Biracial and the Unwritten Rules . . .

Now to understand this phenomena, it's simple.

People are not allowed to pretend to be another race. This is one of the most sacred of the Unwritten Rules since the inception of society. 

I know this from experience. Especially when someone would not be convinced of what I claimed to be. It was always the same song and dance. I was met with anger and opposition. In some cases I would be an out right social outcast.

You know this phenomena exists because most likely you live in a Nation. Further more, this nation has Clear and well defined Borders. And if you reside within these borders you must possess Identification authenticating your residency status whether you're a native or naturalized citizen. If you don't have the proper nationality status you get a free ride out of the country. 

To some measure we all understand what it means to be considered the other. 

It seemed everywhere I went whether it was on the school yard or in front of my house playing street football, race was a common recurring theme.

- When I was younger I'd hear things like; 

"Your hair is too straight, you Mexican Henry." 

- Or on the other side of the spectrum, " Usted no habla español? No eres realmente un mexicano".

I can still recall how strange growing up Biracial was for me. I happen to be a Mexican and African American at the same time.

Blaxican for the sake of simplification. 

Of course those aren't the only races I could be a decendant of, but nobody really cares. My whole life I've had others (e.g. friends, family, acquaintances) tell me who I am, or what I can or cannot do according to which ever group I can be conveniently associated with.

And Yet, I can't lie . . .

I'm also guilty of stereotyping myself when it served me. When I was a young man it seemed like a convenient way to explain my various skill sets to different ethnic groups. If I wanted to play basketball with the "brothers" I had to make it be known that I got skills based on the mere fact that I am part black, so I would always get picked that way. 

Then you would hear me say things on the basketball court like "boy, you know this young bloods got skills", or " Undercover Brother has entered the building" after a major play.

It was always fascinating to me, all I had to do was make a vague reference to which race I affiliated with and I can get people to bite and say the same things, "what are you?", they would ask. My reply would be, " Human last time I checked.", then there would be that awkward laugh and then, "Really, what is your race?", as if I'm being challenged at the airport by the T.S.A about my boarding pass. 

Sometimes the line of questioning would get intense. Folks really take their identity to the extreme when it comes to race. 

It wasn't until I was older that I could understand that ones perception of me will always differ from person to person. With that in mind I knew as long as I am true to myself, that is what defines me.