As a mixed race female, I have the privilege of having (as Hannah Montana puts it) the best of both worlds. Considering I come from both a white background as well as a black background, I have insight regarding the culture of each and how they come to interact with one another.

One thing I have noticed is the idea that there are things white people like and enjoy, and these are completely separate from the things black people like and enjoy. If you are black and like something that is considered to be more stereotypically black, then you are at risk of being called out as "acting too white."

For example, liking country music is typically seen as an activity associated with white people. So if you are black and find yourself liking country music, be ready for the onslaught of people telling you that you act "too white."

For people like me, we're stuck right in the middle. People have always wanted to stick me into the bin of either being black or white, and so they use my hobbies and things I like to categorize me as one or the other. I like anime=white. I enjoy rap music=black. It's like no one wants to accept that I am both. I am not one or the other, I am both.

Their logic is flawed, anyway.

A person cannot act "like a color;" this is just blatant stereotyping. While it may seem harmless, it leaves mixed people like me finding themselves in an identity crisis as we are expected to align ourselves with only one race when we identify as multiple. Also, this demonizes anyone who doesn't align with the stereotypes assigned to their race. This also further divides race, and in our current situation, we need to be more united than ever. We can't have silly stereotypes splitting us apart.

In short, we need to get rid of stereotypes surrounding race. It does not contribute to a better society and only causes more harm.