Dear Curious Homogeneous Stranger,
I know my mixed features and ambiguously noncommittal brown
skin intrigue you. I can see your eyes running inventory over my features,
trying to figure me out. An astute
observer can recognize fairly quickly that I don’t check just one box on census
forms. Either way, we invariably play a sometimes-too-lengthy game of ‘what-are-you?-No-I-mean-where-are-you-from?-No-
I-mean-what-is-your-origin?’
My ethnicity will be compared to any place home to
vaguely brown-skinned people. I can see the curiosity building as you list off
all of the countries you know. For good measure, you may even switch into a
different language as if you might trick me into revealing my true identity.
I see the bewildered and slightly disappointed expression when you
discover the truth. “But you don’t look
Ethiopian”. I see you are trying to reconcile my face with your
previous experiences with mixed race people, but I assure I do not look like the other mixed raced girl that you randomly
met once at a coffee shop, nor am I related to her. Still unconvinced, you prod me into persuading you about the legitimacy of my ethnicity, demanding a family tree
history, complete with names, hometowns, and professions. I do this in vain because I still won’t fit in your narrow conception of race. Please note that your
curiosity is no longer mildly amusing but offensive despite your good or innocent intentions. Furthermore, please understand that the
world is not always black and white, even though, ironically, I am.
Sincerely,
Racially
Ambiguous
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