To the ones who believe asking, “What are you?” is a valid conversation starter,
I am multiracial and proud, but to simplify my ethnicities to others when asked, I identify myself as Asian. I was stereotyped because of how we are perceived in media and society. I spent years cowering in my own skin because others made me believe I was not Asian because of the size of my eyes, the color of my hair, and my personal interests. I was ashamed of what I looked like since I was convinced it embodied who I am as a person.
When I was younger, I constantly ran to the mirror after locking the bathroom door to squint my eyes, slant them, hoping they would get smaller so I could fit the so called Asian ‘cookie-cutter mold.’ I even contemplated dyeing …show more content…
“So you’re not Asian. You are a Pacific Islander.”
I know I’m Asian and dedicated years to become a cookie from the stereotypical ‘cookie-cutter mold,’ so to be told I was not was bewildering. However, I did not let this overpower me because I finally decided to not be swayed by other people’s stereotypes and their impressions of what my ethnicities are to them. I should not attempt to be a cookie, nor let others’ opinions of myself outweigh my judgement. Instead, I should be myself.
Two years later in middle school, a few of my peers paraded towards me and rudely asked out of nowhere, “So what are you?” I could have bitterly said “American” and get on with my life, but I decided to give them their awaited response.
“I’m Asian,” I answered them.
Their eyes grew in shock and fascination, like I was some sort of performing zoo animal.
“Wow! You have big eyes for an Asian!” they exclaimed.
I do not recall what happened right after that, but I do know that it did not dominate my self-perception and evoke the countless insecurities I was struggling with years prior. By then, I had already accepted and embraced myself and my appearance. I learned to not aspire to be a label because there is more to me as a
I am multiracial and proud, but to simplify my ethnicities to others when asked, I identify myself as Asian. I was stereotyped because of how we are perceived in media and society. I spent years cowering in my own skin because others made me believe I was not Asian because of the size of my eyes, the color of my hair, and my personal interests. I was ashamed of what I looked like since I was convinced it embodied who I am as a person.
When I was younger, I constantly ran to the mirror after locking the bathroom door to squint my eyes, slant them, hoping they would get smaller so I could fit the so called Asian ‘cookie-cutter mold.’ I even contemplated dyeing …show more content…
“So you’re not Asian. You are a Pacific Islander.”
I know I’m Asian and dedicated years to become a cookie from the stereotypical ‘cookie-cutter mold,’ so to be told I was not was bewildering. However, I did not let this overpower me because I finally decided to not be swayed by other people’s stereotypes and their impressions of what my ethnicities are to them. I should not attempt to be a cookie, nor let others’ opinions of myself outweigh my judgement. Instead, I should be myself.
Two years later in middle school, a few of my peers paraded towards me and rudely asked out of nowhere, “So what are you?” I could have bitterly said “American” and get on with my life, but I decided to give them their awaited response.
“I’m Asian,” I answered them.
Their eyes grew in shock and fascination, like I was some sort of performing zoo animal.
“Wow! You have big eyes for an Asian!” they exclaimed.
I do not recall what happened right after that, but I do know that it did not dominate my self-perception and evoke the countless insecurities I was struggling with years prior. By then, I had already accepted and embraced myself and my appearance. I learned to not aspire to be a label because there is more to me as a