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.