Rachel Crick Photography

“I love being Hawaiian because of all the culture and fun I have. The history is so diverse that I will never get bored with the culture.”

“During the summer my daughter was seven, one of her friends spent most of the summer with us. Like a lot of little girls, they decided that they were going to be sisters. I remember my daughter telling her friend Aysia, “Since you’re my sister, you’ll be part Hawaiian like me and you’ll get to go to the festivals and get Hawaiian stuff.” That summer as I watched them play dress up, I observed my daughter dressing her friend in different native (dress) from Hawaiian print wear to a Kimona to her little Chinese dress and in her own little way explaining to her friend that this was everything that was part of her.”

“My ex husband and I did talk about the implications of a mixed race child. But because we were a mixed race couple and we had many friends and family we had a lot of support. We knew our children would be loved no matter what. I think how children relate to their own unique experience in life will depend greatly on how those around them, especially their parents, treat them and teach them to treat others. If children are raised exposed to all sorts of people and experiences and are taught acceptance and appreciation for life’s many wonderful differences, then they are most likely to feel this way about themselves.”

Christie Chontos
Jared Greenfield (4)
Aaron Greenfield (7)
Jade Baldwin (1 1/2)
Mom: White
Dad: Black

“My kids go to a predominately Black school. Aaron, being lighter with blue eyes and blond hair has had to see the difference. Aaron is proud of who he is. He is quick to tell someone he’s both Black and White when they think he’s only White.”

“Kids at school like to touch my hair, but I say please don’t touch my hair or it’s gonna get messed up.”

“The question of race has not been broached until the child became interested. For Quincy that talks only began recently. Quincy identifies more with the Black side because he goes to a Black school. I did not foresee any challenges because I already had biracial siblings who were seemingly well adjusted. I felt we would face any problems as they came.”

Monica Craig
Gary Craig
Brendan Craig (6)
Hope Craig (1)
Mom: Black
Dad: White

“As far as not looking like other kids. I remember how important it was when I was young, and when we moved into an predominately white neighborhood, and all of my friends at home were white. Although I did not really realize what I was doing at the time, when I was around my friends at home, I tried to make myself look like them as much as possible. When we went to the beach, I would cover myself up, so I would not get a tan. I would wear my hair down, and try and keep it as straight as possible, so it would look like my friends, instead of treasuring my curly hair and my brown skin. At school though, because it was a very diverse student body, I never tried to do anything like that. I was just me. That is why I think it is important for Brendan and Hope to go to a school that is very diverse, and that has students who are biracial, so they don’t feel that they have to try and identify with one race or the other in order to fit in, or try and be someone they are not, like I did. Brendan is at a school which is very diverse, and has several biracial students, which I am very happy about.”

“We have always identified our children as African American. So, the first time someone told my daughter she was “mixed” it ticked me off. I told her only she could identify herself, no one else. The way they presented this info to her made her feel like it was something to be ashamed of. We have always told her she was a pretty and smart little African American girl. People are always trying to ‘help’ us to classify her, we tell them our stance and explain that the majority of society sees her as Black and will treat her accordingly, so we are socializing her that way.”

Kathleen Graham
Kevin Graham
Leah Graham (3)

“She notices Mommy is pink, Daddy is dark brown, and “I’m light brown.” Leah probably related to her African American side, her whole family in Los Angeles is Kevin’s side, mine is back East. We have pictures of both sides of our family, and she has met her extended family members on both sides. Everyone loves her!”

“Race is not the only commonality. Just because you share the same race, does not mean you share ideals. I think my relationships are based on shared ideals with people in several races that give us commonality.”

“I personally, as the Irish father, see them as
predominantly Latino and Chicano, since they live in Colorado and Mexico is just down the street. They had to learn Spanish, but it was critical for both parents that they do so.”

“I think that I like being black. There is a lot a things I like learning from them. I like the style. The thing I like about being white is I can straighten my hair out flat.”

“I like being White because the all singer boy group called B5 is black and white. I like being Black because Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is black.”

“I love being black cause you have a lot of cousins and a big family. And I love being white cause we get a lot of beauty, that’s where I get all my beauty from, and I love being both cause I just do.”

“It would make it hard for them to identify with one part if they were singled out or outcast be either side (White or Black.) When they are grown, they will find that society will categorize them. Be it Race/Income/Political. As long as they have a strong sense of self and know who there are, they will be just fine. Society has not gown enough to recognize Multi-races!”

“My children, so far, have related pretty evenly between both races. As far as whether it invalidates one side if a child does related more to one of their races, I think that depends on the families attitude towards it. My children do not look white, but they are being raised by me and I will be the strongest female influence in their life. I am not offended it they identify more with their Black side. They are unique individuals. I did not make “mini me’s.” My daughter more than likely will be seen as a beautiful Black woman as she gets older. That doesn’t take away from the fact that she was raised by a strong, blonde, blue eyed, White woman.”

“I identify with Irish more because I live with only one of my real parents; my Mom, so I usually
identify to my Mom’s culture.”