tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658138279766595241.post1593796427750762209..comments2024-01-04T04:31:00.481-05:00Comments on Mixed Race America: The Authenticity TrapJenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261371053113519712noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658138279766595241.post-3671764155529674212012-03-15T11:31:09.242-04:002012-03-15T11:31:09.242-04:00I agree that authenticity can be a trap because wh...I agree that authenticity can be a trap because who is to be the judge of whether or not we meet the specified requisites of "Asianness"? However, language is an intrinsic part of any culture. My Korean has progressively gotten worse over the years and I do feel as if a part of my "Asianness" is slipping away. That's when my mind resorts to race being illusory according to genetics when all of mankind will eventually become brown anyway. And then I get confused all over again.Cho Guevarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06921005067400526399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658138279766595241.post-36961036598383305762012-03-07T05:39:20.658-05:002012-03-07T05:39:20.658-05:00We moved to New Zealand when I was seven. I spoke...We moved to New Zealand when I was seven. I spoke both English and Indonesian but lost it when my mother didn't speak it at home. Guess she thought it was locked in. Guess she thought her culture was inherent in me too because she never really explained many of the very complicated aspects of our tribal culture. (To be fair, i have a memory like a sieve.) So I often felt cut adrift - alienated from the culture I didn't understand but that accepted me & from the culture that was too used to everything and everyone revolving around it. And when I felt more Indonesian when I was in New Zealand and vice versa.<br /><br />When I go over to Indonesia to visit my family,, I know I belong in theory; but it's like not being able to see in colour or being able to taste. I love "going home". But I am not comfortable in my own skin. In more ways than one - God forbid anyone catch a glimpse of my tattoos.<br /><br />But being from two different cultures, races and countries has made me the interesting and complex person I am today. And ultimately, more often than not, it has given me the freedom to be whoever the hell I want to be. To pick and choose what I value from both cultures.Angeline Quick.https://www.blogger.com/profile/04113713867480528630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1658138279766595241.post-68639186359596691302012-03-06T10:48:29.573-05:002012-03-06T10:48:29.573-05:00Kermit the frog said, "It isn't easy bein...Kermit the frog said, "It isn't easy being green," and I always think of that phrase when I think about the authenticity of who we are as individuals. I often talk about our flaws as humans, too, and I think it is important that we recognize that in talking about race, identification, and authenticity.<br />No one should feel ashamed for the legacy of ethnicity, race and culture they carry with them. It is unique, even if there are similarities, parallels and overlaps, and as our brains try to categorize our experiences. Even so-called "white" Americans can learn so much about themselves and then be open to others' experiences when they detach from whiteness and look into the legacy of ethnicity (and migration) they carry with them. We are all ethnic, and, unfortunately, the social construct of race tries to obliterate that fact and skews an individual's self-worth in doing so. <br />Authenticity requires respectfulness, and while no one can demand respect, we can all work toward being more respectful of how other people come to be who they are.<br />Thanks as always for the cool posts!<br />Dianne<br />http://aboutracewriter.blogspot.com/Diannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00367333776511320196noreply@blogger.com