Identity

On just about every form in America there is a question that I guess on every time. It's the one about demographics. For most people you just check the box that matches your color of skin- white, black, hispanic, asian, etc. But for some of us, this question is a lot more complex.

This question of race becomes do I put what I look? Do I put what people think I am? Do I put the truth? Is that fair?

Being multiracial is a very weird concept because it's not black and white, literally. Out of the six kids in my family, numbers 1 & 6 look the most white, 2 & 5 look the most Arab, and 3 & 4 are the most blended. We all have green eyes, brown hair, and olive skin tone (except for the oldest who is really fair). So, are we white because we look white? I don't know. (If you want to see some pics... Family)

I also find it interesting that Middle Eastern is categorized with Caucasian on many forms or it is just left off completely. If the government is going to profile Arabs looking for terrorists and not whites, I think Arabs deserve a race bubble.

Also, why is this demographic question so important? What does it matter that I am half Arab and half white? Are you going to change the way you treat me? Colleges, in case you didn't know, choosing applicants based on this question is discrimination. As I was reading this article, On College Forms, a Question of Race, or Races, Can Perplex, I was disgusted. In theory colleges are trying to make their university more diverse, but in reality they are going against what their school stands for. You want the best and the brightest? Only look at SAT's and GPA's... don't even ask for my ethnicity. (Check out this article for more information- How Diversity Punishes Asians.)