2. Multiracial Problems

     To start off, yes I am multiracial. I am a Caribbean Mestizo/Mixed European hybrid. I usually just say that I'm Puerto Rican and Dutch, because it is much simpler to explain. All my life, people have had questions about my ethnic identity. To an extent, I understand the curiosity. I have an unusual name, and unusual physical features. I truly don't mind answering questions. In fact, I love educating people about my mixed race heritage. But sometimes, it seems as though everyone wants to throw their opinions, stereotypes, and intrusive questions at me. It gets tiring feeling as though I need to explain myself all the time. I'm not some sort of museum exhibit, I am a human being. I would really appreciate being treated like one.
     For example, the other day I was out with my mother and sister. My mother is about 4'11" with super curly dark hair and dark skin. My sister is a little shorter, with dark skin but super straight hair. I am a little taller with light skin and lighter hair. I can fully acknowledge that we all look very different. However, that gave no excuse for a stranger to ask my mother "Are these both your children?" My mother, puzzled by the sudden question, answered "Of course" and then turned to continue her shopping. The lady then continued with "well how did that happen?" Do you see where I'm going with this? That is extremely rude. My family is none of this lady's business. But she acted as if it were, just because we look different. And things like that happen all the time. I wonder how people of one race would feel if I went up to them and asked about the lack of cultural diversity in their family. Yeah, that would be pretty rude, right?
     Another thing that bothers me is when people try to indirectly find out about my culture instead of just asking what they want to ask. For example, when people see my name, their first instinct is to ask me where I'm from. To be honest, it makes me happy to see their puzzled faces when I tell them I'm from New Hampshire. That's because in their heads, they've already formed an answer. They see my name, and recognize that it's unusual. They make the assumption that I *must* be foreign. It's all based on the name. I know that when people ask me where I'm from, what they're really wondering is "How did you end up with this name that I've never heard before?" And I really would prefer that they just asked me that, because it gives me a chance to explain my culture. I could just give in and tell them that I'm Dutch and leave it at that. But I'm a wonderful mix of vibrant cultures, so why would I limit myself to just one for the comfort of an ignorant person?
     As someone who is mixed race, I hate the feeling that I have to coddle people and gently explain myself to everyone. I never want to be rude to people, but it's very difficult when people are so rude to me. I'm not the white person's guide to the world of minorities, or vice versa. You don't get to assign me a culture because my own makes you uncomfortable. I'm comfortable being what I am, and I would love to answer your questions. But treat me like a person and not an exhibit.
   

1. A Fat-Shaming Reality Check

     So I was really planning to make my first post a sort of a get-to-know-me type of thing. I was going to write about my ideas and opinions and really make a great first impression. But recently, I've witnessed a barrage of ignorance about body shapes, so I figured I would offer a reality check instead.

Source

     There is a lot of hate directed at obese people, which seems a little hypocritical considering we are literally living in one of the fattest nations in the world. You would think that in America, people would be much more accepting. But they aren't. All over the place, online and in real life, I see people making the most ignorant and hateful statements about people whose only crime is daring to exist while fat. I have heard people say that fat people are disgusting, are bringing up our healthcare costs (not actually true), and I have even heard some go so far as to say that fat people should not be allowed to exist. I mean, what I would really like to know is how the body of someone else affects your life so profoundly that you feel the need to be so hateful? Seriously, what is your problem? If fat people are such a bother to you, then you should probably just sit down for a moment and reevaluate your life. No one is asking for your opinion.
     Another thing that really bothers me is when someone who is fat shaming claims that they "are only concerned for their health." This is really problematic for several reasons. First of all, nobody has asked for your advice in the first place. It is not your place to tell someone how they should be living their life. Also, fat does not mean unhealthy. There are plenty of people who are fat and get plenty of exercise, and eat perfectly healthy. Sometimes, that's just how somebody's body looks. If you believe there is such a thing as "naturally skinny," then why is "naturally fat" such a far fetched idea? And even if they are eating "unhealthy," it is still absolutely none of your business. Nobody has to justify their existence to anybody else. Would you be complaining if a skinny person was eating oreos? I don't think so.
     The bottom line is that people are people, and fat people are deserving of the same respect as anybody else. If your opinion is anything other than that, do everyone a favor and keep it to yourself.