First, this was a flipping beautiful essay. Second, I’m mixed white/Asian. Some people see the Asian right away, others never see it and I have to defend/justify. I feel it inside. It’s me. I own it. But there will always be others who try to tell you what and who you are. The Harris Model of Racial Identity (Sue Harris O’Connor) was of huge value to me in understanding this. It’s part of an important book called the Harris Narratives. Recommend!