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  LiveWire / Teen Forums / Race, Ethnicity & Nationality / Adding Reply

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Original Post
La Motta Posted at 12:30 pm on June 27, 2008
I've always beeninsecure about the way I look. Just my skin colour, I mean I've been called nigger, half-caste, spik, chink, blackie, british bastard, black bastard, gook, etc, etc, but that was when I was younger. I even got the shit beaten out of me from some asshole when I was 15 because of it. He permanently fucked up the top of my right ear and I have a scar above my right eyebrow!

So you'll understand why I'm insecure. But now I'm doubting myself, I don't know where to call home.
I was born in England, but I only lived there for two years. My da is English, my ma is Irish. But I've lived in Ireland for the past 17 years, but I don't feel Irish, yet I wouldn't say I'm English either.
My gran is from the carribean and my great-great-great grandad was Chinese and the woman he married was Scottish. But I can hardly claim to be Chinese or Scottish, can I? I mean I've never been to either country.

You may be thinking "What's the big deal, why does it matter, where your from?" I just want to say "Yeah, I'm Irish" with confidence and not with doubt. Having someone beat the shit out of you for being a "half-caste cunt" doesn't make you feel very welcome or Irish.

I mean when people meet me for the first time, they usually ask "Where are you from?" This will happen 9 out of 10 times and I ALWAYS hesitate and think before I answer, what should I say, I'm Irish or "Oh sorry, I'm actually Irish, Scottish, English, Chinese and Trinidadian!"

I've said it to a friend and his girlfriend recently "You're lucky that you're pure Irish" and they just asked "Eh, why?"
Ah I'd just like to be......

Replies
leahslove Posted at 12:01 pm on June 28, 2008
move to America
SerendipityDarling Posted at 10:50 am on June 28, 2008
Here's a story for you about Identity.

I was born in Switzerland. To a completely Dutch father, and a completely Irish mother. I lived there for six years, and moved to Ireland. I lived there for seven, then moved to the US.

I have three passports. You can't spell my last name on an English keyboard so we've had to change the spelling over the years. The pure obsession with Irish here (in the US) is a little mindblowing.

So I understand the identity issue. I just say I'm Dutch-Irish. When people get to know me a little better, then they can hear my story. (:

I'm a mutt, and I'm proud of it. I love the different ethnicities that my parents afforded me. It's awful, terrible that you were discriminated against because of your heritage, and I'm really sorry to hear that.

Hopefully you pick whichever nationality you like best. Or just respond "I'm a mix, haha". If they want to know more, they'll ask.

mama16advice Posted at 9:43 am on June 28, 2008
Well I dont usually have that problem because i just claim black so I only have to deal with one kind of racism. But Im black, french, indian, irish, hawaiian, jamican, and egytian. Im pretty mixed up but no one really knows that.
Shaknbake Posted at 3:00 pm on June 27, 2008
Were I you, I'd identify with Ireland more than England and simply say Ireland. You shouldn't have to justify or rationalize your Irishness.
ElephantStone Posted at 2:26 pm on June 27, 2008
never mind it, seriously, theres worse things that can happen and its good to have diverse genes, and since Ireland is becoming more diverse ethnicty wise you wont stand out.

fuck it, just say youre from london and moved over, you wouldnt stand out in london.

fuck nationality is all i can say. fuck it. i dont need it, niether should you, none of those countries you listed ever did anythng for you.

ilyjosh Posted at 12:38 pm on June 27, 2008
I'm really sorry.
That's really sad.
Zombie Addict Posted at 12:35 pm on June 27, 2008
People are just prejudice, and complete cunts.
But you shouldn't feel bad about any of it! Be proud of who you are, hell I'm half mexican, german, cherokee, danish. And Im the whitest chick you can ever meet. XD
But I'm proud, and I ignore people. (:
Just know that you're better then them, and you'll be fine hun.
Their opinion on you doesnt matter..
blueelectricguitar Posted at 12:33 pm on June 27, 2008
I know what you mean.

My mum is half American, half English. My dad is Scottish.
I have relatives who are Canadian, American Indian, Italian, English, Gypsy. My mum always says that we're children of the world, but I think I'd rather be able to say I'm from one place.
xxx

beatnik Posted at 12:31 pm on June 27, 2008
move to America--people will think you're cool
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