Quick! Pick A Culture!

Earlier this week, I read an article about mixed kids. It had funny little things they can all relate to. One of them was 

 

the moment you have to choose which ethnicity you are on a standardized test.

 

Joel always jokes around about his experience with this growing up. East Indian was never an option so he says he would choose... Pacific Islander. Obviously that's not true, but he jokes it was the closest thing he could find. Now he marks Asian when surveys go around. 

 

It got me thinking. My kids have to choose one. They will either choose Indian (or something close) or Caucasian. In my head, I said duh, Indian. Then I got offended. Society is making my children choose which culture they identify with more. They are not one or the other. They're both. 

 

Joel and I do everything we can to teach them the importance of both cultures. In one quick decision, they're asked to pick a culture. 

 

Part of me feels sad that it will most likely be my culture that gets left behind and the other part of me hopes they choose Indian. 

 

I don't want my kids to grow up with the conflict of cultures in their minds. They shouldn't have to choose a culture, rather they should learn how to blend both in their lives. 

 

Their are certain situations they will be faced with as mixed kids, but the blessings of two rich cultures should outweigh all of them. 

 

How do you or have you seen families blend cultures?