I am Black and Irish, do you think it's fair that...

I think you have the right to celebrate and embrace (or not celebrate or embrace) any part of your heritage you choose or don't choose to. This is an interesting discussion because it really brings out that people only care to look at what they can see. At least strangers do. My ethnicity is asian, but *I* don't consider myself my ethnicity. I was adopted so my whole family is American - Dutch and German American. That's IT. I don't know anything else and I shouldn't be expected to know anything else, and I don't really particularly care about anything else. I realize I sound a bit irritated but once again just today in fact someone asked me 'what's your ethnicity?' and then they asked me about my daughter! I am tired of people asking that question. I don't see how it has anything to do with who I am. My husband is American... and we have three blond kids. I believe if someone is enriched by and loves part of their heritage, then that's important and it's up to each individual to determine that value for themselves. If I were talking to you face to face I probably wouldn't even ask you anything, but if you mentioned your irish descent I would be interested to hear what you knew. In all actuality, most people are a mix of many different things, so the idea that someone would be 'not accepted' by one group or another makes my head spin. That is unreasonable and disrespectful of both groups to act or feel that way, at least in my opinion. It doesn't matter how you look, what matters is... what's important to you. Some people are super stoked about their heritage or ethnicity, others just don't think it matters. It would be prudent for strangers to wait until they know which side of the line someone else falls on before beating a person over the head about it.

I have lived a lifetime of what you are just beginning. I come from a mixed family too: Cherokee, English, Ethiopian on dad's side, and Black (don't know anymore than that, unlike my dad, mom was from a slave family), Irish, and Cherokee. Averaged out, we were considered 1/3 native american, 1/3 caucasian, and 1/3 black. To make matters worse for me, I was the one who had the most black attributes; and the one who seriously sunburns in 15 mins or less-can you say "oxymoron"? I never quite fit in at home, too young (I'm the baby) and too different. I never fit in at school because I was too black for whites and too white for blacks. I was a mental mess until I got tired of trying to be what everyone else wanted me to be and said: "the 'H' with it, I am what and who I am, I'm me, and if that isn't good enough for other people, then that's just too bad"; a great turning point in my life, yes it was. I suppose I'm a gluten for punishment because I married a German-american whose heritage was German on his father's side; and English and French-Canadian on his mother's side. Although darker than my immediate family, my children look more like them than I ever have. People still wonder if I adopted my kids. LOL! I have often been pre-judged because of the way I look; but Often people have changed their opinion of me after speaking to me for five minutes or less. Because of my ability to win over people, I have side-steped a lot that others who look like me have not been so fortunate to avoid. My kids tell me that they are more black than I am, and they try to teach me how to be black--I still don't get what they mean. Any who, just a round about way of saying it doesn't matter how others see you, Bamboo, it matters how you see and accept yourself for your very own uniqueness. Besides' no one is going to think you're cool if you don't. You are one of the luckiest people in the world, you are singularly a virtual united nation...and cute to boot, people are just jealous! LOL!! Stand strong for the Multicultural Folk, we be cool, real cool. Always remember that it is okay to be you. I love myself and you should love yourself too.

I'm part Irish too. Can you see it? LOL I don't mind it if people don't notice it though. Some people are curious and come right out and ask what nationality I am, while others try to guess. The only time it really bothered me was right after the 911 attack and I heard some idiots tell me to go back where I came from. Back from where?!? I was born and raised in the USA and lived in California all my life. Okay, so I'm assuming that they were directing this comment at me, but as I was the only other person in the parking lot at the time I'm guessing the remark was directed at me. Needless to say, I was scared out of my mind, especially since I had one of my little ones with me, so I got the hell out of there. With so much anger running through those peoples veins, who knows what they would have done? I don't think you should have to defend your heritage. It might just be easier for others to lump it up into one and not the other. Try not to pay any mind to them. Good luck!

As much as we would love to believe that all is fair in life, unfortunately, it is not.. To answer your question, I think it's not fair, but I'm sure there are lots of other people out there that are not the discriminating kind and certainly not judgmental. I think that all races as well as different hair colors and accents with different cultures are all beautiful and unique in their own way. I like the saying unity in diversity, really. That sums it up there. All these unity in diversity are a beautiful mix and it can be of different heritage jumbled up together and by the way, I see you as an independent individual with a great and kind heart, I'm pretty sure of that. Don't mind so much about negative thoughts. You are beautiful in your own way and unique too.

I understand where you are comming from on this. And I"m happy that you are getting to know both ends of your heritage My half nephew is half "white" & half "black" and my half sister raised him to think he's white & not recognize his black half when clearly he's of mixed heritage. He should of been given the opportunity to explore his black side even if his dad is not an upstanding citizen. I don't like how society lumps people what so ever. Or they off the term on survey's ect as "Other". Well what is that??? Hubby says he's a "Heinz 57" a lil bit of everything in his tree. And I've often thought gee... why are people broken down in to these general groups? I know to simplify things. But where can I put on there that I"m Prussin & English? It feels like you are to deny your ancestry to a general catagory. Plus Prussia doesn't exist anymore, so in a way I"m confused too... do I say I"m German cause Prussia was part of Germany at one time + the family spoke German or Do I say I'm Polish because it's now part of Poland? You don't need to defend yourself to what your heritage is, you need to CELEBRATE IT! & pass what traditions you can of all sides on to your children as well

I know how you feel and it sucks that people today still use race to determine who you are. I am half Portuguese and half South African and so I have faced resistance on both sides. I grew up during the apartheid times so it was actually twice as worse for me as the black people hated me and also the white people hated me. When I moved to Australia I faced the same thing. I really think its beyond stupid for people to judge you and reject you because of your mixed heritage. Hell I think it's a blessing to have a variety of heritages! (My dad, is Portuguese, My mum is South African, My grandmother is Brazilian and my grand father is Egyptian)

go for it be proud to be black and irish as I a m proud to be white and irish.hurrah for the irish and do stick up for yourself. this is a lovely combination and you should darned well be proud of yourself. proud to be black and proud to be irish stand up straight and be kind to yourself. good luck, god bless

I am black and Irish and I don't think it's fair............. Hello BambooPanda, Thanks for sharing your ancestry with us mylotters. I would have never guess what your racial mix was just by looking at your pic. Mine is Black/white/Indian but the saying here in America is that if you have an ounce of black blood in you then you are considered black. It's not fair but that's just the way it is. Probably the best thing that you co do is tell people that you are multiracial. While this still may not embrace your Irish side it may at a minimum help people to understand that your racial ethnicity is more than just one thing. Welcome to the club, I've felt like an outsider almost all of my life due to the whole race issue but I still try not to allow it to stop me from being who I am or from achieving my goals. In my mind I am a beautiful gifted woman of God that was created in God's image.Take care and wishing you all the best!Please add me as a friend! Happy mylot.

I think that you should be considered to have Irish culture because you do understand and take part in it. As far as I am concerned everyone is human and just looking at someone and putting them in a box is ridiculous. I have been mistaken for Indian (from India) and Latina on several occasions but because I don't have any of those cultural beliefs and practices, I don't understand why. But I do disagree on you only focusing more on you Irish culture. You can follow Irish and American traditions equally without seeming less Irish. Show pride in both sides of your family and if people don't get it then it doesn't matter. You still going to be Irish and American at the end of the day no matter who believes you or not.

I sorry that you have to deal with this. I'm half white and half Puerto Rican. People do the same thing with me. They consider me white and because I don't look PR they dismiss it. I don't let it really bother me because I love being mixed and it's you I am. I enbrace my Puerto Rican side loving the food the music and of course my family. I just went to Puerto Rico for the second time and love it so much. In fact I'm hoping to sale my house and move there next year. That is how much I loved it. Enjoy and learn your Irish heritage and ignore people who don't understand or want to understand. Take care and enjoy because it will make you a more rounded person. If people can't appreciate that you don't need them in your life.

i think people should be able to claim where they are born and not be judged by their colours, i think i really like big size people like you, dont mind me, you look more of a black lady than irish but it makes your skin look more radiant, i do believe you can claim to be irish

Hello BambooPanda, What I think doesn't matter. It's what YOU think that is important. How do you see yourself. Obviously, you see yourself as bi-racial. Celebrate your ancestors happily and when people act the way people will act...smile and go on. Perhaps someday we will get past color of skin and look to what is within each person. I have a similar experience. I am Irish and Native American. And also German and Sicilian. I am proud of ALL my ancestors, but identify with the Irish and Native American the most. It seems those Irish genes speak the loudest... It is courageous of you to honor and celebrate what belongs to you. Ignore those who have no courage. Debi

I think you should not pay heed to such people and feel proud of your lineage. Ask them all to go jump! :) How you look is your personal genetics, not anybody's choice. Just be comfortable about it, love thyself.

I fully agree with you, sometimes society can be a bit expressional based on what their eyes can see. I'm African American and also Jamaican, and the first thing that comes to others mind is pot head or something outrageous like that. Even before i found out my Jamaican heritage half a year back, I had troubles with people thinking I was white because I have very civil manners and a very good sense of grammar in my speech. I can't speak for everyone out there who aren't that way and I wish the rest of society who lacks the common sense about it would have more natural respect for a person in general, instead of where they came from, but we cant have everything in life. It's a battle we'll go through everyday, but who knows? maybe there will be a big change someday. I don't expect it'll happen anytime soon, but tomorrows another day, right?

I am sorry to hear that some people treat or say something like that to you. There are still many racists people at this time even though racism is not quite acceptable but it still happens in our society at these days. All I can say that is, just be yourself. Do what you want to do as long you are comfortable with it and you are not hurting anyone. Be an Irish, it does not have to do with your skin color or features. Love your country.

well it doesnt matter who you are, what matter is your happy and contented with what you have and who you are.. you dont hve to be bi-racial.. accept both.. you dont have to tell them that your black or irish.. instead till them your a combination of irish and black.. giving that fact people will not ask why your black or why your sister is white.. they will have an idea out of their own.. so be proud of who you are.. be proud of your mother's root and your father's root... people will accept you in both way coz they know that you are proud to be one of them...

You can celebrate how ever you choose. The people you mentioned are, unfortunately just being people. Eventually if you keep looking you will find the crowd of people you will fit in with and along the way change a few peoples outlook at the world. But, for you I think patience and a bit of Irish stubornness will see you through untill that time comes.