Hapa identity is often defined by a lack of one. Hapas can identify with one side or the other, but that does not guarantee acceptance by either. Because of this, many Hapas go through life without feeling the wholeness that most experience on a daily basis.
It's not easy being green, or orange or violet for that matter. Why? To most of the world, there is no such thing as Hapa. And since we do not exist, we have no issues to address. We are either A or B. Not A+B.
When a Hapa does anything negative to society, his or her mixed background will probably be brought to light. When a Hapa does something positive for society, his or her background is either ignored or falsely stated as being from a single race.
The only sustainable solution to these problems is to create a separate Hapa identity that touches on everything that makes us similar, from our unique perspectives to the real issues we face.
A first step in doing this is to identify ourselves. Did you know that Obama is a Hapa? Maybe you do and you take pride in that. If so, then good! We should be proud of him!
Like anything great in this world, our varied backgrounds need to come harmoniously together to create something more than the sum of our parts - something 100% whole.
Read More......
Thursday, December 31, 2020
What are you?
Are you tired of hearing this question from people you've just met? I am. I was born and raised in the USA. People are not going to know me better if they learn what country my grandfather is from. If they're curious or just making conversation, fine. But if they want to box me into one of their preconceived racial stereotypes, then let's face it. They're racist.
I answer this question in several different ways, depending on the situation. But if they're looking to define me by my race, I'll answer like this: "I'm Hapanese." People don't recognize "Mixed Race" or "Hapa" as a true racial category, even though that describes me far better than my actual racial mix. So I add "nese" to the end of it.
I'm Hapanese. Deal with it. That's what I am. Read More......
I answer this question in several different ways, depending on the situation. But if they're looking to define me by my race, I'll answer like this: "I'm Hapanese." People don't recognize "Mixed Race" or "Hapa" as a true racial category, even though that describes me far better than my actual racial mix. So I add "nese" to the end of it.
I'm Hapanese. Deal with it. That's what I am. Read More......
Sunday, October 24, 2010
The Anger Resurfaces
In the past week, I must have had 20 different people ask me what race I was. And so I'm back to trying to figure out why - why is that? Would the answer to that question solve some great mystery for them? They often say that they're just making conversation. And yet, when I give them the run around or a hard time about it, they often persist. They can't let go to their need of an answer. They need to know what race I am. Why?
Maybe they just want to classify me. They don't understand what I am and for them, my racial background would answer that. Thus, whether or not they would admit it, they're racist. But maybe everyone is racist to some extent and doesn't want to admit it. If that's true, then I guess I think the average person is too racist.
Most probably, none of these people had a clue that their curiosity could be a symptom of subconscious racism. But can we really call ignorance a valid excuse? No. And it's just for that reason that I don't assume that they're all racist. I just don't know whether or not that's true. I can only guess. But we hapas have to deal with this kind of thing all of the time. So we have to have a way to deal with it. Personally, my gut tells me that ignoring it is not the best strategy.
If you have your own strategy, let me know. Right now, I figure that I'll continue to explore. The answer is somewhere out there, right next to the truth. Thanks Fox.
And here is the rest of it. Read More......
Maybe they just want to classify me. They don't understand what I am and for them, my racial background would answer that. Thus, whether or not they would admit it, they're racist. But maybe everyone is racist to some extent and doesn't want to admit it. If that's true, then I guess I think the average person is too racist.
Most probably, none of these people had a clue that their curiosity could be a symptom of subconscious racism. But can we really call ignorance a valid excuse? No. And it's just for that reason that I don't assume that they're all racist. I just don't know whether or not that's true. I can only guess. But we hapas have to deal with this kind of thing all of the time. So we have to have a way to deal with it. Personally, my gut tells me that ignoring it is not the best strategy.
If you have your own strategy, let me know. Right now, I figure that I'll continue to explore. The answer is somewhere out there, right next to the truth. Thanks Fox.
And here is the rest of it. Read More......
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Friday, October 9, 2009
Nobel Surprise
Congratulations Mr. President! Hapa or not, you stand as a beacon for all who look forward to the day when people will look at each other with colorblind eyes.
Read More......
Monday, August 31, 2009
Ethnicity and Fighting
Congratulations to multiracial and multifaceted fighter Brandon "The Truth" Vera for winning his last fight at UFC 102! His opponent, Krzysztof, is probably wishing that his game had a few more facets.
Read More......
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Think happy thoughts!
Optimism apparently lengthens one's life. So in the spirit of optimism, I will list a few changes that we could see in the next decade.
1. Marrying someone with another ethnicity will become the norm. Less racists in America will mean less sentiment to "keep the bloodlines pure".
2. Hapa identity will become a reality. Mixed race adults will not have grown up wondering what their place was in the racial scheme of things, because it will be clearly defined: Hapa. Mixed race children won't have to worry about getting picked on in school for being mixed, because there will be a lot more like them who they will relate to.
3. The government will realize that supporting racial mingling improves social stability and leads to a healthier, stronger population. So a bill will be passed making Hapa children worth an additional 2k in tax credit to parents. (Ok, maybe that's taking it a little far. But hey, I need to be optimistic!) Read More......
1. Marrying someone with another ethnicity will become the norm. Less racists in America will mean less sentiment to "keep the bloodlines pure".
2. Hapa identity will become a reality. Mixed race adults will not have grown up wondering what their place was in the racial scheme of things, because it will be clearly defined: Hapa. Mixed race children won't have to worry about getting picked on in school for being mixed, because there will be a lot more like them who they will relate to.
3. The government will realize that supporting racial mingling improves social stability and leads to a healthier, stronger population. So a bill will be passed making Hapa children worth an additional 2k in tax credit to parents. (Ok, maybe that's taking it a little far. But hey, I need to be optimistic!) Read More......
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