Why do a lot of mixed raced people have identity issues?

Question

We were doing a study in class and I found that a lot of "mixed race" people have issues with identity. I myself, personally, do not have issues with being mixed racially. I wouldn't want it any other way. Being Brazilian ( which is a mixture in itself), Italian, and English, was fantastic growing up. I think it has open me up to the world in general and now I appreciate different cultures and have an open mind when it comes to other races. I find it that I am truly "cultured". It sorta ticks me off when I come across others who want to place me into one category, cause at the end of the day, I am who I am, and that's proud of my heritage. I wouldn't want it any other way.

What's your take? Why do people tend to want to "label" someone as one race/culture when they may be from many?

Answer 1

It is sad when anyone has to deny a part of themselves! How can a person do this? Racially mixed people are lovely and get their beauty and strengths from both races. Why should they have to deny what they are to keep anyone happy? Why should they have to point to one parent and say, I am not a part of you? So sad. The trouble comes in when others do not accept them and demand that they do this in order to be accepted. I say there is but one race and that is the HUMAN race! We are all part of that race and should be proud of whatever color we are and the parents that loved each other enough to bring us here! If someone were to tell me to deny either one of my parents, I would tell them were to go! God loves variety, so should we! If you don't, that is YOUR problem!

Answer 2

I think one of the reasons is because it's not that they have a problem being mixed, I think sometimes they run into social acceptance issues. No one likes to be rejected but sometimes people who are mixed may be rejected because they are not so called "full bred" of one particular race. Like Hallie Berry for example she grew up with the issue of being shunned by some of her peers who were White because her skin was dark although her mother is White. If you want to see a perfect example of this you should view the movie "Queen" that stars Hallie Berry which she was the child of a slave woman and her father was a White plantation owner. In the film, she was shunned by both Black and White people because she was mixed. People should look at what is in the heart of a person, not their color. I believe down everyone's gene pool, there is a mixture of another race.

Answer 3

The only reason I can see for "identity issues" is because of America's racism. The applications for schools and jobs only allow a person to choose one race, and it is preferred for the person to choose the least liked race.

This causes confusion in some people, because they can't figure out which one to choose. This is one cause of "identity issues". If we were all allowed to choose our race without double standards(we were allowed to choose several races on the most recent census, then behind closed doors they put everyone in the one category of the "lesser race")then it would improve the situation.

Another cause is people want to be "cool" and "fit in". This is when they choose to be the one race considered inferior by Whites. This in itself is a lie, a person can't be one race, when they are made up of two. This is usually acceptable by racist Whites.

Now, for a racist White persons version of "identity issues" is when a person who is mixed with Black and White claims to be White(I use White and Black mixture because it's the most controversial). The racist could careless if they claimed Black, but the moment a mixed person claims White even if they are 75% or more then they are considered "confused".

It's all about racism, as usual.

Answer 4

My 16 year old daughter is biracial and she has no identity problems.. The people around her have problems with her identity but she doesn't.

As her parent, I raised her to understand that she is bi racial and what that means and that there is nothing wrong with it, but the world at large may be confused by it. She hangs out with mostly black friends but her school is 90 % black and also her dad has a majority of black friends. She says that she doesn't hang with them because they are black but because they don't make a big deal about her being biracial. She also has white friends and she is close to the white members of her family. When asked she says "I am biracial, my mom's black and my dad's white" She says she has never been teased or left out because of it. Its not difficult for her. She knows exactly who she is and is proud of it. I think those who are confused did not have parents that let the topic be an open and ongoing discussion with thier children. I think by being available to her for any questions she may have had and any problems that came up, gave her a good foundation and has kept her strong and confident through the years.

Answer 5

I think some humans just have a need to label those around them because of their own insecurities. Maybe they're not comfortable with their darker or lighter- skinned neighbor, so its easier to put a label on them instead of getting to know them as a human being. Sometimes how a person is raised will affect their view of others with different skin colors/tones at well....that too me is the saddest part of this "race" issue. Too bad "racism" cant be eradicated completely out of our hearts, minds and vocabulary.

Answer 6

It hurts when your outside doesn't match your inside, and people treat you different because of what you look like. We're all human after all, but it's human nature to divide other humans into "us" and "them" groups. Maybe not even specifically human, as all social species seem to do this. Sometimes a person finds themself assigned to a group where they don't feel they belong, and this really hurts. To overcome this pain one must develop a strong sense of self identity and/or a strong sense of identifying with all humanity. Those who have this sense are fortunate; to some, this sense comes only after much striving and maturity.
Your question is particularly interesting as you are Brazillian. My sister married a Brazillian, and from her accounts, the race and class social structure in Brazil is unique, very different from the one here in the US or for that matter in most other places. So you have a unique perspective on the matter.

Answer 7

There is only one race for us and that is Human. Being of mixed race means that you share racial traits with other animals. As for ethnicity, too many people try to categorize others and label them which makes it very hard for a child, being just a child, to grasp an identity or a place to belong. Sadly most belonging is based on prejudice and not integration. then of course we have the vices of each ethnicity to deal with and it directly affects those who do not follow that stereotype. If you can solve that problem you can solve the greatest problem for mankind.

Answer 8

so you are a mixture of three races that was clever of you're mother. There are not many 'if any' europeans who are not of mixed race. visually you cannot notice you would have to test them/us on a genetic level or have a DNA test to get to the bottom of that conundrum. I myself have a English father and a Welsh mother which makes me Celtic/ Anglo Saxon which means i am 100% European. Different tribes but European all the same. I am not proud or ashamed it is just what i am

Answer 9

damn i dont even know where to start. i am biracial mother white (polish&german) father african american. growing up u feel like u dont fit in completely with either side for 1 ur darker than ur white side but lighter than ur black side for some strange reason the world makes it so u have to chose a side there will always be racism in this world not even among whites & blacks but between every race. me personally i have only encountered racist remarks from white people like being called mutts & halfbreeds & half monkeys etc etc i was always accepted into the black society. NO1 ON THIS EARTH IS OF 1 RACE WE ARE ALL MIXED WITH SOMETHING

Answer 10

people that are the type to have identity issues are going to find the easiest thing to have an issue about. Its just convenience. the mixed race doesn't cause the identity issue. the identity issue is there to begin with and manifests itself wherever possible