NAME AND AGE
Andre Lawrence, age 35
WHAT MIX ARE YOU?
50% South Korean, 50% Filipino
WHERE DO YOU CURRENTLY LIVE?
Huntington Beach
IS THE COMMUNITY YOU LIVE IN NOW DIVERSE?
No its like 99% white
WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?
I grew up in northern California “paradise California“ and it was even less diverse. I couldn't identify with any other kids there was only one Asian family other than us.
HOW DID YOUR PARENTS MEET?
I don't have much of an idea since my biological father was not really in the picture.
WERE THERE ANY SIGNIFICANT OBSTACLES IN THEIR RELATIONSHIP CORRELATED TO YOUR BACKGROUNDS?
I don't think there was.
HAS YOUR EXTENDED FAMILY ALWAYS BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF YOU BEING BIRACIAL?
Yes. I hope so!!
DID YOU CELEBRATE TRADITIONS FROM BOTH SIDES OF YOUR FAMILY?
No only Korean.
WERE THERE MULTIPLE LANGUAGES SPOKEN IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD?
Only English and Korean but now I hardly know any Korean words!! Sucks.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR CULTURAL BACKGROUND?
Food for sure. That's it. I don't really follow anything else with Korean culture.
WHAT ACTIONS DID YOUR PARENTS TAKE TO TEACH YOU ABOUT YOUR DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS?
My father was absent but my mother would show me pictures of how she grew up in Korean and would teach you traditional Korean Proverbs.
DID YOU TALK ABOUT RACE A LOT IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD WHEN YOU WERE GROWING UP?
No not at all.
DO YOU IDENTIFY AS MIXED OR SOMETHING ELSE?
Mixed
DOES RACE WEIGH INTO WHO YOU CHOOSE TO DATE?
It does not and my partner is full Mexican.
WHAT DOES BEING MIXED MEAN TO YOU?
I feel unique. People always asking what race I am because they can't figure it out. But feel very happy with who I am and where I come from.
DO YOU HAVE A LOT OF FRIENDS WHO ARE MIXED?
No I don't have many but from the few that I have. I've learned that it's ok to be different and look different.
ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS YOU ARE REALLY TIRED OF HEARING FROM PEOPLE IN REGARDS TO RACE/CULTURE? TELL US YOUR PET PEEVES:)
When I was a kid maybe because I was the only Asian. Was called “Ching Chong China man!!”” Lol but now as an adult I hardly hear anything.
WHAT IS YOUR DREAM FOR THE FUTURE OF AMERICA IN REGARDS TO RACE?
No more check marks in forms identifying where u are or what race you are. It's irrelevant.
