African-American politician Carol Moseley Braun once said, “Defining myself, as opposed to being defined by others, is one of the most difficult challenges I face.”
Growing up bi-racial (Caucasian and African-American), I always asked myself, “Where do I fit in?” I felt I was at war with my identity because society taught me I had to choose between being white or black. Several times when I was among my black peers, I was told I was “basically white” because I like folk music. Then there were instances among my white peers where they only chose to see me for my skin color instead of the fact that a part of me was a part of them, too.
Once, I shouted with excitement over something, and I was told, “Hannah, you’re so loud. It must be the black in you.” Being defined according to these stereotypes is often what led me to ask, “Where do I fit in?” I had thought that if I showed certain qualities from either of the two cultures that make up who I am, I was betraying both of them. In the midst of questioning my place in the world, I failed to ask myself a more important question: Why do I feel I have to choose in the first place? I should be able to like folk and R&B music and still be accepted by both of the cultures in my DNA.
This isn’t just an issue for those who are bi-racial either, but for everyone in today’s world. Our society creates stereotypes that put people into categories based on their skin color. It teaches us to define a person’s identity using race when we should just accept people for who they are. The days of assigning people to racial stereotypes need to be over, and seeing each other as equals can only happen when we work together. Let’s work together so that no one, even yourself, has to say “where do I fit in?” anymore.