Guidelines - "So What Are You?" part 2

How Can Mixed Folks Respond to the Question: "So What Are You?"

Hi mixed race and mixed ethnicity friends!  Let's continue our discussion on how mixed folks can respond to the somtimes hurtful question "So what are you?"  Below are a few methods you could use when dealing with this issue.

Setting up a Mixed Student Organization

A Call For Mixed Student Organizations
You know what I could have really used in high school and college?  A club for multircial, multiethnic, blended, mixed kids.  

Alas! There were none!

But why is this so?  Let's explore!

Why No Mixed Student Organization on Your Campus?

Guidelines - Hurtful Comments from Friends

Guidelines for Confronting Friends on Mixed-Hurtful Comments

"I don't find  _________s attractice."

"You know who I don't find attractive? _________s."

"I don't think ___________s are hot.  They're too _________."

You've heard all of these before.  You're chatting with someone, (a friend, an acquaintance, a coworker), and they drop the not!attractive bomb.  You casually mention that you're actually part __________.

Here comes the kicker:

"No offense."

This conversation has been a major thorn in the side of people of color.  "No offense?"  Um, no, plenty of offense!

Mixed Lingo

Mixed: Terms We'll Be Using

Hey there!  Before we get started on the "growing up multiracial and/or multiethnic (mixed)," let's get to know some mixed lingo.

Indentity: Your identities are how you describe yourself.  Identities often include things like race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, etc.  For example, I identify as a multiracial and multiethnic woman.  These are only some of my indentities.

Your identities are your own.  You are the only person who can identify yourself as anything.  There are no hard and fast rules for identities.  Identities can be fluid.  Feel free to share or not share your identities.

Welcome!

Welcome to : Growing Up In A Mixed Family!  

As a multiracial and multiethnic, "mixed," college senior from the wonderfully diverse state of California, I've had my share of ups and downs growing up with multiple racial and ethnic identities.  As I got older, I really wanted a community outside my home with other folks who identified as multiracial, multiethnic, blended, etc. as a resource and support group.  

I didn't find what I was looking for until I went to college and started working at the multicultural center.  There, I learned about things ranging from self-identification and external vs. internal racism to ideas like reclaiming and passing.  My time at the multicultural center and my own experienes growing up mixed motivated me to make the community that I always wanted.

This blog is a resource for mixed kids, teens, college students and young adults on situation-specific issues facing multiracial and/or multiethnic youths.  Reviews on other online resources, advice on difficult social and academic situations and a variety of discussions on current events involving mixed themes can be found on the "Growing Up Mixed blog.  

If you have any suggestions, comments, questions, etc., definitely write them in the "comments" section below each post.  Let's get a community of mixed youths going!  Just please be polite is all I ask. :)

To all my lovely multiracial, multiethnic, blended, mixed, (or however you identify), young people out there, welcome!


<3 Elise "The Mixed Blogging Chick"