Mixed Cultures: Growing up in a biracial and bicultural family

How does one determine what their ethnic background is? I am one that cannot determine mine. It is very hard to determinemy ethnic background when once asked, "What is your nationality?" The purpose of this paper is to explain in full how hard it could be to one in choosing a subject such as this. I have a number of races and cultures in my family. For example, my mother, Gihaan, was raised in an interracial and bicultural family. Her father, my grandfather, is one hundred percent Cherokee Native American born in Jacksonville, Florida. Her mother, my grand mother, is part Guyanese and part Argentinean born in Salivete', Panama. My mother was born and raised in Cau`de luVialle, a small village in Guyana. In Guyana, my mother was raised by her mother and aunt and bought up in the Islamic faith.

…growing up in this faith was very hard for me as a female. My mother and aunt were very strict on my sisters and I; it was harder on me because I was the oldest of the bunch…1

My mother was not permitted to even speak to persons that did not follow this particular faith strictly. Gihaan had to wear long dark clothing that covered her body entirely; from her fingers to her toes.

Every female, out of respect, is to do so for she will bes

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