Cultural identity can be a very confusing subject when one comes from a multicultural background. However, the confusion is more on an individual level as opposed to a group level when dealing with a multicultural family. As a multiracial American married to an Italian born citizen and living in Italy, I will draw on my own experience.

I was raised in America: New York to be exact and the product of two biracial parents. My mother was Native American and Black while my Father was Native American and Irish. Growing up was I was taught to embrace all aspects of my heritage. Unfortunately, the world did not see it in the same manner. By the time, I entered elementary school, there were professors who would visit the school and tell us that we were African-American. I would go home and proudly announce it to my Native American grandmother, only to see her hit the roof.

There was a struggle to assert my identity beginning in childhood and continuing into adulthood. Why, because the general rule for some was if you had a drop of black blood, you were black. So there was a constant fight with labels and check boxes. I would check multiple boxes and someone would go behind me and check what they felt should be checked. It would be fine if it was a matter of check boxes and forms. However, it went well beyond that. It was as if people pushed you into a category and when you exhibited a love for celtic bagpipes, or wore a medicine bag around your neck, you were considered “weird” or self-hating.For me, it was necessary to take the brunt of rejection, scrutiny, as well as interrogations from others, just to be myself. But I did it and to this day, I will not allow anyone else to define me as anything other than American because that is what I am; an American of multiracial descent.

In many ways, it was a good thing that I did. I interact with many people daily from West Africa, Brazil, Cuba and other places daily. Yet, I feel no cultural familiarity with the West African. For me, they are in the same category as the Germans and many other Europeans I meet. I know nothing about their culture, language or values. I do feel more of a kindred spirit with the Cubans and Brazillians I meet. Perhaps because of our history as multiracial people who share ancestors who arrived from Africa during the slave trade as well as the Native and European influences.

Now that I have a family of my own and am living in a foreign country, I am referred to nothing else other than American, which is fine for me. My husband is Italian and I do find that sometimes, we tend to dominate the household with all things American. Yet, we recognize it and make way for him to share with us as well. The ironic thing is that the majority of music, television and pop culture is very American on the surface. Although,the language, method of communicating, food and interactions of Italian culture are different. That said, there is no issue and I believe it is due to the multiplicity of our backgrounds. Everything goes here. If we don’t understand something, we ask.

As far as our children are concerned, we make sure that we expose them to all aspects of our cultures and I am pleased with the results. I teach them, the good, the bad and the ugly about all my cultures and he teaches them the same with Italian culture, so they are aware and also comfortable within their own skin. At the same time, because we are in Italy, we ensure that they have the necessary tools to fit in with greater Italian society. They are dual citizens and if they desire, when they are adults, they will be equipped to meld into greater American society as well.