Biracial in America

I am Shawn O. Smith. I was born in 1965 at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. I grew up a military brat, moving around the world, and being exposed to many different cultures. As a result, I became very adaptable, and my friends were from a wide variety of racial groups and cultures.

As a biracial male growing up in America, there haven't been many times that I have talked about race. This doesn't mean that race hasn't profoundly impacted my life. There have been many times in life when I have found myself subconsciously navigating situations with the hopes of simply being able to fit in. The natural tendency to want to be accepted within social groups and by your peers is normal. However, the pressure is often even more compounded for a biracial person.

Racial divide and political polarization seem to have gotten worse in today's world. This atmosphere can make finding one's own space challenging and, more importantly, being comfortable in one's own personal journey. Many in the biracial community would like to connect with others, but they seem afraid or cautious of sharing their views.

My objective is to create a space for biracial people to have their stories heard and feel validated. I hope to spark some curiosity and develop awareness for each other by talking and sharing. By simply having one's story heard, we can begin to appreciate each person's uniqueness. I hope this space brings a new awareness and that people will recognize that everyone's story is different and equally important.

I am Shawn O. Smith

Here is my story. I am biracial.