My dad's family came to NY from the Philippines. There was an interracial marriage back in the day (my great-grandad married a white woman), and my mixed-race grandfather also married a white woman. I often wonder what their experiences were. Everyone assumes I'm white, and for all intents and purposes that's accurate because I have all the privileges that go with white skin. But watching the video about the Native "one drop" rules and the pizza analogy, I identify a little. I've never felt like I can identify as Filipina because that hasn't been my experience in the world. Yet, to just say I'm white is a denial of some of my ancestors.
On a related note, I met a Filipina at an event last year. She saw my last name and recognized it (it's a common name in Luzon especially), and asked if I was Filipino. When I said yes, she very excitedly told me that if I went "back there" (I've never been), I'd be very popular because of my light skin. I was floored. How the hell do you respond to that, especially to a relative stranger?
I offer this to reflect on the nuances of colorism, the fetishization of light skin - and light eyes, as the green-eyed Latino guy pointed out - and for many of us, the impossibility of identifying as just one thing. What does it mean to be 1/8 Filipino? Am I white or not? To whom does this matter, counting either against me or in my favor, and why? How many other mixed race people do I know who I've just assumed are one thing? I'm always relieved when applications and other forms list "Other" or "Mixed" on the race question--why doesn't that happen everywhere?
I don't have answers. Just sitting with the questions.
You bring up another good point besides colorism here too. I have found people also judge you on how much you know of your cultures, which takes many forms (not speaking the language, how often you have visited the "mother country", etc). It is like a litmus test to see how well they can relate to you and if they can trust you. And when you check off what race you are on a form, employers are doing the same. It's infuriating.