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.