The Hapanese Manifesto

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......

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......