Mixed on Campus #15 – Giana Mae

Name: Giana Mae
Mix: Filipina, Mexican, Polish, Italian
Major & Year: Business; Junior

I am the Director of Event Planning for Michigan Esports

Q: What do you wish more people knew about the mixed experience?

A: The percentage of your mix does not determine how you identify. I am often met with the uncomfortable question “what percent are you” as an attempt to see how much I can relate to a person. I find this extremely inaccurate to how I was raised. I can be proud of my culture and how I grew up even if my blood percentage is less than reflected. I want people to know that to be mix does not mean you accurately align with your blood at all times.

Q: What kind of person do you aspire to be?

A: I aspire to be someone who can be counted on by others. I know how hard it can be to handle something all on your own. Whether it is at home or in the workplace I want to help carry the load. I have noticed the competitive spirits of some people, which can be draining. We can get so absorbed in grind culture and “making it” that we forget to lean on others and accept help when necessary. I want to be someone that others come to for advice and can be trusted.

Q: Who is the most influential person in your life?

A: The most influential person in my life is my older sister. She always seems like she has everything figured out and is one of the hardest working people I know. She enjoys the little things in life. I can see her living out the life I want. This helps me when my dreams feel like a reach or unattainable.

Mixed on Campus was inspired by the Humans of New York project. The purpose of Mixed on Campus is to give a voice to this university’s mixed community and shed light on its members. Being mixed means to be multiracial, multiethnic, and/or a transnational adoptee. Through Mixed on Campus, mixed students have the opportunity to have their portrait drawn and share their experiences!

Mixed on Campus #14 – Sophia Singh

Name: Sophia Singh
Mix: Indian & Serbian
Major & Year: Neuroscience; Sophomore

Q: How has being mixed affected your campus experience?

A: People are very quick to assume, and simultaneously, dismiss who/what I am based on my appearance. It’s very disappointing, because I thought that narrative would change from the South (where I grew up) when I moved here for college, but it really hasn’t. Ignorance and micro aggressions permeate every part of this student body still, and it has created an overall sense of weariness.

Q: What do you wish more people knew about the mixed experience?

A: It has been so difficult to grow up in a society that has forced you to put yourself in one box or the other. It’s so jarring at times, because I’m not “Indian enough” for some , but also not “white enough” for others. Growing up not being able to place yourself into any singular category makes you really question yourself and who you are. I still go into doctor’s offices today that place emphasis on “only checking one” in the race section.

Q: What is your proudest moment?

A: The moment I truly learned to love myself and the cultures I represent. Being born and raised in Louisiana has definitely been a interesting experience, tainted with the underlying forceful assimilation into white southern culture. It’s something I will never be, but it took me until middle school to truly appreciate the unique experience I have from having a Sikh-Indian father and Serbian mother. It’s something I am so extremely proud of, because I have seen the sacrifices they have made to get to where they are, and the sacrifices they have made to be together. Why wouldn’t I be proud of how I represent that?

Q: What are you most anxious about right now?

A: I think the general trend of “backwardness” we see going on in the United States right now. It’s naive to ignore the rise of the ultra- conservative right in this moment, and it’s something we should all, as a modern society, be more wary of. There is going to be a lot on the line in this next election, and I fear the most basic fundamental rights for every marginalized group will be at risk.

Q: What kind of person do you aspire to be?

A: I aspire to be seen as someone who has spent a lifetime being kind and helpful. There is nothing more rewarding in this life than helping as many people as you can, in any way possible. Most importantly, to have led a life filled with kindness. It costs so much more to be mean, so why not approach everything with kindness?

Mixed on Campus was inspired by the Humans of New York project. The purpose of Mixed on Campus is to give a voice to this university’s mixed community and shed light on its members. Being mixed means to be multiracial, multiethnic, and/or a transnational adoptee. Through Mixed on Campus, mixed students have the opportunity to have their portrait drawn and share their experiences!

Mixed on Campus #13 – Naomi Rodriguez

Name: Naomi Rodriguez
Mix: Black & White (Colombian-Puerto Rican)
Major & Year: Interarts Performance (Stamps & SMTD); Junior

Born and raised in Miami-Hialeah, Florida

Q: How has being mixed affected your campus experience?

A: I never realized how my looks are perceived until I was placed in the context of a predominantly white space. Being mixed began to cause confusion to people I meet to the point where I became confused with myself. I became so insecure about my closeness to a community and what community would even claim me. Because of that, it took me such a long time to find people I can relate to and feel welcomed. Even to this day, sometimes I feel hesistancy, from myself mainly, because of my lack of confidence in a space. However, the friends I’ve been making in these communities have helped me feel more comfortable being me; the combination of what my ancestors came to be.

Q: What do you wish more people knew about the mixed experience?

A: That it is very complicated. Sometimes people ask me questions about things as if I know, or I’m expected to speak for a community. Especially as an artist, a lot of my work is informed by my experience and the stories of my family, and sometimes I’m tired of my art being seen as a ‘protest.’ I make things to tell stories of my family and the ancestors I never got to meet, it helps me understand my story and bring communities together. It’s tiring having to educate people especially when your history is tied to colonialism and slavery.

Q: What is your proudest moment?

A: I finally made a piece titled “chains & links,” that comments on my mother heritage and ancestry, which is Afro/Indigenous Colombian. It finally felt like a perfect combination of what my mother has taught me growing up while teaching her about the care of textured hair.

Q: What are you most anxious about right now?

A: I’m anxious about the stories of my people disappearing. In Latino America, a lot of history related to slavery and indigenous peoples are becoming lost especially through immigration, and I think it’s our generations love and honor that needs to continue thee stories.

Q: What kind of person do you aspire to be?

A: Someone who is a listener. There is so many people with their own stories to tell and I hope to become a space that can have people feel welcomed and heard.

Q: Who is the most influential person in your life?

A: My mother. Everything I do has been in honor of her. My work is an extension of her passion and I hope to one day bring her into my work and we both become creators.

Mixed on Campus was inspired by the Humans of New York project. The purpose of Mixed on Campus is to give a voice to this university’s mixed community and shed light on its members. Being mixed means to be multiracial, multiethnic, and/or a transnational adoptee. Through Mixed on Campus, mixed students have the opportunity to have their portrait drawn and share their experiences!

Mixed on Campus #12 – Abimelec Guerra

Name: Abimelec Guerra
Mix: Puerto Rica (Black & Caucasian-Spanish)
Year: Sophomore

I am a musician( lemme know if yall wanna pull up to a concert!), and I also do a ton of marketing projects!

Q: How has being mixed affected your campus experience?

A: Sometimes being mixed means not being fully part of a community. I often feel that I’m in a constant state of limbo when I meet people and not being able to fully integrate.

Q: What do you wish more people knew about the mixed experience?

A: That mixed people sometimes go through many identity crisis where we have a hard time “picking a side” from our ancestry or being able to identify which side of our genetics to we lean the most.

Q: What is your proudest moment?

A: Learning english on 2018 and being able to speak it. Thanks to that, I’ve been able to meet so many cool people, and create many memories that I shall always cherish.

Q: What are you most anxious about right now?

A: Not disappointing my peers/ mentors.

Q: What kind of person do you aspire to be?

A: Someone that can make others feel welcome and at peace.

Q: Who is the most influential person in your life?

A: Personally, my family( especially my mother) which she taught me the resilience that made her so strong during the time that I was fortunate to have her by my side. Professionally, Bozo Paradzik/ my goat Messi

+1: I am so excited to get to know the rest of the people in this community and to immerse myself with other mixed people as well!!

Mixed on Campus was inspired by the Humans of New York project. The purpose of Mixed on Campus is to give a voice to this university’s mixed community and shed light on its members. Being mixed means to be multiracial, multiethnic, and/or a transnational adoptee. Through Mixed on Campus, mixed students have the opportunity to have their portrait drawn and share their experiences!

Mixed on Campus #11 – Grace Sirman

Name: Grace Sirman
Mix: Mexican & White-American
Major & Year: Art; Junior

Disabled and queer

Q: How has being mixed affected your campus experience?

A: It was a bit of culture shock coming to the Midwest, coming from a small, predominantly Latinx neighborhood. I get homesick very often, and my mixed identity made me a bit insecure about engaging with Latinx campus organizations initially because of my upbringing and my appearance, but many of the Latinx individuals involved are very welcoming and I appreciate all the acceptance I’ve encountered.

Q: What do you wish more people knew about the mixed experience?

A: The mixed experience is very unique for everybody, and there is a vibrant perspective many mixed identities can offer! Everyone is approaching their mixed identity differently, and mixed people should not be forced to choose or represent one ethnicity/race or the other. There are many complexities that come with a mixed identity!

Q: What is your proudest moment?

A: As a Latina first generation college student who struggles with disability, making it to college in the first place is something I will always be proud of myself for achieving. My parents had no idea how any of the application process worked, and neither did I. But somehow I figured it out, and now I’m here!

Q: What kind of person do you aspire to be?

A: I want to be unapologetic about myself. I’m not quite there yet, but I want to be someone who owns their personality loudly, especially with bold makeup, a colorful wardrobe, and who doesn’t care what others have to say about myself.

Mixed on Campus was inspired by the Humans of New York project. The purpose of Mixed on Campus is to give a voice to this university’s mixed community and shed light on its members. Being mixed means to be multiracial, multiethnic, and/or a transnational adoptee. Through Mixed on Campus, mixed students have the opportunity to have their portrait drawn and share their experiences!

Mixed on Campus #10 – Sophia Davis

Name: Sophia Davis
Mix: Khmer & White-American
Major & Year: Astronomy & Astrophysics; Junior

Q: How has being mixed affected your campus experience?

A: It’s a bit of a bittersweet thing. I grew up in the Memphis metro area where there is a pretty decently sized Khmer community. My only issue was that I did not see a lot of Asian people in general in high school and in my day to day life. I come to Michigan, and I have met not only more Asian people but mixed people as well that understand the uniqueness of coming from a mixed background. While I have been happy to meet people that I can relate to and understand what it means to mixed, I have met very, very few people that are Khmer. It has been hard keeping connected to my culture when I’m so far away from my hometown, and I don’t see my family as often. It was a bit isolating at first, but it’s been more of push to go out of my way to stay involved in my culture.

Q: What do you wish more people knew about the mixed experience?

A: I wish more people understood that it is my choice how I identify and present myself. I grew up in a conservative southern town where I never quite fit the mold. With my dad being white and my mom being Khmer, I was born into a dichotomous cultural upbringing. I was either “too Asian” or “not Asian enough” just depending on who was making the judgment. I did not feel like I had a sense of community as I had no one to relate to identity-wise. Yes, there was my everloving mom, but how could I manage to look at the woman that gave me life and tell her I was ashamed of the gift she gave me? Yes, there was my younger brother, but how could I place this burden of thought upon someone I am supposed to uplift and inspire? It became such an omnipresent issue that it even began to translate and present itself in other aspects of my life such as academia. There were cultural expectations to succeed and never fail because the work I put in is a direct reflection of my family. There were societal expectations such as the “Model Minority” that negatively reinforced damaging stereotypes. For me, these standards often clashed with each other, creating my toxified perspective on education and school. I wanted to be the best because I felt as if that was what was expected of me by everyone. There was also nothing worse than putting countless hours of work and effort into a project only for the praise to be followed by “because she’s Asian!” Coming to Michigan has transformed my racial imposter syndrome. It was oddly cathartic to see so many multiracial people that understood the exact emotions and situations that I had also experienced. I loved being able to talk through it. We learned from each other, listened to each other, and continue to help uplift each other. I still struggle with it, but I am learning as I go. It is more than okay to love all of myself while recognizing the privilege and struggle in my identity. How I define myself is not based on anyone’s expectations or preconceived notions whether that be family, friend, or stranger. I am not meant to be told what I am; I tell others about myself.

Mixed on Campus was inspired by the Humans of New York project. The purpose of Mixed on Campus is to give a voice to this university’s mixed community and shed light on its members. Being mixed means to be multiracial, multiethnic, and/or a transnational adoptee. Through Mixed on Campus, mixed students have the opportunity to have their portrait drawn and share their experiences!