As a Puerto Rican who happens to have parents of Black, Italian, German, Spanish, and Taino heritage, I was always aware of my brown skin. My father was married to a Japanese lady, whioch many of the Japanese traditions were brought into my household. So I grew up in a very diverse way of thinking in Puerto Rico. But it wasn't until I came to the USA where my brown skin became an issue. Every experience during my schooling and life in the USA was about my Mexican heritage, which I know nothing because I am not Mexica. :) In the USA, I discovered how issues of color dominate and become determinants of social class, education, and status. I thank my career as an artist and a gay man that has helped me understand racism and experience and better adapt to injustice. I am a better man because I was taught to be many things. Of so many colors, so complicated and, most of all, I am a better man because I was taught never to criticize, or judge.
What a wonderful and rich upbringing you had! Rascism robs everyone of such complexity and variety. When we value one way of being over all others, we shut down the possibilities of infinite diversity. ~ Brenda