Youth Letters 1997-1999

(Through High School Age)

My Shoes is a forum where we can meet other biracial individuals with a white appearance and express our thoughts and feelings.

This page allows members and non-members to ask questions or comment on anything they wish related to the theme of the support group. Help the support group grow by talking to group members, by contributing to discussion topics, by sending your personal story, and by posting announcements on the bulletin board. Join us!

To send your questions or comments press 

Letters:

Name: Sara Ortega, svrv333@yahoo.com
Subject: mixed ethnicity
Date: 11/17/99

I am a freshman in college and I have begun a research project regarding biracial identities. I am specifically looking to interview people of Caucasian and Mexican descent, but responses from those of you who are any Latino/a and Caucasian mix would be greatly appreciated as well. My questions are open to all ages, so please do not hesitate to write back. Please share any insights, links to other internet sources, books, articles, or films. Thank you for your help.

Name: carmen, venus05673@aol.com
Subject: i'm mixed
Date: 11/8/99

i'm mixed with black french german japanesse latino am.indian and british. but people always talk about me like i'm not white enough for the white people and i'm not black enough for the black people. i listin to all typs of music but every body says oh you talk white oh you're properor some shit like that well thats all but if you wanna talk e-mail me. and for all you peeps out ther keep your head up.

Name: Courtney, itzbabe69@yahoo.com
Subject: What I am..
Date: 11/6/99

I never really knew that I was mixed... I'm almost everything you can be... Irish, Indian, African American (and alot more.) I always tried fitting in with everyone, "black" people, "white" people... but, because I don't have extreme african amercian features- like, I do have blue-ish colored eyes, and dark blonde hair, and my skin is lighter, I was always considered to be "white." When taking standardized tests, and it has the boxes for your race... I always checked white. Because how was I going to be accepted? I look more white, so, therefor I am? That isn't how it is-maybe it was the Irish and swedish in me that gave me the blue eyes. But, nobody really understands how its like, unless they're mixed. My mother doesn't accept me, she also doesn't know as much about my fathers backround, and what he gave to me... If everyone gets to read this in time- watch the Oprah Winfrey show this Tuesday, November 9th, and 4pm(EST) to hear Mariah Carey talk about being mixed, and what it was like for her as a child, and personal issues she has dealing with this. And, if anybody out there wants to e-mail me... please do... I feel just as outside from not fitting in anywhere as some of you do-but, then again, I am happy to not be just one thing, to not be JUST irish, or just indian... I have both, and african american roots. Its not the easiest issue, but, I'm not wishing I was different, exactly.

Name: Avi, email address not given
Subject: Problems with appearance
Date: 10/12/99

Hi i am Avi and I am 15 years old. I am not "mixed", but a couple times I had been classified by my black peers as being "mixed". I have also been asked if I was "mixed" a lot of times. What I mean is I "look mixed". I been told I look "more mixed" then some people who are "mixed". My mother told me if people asked me if I was mixed to just tell them yeah. But I don't want to lie. My friend who is black would say to me "Avi you look like a italian or hispanic girl. You look like a mulatto." Or one time I remember a white girl asked me if I was black and I told her yeah and she asked, "then how come you have hair like white people and don't really look black." I just wanted to punch her in the face. That is the rudest question to ever ask someone I thought. But later on I shrugged it off. You see "mixed" people are not the only people who get problems from others with thier appearance, so do black people like me.

Name: Angela, aaliyah@bright.net
Subject: Dealing with birracial children.
Date: 10/4/99

I'm a white parent to a birracial child who has no connect to the other parent that is black. How do I help my child with issue on being birracial? Please email me with ideas.

Name: Jazmine Hil, Jazzymoto@Yahoo.com
Subject: Be you first!
Date: 9/20/99

I glad to find people who are like me. I have always been different then the people I hang around. Not only in physical appearance but on a mental level. I hanged out with mainly black people because that's what I grew up around. My best friend was black and I was always around my dad's side of the family. My dad is mixed with black and white and my mother is white. I never had one distinct race that I chilled with. I can be friend with almost anyone black, white, Asian, Mexican and everything else. I think mixed people are so of the most beautiful people in the world. They have the best of both races which can make some of the prettiest combinations ever. I love not being identified to one race or ethnic group, I can be as versatile as I want to be. I listen to every kind of music from Alanis Morisette to Tupac. The only thing people can judge me by is my personality and attitude. When I was younger black people would try to convince me that I wasn't black enough and i looked different from all the white girls around me. So I decided that anyone who tried to make me prove myself wasn't worth my time nor friendship. So I continued to be me and I never had problems having friends. In fact, I was nominated for Prom Queen. You have to learn to accept yourself before you can truly shine. Please email to talk.

Name: Heather, hdogg94232@aol.com
Subject: WHAT ARE  YOUR THOUGHTS?
Date: 7/12/99

I am doing an independent study project on being biracial in the US today...

HOW HAS BEING MIXED MADE AN IMPACT ON YOUR LIFE?

Please email me with your thoughts! Be sure include your racial backround!

Thanks

Name: te, teyabeya@hotmail.com
Subject: interracial poems
Date: 6/8/99

i would like to have some children interracial poems for my speech class thanx

Name: David Johnson, Psyco4444@hotmail.com
Subject: Interracial Dating
Date: 5/24/99

Hi, I'm sick of people calling me and the girl that I used to date names. We broke up just recently because we were getting tired of the people at my school always trying to put their "two sense" in about our relationship which is why we broke up in the first place. But now that we've broke up people still talk alot of trash saying that we shouldn't have been going out because of our different races.

Name: Leah, jilovsky@vicnet.net.au
Date: 5/9/99
Subject: It's a gift

I am more than bi-racial, I am part, Polish, Czech, English, Israeli, Maori (native peoples of New Zealand) but I was born and bred here in Australia, and I am definatly Australian. People should be proud of their background, and never try to hide it.

Name: Tiffany, tiffanyn@umich.edu
Subject: MIXED GATHERING at the UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, Ann Abor
Date: 2/5/99

The University of Michigan's MIXED INITIATIVE is sponsoring it's first MIxed Gathering. Mixed Gathering will be a day of activities and dialogue between middle school, high school, and college students. The Mixed Initiative will provide younger students will the opportunity to express their ideas and feelings about being 'mixed' in an environment that consists of other students who can relate to many of their experiences. The event will be Feb, 13, 1999 at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. For more info. contact tiffanyn@umich.edu.

LOOK FOR MIXED INITIATIVE'S UPCOMING CONFERNCE: 'COLORING OUTSIDE THE LINES' MARCH 20, 1999

Name: Not given, email address not given
Date: 2/4/99
Subject: Scott Fleming's Personal Story

I'm sorry that I'm not able to write my comment to you Scott but about your celebration of your Hispanic/spanish heritage, do not let others stop you from doing such. When Tiger Woods first claimed his Black/Asian heritage as " colibasian " ( or what ever the hell he say it ! )intially I was offended. I thought that he thought that he was trying to down play who is he is, then my sister brought up a good point about his classification: She asked me have I ever thought he might do that because he might get sick and tired of people asking him about his mixed heritage or that in his own right , he is trying to tell Americans( in your case Canadians ) race should not matter ? and she is right. When you think about it, there are not many " thoroughbreds " in the world though many people say they are. I myself is notconsidered as bi-racial but many people tell me that they could tell that I'm " mixed with something ". everytime that I go to a doctor , they automatically assume my brownish-yellowish is yellow jaundice but later realize that my colorization is a result of my Black/Asian/Indian mixture. I found out that I was more than Black when I was thirteen years old. during a family reunion in Baltimore, Maryland, I met the Asian-Indian relatives I never knew about. My late grandfather was Black/White/ Asian-Indian. Since then , I not only celebrate my Blackness but I also celebrate that side as well. Like you, I have been accused of being a " wannabee " and somepeople look at me oddly if Istudy someting on Asian-Indian ( India ). I guess Black people , White people etc are only suppose to segregeate themselves from knowing who they are. The one thing I learned from Tiger Woods is that we should be able to celebrate who we truly are and it is a beautifuk thing to do. Too many people assume who they are and not explore the trith of who they are. That is why so many people get shocked about their background as a result of it. Celebrate your heritage. The Latino culture is beautiful and one of the most diverse .

(Moderator's Note: To read Scott Fleming's story, select it next to "Subject" above.)

Name: Juanita Brooks, jbrooks@myshoes.com

Subject: Youth participation means through high school

Date: 12/14/98

As moderator of My Shoes, I can not post submissions in the Youth Support Group that are written by individuals who are adults. The participation in the Youth Support Group is for individuals who are not older than high school age. If you are outside this age group, please participate in the Adult Support Group.

Name: annie, anniebat@yahoo.com
Subject: Scary Spice
Date: 12/8/98

I'm surprised no one mentions Mel Brown (Scary Spice), who is a very successful, well adjusted multi-racial individual. I saw pictures of her recent wedding, and her mother is white, while her father is black/carribean. She seems to have integrated her two selves quite successfully, and might be a useful role model. Perhaps the dnamics of color are different in England.

Name: Helen C., email address not given
Subject: Disadvantaged ?
Date: 11/30/98

I dont think it that its right for some people to think that they are disadvantaged because they are bi-racial. I feel that bi-racial people are very pretty and its no matter whether they are black or white. They're PEOPLE, just like everyone else!

Name: Miranda, miranda7085@hotmail.com
Subject: Expecting Multiracial Quads
Date: 11/29/98

Hi! I am eight months pregnant with quads. I am white and the father of the babies is black with some hispanic. While I have dealt with a interracial relationship, I am still trying to figure out the best possible way to raise my multiracial children. I am still young myself (18 years). I am no longer in a relationship with the father. I want my children to know and be raised in each area of their heritage if possible. If any of you have any suggestions or possible ways of informing my children of their races, please let me know! Also, if any of you have heard of or read any books with multiracial characters, I would love to know of those as well! Thank you so much for your help. Maybe one day, my babies will be chatting in here as well!

(Moderator's Note: For books to read, look at the Youth and Adult Bulletin Boards at this site and select "Books".)

Name: Tara, email address not given
Subject: In response to Mrs. Theo: Understanding what it is like for interracial children
Date: 11/20/98

First of all, don't let anyone lay that old guilt trip on you that because you and your husband "mixed races", your children are going to have "problems". This same guilt trip was laid on my mother and father and it's ridiculous! Children are going to encounter problems growing up no matter what their race. However, your children may encounter issues that their friends may not. They may have to deal with kids in school picking at them for having a white mommy and a black daddy. They may feel as though they are not black enough for the blacks and too black for the whites. These are issues that my brother and I both had to deal with (he is now 21 and I am 26, our mom was German/Am.Indian and dad was black), but our parents somehow were always there to say and do the right things and make us feel better about ourselves. We got called names such as Oreo, zebra, half-breed and mutt, but our parents simply explained to us that these hateful attitudes usually come from jealousy, and unfortunately, sometimes, pure prejudice(which is a direct result of fear and ignorance). My mother and I recently got into a lengthy discussion about some of the things that I went through in school that she didn't know about (hair pulling, rocks thrown at me walking home from school - one girl even rigged a small hand-held radio where the antenna would shock me when she touched me with it) and she told me that I should have never felt bad about who I was because if God didn't mean for us (bi-racial/multi-racial children) to be here, he wouldn't allow us to come into the world. Just keep in mind that you and your husband need to be caring and understanding when dealing with your children's "racial problems". Don't be afraid to raise hell with teachers at school who "don't seem to notice" others harrassing your children(my mother went to a few of my schools and did this - once even requesting a conference with one of the real problem kids' parents). And as I told my mother, even though she's my mom and knows everything there is to know about me, she will never know what it's like to grow up being bi-racial and not being able to fully identify with one race or another. So again, I think what mixed children need most is support, understanding and caring - and to be told that no matter what ANYONE says about them, THEY ARE SPECIAL. It worked for me! I hope my input was of some help to you. Good luck and God bless.

(Moderator's Note: Click on "Mrs. Theo" to find out what she says.)

Name: Laura , skittle@hom.net
Subject: I see no problem........
Date: 11/15/98

I say there is nothing wrong with going out with a race different from you. I am a white female and I am deeply in love a 18 year old male who will be turning 19 11/28/98. Im 15, but dont understand why age has to matter if youre really in love. My mom, she just doesnt understand how I feel right about now. I truly love him and need help on how to tell her I love him and she needs to sign a paper to let us date. I really LOVE HIM.. if you have any advice... e-mail me!!

Name: Renea , danrenea@Imap2.asu.edu
Subject: dating and marriage
Date: 11/7/98

I am a phd student at Arizona State University. My area of study is biracial identity. I am African American and married to an Italian. We have a beautiful two-year old daughter. So, my research topic will not only help me earn my phd but offer me support as I raise my daughter. (Actually, my husband has a daughter from a previous marriage to a woman who is half Japanese and African American. Unfortunately, HER mother does very little to expose her to the wonderful traditions of both her cultural backgrounds.) My current focus is "Who do biracial teens and adults choose to date and marry and why?" As of yet, I don't have a formal "tool" such as a questionnaire. I'd really like to get personal stories and go from there. So, I'd like to hear from all ages and racial combinations. Please tell me your racial mix, how you explain your racial identity to others if asked, and your dating choices. Tell me as little or as much as you'd like. Please send responses via email. I'll be happy to share any findings with you all via this site or personal responses. Thank you in advance for sharing your stories and thoughts.

Name: Juanita Brooks, jbrooks@myshoes.com

Subject: Important Information About Thomas Jefferson

Date: 11/3/98

Jefferson's secret life: Did the author of the Declaration of Independence take a slave for his mistress? DNA tests say yes. For the story press US News Online

Name: Nahida Hadeesh, Nahidah@aol.com
Subject: Support group for bi-cultural parents.
Date: 11/2/98

I am doing a support group for parents who are in bi-cultural relationships with small children. I would like to bring topics as how to talk with their children about cultural/identity issues. I would like to hear from anyone who grew up in a such environment and what they feel important information should come from parents. I appreciate any response from children(teens)/adults.

Name: Raza,
Subject: bi-racial teens
Date: 11/2/98

I am a 15 year old bi-racial female. I am sick of people classifying me as either white or black. Why can't I be both? I'm writing an article for my school paper on bi-racial teens and how they relate to ignorance. If you have a comment on the subject, e-mail me.

Name: Alyce, alyce13@hotmail.com
Date: 10/18/98
Subject: How can parents help?

I host an Interracial Family chat and I have some very specific questions for the youth. What can your parents do for you as children to provide the base for good self esteem as interracial children. How can we as parents support you and raise you to ultimately be proud of every part of who you are? How can we show you and teach you that it is not necessary to chose between cultural backgrounds. How can we teach you that despite what society says, you can achieve and advance, that others view of you is their own and it need not become a hinderance to you in any part of your life.

If you have special concerns, I would be interested in hearing them. Things that you think WE as parents should know and be aware of.

Thanks guys!

Name: Name not given, Kazukai@aol.com
Subject: Cultural competency with youth in crises
Date: 10/1/98

I am doing a workshop on cultural competency with youth in crises, as well as writing a manual for the shelter youth program volunteers at the domestic violence shelter I am working at which will include information on being culturally sensitive to diverse populations as well as how to interrupt racism and internalized racism.

I have done these sorts of trainings for several years and happen to be biracial, but I am sick of the same old stale statistics. I would love it if some of you would be willing to tell me your stories about your identity and trying to figure things out, coming into your own, etc.

Also if there are people who have survived dating violence or witnessed dometic violence in their homes, how they felt as biracial children. did ethnic identity come into the way you experienced or understood things, what did you need to feel safe from the teachers and support networks that you accessed or chose not access?

I need to use your ages for this but all names will be changed or omitted unless you tell me otherwise.

I just think it would be really great to have the words of real live youth rather than a bunch of numbers that don't mean much to anyone.

you can e-mail me at Kazukai@aol.com I check pretty regularly. The training is OCtober 17th, but the manual is a work in p[rogress so e-mail after that date is still fine. THANK YOU!

Name: Christina Harewood, DWF008@aol.com
Date: 9/18/98
Subject: Need for participants in study concerning biracial adolescents

"Coping Skills of Biracial Boys as compared to the coping skills of Biracial Girls(In regard to their dual heritage). If you are between teh ages of 13-18 and would like to participate in this study, please contact me at DWF008@aol.com. A.S.A.P. Thanks, Christina Harewood

(Moderator's Note: Or if you know of anyone who would like to participate.)

Name: Slygirl, slygirl82@aol.com
Subject: Thanks
Date: 8/11/98

tonight i decided to take a look through the web on topics of multi racial people. the reason for this is i'm a 15 yr old girl with a mulit racial background ( half french candian/half a mix of native american and african american) and im as white as white can get. im fair compliceted with reddish curly hair. i do not have any ethnic appearance. the area i live in is very diverse. but i have a hard time telling the outside world my heritage because the shock they receive when i tell them. to me race was never an issue my mother called me a "colorblind child" i have friends that are also of mixed race..but all have the appearance of having tan complected skin. i just want to say thanx for all of the articles that are helping me deal with my life.

Name: jen jones, jennyjon@ix.netcom.com
Date: 7-28-98
Subject: looking for biracial teens

Hi I am doing my doctoral dissertation on biracial teens. I am looking for biracial teens who may be interested in filling out a questionnaire which asks teens views of themselves, their families, friends and their ethnicity. The questionnaire takes about 30-40 min to complete. Please contact me if you would like a copy or for more information.Please include your address so i could air mail you a copy of the questionnaire. THanks for your interest.

(Moderator's Note: Click on email address to send mail.)

Name: Joe Richman, jkr@well.com
Date: 7/21/98
Subject: looking to profile a bi-racial teen

Hi, I hope it's okay to post this here. I am a producer for National Public Radio. I do a series called Teenage Diaries, where I give teens tape recorders and work with them to document their lives. I'm currently looking for a teen who is bi-racial, and just beginning to struggle with or figure out how to identify themselves. The purpose of the story is to profile someone who has a foot in two worlds - black and white. If you or someone you know might be good for this project, please email me and I'll send you more information. Thanks. Joe Richman - Producer, NPR

Name: Anne, herbie56@hotmail.com
Date: 7/6/98
Subject: Racism

I'm 15/f from Canada, and I'm Maltese. I've been mistakened for a Lebanese person, and because of that, I haven't had a boyfriend and it has been bothering me for the longest time. People can't seem to accept me for who I am, and so they spread rumors about me. If anyone has had this problem, please tell me how to get through it. Thanx! :o)

Name: Renee Langerman, danep35@hotmail.com
Date: 6-30-98
Subject: Straddling the Color Line

There are those of us out there who prefer not to be labeled as a color. Color labels are for the side of paint cans or boxes of crayons. I am biracial but I would prefer to be known as "human," instead of "African-American" or "Caucasian."

I have grown up in a predominately Caucasian small town and I've dealt with the prejudices there. I am now in summer school in an academy for minorities and I realize now that I definitely don't like being forced to be a minority or forced to "feel" like a minority. These kids - these "minorities" - carry an attitude about their race and as I listen to them joust Caucasians I've learned that I am neither a full part of "their" world nor am I a part of the Caucasian world.

I'm insanely tired of having to define myself by color. I have too many defining points that have not centered around my caramel hue. I have worked just as hard as anyone else and I would certainly like to be remembered for those accomplishments, not for the color of my skin.

Name: Theo Martin, martint@huachuca-emh1.army.mil
Date: 2 June 98
Subject: Understanding what it is like for interracial children

I am a "White" woman who married a "Black" man. We have two boys age one and three. I am constantly being told that my children will have a difficult time being accepted due to the fact that they are interracial. I would like to hear from you whether or not it is true, and to what extent. I am told I will not understand what it is like for my children, please help me to understand.

Name: Aileen, leti@gte.com
Date: 6-1-98
Subject: Bulletin Board Suggestion

I was just thinking about writing any poems that you feel people would be interested in reading. Like for me for example I love to write poems on "Love and Hate". Not in just those two categories but that's what I'm more interested. I would gladly appreciate this!!! I'll be visting more often.

(Moderator's Note: Please submit your poems about the biracial experience on the My Shoes Youth Bulletin Board under the topic of Poems.)

Name: Nicole Troy, troyn@dolphin.upenn.edu
Date: 2-22-98
Subject: Research Paper

Hi. I am doing a research paper that is tring to say that bi-racial adolecence do not have any harder of a time finding their identity than any other child. This is assuming that they have been apart of a healthy environment that teaches them about both sides of their heritage. I am having a difficult finding evidence for my paper and would appreciate any help that anyone can offer. I myself am a biracial teen, being black and white, and the only evidence that I have is in myself and the biracial teens that I know. Thanks for your time and cooperation. Sincerely, Nikki

Name: Marsha Alston, doveman@mindspring.com
Date: 2/12/98
Subject: What if anything would you have your parents do differently?

I am the white mother of a 3 year old black/white biracial boy who has a very white appearance(including blue eyes). He doesn't seem to care right now about color and race, but we have told him that he is black AND white and that he is first and foremost a human being. I'm wondering if any of you have any suggestions as to the best way to deal with race as he grows. Was there anything your parents did that helped you or that you wish they had done differently? Email me if you have any suggestions. Thanks. You can also visit my home page at http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/5315

Name: Myca Killough, RhondaMcKee
Date: 02\06\98
Subject: Interracial Dating

I am doing a research paper on Interracial Dating. I am finding alot of information on the up to date topics. But In need to find out reasons for all of the fueding and why the can not quit fueding and be like a big family. If you can help me out any please e-mail me back. Thank you, Myca

(Moderator's Note: Inorder to get responses, you must have an email address that will work. Please submit another email address to jbrooks@myshoes.com and it will be posted.)

Name: nadine brown, email not given
Date: 1/5/98
Subject: friendships (response to discussion topic)

i hang around with mainly black people although i am mixed race. This is not because i percieve myself as black but because i feel comfterble around people as my complexion is farily dark.

Name: nadinne brown, email address not given
Subject: lucky to not look black (response to disccussion topic)
Date: 1/5/98

I think "lucky to not look black" is a load of crap. I've grown up for sixteen years of my life having people refer to me as black because of my skin tone although I am mixed raced. I don't mind this but if people look at me and see me looking more black as a negative thing I immediatly respond with " whats so positive about looking white". At the end of the day we are all put in this world to be who we are not what colour we are.

Name: Kelli Herod, kherod@westleygroup.com
Date: 12-5-97
Subject: I'm an "other", too.

It seems like the race issue never really came into play until I got into high school. There were a few isolated incidents in elementary school and even middle school. But it seems to me that because high school is the time to supposedley "find yourself", teens seem to focus on the factors that make up a person, race included. But I digress to an incident that happened just a couple of days ago. We had to fill out a survey and the choices were your five run-of-the-mill catergories, African-American being one of them. Now, I'm not Afrcan. In fact I've never been to Africa but my hand automatically went towards the A-A box. But then I asked myself what about my grandparents who are Filipino, White and Cherokee? But I quickly answered myself with 'But I'm mostly black.' After checking the A-A box(for time reasons), I'm having second thoughts. Should I have checked the other box and written down multi-racial? Well, I still don't know the answer. I do know that at least for this survey I was African-American. But I won't know what to be for the next one, even if I'm given all the time in the world.

Name: Nikovia Ramfjord, gsi05808@gsaix2.cc.gasou.edu
Subject: biracial experiences
Date: 11/16/97

I am doing research for a book for biracial children. I would like info. on childhood experiences, and when you realized that your family was "normal" like any other family in America. What brought you to that realization (i.e. things your family did that most other families do). This is interesting to me because at my local library what little books they have for/about biracial children are in the section for troubled kids (ie. children of alchoholics, divorce, etc).

Please e-mail me with responses.

Name: Tina Maltese, maltese@uiuc.edu
Subject: Looking for an interviewer
Date: 11/11/97

Hi!

My name is Tina Maltese. I am a graduate student at the University of Illinois and attempting to work on a project. I am interested in interviewing a biracial (black/white) child (preferably someone over 16 years old). I'm not sure if this is appropriate to ask on this web page, but this is the first place that I've found that I could try to contact someone.

I am looking for a biracial child that would be interested in being involved in a 10-15 minute interview that would surround around the issue of being biracial and the issues that it has brought up for you. Anyone's help would be greatly appreciated. Please contact me via email if you are at all interested or would like more information!

Thank you!

Tina Maltese, University of Illinois, maltese@uiuc.edu

Name: Candy, candy@aol.com
Subject: I am half hispanic half white
Date: 8/1/97

I am a teenager who is half mexican and half white , I have dark naturally curly hair . Only a few people have been able to tell that I am mexican . I have been through some racism and I would really like to here peoples stories of being of mixed race and how you get through it.

Name: monica, monica.tanaka@stud.man.ac.uk
Subject: Biracial children - half japanese, half (indo)european
Date: 7/31/97

I would like to find out more about children of mixed race but of no visible features.

Thanks

Name: Michelle Trzecinski, trez@execpc.com
Date: 07/13/97
Subject: I am part German, part Isrish and part poland

Hello, many in my city is poland people, but, recent days, we have too many people come from many backgound. Create some problems, like gang, who come to our city recent like 2 months ago. I think some problems does something related with some of multi racial community. Well, recent, African American moved in our community but, it's going fine for now. Later, we will see what's happening for now. Goodbye, Michelle Trzecinski.

Name: 002, whatever@mailmasher.com
Subject: Interracial Dating
Date: 30 Mar 1997

I'm a white high-school student who is attracted very strongly to women of other races. I find this difficult and painful in an environment in which my parents, who both carry with them their racial stereotypes, would chastise me if I approached a girl of another race or even forbid me from dating her. I'm also aware that many black girls carry similar racist attitudes, and of the fact that interracial contact has great potential to be a difficult and painful experience. Can you offer me, from your own experience as biracial individuals, any advice on how to proceed? God bless you and thank you for your time.

--Whatever

Name: Amy Decelles, adecell@wpo.luc.edu
Subject: White mother of a white/hispanic daughter.
Date: 06 Feb 1997

I noticed that many of the issues presented at this site have to do with people who are half black/half white. What about people who are mixed with white and another race, like hispanic, asian or Native American? My daughter is half white and half Mexican. Very few people notice her Mexican features, but, believe me, they're there. Only other Mexicans can tell (sometimes they can't) but only after taking a good, long look at her. She has the high cheekbones, the almond eyes (indigenous in origin), the short nose and the turned-down mouth that many Mexicans of indigenous descent have. Her skin is an olive tone, but she often gets mistaken for Italian (which is part of her heritage) or Greek. She hasn't had many negative experiences regarding her appearance and she feels accepted in both the white and hispanic community. However, I would be interested in hearing from other white/hispanics about their experiences. This is mainly for my own curiosity. My daughter has friends who are white/hispanic, but the issue is seldom explored.

(Moderator's Note: All combinations/mixes of biracial individuals with a white appearance are welcome to become members of the support group.)

Name: lolo, tarikt@micronet.fr
Subject: black/white biracial persons
Date: 28 Jan 1997

I am a French student doing a pre-Phd thesis about biracial black/white persons in the US. My interests are both historical and contemporary. I am looking for the "inside" stories of biracial persons in the US. How do you define yourself? How do other people consider you? What experiences have you had as a biracial black/white person? I would greatly appreciate your help and comments. Thanks. Lolo.

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