assumed that I was Caucasian because of how well I spoke English and my light skintone (though the skintone wasn't always the case, some did considered it). When they found out I was Latino, they were like "Oh Really?! Its just that you act more like a white person than Latino." And I'm just there like "Well what the fuck does a Latino person act like?!" XD
Its never bothered me too much, but I have sometimes felt a little left out of my own ethnicity. Like I felt too "White" to be fully "Latino". Funny thing is, when I went to college and befriended a lot of Caucasian/European friends, they never once questioned my ethnicity, with I was graceful for. But there were times I also felt left out and felt too "Latino" to be fully "White/American".
Now a days, this no longer is a big problem for me. Anytime someone questions my racial identity, I just say I'm Latino American. Last person who did this asked if I was Latino or American, I just said I was both. XD But yeah no one should ever define who you are. Only you can define yourself and who you're identity is.
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So true! I currently live in the foster care system in a foster home. I used to be in a group home(a house with five other foster care boys who typically have come back from juvenile hall. Don't worry I never went to juvenile hall). While there, the other boys asked me what my nationality was. Now I am a mixture of black, white Chinese, Taiwanese, and a TINY bit of native American. They didn't believe me and said I wished I was Chinese because I watch anime. It goes to show how closed minded some people can be.
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This is awesome! And you are probably super beautiful
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People think they need labels and categories for themselves, for each other. But we don't.
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Soo many people need to hear this more
I'm so sorry you had to deal with so many people telling you you aren't who you are ;;
stay strong, you're amazing and a huge inspiration <3
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Same with me. I'm half Mexican and Hmong. I don't look Mexican enough or Asian for any side of my family...
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this comic is so simple and yet explains it so clearly. i've heard the same things from some of my friends, and i really don't get how someone could think that talking to you (or them) like that is an ok thing to do. it's so damn rude anyways to tell someone they're not something, but to say that about someone's heritage is just shitty!
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Why do you give a fuck about who you are instead of what you can be?
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dude seriously... that sounds so rude.
who she is IS a part of who she can be, or who she wants to strive to be. you're telling her to neglect her family and heritage. race is a big part of most people's identities and it should be acknowledged that the world doesn't seem to understand that people can be more than one thing (or the fact that they should butt out of other people's business).
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Nope. The only think that stops you from who you can be is skill requirements for any given position.
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you do know that POC don't get hired even with the proper skill set just because they aren't white, right?
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you're either a giant troll or an actual racist so i'm gonna just block you
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