I’m mixed hispanic and black. Most people’s first impression of me is that I’m Indian. Or really any other race besides the two. I’m pressed often by other latinos and black people about my race and heritage related to their “full-bloodedness” when they find out because I don’t have many of the distinct physical features they do, despite growing up in the same socioeconomic environment and had formative life experiences that are typically associated with both Latinos and Blacks. My mom was native Panamanian and my dad Puerto Rican. I’m essentially the result of three generations of race mixing. I don’t really publicly identify as either and just say I’m mixed with both because I feel like I can’t really say that I’m “Latino” or “Black” because I don’t fit the “look.” Even when I have said I’m mixed I’m still met with skepticism and jokes. I would say it definitely makes it harder for me to be comfortable in my own skin.