Tag Archives: Dutch

Korean, Irish, German, Scottish, Dutch, Native American

hapa274My mother is Korean and my father is Irish, German, Scottish, Dutch, and Native American.

Growing up multicultural and multiracial in a town where there were not many other Hapa folk (I knew one other Hapa growing up) created some confusion for me; I never felt comfortable in the Korean-American community (I look so white) and yet much of my upbringing that was influenced by Korean culture always left me feeling a bit out of place among my very western White American peers.

I remember that the Asian-American kids in school would not believe me when I told them my mother was from Korea and would ask me to prove it with pictures. On the flipside, there were many occasions when Caucasian-American kids would tell me I looked “funnny” and ate “funny-looking” foods for lunch.

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Korean, French, Polish, Dutch

Yes there are more of us Hapas out there and I guess it’s good to share this. I will keep it simple.

I’m Kim-Sung Ariza and I was born in the great nation of Korea in Daejeon and I am proud to be Korean.

Besides being Asian my father is of  French, Dutch and Polish decent, my Mother is just Korean. My father grew up in Iłża in Poland. I also visited there to meet my father’s family but that’s about it for me when it comes to his relatives. Continue reading →

Japanese, Austrian, Filipino, American, Mexican, Taiwanese, Dutch

You’ll see on the left a group of good-looking individuals.

These are some of the proud Hapas that I’ve met over the years as an international student living in Asia. The fine collection includes mixes of Japanese, Austrian, Filipino, American, Taiwanese, Dutch and Mexican heritage.

Like me, they have been told, “You have to choose; you can’t be both” and have been asked countless times, “What are you?” I just want to thank them and everyone on this site for sharing the joys and hardships they’ve faced as being multiracial, and for voicing their stories. Continue reading →

Filipino, Dutch

My name is Kara and Iam Filipino and Dutch.

People often dont know and can’t tell that I’m part Asian. So when they do find out most of the time they’re shocked or confused or give me blank stares.

My Mother was born and raised in the Phillipines (Lucena City). My Father is Dutch and born and raised in Indiana.

My parents separated when I was younger so I don’t know much of his cultural traditions but phenotypically, I look a lot more like my father’s side of the family.

I grew up In Los Angeles which is a melting pot of all cultures and thankfully I wasn’t faced with any challenges as a result of being multiracial. It’s unique to actually be a mix of two or more different ethnicities, and because of this, its made me appreciate myself more as an individual.

I am the oldest of 5 and for the most part we can all understand Tagalog. As the first born, I’m more fluent in the language. I have always embraced my heritage and I’m proud of who I am.

Filipino, Chinese, Spanish, German, Dutch

Hi, I’m Dale Kamp.

I’m both American and Filipino.

Growing up I never thought of being Hapa as its own unique identity for I embraced my Asian side.

Well, that’s what I perceived everyone identified me as (which would apparently be Chinese). I also had a very strict Asian parent that loved to remind me if I acted too American.

My childhood was spent in a conservative, very caucasian 90s Orange County, California. Almost everyone was white at school. I was spit on, got the racial slurs and remarks for being in the minority by my peers and even some parents, and this only solidified my belief in identifying with Asians.

I felt alone, though this didn’t hinder me from having friends of any ethnicity. Continue reading →

Malay, Javanese, Dutch, Chinese, Bugis

Growing up looking different has always been one helluva awesome journey for me.

My mom is Dutch, Malay and Javanese, whereas my dad is half Chinese and half Malay-Bugis. My sister inherited most of the Dutch features whereas my bro, lets say that he has gotten most of his looks from my dad’s Chinese genes.

Since I’m the middle one, I’ve got a little bit of everything, duh! (That didn’t make sense, moving on!) So that makes us mixed by heritage! Yay!!

During high school, my Moslem teacher(s) got the shock of their life seeing me reading verses of the Holy Quran as they thought that I was pure Chinese and Buddhist. Continue reading →

Japanese, Dutch

Watashi no namae wa Melody desu — my name is Melody.

My mom is Dutch and my dad is Japanese, making me biracial, hybrid, and Hapa.

I grew up in the predominantly white city of Kelowna and from an early age was very aware of my different appearance, heritage, and identity.

I wanted to be blond when I was younger and was slightly self-conscious when I would have onigiri for lunch instead of a peanut butter sandwich. However, as I grew up my heritage became not only a part of my identity but a source of pride.

I am asked the question “What are you?” on a regular basis. I am proud to answer this question now that I know exactly who I am.
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Vietnamese, Dutch, Indonesian, German, Filipina

My name is Kimberly. I was born to a Vietnamese mother and a already very mixed father who is Dutch, Indonesian, German, and Filipino.

Growing up and going to school I always had a hard time with my cultural background and identity. Always questioned “What are you?” to which I’ve learned to punch back with the reply, “Um, human.”

I got used to checking the “OTHER” box.

I’ve learned to embrace my heritage, and especially the amazing foods from each region and learning my cultural history and traditions.

It wasn’t till recently that I started meeting more Hapa folks and learning about mixed cultures, and then was turned on to Hapa Voice. So neat to know I’m not alone, and that I have some mixed brothers and sisters around the world, of the world. Continue reading →

Japanese, Irish, Polish, Dutch, British, Native American, Italian

Hey my name is Maya :)

I was born in the US and moved to Japan when I was 10, and just moved back to California last year.

So I’ve lived half my life in California and half my life in Japan.

I have a lot of mixes, but you can barely tell because of my Japanese roots. It’s funny because depending on the person they think I either look “so Asian” or “not Asian at all.” Continue reading →