Published by Leea Ivanel -- October issue -- CAMPUS NEWS
“I’m Armenian, Norwegian, Irish, English, German, Filipino, Hawaiian, Portuguese, Spanish, and Chinese. I’m very proud to be as mixed as I am,” said junior Kalea Pasion.
There are many types of labels people identify themselves with today, and being multiracial is just another one of them -- however, it is not one that is often talked about.
Multiracial people, according to a study done by CenusScope, make up around 2.4 percent of America’s population, and, according to the California Department of Education, around 16 percent of Carlmont’s student population.
With Carlmont High School having a variety of opportunities to express one's identity, such as Pride Week and the Heritage Assembly, it may come as a surprise to some that Carlmont doesn’t also celebrate multiraciality.
Pasion said, “I think multiculturality should be celebrated, especially since it’s become more common. The best part of being multiracial is that I get the best of each culture and I can fit in almost everywhere!”
However, being multicultural is about more than just about making friends and fitting in.
Pasion said, “It’s a huge part of who I am. Many of my cultures emphasise community bonds, so it’s very important to me to be welcoming and kind to as many people as I can.”
A strong emphasis on community bonds also exists with other multicultural individuals, such as senior Josh Harris, the president of the Latinos Unidos club. Harris is half-Latino and half-black, and is affected by the racism and prejudice both communities have been facing.
Despite the downside of being multiracial, Harris said, “People like to single my family out, but that’s only brought us closer together. In my cultures, family is the strongest bond you have, and it reminds us of how awesome we are.”
Still, there are some who do not have the opportunity to interact within a large group of people who share their culture, such as sophomore Abygail Lan, who is a quarter-Iroquois and Cherokee and half-Taiwanese.
“While there aren’t many Native Americans left, I instantly connect with people that share my culture. Being multicultural has also shaped how I see the world because I understand the perspective of more than one group,” said Lan.
Similar to Pasion, Lan said that she is proud to be part of her cultures.
Every multiracial person has a different experience with their identity; For some it’s a big part of who they are, and for others it is a way to connect with more people.
Whatever the case may be, multiraciality is an identity that is quickly growing, and even though each multiracial person comes from different cultures, it is still one identity.
Harris said, “We are united as one, and we are proud to be multiracial.”