When I was little girl, I had my first experiences with being labeled, expected to fit into one box or the other. People tended to jokingly refer to me as one part of me depending on what the situation was. As far as I was concerned, it wasn't so bad. But the older I got the more tedious it became. At some point, it just became the norm to hear the same jokes and questions...every. single. day. Instead of making this essay format, I decided to make a list of things mixed kids are all too familiar with hearing and dealing with.

1. "Did you cut your hair?"

You literally ask me this every week. How often do you think I cut my hair?

2. "Do you identify as your mom or your dad's race?"

3. "Bubble in one choice from the following races:...."

4. To my mother: "Does she speak Spanish?"

5. When a cashier stares at me like I'm crazy when I follow my mom up to the register:

6. "Why are you so pale?"

Genetics?

7. "You act so white."

I haven't "acted white" or "black" a day in my life.

I act like me.

8. "Your hair looks so much better straight!"

On top of all the pressure of feeling like I should look more like most of my friends when I was growing up, it was never the best confidence booster to basically be told I should flat-iron or relax my hair regularly.

9. "It's like a pillow! Can I touch it?!"

I used to wear my hair up or in a hat because I was embarrassed of my hair. Now when I wear my hair up, it's simply because I don't like attention.

10. "You should only be half offended!"