As a multiracial person, my identity has always been complex and filled with constant self-discovery. I am a product of two different backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicities, which has helped me embrace and celebrate my diversity.
Despite the challenges, I have learned to appreciate the richness of my background and the beauty of the multiple cultures that run through my veins.
Growing up, I was often asked the question, “what are you?” It would happen everywhere I went, once people noticed my mixed heritage. Sometimes the question would come from a genuine curiosity, but other times, it was a blunt way of pointing out my differences.
I would feel uncomfortable, and often the urge to explain my cultural heritage exhaustively. However, as a child, I did not know how to explain it, nor did I understand the importance of embracing my diversity.
As I grew up, I began to understand that I am unique and bring a blend of cultures and traditions that make me who I am. I am half Asian and half African American – a beautiful combination that allows me to celebrate both cultures, and embrace the attributes that make me who I am.
Embracing my Multiracial Identity
Embracing my multiracial identity meant that I had to accept and love every part of myself, including the parts that may be different from those around me. It requires self-love, patience, and courage.
As a multiracial individual, it can be easy to feel like you don’t belong anywhere, as you don’t quite fit into each culture wholly. However, I have learned to find the beauty in my uniqueness, and rather than focusing on the differences, I see the similarities that bind the cultures together.
I believe it is important to surround ourselves with people who see us for who we are, and not just the label of our race. People who appreciate and accept our background without judgment help us feel confident and proud of our heritage.
More importantly, we should be the first to embrace our multiracial identity and celebrate the picturesqueness of our background.
Celebrating My Multiracial Diversity
Over the years, I have learned to celebrate my diversity and find the commonalities between the two cultures. As a multiracial person, I have experiences and knowledge that not everyone has, and I have learned to use that to my advantage.
I can empathize and understand different worldviews, speak multiple languages, and appreciate different forms of art, music, and food. All of these things contribute to my unique identity and make me stand out from the crowd.
For example, growing up, we would celebrate both Chinese New Year and African American holidays like Juneteenth, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. I have learned to embrace both cultures, celebrate them fully, and draw inspiration and joy from each one
. I find that appreciating each culture fully and finding the similarities has been a key factor in appreciating my heritage.
The Struggles of Navigating Multiracial Identity
While being multiracial brings forth a plethora of beauty and uniqueness, navigating this identity can also come with struggles.
It can be challenging to fit in with one’s own family members fully or to be as part of another culture. At times we can feel like we don’t belong anywhere, and it can make us feel isolated and disconnected from others.
Growing up, I often felt like I had to choose one culture over the other, and it would break my heart. It was not until I learned to embrace both cultures, and allow them to co-exist and complement one another that I found solace.
It is essential to acknowledge that we come from different backgrounds and just as we have strength, we may also have weaknesses. Learning to combine it all and find harmony is key to developing as a multiracial person.
Embracing Multiculturalism
Though multiracialism may come with difficulties, there are endless benefits to growing up in a multicultural family. Multiculturalism teaches us about different cultures and opportunities to adapt and learn about different ways of life.
Multiculturalism teaches us to be open-minded and tolerant, appreciate diversity, promote inclusivity, and create harmony in our communities.
Growing up in a multicultural family has taught me that our backgrounds shouldn’t be used as a divisive tool, but as a way to embrace diversity and celebrate our differences.
By sharing different views, values, and traditions, we can all learn and grow from one another. In a world, grasping to be diverse, our upbringing can point us in the right direction.
Conclusion
In conclusion, being multiracial has allowed me to embrace and celebrate diversity in all its forms. It has taught me to appreciate the beauty that stems from different cultures and traditions, and the richness from the blending of cultures.
Multiracialism should not be viewed as a hindrance or a weakness but celebrated for what it truly is, an endless source of diversity and strength. Learning to embrace our multiracial heritage can give us a sense of self-love, self-respect, and identity.
It allows us to be unique and colorful in our approach to life. Embracing and celebrating Multiracial Identity may bring about struggles, but, at the end of the day, the beauty it brings forth to the world is second to none.
