“I’m not comfortable in my own skin”: The Plight of Multiracial Children

Precursor to Danielle's presentation on the dichotomy of multiracial life
In the film "None of the Above", we see an adorable young multiracial boy articulate the full essence of his heritage. He seems proud and adamant. However, the reality is less comforting. Multiracial individuals, especially children, often suffer identity crises because they are confused about their racial makeup and cultural heritage. They are unable to connect completely with either side of this multifold background (NAACP article). However, I think that in light of a society that implicitly encourages linearity, unresolved identity issues continue to plague multiracial children because their unique cultural and racial heritages are not acknowledged by the greater society. Institutions render multiracial individuals almost invisible. Children's storybooks and films portray characters of singular heritage, for example. From school enrollment forms to standardized testing, multiracial children often find themselves essentially forced to make a monoracial decision in having to check one box or identify as "Other": other, different, not mainstream. There have been all too many cases of multiracial children being teased and bullied in school for being different: for being one thing and yet another, for not quite being this but not quite being that either.

Because society's resistance to multiculturalism has ill side effects, I hope we all can take a consolidated effort to learn not to discriminate or make assumptions about people based on phenotype but look within and learn to embrace multiculturalism and the unique assets that mutliracial/ multicultual individuals bring to society. I hope we can gradually widen our currently narrow-minded American viewpoint, of perceiving America as a a "salad bowl" with separate and distinct racial contributions, and hence a power hierarchy of oppression and domination, pivoting race against race.

Because not all children are treated "the same" in classrooms, instructors need to re-evaluate the idea of equality and ensure that every student is afforded opportunities for academic excellence and personal growth. Living in a multicultural and multiracial society dictates that the classroom climate should encourage multiculturalism and embrace this new population of students, increasing in number and complexity. Institutions like schools need to make multiracial children feel wanted and welcome. They should reassess their curriculum and make any necessary adjustments to recognize and accommodate this population. Teachers can instruct about famous multiracial individuals such as Frederick Douglas, Tiger Woods, and Colin Powell. They can invite members from the local community into schools to serve as positive multiracial role models. Having real role models is crucial to students' overall success and positive racial identity Furthermore, teachers must encourage peers to acknowledge and accept multiracial children, as well as foster a safe environment for multiracial children to learn and develop their identities. Finally, teachers should supply their classrooms with books that feature multiracial children. A safe and welcoming learning environment is paramount to a child's development. Multiracial children will learn on level ground to grow to become responsible citizens, comfortable among society. They will learn to make identity decisions and society should not marginalize them by their choices.