My people invented math and democracy, figured out the earth was round, made primitive chocolate, discovered the imaginary number pi and fought a down and dirty battle with the Spanish to gain independence.

For those who are anthropologically savvy, I’m sure you have discovered that I mixed two cultures in my statement.

In addition, I probably sound a little crazy.

I did, however, mix the two intentionally to create one meaning and did not chaotically scramble them together.

I am Greek and Mexican.

While it sounds normal, people often succumb to the idea of racial barriers, even if they are not racist at all.

While racism has become a hushed idea more often than not in this country, people still fall victim to believing in racial stereotypes and boundaries.

Often times, people will express disbelief when discovering a friend is dating someone not of their race or that a person is of a mixed race.

People even shrug off racial jokes, assuming everyone understands where they are coming from, as if the stereotype is recognized and prevalent in society.

Even now, people are being judged by their pigmentation or their physical features.

The narrow-minded idea that a person must be strictly of one race is still present in the shocked expressions and remarks made when a person claims to be of mixed race.

I have been subjected to many strange assumptions, like, I had to be white because of the way I talked.

Or, I had to be Mexican because of my mom’s accent.

Another assumption would be that I must have been the product of another marriage just because my dad is white.

Of course, no one means any harm when they fall into these tiny ever-present borders between races.

The failure to see the possibility of a harmony between races is a sign of the struggle for equality and the transformation of society not too long ago.

There are still small, hurtful demons which seem to have trouble dying off even as the world as a whole progresses.

People are still being gawked at for not staying “within their race” or being a product of two who did not stay “within their race.”

There are many others who still cling to outdated ideologies, causing them to view people of mixed race as rag dolls of sorts, being strewn together in an undignified manner.

One must truly accept all races, and must be able to envision interracial marriage and children.

After all, I’m pretty sure I am made of one continuous piece of skin.

I can proudly have the blood of two cultures inside of me without anything going horribly wrong.

I’m pretty sure I am not a rag doll.