Celina Wickham

Professor Sheila Fielding

WRTC 103
1/29/2016

I am a mixture of two. Two different cultures. Two different ethnicities. Two completely
different races of people came together and created who I am today. The correct term to describe
what I am is biracial. My mother being Caucasian and my father being African American has
definitely altered my experiences in various ways thus far. Being a member of the biracial
community has affected my life by forcing me to be a more mentally strong person, increasing
my uniqueness and best of all, making me more open minded to new ideas. Unfortunately,
having a biracial identity comes with more complications than society sees, but is still incredibly
special.
I will begin with my amazing mother. Born and raised in a more rural area, she spent her
childhood doing the typical things a tom boy did. She practically lived outside in upstate New
York, participating in sports all the time and horse playing with her brother. As for my father, he
grew up with his two sisters in Maryland before meeting my mother in the state of Virginia.
Society in their time was not exactly accepting of reproduction outside of ones race, especially
with one of African American decent. In the 1990s, it was simply looked down upon by most.
Even though it was a time way past segregation, everyone still did not favor the thought of
mixing of races. Despite my grandmothers extreme disapproval, my mother decided to live life

for herself and left her home bravely. A few years later I came into the picture. My mother gave
birth

to her first baby girl in the county of Hopewell, Virginia, Celina Marie Wickham. From there my
childhood began with solely my mother and two brothers.
I was raised in a Christian household meaning church every Sunday and you prayed
before every single meal. For the most part my childhood it was great, I learned how to ride a
bike and how to play hopscotch, all the normal activities. It wasnt until middle school that
conflicts arose. One could say middle school is rough for everyone but I believe my beginning
years there were such a constant fight. I grew up in an African American dominant area and
being light skin did not exactly work well for me. I was always having to explain that just
because my mother was white didnt mean I was spoiled, I was better than everyone or I
couldnt dance. At the time it mattered to me so I was repeatedly getting into fights with other
girls because I felt the need to prove myself. My hair was a whole other story. I desperately
wanted box braids just like everyone else but my hair was too soft and not thick enough to keep
the hold. When I tried flat ironing my hair, the humidity in the air would create an immediate
afro. I went through so many hair struggles that I didnt know what to do with myself. I stood
out with my curly long hair and in the moment all I wanted to do was blend in. It was apparent
to me as a preteen that I had to choose a side and the safe one was African American. Later on
during high school, perceptions of biracial people changed for the better. I remember a
commercial that aired during the Super Bowl which contained a little biracial girl who learned
that cheerios were healthy for your heart. After she discovered this, she adorably poured a

handful of cheerios on her fathers heart while he was taking a nap. Not only was this
commercial funny but it made me feel happy and prideful to be acknowledged by society.
Although it became a controversy, it was a step forward just have a company film a commercial
like that.

Expectations of biracial people do exist because some traits are very common among
us. Some being that we have good hair and most of the time its either long or naturally curly. I
asked some people what are expectations they have for biracial people and I got answers like
Light skin and Attractive and/or Conceited. I dont necessarily agree with conceited because
a lot of people are equally conceited. I would say the expectation I truly hate the most is when
people expect biracial people to be aware of every habit or tradition both races do.
Controversial elements of biracial people are always up in the air. One of the many
examples are previously stated, is it right to mix races? Due to this statement opinions are
developed and there is a claim that it is challenging to fit into a social group. This may be true in
many circumstances because its not right to make a child pick an ethnicity to stick to but in a
way society does. Questions on this topic continue If you have a racial identity that does not
neatly fit into this reality, how do you experience the world? How do others see you? How do
you see yourself? 'What are you? (Sean Smith, Biracial Identity: Beyond black and White).
People arent willing to step out of their comfort zone sometimes, so they will basically only
surround themselves with people similar to them. This unfortunately forces biracial children to
choose a race. This discussion brings forth thoughts like Do biracial people know their true
selves? Since biracials are continuously relating to both cultures people take it as being
uncertain of who they are. Clashes of identity rise between the childs choice of identification

and there are critical time periods where a child can lose it (Nancy Alouise, Interracial
Marriages and the Effects on Children.) I believe the ability to absorb each races customs and
have characteristics from both is very exceptional. Some of these stereotypes may be true but
that is only because that is how our world has made it. In my youth I did deal with these issues
but I overcame them when I came into a sudden realization that no matter what you do people
will view you however they want to and as long as you stay true to yourself nothing else
matters.
Overall, I see myself as a very unique individual due to my biracial background. I am
proud to say that I did overcome all the issues I had with self-identity and my experiences helped
mold the person I am this day. I look at being biracial positively and its bettered my life by
forcing me to become a mentally strong person, making me more distinctive and lastly producing
a more open mind set. Even though Ive encountered some difficulties, the world is becoming
less judgmental and embracing that fact that everyones diverse in some way, shape or form.

Works Cited

Alouise, Nancy. "Interracial Marriages and the Effects on Children." Interracial Marriages and
the Effects on Children. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Jan. 2016.
Smith, Sean. "Biracial Identity: Beyond Black and White." N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Jan. 2016.