Ethnicity

Physically, I'm the darkest in my family.
Ethnically, I'm not sure what I am.
if I had to choose, I prefer to be labeled Black rather than African American; for the simple fact that I'd rather choose a color than an association to a culture and people that I do not know nor feel any special sense of belonging to. America, on the other hand, is my home. I was born and raise into it's culture, and know that many of my habits and perspectives are influenced by it. Though it is a country based on lies and deceit, I have been surrounded by various cultures, ethinicities, and traditions that I've adopted as my own, and hope to pass on the value of each.
When ethnicity is linked to the idea of race: I used to struggle with feelings of insecurity and inferiority because of my complexion and the connotations of being Black, but now hope to surprise every stereotypical mind and supersede every low standard set up for those who couldn't pass the paper bag test. As far as ethnicity goes, I'm still trying to figure out its significance. - Jessica

I am Eritrean, of the Tigrinya tribe, also known as habesha which translates to burned-faced arab. That is what i have been taught by my father and my own research. I am also an American, which makes me an Eritrean-American I guess. My parents grew up in the homelands so they try as hard as they can to raise us as though we live back home. This causes American culture and Eritrean culture to clash all the time. I try to learn a lot about my culture, I do my own research when my parents knowledge doesn't

answer all my questions. I love to emerse myself in my culture and soak up everything i can. As an Eritrean i was raised to be greatly proud of where i come, know who my people are and know the history. The drum depicts a women making boon, coffe which my mother makes all the time for guest, friends, or for her own enjoyment. I try to keep a balance between the American me and the Eritrean me. - Niat

My ethnicity is very mixed and from what I am told, I am Filipino, Portuguese, Cambodian, and Chinese. My mother is part Filipino and part Portuguese and my father, whom I never met, is part Chinese and part Cambodian. However, what I consider myself is Filipino American. I have never known my Cambodian or Chinese heritage, so I don't identify myself as such. My childhood was full of the Filipino traditions, customs, and foods. The other half of me seems to be tainted by the American culture. Since I lived in America all my life and my mother has incorporated a lot of the American traditions in it as well, I noticed that I live the American way of life and adopted a lot of the ideologies. I celebrate all the American holidays, like July 4th and New Year's. My grandma is what kept the Filipino traditions strong in my family and she never changed her ways or lived the American lifestyle, no matter how long she lived here.

- Jackie