I was first asked this question as a middle school student. At first, I had no idea what the person meant. I mean... I was a human being. I know now that the person was referring to what race I was. To this day, I continue to be asked that question and similar ones. I sometimes get sideways glances and double takes from people who just can't seem to put their finger on what race I am. These are the struggles of being racially ambiguous[1].

Here are some of the things racially ambiguous people deal with daily:

1. Someone asks "what are you??" or "where are you from??" on a daily basis.

Questions like these got really old, really quick. I suppose I can't blame people for being curious but it does get annoying having to answer these questions almost every day. If you happen to be racially ambiguous and want to prevent these questions from being asked again, just never go anywhere new and never leave your house. Problem solved!

2. "You're (insert nationality), right?"

Wow! It's amazing how some people seem to miraculously know what race(s) you are!

I've gotten Hawaiian, Brazilian, Hispanic, and several others. I am none of those by the way. Although, it can be fun to keep them guessing sometimes. For a racially ambiguous person, instead of naming all the races you really are, you often simplify the list just to move on.

3. When a guy says he "likes exotic girls"

Umm... was that a failed attempt at a compliment? What that actually means is that he likes fetishizing racially ambiguous women. Do not call me exotic, I am not a tropical plant. He most likely doesn’t care about your culture or anything of depth, he just wants to…well, you know.

4. "It's okay, (insert name) isn't REALLY black!"

Please never say this to anyone…EVER. It is offensive. If you are a certain race, no one has the right to say you aren’t (by the way, this does not apply to you, Rachel Dolezal). If I'm not really black, why don't you tell my ancestors that? Don't let this light skin fool you. I may not "look black", but I am. Oh, and I just love it when people refer to me as "white Azia!" It truly keeps me young.

Being a racial ambiguous person has definitely been a challenge for me growing up, but I wouldn't have it any other way. It is a part of who I am and I am grateful for my different cultures. Years ago, a racially ambiguous person was not common but as our population becomes more diverse, racially ambiguous people will become even more common. Maybe a day will come when I no longer have to answer the question "what are you?!". I wouldn't bet on it though.

[1] Racial ambiguity refers to people of a racial background that is difficult to define by others.