Being Biracial in America

In American history, we learn about the immigrants that came to this country from all over the world in search of better living opportunities. This is a nation whose ancestry includes every type of person, and whose ideal of freedom under law has inspired millions throughout the world to dream. I am able to live this dream because my parents worked hard to change their conditions. In our society, I am considered a minority, and although I didn’t experience the harsh discrimination my parents did, I have gone through my own life challenges.

I often experience this life as a two-dimensional world: One in which I am forced to be either part of the African-America culture or the Mexican culture, the other in which I am a part of neither, but I am more than the limitations of culture. My African-American father and Mexican-American mother created the non-traditional home setting in which I was raised and which has prepared me to live this duality. Both my parents are highly educated, highly successful professionals who have chosen not to let the racist attitudes of both the majority American culture and the minority cultures color their perspectives of the world.

My father was born and raised in Alexandria, Louisiana in the 1950’s when segregation and racism was the norm. Despite the fact that his parents provided a lower middle class home, they nevertheless struggled. It was normal for him to use segregated facilities and endure racial name calling. It was unthinkable to even attempt to have a friendship with a white person during his childhood. My mother on the other hand, was born in Monterrey, Mexico and immigrated to the United States with her family as a little girl. Her family also underwent their own struggles growing up in south Texas. Both my father and my mother were taught that education was their first priority and only ticket to a better life. Both my parents grew up in very strict homes, with discipline, learning at an early age the importance of values and family. My father graduated from high school at the age of 16 and my mother graduated valedictorian of her class. They met in college and later married, each determined to excel in their own fields. They knew that to provide their children with a better life, a life without social inequalities, education and a hard work ethic were imperative.

The one action they both took which set them apart from both the minority and the majority cultures was to become Bahá’ís, followers of the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh. In our home, race was never an issue and I never thought it was odd that my father was Black and my mother was Hispanic--family is family. This is because as Bahá’ís, we are committed to the elimination of prejudice of all kinds, and to the oneness of humanity. It was not until my teenage years that I began to understand how radically different our family’s views were and I vowed to be a Bahá’í myself.

Being of a biracial background can make it difficult in this world for one to feel as though one fits in to the “norm,” or belongs to just one group or culture. I think there comes a point as one grows older, when those blurred lines of the difference between cultures becomes more distinct. It is at that turning point that most biracial children feel as though they are forced to choose between cultures. Over-compensation usually seems to be a symptom for children of dual ethnicity; it is difficult because when the time comes for a child to begin to search for their identity, it is hard for them to find a sense of belonging. I have endured these painful journeys myself.

While being from two cultures has never been an issue in my family and the difference in color had no part in the way we loved or interacted with each other, I think this perspective is very different from how most of society views diversity. People in our society make being biracial a complex issue, and in some ways a negative one. This pervasive mentality led me to feel as though it was wrong to be biracial. One vivid example of my uneasiness happened at my high school in Chicago. The kids separated themselves into groups, often by race or ethnicity. At the beginning I hung out with anyone and everyone, but the segregation within the school relentlessly pressured me to pick sides. It was hard for me to feel a part of any group. The black kids didn’t see me as black enough, and the Mexican kids didn’t even acknowledge my Hispanic side. The Black kids thought because of my light complexion, I acted as though I was too good for them. This caused many problems for me at that time; kids bullying me for something over which I had no control. On the other hand, when I tried to associate myself with the Hispanic kids, it seemed as though they had no interest in getting to know me because they figured I was too dark complexioned to be full Hispanic. I discovered that a lot of people didn’t try to get to know me because they figured that they wouldn’t really be able to fully relate to me since I was biracial. It never made sense to me that in order for me to belong, I would have to be one or the other culture. I told myself that it was not acceptable that the “norm” was a person who was of only one ethnicity. I was torn between these two worlds that somehow had to be united, as they were in my family and my Bahá’í community.

I believe children of biracial decent will find peace being themselves only when they realize that they are neither one culture nor the other, but in fact more than that, a child of God. It took me a while to come to the realization that I am neither black nor Mexican—I am more than the limitations imposed upon me by either culture. I am a strong, compassionate, human-being—I am a Bahá’í. This is the one culture in which I belong. Being a Bahá’í has allowed me to understand that the “human race is regarded as a trust of the whole—is guided by an inner ethical orientation that does not come only from legislation and education but from a divine source.” (Bahá’í Writings).

Although racial tension continues to exist in our country, America is largely diverse. I personally believe that it is our obligation as Americans to step forward and be examples of the basic ideals and values this country holds dear. “America’s peace, prosperity, and even her standing in the international community depend on healing the wounds of racism and building a society in which people of diverse backgrounds live as members of one family.”

My parents’ struggle to overcome obstacles is an experience every new generation of immigrants has to go through. However, until we as Americans break free of these racial barriers, our country will be paralyzed. To be an American is to be a united people, with no limitation. We should first consider ourselves human beings so that the sense of brotherhood is an easier concept to accept. Maybe people are afraid that they might lose their heritage if they adopt such a stance. We must understand that by having “unity in diversity,” we as a whole will prosper. We should not ask anyone to give up their heritage, for it is this beautiful diversity that is what makes us such a magnificent nation. However, we must understand that no real change will come about without “close association, fellowship, and friendship among diverse people.” When we finally achieve this unification, America will shine resplendently, like the polished gem the forefathers envisioned it to be. Then, truly, will God Bless America.

(all content Copyright National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States, 2000-2003, do not use without permission)