Why can't I say my heritage without being judged?

Question

Yesterday, when I was in African American Studies, our class discussed assimilation or something like that. The teacher was telling us about how a lot of black people are trying so hard to assimilate that they forget where they came from and whatnot. Then she went on and on about the differences in black culture and other cultures. Then my friend (she's black) was like 'Reese (me) and her family act like my family and they mexican.' And I corrected her. All I said was that I'm cuban. Everybody was sayin it's the same thing. Then this one girl said that it was stupid for me to say I was Cuban, because I look black. She was like all races fall into two categories generally. Black/White.

Then the girl was telling people that I'm just tryna front like I ain't black.

I know I'm black. But what's wrong with me claiming my other heritages too. My mother is black/white/west indian (born and raised in mumbai) and my dad was born and raised in La Habana. What's wrong with being multiracial

I didn't bring it up. She did. I never bring it up. Most of my class mates went to elementary school with me (including the rude chik) and they know my parents personally.They've been to my house. They know we speak Spanish and Hindi at my house. She was just...ugh!

Answer 1

Nothing wrong with being multiracial, but some people got a problem with it. They think that black people of mixed heritages who claim their other heritages are trying to be "less black". that's their problem, not yours.
My ex husband is black and my (grown) daughter is black. She runs into this sometimes. She figures it's their problem, not hers. She's right. And smart.

Answer 2

Be careful with this all. Americans have little insight to this thing, which is the cultural and racial phenomenon.

Some are afflicted with self-loathing, but they dare not let you know it. With this comes considerable jealousy, though hidden and expressed in a way that lets on that they are " all that."

Bear it little attention. Then go and find new friends.

Never, ever deny what be your origins. See? Never ! You are not who others think you are or even what you appear to be -- you are who you are. Remember this. And own it...

If you should lose the vote of friends or the teacher or otherwise, then turn aside and find for yourself the spaces and people who resonate with you- and above all, those who wish to look to the truths of things.

You are not only body, but mind and heart and spirit as well. So let no one corrupt you.

If you are Cuban, own it ! Don't equivocate.

I should say as well here, you will want to develop an ability to think and write and speak, and this in very original terms. Because you are now facing an age-old evil in this country.

That you are out-numbered by others does not make them true or correct. Millions of people can be found wrong. To correct that number is to be that one person to enlighten them.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with being what is... See?
If you are these things, then I say again...own it ! Take your stand... Don't equivocate.

Multi-raciality is a reality. Your peers may simply be annoyed that you could naturally dare to be that which is exotic. How could you or anyone possibly ignore your total heritages. What, to do some one a favor? I think not, my friend...

So you are Cuban, you are these other things as well, you are all these, blended into that which makes an interesting being.

People just have to grow.

Answer 3

I comprehend what you propose in a fashion yet arguably it is a incontrovertible actuality that he's a foul loser if he's headbutting opposing crew, continually detesting the referee's judgements by ability of the game and undesirable mouthing his warring parties. A participant like Ryan Giggs or David Beckham, no count number number what verbal abuse they were given from different gamers, ought to act the way he did. i'm happy he has been portrayed as a foul loser because little ones gazing at domicile ought to recognize that in any situations that that behaviour is unacceptable. For now he's a foul loser for the way he acted (inspite of what may were reported). per chance people also will see the others in a foul mild besides regardless of the actuality that if we ever get his area of the tale, even if the final public will nonetheless no longer appreciate him regardless. you've a level with Zidane yet i imagine it is fairly diverse because except for the headbutt to Materazzi, Zidane became no longer causing havoc previous or being disrespectful to anybody else it is why it got here as any such wonder even as it handed off (more desirable like one second of insanity with one human being, he did not tutor any frustrations until eventually that factor).

Answer 4

There has never been A ONE UNIFIED GROUP WHO IDENTIFIED THEMSELVES BY THE TERM BLACK that's a European Racist creation, So is the Myth of an "AFRICAN PEOPLE".

The joining of all black skin people into one group was done by European Racist. Allow me to explain how and why this happen. When the modern Gentile entered Egypt in the 18th century under Napoleon. They marveled at all the greatness of the Egyptians, they saw the pictures and statues the Egyptians made of themselves. They saw the black skin, thick lips, and woolly hair of the Pharoah's. These Gentiles were Christians so they knew about the Hebrews being in Egypt, they knew the story of Moses passing as Pharaoh's Grandson etc.

In Order to deny the truth, they created a lie. They took one indigenous tribe in Africa who still had traditional or what they call primitive culture and said this is how ALL black skin people are. They all wear plates in the lips, swing from trees, don't have a written language etc.

You have been fooled into thinking you have made progress because you refer to yourself as African or black, instead of *****, or ******. You have not made any progress, calling yourself black and African is the same as calling yourself ***** and ******. They are all bywords and proverbs they still don't explain who you are. The enemy knows your true identity, and he knows he can't let this information get out to the mainstream.

The people on the continent of Africa don't buy into the Gentile racist doctrine of all being one nation because we all have similar skin color. They see themselves as different nations and always have.

Answer 5

People in general are typically ignorant of the differences between Mexicans, Cubans, and maybe even Spaniards. I'm Chinese and a lot of people get confused with certain things in our culture with Japanese or Korean. I try to correct them and they usually take it in stride since they just learned something new. However...that girl is an idiot for saying that it was stupid of you to say you're Cuban, and the same goes for the rest of the class for saying it's the same thing.

Answer 6

There isn't anything wrong with claiming what you are. My Grandfather is Cuban and my parents are West Indian. People don't realize or don't want to realize that just because we have dark skin, doesn't mean we don't have other heritage. We should be just as proud of one of our nationalities as the other. It is what we are, and where our ancestors are from. You didn't do anything wrong. Be what you are, and be proud of it!

Answer 7

nothing at all is wrong with being multiracial. But in american society, if you have colour to you, your not seen as whatever else you are. Your seen as black. So your other classmates probably don't believe you when you claim your other heritages. And a lot of black people tend to lie about what they really are as well. I have a friend who is (not trying to joke here) but she is about that same skin colour as oprah winfrey or someone else that complexion, and says that her father is white, theres no way! so even though u probably are what u say u are, other people more than likely dont believe u if u look black.
nothing at all is wrong with being multiracail, I'm african american and dominican but in american society i am a black girl. beign dominican in any way doesn't even register.

Answer 8

I totally understand you, I'm white and my nationality's are : 50% Italian, 25% Mexican, and 25% Polish. I am a very fair skinned person and if you looked at me like people do you would never assume I was mexican. This kid in one of my classes was like making fun of mexicans in like a serious way (even though he's mexican) I was like first of all don't make fun of mexican's because I'm Mexican, and two you just dissed yourself. He's like YOU ARE NOT MEXICAN and I'm like YES I AM YOU DON"T EVEN KNOW ME! and he's like what's your last name and I'm like Cardenaz and he's like that is not a mexican last name I'm like OMG yes it is! I was sooo mad at him rawr well anyways another incident was a few days ago when me and my family were eating dinner and talking about what we tell people about our nationality and my brother and sister said they never tell people there polish for whatever reason and I'm like what?! I tell people every nationality I'm not ashamed I'm proud and I like being multicultural! IGNORE those idiots!

Answer 9

people looovvvveeee to start drama! be proud of who you are ALL of who you are, and it sounds like you already do. don't let the ignorance of someone bring you down!!! in the long run, and even the next day, that person will mean nothing to you unless you make them something!! Good luck sweetie!

Answer 10

Hispanic is not a race. You can be white or black and still be hispanic. Cuban is a nationality. So as far as Im concerned if you are black you are black.