We had a community chat about this video the day after it was up in hopes of expanding this conversation and making it more actionable. If you're interested you can rewatch that live here

Y’all have to learn that blackness is about your phenotype mainly. If you are not perceived as black you will not have the same experience as someone who looks like me 🤷🏾‍♀️ that just is what it is

All of this! An ex-friend would constantly share anti-Black and disparaging memes about unambiguous Black woman (specifically DSBW). When I addressed it OF COURSE I was accused of being jealous. The reality is I didn’t feel safe in the friendship knowing that she perceived me as inferior, and couldn’t trust her to be an ally to dismantle colourism/anti-Blackness.

I was friends with a mixed girl in the military. We became friends because we were the only “black girls” there. Well when she got around the white girls she acted different. One time the white girls made a joke to her and said I like your weave. And she said do I look like one of those bald headed black chicks. She looked at me with so much shame when she realized what she let slip and I just ignored it and left.

The colorism issue occurred with O.G and Evelyn Lozada. Evelyn was clearly bothered and even surprised that a man she was interested in was also interested with O.G. She melted down.

My sister is a lighter skin black woman. She calls colorist light skin and biracial women ALS "Annoying Light Skins". She does her best to disarm darker skin black women who are initially guarded towards her, she corrects women who say low key colorist or anti-black things around her and assume she has the same mindset. I didn't realize the extent of colorism until I grew up and moved out. I may have just repressed it. Looking back on childhood in discussions with my sister she said she realized the difference in how we were treated as children. I tend to limit my interaction with colorist people much like non-black people whether they have black heritage or not. I have a good sense just from energy on their mindset with very little interaction. I'm not wasting my time on women who want to claim blackness while thinking they're a better version of it based on their proximity to whiteness.

She kept it 100 in this video. I respect her honesty.

As a mixed race woman, I was deeply hurt by Erica’s comment to Spice. As half of my family is African-American, I would be devastated if someone referred to them as less than human. This is not the first time that Erica has referred to black women or black men as monkeys or gorillas. People need to research the history of the word monkey as it relates to the terrible history of slavery. I also advise people to watch the round table, that love and hip-hop conducted about colorism, it was very informative, and you will see clips of Erica stating that she would say it again, knowing that this word is hurtful to the African-American community.

I wish more people would just say that they are mixed race and not move into monoracial spaces and take over. This is the only problem I have. Otherwise be whatever you want

I have a lot of mixed friends growing up in cali. It was/is really hurtful to hear the way some mixed or light skin women slip up and say racist and colorist things. As an adult i went to a friend's party (i was the only dark brown skin lady) and a guy asked another mixed looking lady why she didnt sit by us and she laughed and said "its too dark over there". I was so shocked. This is a very real video.

The continued part of this conversation are the black women and men who made or make excuses for Erica, Cardi B, Evelyn Lozada, Danileigh and so many others because of their proximity to fame or friendship and not hold them accountable and make excuses for their behavior most likely due to their proximity to whiteness.

you definitely articulated why I dont feel safe around biracial people. Ive been burned too many times to trust them off the bat. they often choose to not speak up or slander us when its convenient for them, in my experience. **shrugs** I think this is also why I'm not sure about this concept of "being a bridge" because I cant think of when Ive seen that happen in practice or play out in a way that benefits black people.

I sincerely appreciate you being an example of doing the work out loud. We all have work to do and few of us are willing to do so publicly. Thank you for being a possibility model.

These conversations are soooooooo tricky. Especially the Ashley Cobb situation. It’s def not Shan’s responsibility to infer on Ashley’s behalf. But, I think non-biracial people yearn for her to say it because… they are penalized every single time they bring it up themselves. I remember a White historian who wrote about President Lincoln’s very questionable history on race… and that he wasn’t The Great Emancipator he was made out to be. The second thing he said was… “There have been many, many Black historians before me who have said the exact same thing, but they were dismissed because they were Black.” That just made my heart sing. That must have been 15 years ago. And, to this day, I still remember it because it was that powerful and far beyond what I had come to expect to hear. To some extent, no matter what Shan says her presence and her privilege will always evoke a certain emotion from some people. That’s not “jealousy” that’s trauma… of the variety that probably can’t be solved by Shan, no matter what she says. But, at the same time, I respect that Shan seems invested in exploring these topics for herself first. After all, it’s not just “helping” others when she goes deeper… I think it has to help oneself grow and mature. ❤

The main thing I also noticed in this discussion is us darker toned/skinned women has to also do the work to not display internalized racism when these discussions arise. I seen so many black women defending her comment saying they would’ve said the same thing or “worse” normalizing this behavior and this set us back. It’s like your putting a sign on your back saying “it’s okay to call me racist terms because you were offended at something I said” racism and offensive terms is two completely separate things. Let’s not keep trying to normalize colorism and racism within our own community, I promise you these other communities do not do that.

Non-white people understand that Whiteness is a protected class. You have no problem saying your Black but you know like all bi/multi racial people you can never comfortably say you are White. Just remember that White people created race. They are the reason why this is even a thing because they wanted to protect and privilege whiteness. Listening to you talk about your racial and ethnic identity lets me know you need to keep working on this and be more ethno-conscious. I have a biracial daughter and did a podcast with her that helped me to understand how much more important race was to her than it was even to me. Unfortunately, parents who date and marry interracially give their children work to do in a world we didn't fix for them.

Im always going to see a mixed person exactly as they are… mixed. The beauty is that you can move between the two or three races/culture, as she refer to as a bridge. I don’t believe it’s a matter of not trusting mixed people either. I have not experienced a moment where I didn’t trust someone who’s mixed. I just hope they’ll have an understanding of the issues within the their communities being they’re from two different races/cultures. If they’re half black and raised in a black culture, then they know what goes on in terms of colorism/featurism/texturism.

A true question that I have always wanted to know is why can't people just say they are mixed and just explain with what after. It always confuses me why is it so bad to say mix. Growing up in Haïti (and keep in mind I was really young) I just find it weird that people needs to choose between being black and what they are mixed with. I do think this does not help the black community because this just makes that any one mixed with the lightest percentage of black is now automatically black when we do not at all experience life the same. I just find that saying you are mixed is okay and that could help soo much.

My mom is Indian and my dad is black, but I mostly ‘look black’ and I always feel nervous sometimes talking about my Indian side or traits because others might think I’m trying to separate myself from my black side and that is so far from the truth so I tend to avoid saying I’m mixed.

Because you didn’t get offended by the critics, and then chose to do the work, and also understand the the criticism was love, and not “hating” or “jealousy”, respect.

Shan, the progress you’ve made on your journey is palatable in this video. You’ve done the work and are so effective here in showing that. It makes me happy to see and hear you more firm and confident in articulating how you identify and navigate the world. And the distinction between “jealousy” and TRUST - yes yes yes. Your communities benefit from how you are using your platform to have challenging conversations, especially with the way you’re centering empathy in your approach. Much love 💕

I’m on and off about this topic because I am mixed but I say, I’m mixed. I don’t say I am black and not because I don’t want to be seen as black but because.. I am not fully black. So I don’t have the same experiences as a black person. I wouldn’t want to tell someone I am their race fully if I’m not, I feel like that’s diminishing the life someone lives in their race and honestly insulting. But I have black in me yes and I will say that proudly but the truth is the truth.

One thing I really love about Shan is how open she is constructive criticism. She is very introspective and is always wanting to learn and grow. I really appreciate that because I feel like that is rare ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

The fact that Shan isn’t afraid to call herself out (now)… she’s gained my respect. I’ve avoided Shan’s content for years due to the fact that she never acknowledged race & color in her digests. That’s something I see often with lighter skinned people who aren’t raised by Black women.. She’s recognizing her privilege in not having to blatantly acknowledge how race/color plays a part in a lot of her topics. This is a step in the right direction 👏🏾 Thank you

This conversation is not easy for anyone to have or hear. Who are some people/ links/ resources that you think are doing it very well? What do you know that you wish other people knew too (could be a personal lesson or an accademic one)

I've always said mixed kids have a racial complex because we're constantly told what we are and it's different depending on who you're talking to. I've been told I'm not black, I'm mixed by black people and I've also been told I'm black because I look it so even though I'm mixed (by black people). My entire childhood was people either telling me what I am or how I should identify so I never really understood what to say. As a mixed kid, I identify with all my ethnicities. I'm one singularly. And I think only mixed kids understand that concept.

These comments are so disappointing and infantilizing. Race is a social construct. That doesn’t mean it’s without impact and it SHOULD be addressed. And, as an unambiguous Black women it’s a very important part of our lives, especially our sex lives and relationships.

Erica Mena is a Dominican and Puerto Rican woman from New York . And yes I know some Hispanics are multiracial from history but it’s hard to explain because there’s a whole cultural element involved . Idk how this is a conversation about ambiguous mixed women, their a non-factor in THIS convo, she is neither , she’s Puerto Rican , a nuyorican , and if you from the east coast , you know she LOOKS Puerto Rican . I feel the Erica mena and spice situation is more so about how Hispanic culture looks down on black ppl , a superiority complex. I would like to hear the perspective on this convo between black ppl and latinos because the cultural elements are being left out.

I always appreciate how you’re able to clearly articulate such complicated feelings and concepts. Thank you for always willing to do the work and doing so in public spaces so many of us can learn along with you.

Yeah, unfortunately race 😒and the shade of your skin makes a BIG difference in how people interact with you. I seen this firsthand my son is very light just like you mixed and he gets a totally different response from people than my daughter does all because she is dark skinned and it’s disgusting. Even though I didn’t treat them any different society is already trying to push this narrative like one is better than the other, even though they literally came from the same parent 😮 so thank you for doing the work, and most importantly teach your children, all the things that you have learned and let them know that people should not be judged based off of their skin tone.

Chrissie sent me here. And I'm glad she did. Thanks Shan. Thanks Chrissie.

I’m not directly mixed (both of my parents are black but I have some white ancestry that goes about 3 generations back on both of my parents sides of the family) and I definitely notice that some black people I come in contact with don’t trust me and it takes time to build this trust. And most times they are pleasantly surprised that I don’t end up acting “saditty”. These situations did kinda hurt especially when I didn’t see a difference between us and they didn’t even know me. I didn’t understand especially when my parents didn’t teach me to see myself differently. This situation with Erica along with Shan breaking it down helps me understand completely why there is hesitation to trust someone who isn’t obviously black as a black person. Being around someone and trusting them, allowing them in your personal spaces, inviting them into your home, laughing together, sharing your culture with them then having that same person express how less of a human you are compared to them its beyond disgusting and completely hurtful. In Erica’s case her transgressions are amplified because you have children that are half black, she’s on a show where her cast mates are mostly black, she dates black men/married a black man, and she was the video vixen in the music videos of black artists. It makes it seem like she took advantage of the black community to become famous, now that she is she can voice her true thoughts.

This is why we love you Shan! You never shy away from the meaningful convos!! Appreciated this!

Your honesty and bluntness is always so great. Thanks for being authentic with who you are and how you show up Shan!

the title was so... raw. i appreciate your understanding and compassion. thank you, shan

As a Black woman coming from 2 Black parents, I wouldn't call being mixed a bridge. Having Black lineage does not automatically make you "Black". Most black Americans have a very small percentage of Yt European lineage by way of rape through the slavery, but we don't and can't classify as Yt. Biracial is a class of its own literally and figuratively. It's always interesting to me how hard biracials (mostly and always women) will go so hard to be accepted into Black spaces as opposed to Yt spaces. You never see that same energy and that's telling.

One thing I know for sure, is that you are always going to come with grace, humility, and honesty. You always speak your truth with openness and inherently, that really sets you apart from creators I've watched. I continue to support your content because I trust what you have to say. Hearing that you identify as a Black woman isn't a surprise to me because I've always seen you as so ♥. Thank you for sharing yourself publicly with us! Thank you for navigating this topic in your je ne sais qoui that you always bring to every topic. Love you Shan! 🥰

the bravery you exhibit is just so inspiring to me, truly. thank you for showing what it looks like for you to try.

My concern is that when we have these types of conversations people tend guess their way to their own understandings and definitions when there is a lot of literature that has been written on this topic by experts, activists and scholars, who've dedicated their lives to studying and defining these things. I feel like by building off that work and those studies, we can have more constructive discussions because, more often than not, we keep end up going in circles and struggling to reach commonality. People often get confused when talking about identity as to whether they mean blackness as a racial descriptor, blackness as heritage or blackness as culture (in America this may refer to African American culture, Nigerian American culture etc etc). Some people will be able to claim all of them while others can claim one or two. It gets messy when we start to forget that race itself is a social construct, there's no gene for it or, number of parents, or percentage of it in your blood that can determine if you are black. The construct was created and based solely on how people present phenotypically, and that became the basis for how each group they defined is treated. It's quite a weak construct too, because the boundaries change across time and location. Like how Italian-Americans only started being considered white in the last century or how Shan would not be able to check "black" while filling out forms in my country. In South Africa she would entirely be considered a separate race. Of course some people want to make a distinction between mixed and black people solely to be exclusionary, but primarily that distinction has been used to highlight and understand that there are different experiences awarded to people based on whether they move through the world as a mixed person vs a black person. Mixed-people still do experience anti-blackness by virtue of being associated with black people or having black-heritage, just like other non-black people may experience anti-blackness for being friends or family with black people (or being dark-skinned in their culture) - but understandably people might feel uncomfortable if those people began claiming blackness because they saw that anti-blackness as the racism someone may experience because they are categorized as a black person. The point people want to emphasize is that mixed folks still have distinct privileges and experiences that phenotypically black people do not have the same access to. One of the scholars I read during my studies talked about actually defining blackness and how many people falsely attribute it to a culture when they are many varying black cultures around the world that both mirror and contrast each other. This type of definition invariably leaves out groups of people that are still very much understood to be black. The only constant was that blackness was a "shared experience of oppression" - a particular set of experiences, challenges, prejudices etc that people encounter wherever they may be in the world because of the way they look on the outside. Certain people may be privy to these experiences at one time in history but not another - it all very much heavily depends on what the prevailing white-supremacist systems, institutions and cultural ideology consider as fitting into that box. And it's those systems that encourage us to buy into race as a real thing: Something you can quantify, have a percentage of blood of or have a genes for. or something that is found in behaviour (e.g. this person doesn't act black). Its racial essentialism. When we start interacting with it as those things rather than the social construct it is, we remain stuck in a game that was manufactured hundreds of years ago. Overall, I do understand mixed people identifying as black in the US and surrounding regions. I know it has culturally taken effect because of the history of the one-drop rule and condemning anything to closely related to blackness as part of it in order to retain the purity of the in-group and cause further separation between races, even so far as committing the erasure of mixed-people or "bridges". I just would caution that when talking about these things we examine where our definitions and the parameters we use come from and challenge them. We don't need to perpetuate an understanding of race created by racists but rather, through having more informed and constructive conversations, come to define, understand and connect on our own terms.

First time across your channel - Thank you for such an honest, open and vulnerable conversation. THIS is what is needed for us to heal.

Found your content when looking for validation of my own mixed identity - thank you for your continued authenticity Shan 💜

I love how you went through and expressed exactly how you identify and your experience! As a fellow Caribbean person, that was not born in the Caribbean… I know of so many mixed people, and have so many mixed race people in my family, but we identify more heavily with our ethnicity. I am hoping that the people who don’t have that same personal experience with being mixed or intimately knowing mixed race people, can truly understand where you’re coming from and what you are saying. I also love how you respect what year is just wants to discuss on your show. I think a lot of times people expect us to always talk about race, and it can be so draining! I think it’s important to realize that we need to acknowledge race, and its impact on all of our lived experiences, but we don’t need to make it the center of our lives end of our experience. I am an unambiguous black woman in America and I have experienced many things because of it, but it’s not the center of who I am and how I identify. Now, of course I think because I come from a culture in which culture is more important than race, that is probably why it’s not the center of my life. But I think in the United States, where race is much larger than culture for the people who were born here it’s different.

I love the way you articulate this topic so well, you hit your points DEAD ON. 🎯🎯🎯

Shan Thank you for having this discussion

thank you so much for opening this conversation up

I love what she said about wanting to appear good or smart vs wanting to be good or smart and what each actually entails. My girls always out here with the insightful one liners that really sit with you long term

This was a very thoughtful take on some of the issues that matter. Thank you for being smart and always doing the work, Shan.

Once again, thank you Shan for facilitating a hard conversation so graciously and authentically. As another mixed girlie, I’ve never had safe space to be able to have these types of convos. In my own experience I experienced a lot of shame projected on to me growing from both sides of my family for my race which has been very damaging and something I’m still working through to this day. Hearing more conversations on this topic would be super helpful!

i am so proud of Shan

Beautifully said Shan. 🖤✨

I really truly appreciate you bringing this discussion to light. It does build trust amongst differently featured black diaspora. Love you Shan ❤️

Thank you for sharing and always speaking with respect, love and honesty! Vids like this is exactly why I follow and recommend you!! You've been a great representation of Black/Mixed raced women. You're doing amazing work! 🙌🏾🙌🏾

Shan....you did an amazing job.....I thank you for your bravery, most are either too lazy or too cowardly to handle real life conversations....and you did it with grace. Our community has alot of healing to do and conversations like these are lighters.....I felt heard, like someone actually listened .......however we must also create a space for the other side of this conversations without stifling one at hand

Thank you for sharing the innermost parts of your soul with us; It was authentic. And as someone who has majored in psychology, the part you mentioned with the amygdala was crucial. I wish they taught these things in elementary and HS. I worked as an Immigration Officer for almost 10 years, and the one culture that has a serious problem with claiming their African heritage are Dominicans. So many of them were darker than you and even me, and felt comfortable enough to sit across the desk and identify as “White”. I was born in T&T and there are in fact issues with colorism there. I truly feel sorry for anyone who doesn’t know who they are, understand the rich history of the Blacks of the Earth, and think that by reclassifying themselves, that it makes them great. You know and understand the heritage and history. And I applaud you for it. You have gained a new subscriber. Well done.

Well done. Especially the ending about appearing or being a way. I’m that lit something in me.❤

Shannon I’ve watched your videos for so long and your still so respectable to this day it’s so admirable

I really appreciate this conversation.

These talks are always so healing for me, can't thank you enough. I'm personally mixed Dutch-Indonesian but also have Chinese lineage that was buried because of violence against the ethnic Chinese in Indonesia throughout the past century. The name my family carries was fabricated and our old Chinese name was erased from the books. My mother identifies as fully Indonesian and carries the passport, but purely biologically she is technically Javanese-Chinese-German (colonial interracial marriage). My father is white. This makes me very white passing phenotypically, at most people would think I'm 'ambiguous'. But because I spent a huge part of my formative years in Indonesia, and was raised communally and intergenerationally by my mom's family, there is no world in which I could possibly identify as wholly white. While I am overtly aware of the privileges I have because of my looks and my white surname; racial aggression, and sexual trauma due to my encounters with white men are not foreign to me. I find myself more in literature and art by women of color, and don't relate pretty much at all to the white experience. Your way of saying 'I exist as a bridge' is so beautiful and I will definitely be taking that with me everywhere I go now. Thank you Shan

We found this video Excellent ! A step towards us as a community understanding and healing these issues.

This is the hard conversation. Bless you 🙏🏾

Damn Shan I appreciate you for doing this because this is what we needed

100% relate. This perspective is so nice to hear someone else articulate. As a mixed/Black woman the same age as you, I also don’t always know the appropriate way to identify. I’m also, more often than not, extremely disappointed in other mixed people and feel most of us should inherently not be trusted.

Thank you for this open and honest conversation. I haven’t watched you in a while but this video reminded me of why I subscribed years ago. Your openness to self reflect and be candid about yourself

So brave of you to address the issue and much respect for the way in which it was delivered. Gracefully and well said. Thank you! ❤

I BEEN FOLLOWING YOU SINCE I WAS 17(lol I’m only 20 now) THIS IS EASILY ONE OF MY FAVOURITE VIDEOS ❤️

I’m so grateful for you sharing your experience as a black woman that is 100% black but can look ambiguous at times, it’s so important that we understand the nuisances in our experiences. We all who share space in the black experience have to bridge the gap between us. Again another great video and thank you for giving us language to educate one another.

Thank you for your sincerity and honesty 🙏🏽.

Thanks For understanding! Thanks For Having The tough conversation! Thanks For Being Honest! Thank You! Just Thank You 🙏🏾

Shouldn’t the Latino community be having this conversation?!! People who are half and half have nothing to do with a multiracial Latina. We are different and have different experiences.

I feel seen as a mixed person. Thank you Shan for having these conversations. 💜

Thanks for touching on this topic.

i really appreciate your sincerity & honesty in this topic....as i get older as a non ambiguous black woman who is surrounded alot of times by ambiguous or non culturally aware folks, i know this conversation wouldn't be able to be had...you definitely need a certain level of emotional intelligence & cultural awareness...and i realize as i get older that these things are REALLY important to me...sooo thank you & those that you spoke of for continuing this dialogue because your rational, concise & educated perspective is refreshing.....alot of black women get tired of being the only voices on this topic because the response from others is very dismissive when we say the same things you are speaking on...

Thanks for this, one mixed kid to another 💗 I’m mixed with Native American, black, white and sometimes it can be confusing but I am just *me*. I totally don’t want to be just “mixed” and I totally know what you mean about not wanting to erase your roots.

A mixed woman saying she’s a black woman is highly entitled, problematic and dismissive - and the erasure of the women who you seek to identify with - of actual black women who have to live an unambiguous black experience. This is all about what benefits non black women with proximity - and not seeking to center or understand actual black women - especially dark skin BW - who experience systemic racism and colorism the most.

WHOA! Shan, I have been following you since pre-Jared, and I don't think I've commented yet. Sorry lol... (I am however constantly recommending your work)... I can't tell you enough how I am constantly in awe of your poised, thoughtful, responses, especially when diving into difficult/culturally tense topics. As a biracial person raised by a beautiful melanin rich mama and a father who did his best to shield us from the ol'school racism that existed in his family, I can completely relate to the analogy of being a bridge and never truly fully accepted on any land. This video has peeled back a whole new layer, I haven't considered. Thank you. I applaud your openness to accept feedback without defensiveness or self-condemnation. Bravo! This is why I continue to watch and follow. Thank you for sharing the beauty of your TOTALITY: black, white, indian, and modeling what it means to graciously practice growth. 🙏🏽❤

I love eloquently Shan explains💗

As a black identifying mom to white-passing children, I appreciated this video. But I will not make my children feel like they will need to apologize for whatever spaces they are included in. I will teach them to go where they are appreciated, not to beg to get in spaces they don't have an invite to. Erica Mena is also not a good person, never has been.

I just love her. I subscribed to her years ago. And might have come across her video today also after a few years but she is so gorgeous. Im an indian nd i feel that familiarity... But i can see your mixed genes and cultural upbringing. You are a gorgeous woman nd i always feel amazed by your confidence and boldness and beauty and voice and passion ❤🌸🌸🌸

This was stellar content and I don’t know if I’ve been on the wrong side of youtube but these types of conversations and this type of content period on the internet is a breath of fresh air and feels rare to me. The accountability and the maturity and eloquence in delivery are all top tier here.

Love you Shan, shout out to you for this conversation! I love you even more 💝

Good shit sister 👏🏾

Wow what a video title let’s watch

Thoroughly and well put, I love this and I trust you.

Damn... this was such a wonderful and important video. Can't believe I almost skipped it. Thank you for being a good example

I LOVE the final questions

So much love for Shan and respect for her honesty and vulnerability ❤

Thank you. You said so many things that hold true. I appreciate this video.

As someone who is also mixed, the thing that strucked me the most, is how people of different complexion talk about race issue. Mixed people like me say "black people", darker complexion kinda always start with "as a black person" , you know there is a different level of first hand experiences right there.

Respect and thanks for being a real one.. I already new (tdot girl) but has to say here.

Awww Shan! Thank you for your empathy and emotional intelligence! 🥰

Great video Shan. Really appreciate the restrospective.

Haven’t even finished the video yet but I already think it’s helpful lol. I have a Dominican friend who is obviously multiracial (as is the history of DR) and she’s so scared to claim any of her heritage bc she’s not a “citizen” to any one race/ethnic group. She acknowledges her heritage but doesn’t identify with any of it. I think telling her that she’s a “bridge” between communities will make her feel better about her mixed-ness and help with her identity. Which in the grand scheme of things is totally political. We can make educated guesses about most people’s race based on their phenotype and culture. But for the sake of social belonging, I understand why some people ask..

I love that you mispronounce Erica's name as 'Mean-uh' because it really is fitting when you think about it. Appreciate you putting together such a thoughtful response to this situation.

Thank you for this video, you are heard loved and respected. ❤

Yes Shan. Thank you for being honest.

It’s def a privilege to say I am black without being told u are black lol .

You never know what is truly in a persons heart.

Bravo, Shan!! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

I like how you express yourself. Great job! I love your ability to reflect on yourself.

i didn't start doing the work and understanding my identity until i was in my mid 40s. and i am sooooo thankful that i found community with mixed and biracial people who were doing the work. i understand why black people may not trust people who look or have experiences like me 😌 just another reason i admire you.