Chinese, White

Hi, my name is Miki and I live in California. I was raised by my Chinese grandmother in Chinatown. My mother passed away when I was young and I never knew who my dad was.

Growing up, I did not know that I was mixed at all. Everyone around me said that I didn’t look full Chinese and always guessed what I was mixed with.

Since I didn’t know either, I always replied by saying how all Chinese from China don’t look “full Chinese” either. Therefore, I never really embraced any other ethnicity except for Chinese. However, I was never really accepted as Chinese as a result from looking multiracial.

I took a DNA test not too long ago. My Chinese-American friends said that I shouldn’t read too much into the results, but what do they know? They are full Chinese, have parents, and actually fit into a group and was accepted by their own people. Even my half-siblings assumed that I denounced being “Chinese” when in reality, I am only embracing my true identity..which is Hapa.

I am very relieved to finally know what I am mixed with. And now that I know what I am, I am embracing it as much as possible and tell the world that I’m Hapa-American! To all the Hapas out there: you are not alone on this journey. Always have hope and never give up! :]