Living in 2018, as a society, we are becoming more accepting and open to people of different identities, ethnicities, and backgrounds. There is a larger focus on people with ethnically different backgrounds as opposed to the majorly represented Caucasian population and a larger opening for people of all races to be recognized and proudly stand as who they are.

Growing up as a biracial woman, identifying as who I was ethnically was a huge struggle. Coming from a Latina mother and Caucasian father, my childhood was painted in two very different ways and I got to experience the two lives my parents lived in their past. My parents coming from starkly different ethnic backgrounds had very different upbringings and brought very different experiences to the table. As an adult now, I am very thankful for these experiences I can use as lessons and for the perspectives my parents gave me.

However, despite being a biracial woman, I often struggled with identifying as one due to my appearance and overall lack of knowledge of the culture my parents came from.

My brother and I, though being both biracial, look very different. He resembles my mother more with his dark skin and brown eyes while I take after my father with my fairer skin and light eyes. We look like two different people from two different races. This became an obstacle for me when it came to my identity as a biracial woman.

Countless times, I have had many people say to me that I am not "Puerto Rican enough" or that I have no right to identify as Latina if I don't look the part or act the part.

First of all, no.

Second of all, this attitude that one has to act a certain way and look a certain way to identify as who they are is archaic and needs to be put in the trash where it belongs.

Every person has a unique experience and every person has a different view on who they are ethnically and who they are as a person. I grew up in a household that never made proving your ethnicity a thing and I never ever was told I had to act a certain way for ignorant people to believe that I am who I am.

I have grown tired of being denied my ethnicity simply because I don't meet someone's standards. I have received this treatment from family, friends, and complete strangers and it's not okay or fair. I nor anyone else should look in the mirror and wish I looked a certain way or acted a certain way if it's not comfortable to me or who I am.

Do I know absolutely everything about my two cultures? No. However, that doesn't mean I don't want to learn and experience everything my cultures have to offer. I know how I look, but more importantly, I know who I am and that's what matters; not your opinion or view that I'm not up to your standards. I am proud to be a biracial woman, so please do not take that from me simply because you don't believe me or don't think I count.

I do count.