I can not recall a time that I am not questioned with, "Are you mixed with something?", "What is your race?", "Are you mixed with some type of Spanish or something?", and the old faithful "You are Black right, you do consider yourself Black, right?"

Throughout my life I have encountered many people who've asked me one of these questions. To some, having long curly hair, light brown skin and an uncommon name, automatically means I am from some other country outside the United States. Yes, I have been told and asked if I was from Brazil and was argued down when I denied. There's a time when I did feel different and knew I was, when darker skinned girls did not want to be my friend and all the boys gathered around me.

I did not draw attention to myself during my high school years and I always wondered why. Why, didn't they like me and how could I further explain what I am to my peers so that they would understand me?

Growing up I was told I was Creole. My parents embedded into me that I was a New Orleans Creole and I should embrace it. To consider yourself Creole in my family, one is to have three descendants from Europe. My family roots include France, Spain and Germany. To many this is confusing, they don't seem to understand if this is possible, but it is.

Now try explaining that to a four year-old, my little brother is constantly asked what he is and he responds Creole, which is proceeded with another question, "What is that?" My brother is so young, he himself isn't sure how to answer and isn't even sure if he himself understands it.

I am constantly in the pool between Other or Black when checking for race. Of course I am inclined to choose Other, which I do, but I constantly ask myself if that is the right choice.

While I do not have a problem with the black community, I don't feel as if I am able to feel their struggle while they put me down for not claiming them as my race. However, I do have my own struggle, not knowing where I fit in the race category.

My struggle is not knowing where I can pull from; yes I benefit by being lighter skinned but I also suffer from both sides of race. While the white man may be more inclined to choose, they will never trust me for they do not know what I am. To them I am just lighter than the black. In the black community I am only accepted as a light black.

Trying to explain my race is an obstacle I encounter everyday. While I may explain to the best of my ability, it will always be difficult explain my ethnicity.