What are YOU?

As someone of mixed race, I don't fit easily into a single box and sometimes feel I don't "fit" with traditional diversity conversations or that others think I don't fit. Some people may look at me and see white, while others see my more colorful half. While in a college-level DEI meeting, I spoke out and shared a personal experience. An administrator turned to me with a look that expressed confusion with more than a hint of derision and said, "What are YOU?" and laughed.

If someone else's experiences differ from our own or are different than we expect, we should take that as an opportunity to learn and not to question that person's authenticity.