An illustration shows Journalism I student Isabella Gresham conflicted between a group of white students and a group of Hispanic students. As a bicultural individual, Gresham has struggled to fit in. “Assumptions are made every day based on how I look. These assumptions are largely incorrect, especially when I look different than my actual ethnicity,” Gresham wrote. Illustration by Sam Harwell
Journalism I student Isabella Gresham shares her experience of being bicultural and the difficulties she has faced.
I was born and raised in Athens by my American dad and mom from Barranquilla, Colombia. I’ve grown up around my American family, which has made it difficult to feel close to my Colombian culture.
This is because assumptions are made every day based on how I look. These assumptions are largely incorrect, especially when I look different than my actual ethnicity. I am a white-presenting person, but I am still half-Colombian.
The assumptions made about me because I look “whiter” than most Hispanics make it extremely difficult to embrace the Colombian part of me.
Until eighth grade, I went to a small private Catholic school where each grade consisted of 12-18 kids, who were almost all white. This prompted me to ask the question, “Why am I the only mixed-Hispanic kid in my grade?”
This inability to relate to those around me made me feel like a fish out of water. I felt forced to choose between my Colombian or American side when I didn’t feel particularly close to either.
This isn’t just the case for me. According to the United States Census Bureau, “Between 2010 and 2020, the number of people of Hispanic or Latino origin reporting more than one race increased 567% from 3 million (6.0%) to 20.3 million (32.7%).” The number of Hispanic-mixed people in the US increases yearly, but kids are still left feeling alone and unsure in their identity.
Since entering high school, I have tried connecting to my culture through my family and the more diverse environment at Clarke Central High School. With my Colombian family, I have worked on my Spanish and helped my mom create typical Colombian dishes, like arepas. At CCHS, I have met many more Hispanic and Hispanic-mixed students whom I can relate to on a cultural level.
Bicultural students may never feel the same as individuals identifying as one race, but both cultures matter. I am confident that the Colombian side of me is important, unique and most importantly: there.
