Being biracial is not something that I am constantly conscious of until it's brought to my attention. I grew up with my black mom, so I identify as an African American woman. For me, it is easier to lean toward one or the other. Sometimes I felt not “black enough” for one group but I don’t speak Spanish so at times felt not “Hispanic enough” for the other. So growing up I wasn’t exactly sure until I got older where I identified. Now, I identify as a black woman but if you ask me specifically, I will proudly say that I am biracial (African-American/Dominican/Colombian). More than anything it (being biracial) has given me the opportunity to learn more about people and where they come from, both geographically and mentally.
My birth certificate actually doesn’t have a race on it because my parents couldn’t decide what to put. Living in Texas and not being Mexican was a big deal to my dad’s family. So he wanted my certificate to say Black, Dominican, and Colombian. But the nurses complained that they didn’t have time or space to put all of that down.
I just kind of knew growing up that I was biracial. When I was growing up, my grandma was adamant I knew that I was not just black but also Hispanic. Being Hispanic has definitely affected different parts of my life, for example, I prefer a lot of Caribbean Spanish food versus enchiladas and the typical stuff here in Texas.
For me, being biracial has made it easier for me to be more accepting and understanding of people. I can be more open to people of different ethnicities and backgrounds. Most people assume "mixed race" means you are black and white, and its so much more complex than that. There aren’t many stories, movies, or anything for people who aren't that traditional mix. Being mixed doesn't even mean that you have to have black in you at all, which is another misconception.
It has always been easier for me to identify as black because of my skin tone. And even though I identify as a black woman, I love being biracial. I love having all of this cultural and heritage in my blood.