Whimsy Girl

Required Reading: What Does It Mean To Be White? A Philosophical Definition of Whiteness
So here’s a recurring theme in my life… the question of my race.

I’m your classic, mixed American mutt. People generally guess me as being Latino, even though that’s one of the few things I’m not.

Here’s the grandparent breakdown:
MGM – Japanese
MGF – Irish
PGM – Greek/German
PGF – General European Descent (aka white)/(with some Native American in there somewhere I think)

It’s a pretty motley mix, but of course the Japanese and Greek have more visible characteristics which I inherited. (Stay tuned for rants about my crazy curly hair)

I should state that I have not grown up with any culture outside of American. Outside of a few different occasions in my childhood when other kids pointed out that my skin was darker than theirs, I never really noticed it.

Until…

That day in 8th grade. The day they teach you how to fill out government forms. We practiced on copies of the Social Security Card form… and I checked the box marked ‘white’.
When I handed in the form, the teacher handed it back to me and told me to correct that. I was not white.

Well this sent me into a tailspin – what was I? What should I check? It hardly felt right to check the Asian box, I mean it’s only 25% of who I am.. what about the other 75%?? I felt like I’d be dissing my other grandparents to only associate with one of them.

So now.. MANY years later… I am still trying to figure that out. It came up again a few weeks ago. When I brought up the question to my DH, he was a little dumbfounded. Somehow – after 20 years of being together, my husband did not realize this was ever an issue for me. He had honestly just never thought about it (having no need to classify me as anything but HIS). (and yes, I totally saw him deflecting that away from his obliviousness – but he did it so WELL )

So I’ve been doing a little digging.. just what DOES it mean to be white? I found one I like:

Americans of European descents that are assimilated to the “American way of life

Still doesn’t help ME all that much. I am of part European descent, and I am completely American. I know nothing of ANY of my ethnic background. I am a small town, redneck country girl. (with dark skin and dark curly hair)

They NEVER give that as a box to check though darn it!

To confuse me even more.. my kids… I think they are white, nobody ever asks them what they ‘are’ anyway (what kind of question is that to ask someone anyway???)… no dark hair, no dark skin, no dark eyes. But they do have Asian and Mediterranean in them.

My father (Greek/German/White) lived on The Hill in St. Louis until he was like 10 or something when they moved to the country. Most of the extended family still lives there. So if there is any culture that I was actually raised with.. it would be Italian. (Outside of Redneck of course) The food I learned to cook (If my grandmother could find a way to put garlic in dessert she would.), the mannerisms I use, the way I talk wildly with my hands, etc etc etc… straight from The Hill. If I had to be placed with an ethnic group by behaviors, these would be the people I would fit in with.

Like I didn’t have enough choices that I am adopting a new one?

Anyway….
I found an excellent essay this morning on the subject. What Does It Mean To Be White? A Philosophical Definition of Whiteness

For now, I’m checking the box marked “Mixed Ethnic Descent” but usually I want to write in “none of your damn business” or “I’ll let you know if I ever figure it out”