In our new world of different races and ethnicities intermixing it now seems a common question is “Hey what are you?” I have been asked this question a thousand times. My blend is Southern European and Virginia coal miners. My eyes are a honey brown with an olive skin complexion. Depending on the season, usually in summer, when my olive skin is tanned and my hair color is black, I look far more like my Hispanic mother and yet my Anglo features with the Roman nose, are not the generalized characteristics of what many Americans believe is Hispanic. In other seasons, especially when I am very pale, my yellowish skin and lighter hair depict a noticeable difference then my friends of Northern European coloring. I am generally asked about my ethnicity and frankly it’s rude in the way it is commonly delivered. In the same regard some Hispanics also confuse my appearance with Anglo and completely disregard me until I speak Spanish. Then the dreadful question is asked, “What are you?” I am aware that it is not meant to be invasive. But any person of mixed ethnicities can become tired of the stupid question because it’s easy- human.
Consistently the “what are you” question is hard to answer. I’ve often asked the same question in direct response and gotten Black, White, Asian and then there is my response is from where? It means something because if I have to disclose my genealogy to you why should you not tell me where your people come from. Like point to the globe and explain please? This usually ends in a playful banter where I describe that my mother is Hispanic and I am white. Both are correct. There are widespread Hispanic cultures that were influenced by Spain. Thereby, all Hispanics and Spaniards are Hispanic. Romans called the area that Spain occupies as Hispania. Yes, I have to give small history lessons and its repetitive nature can be irksome. Especially since Spain is such an integrated nation in American History. As an example many people celebrate Cinco de Mayo and it’s actually Mexico’s Independence Day from Spain. Why do we celebrate it then? Simply put is it because some of our current United States is part of that land that was won like Texas? Mardi Gras is another celebration celebrated every year and few remember that it was sold to France, after being ruled by Spain.
Correspondingly, Spaniards for a hundred years ruled the Louisiana Province and Spanish rule in, “Louisiana needed to accommodate an ethnically diverse population. There were large numbers of different Native American tribes, a small but influential European populace that was primarily French, and a small but significant number of Africans, both slave and free. Many of the colony's officials were either French or of French ancestry, which contributed to the tenuous nature of Spanish management of the colony. Spanish officials, aware of their own numerical insignificance and of the diversity of peoples, showed some flexibility in procedures by maintaining the French language and customs.”(Library of Congress)”
Also, this is my experience that I am discussing and I can speak for only myself. I have heard other people asked and hear them go into an explanation, so I imagine that I am not the only one that does not feel the need to educate people or in the worst case scenario have to prove their ethnicity. I hate having to explain why people look the way they do, and I would imagine that it would similar to others of my ilk. This is because either you tell them it is none of their business and get out of your bubble or you have to give them a run down on how you came to be a mixed race individual. Yes it is personal and can be something to discuss, but in actuality it’s an aggravation. The exception to this being if we are becoming friends. Since it is an intimate question it should not be one asked by a stranger. I proudly proclaim my heritage and will proudly announce it, but it feels better when I am the one sharing and not being questioned.
Many people believe that the openness of interracial marriage and children are the future and studies show this sentiment could be true. According to the PEW Center “In the total U.S. population, non-Hispanic whites will cease to be the majority group by 2044, according to Census Bureau projections, or by 2055, according to Pew Research Center projections.”(D’Vera, 2016) These two centers judge race differently some basing their criteria of the mother’s ethnicity or if allowable also list the father. Which means that the question of what are you will either become commonplace or it could go away and become a faux pas. I think the latter. At least it is my dear hope that people stop concentrating on everyone’s ethnicity and instead focus on the human that is presented before them. I hope that all people respect everyone’s ability to worship as they please as long that it does not harm anyone and that we are at peace.
In conclusion, yes, I know it’s a utopian idea, but still a woman can wish upon falling stars. I hope eventually all people will be of mixed-ethnicity. Skin color won’t continue to divide human beings and I believe that will be the key to all this negativity ending. Or aliens come to destroy earth and we band together as humanity against something unhuman. Mayhap that is why within the last ten years there has been a mammoth interest in alien invasion movies, vampires and zombies. People crave uniting as one against a common enemy and right now we are slowly navigating new social norms, creating a society that is a hodge-podge of awesome. I just want to reiterate that I know that I am wishing on falling stars, because it will take a lot of listening and serious consideration which human beings can sometimes lack.
D’Vera Cohn - http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/06/23/it...
The Library of Congress
