Hi! My name is Scott Fleming. I live near St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. I am part English, Welsh, Belgian, Finnish, and Hispanic. My Hispanic roots have been noticed by some by just looking at me. My mother's grandfather or great grandfather was an admiral in a Spanish naval fleet. Therefore, I am obviously not half Hispanic. Since I found out about my roots, I have been wondering whether or not to celebrate my roots. It's impossible for me to ignore them because I can feel the Latin blood in my veins. My grandmother, mother, uncle, a few cousins, and I are still a dark white. My cousin, David, in his thirties, looks very Mexican, even though he is only Spanish. Newfoundland is the easternmost Canadian province, with a 96% English-speaking White population. Most of these people are also of mixed White nationalities, mostly England, Ireland, or France, so my Latin roots are the only different ones. I have come under fire for celebrating my Hispanic heritage with phrases like "wanna be" or "knock this foolishness off", especially from Whites who pretend or act like they're Black, but have 100% White backgrounds. There is a girl at the High School I go to who is like me, part Spanish, except she is in what I tend to call "Diversity Denial". I am unable to explore my roots any further than the net, because the Hispanic population is almost non-existent, but I have to admit, is slowly growing. To conclude, some of my freinds feel it is good that I explore my rich and unique Spanish heritage, while others believe it doesn't really matter what a person's roots are. I read somewhere that identity is something chosen, not given by a government census or other people. I have chosen my Latin roots.

Scott Fleming Age 15

P.S: I would like to get a pen pal in the situation I am in, (biracial or part of a different heritage, around my age). My adress is:

Scott Fleming Site L Box 16 Portugal Cove, Nfld. Canada A0A 3K0

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