You know what, in this day and age it really shouldn't matter. And for most people my age (25) it really doesn't as we are so used to and exposed to different races, cultures and religions than we ever were before. I come from an interracial marriage. I am exactly half black/half white. I tend not to classify myself as anything other than "me". I also spend a lot of time ticking the "other" box on forms. I will say for the most part I identify with and am more in touch with my black culture and heritage. This is because I was brought up with my Mum's family, although my Dad was around he was from abroad so had no close contact with my white relatives.

The thing maybe this man is trying to get at is perception (in a round about slightly offensive way!) I have been told that I do not particularly look "black" or act "black" etc. WHAT DOES BLACK LOOK LIKE OR ACT LIKE!!! I usually tell these people that obvioulsy their perceptions of "blackness" are very limited and perhaps if they were more familiar with black history and culture they would realise that people from black heritage come in all colours, shapes, sizes and socio-economic backrounds.

A lot of how mixed race people identify themselves has to do with where/how they grew up. It is hard if you don't easily fit into a box or pigeon hole and you have to make it up for yourself. Most of the time you will align yourself as a child with whoever will accept you. I would say that most people who are mixed race identify themselves as black (ie Halle Berry etc) because the black community usually doesn't have a problem in accepting or claiming a mixed race person as one of their own. I grew up in a black family environment in a predominantly black area. When I am with a bunch of black people there is no issue whatsover. They tend to accept me as I am and get on with it. When I am with a group of white people I get a lot of "Where are you from?" "What are you?" etc etc. Most of it is curiosity and unawareness but it proves what I am trying to say. A mixed race person may not be black, but will usually be accepted by the black community. I think with the white community it isn't about what you actually ARE, but what you LOOK like. Its not about whether you are black or not, it is about the fact that your are clearly not "white".