Early in my life, I knew I looked different than many of my classmates. I did not understand, though, why some classmates (and parents) thought it was okay point it out. I experienced many micro-aggressions as a kid before I even knew what they meant. I did not look black or white, so people did not know where to "categorize me." It was even more difficult to learn about my identity when I never saw other biracial people in media or leadership positions to look up to. I began to learn that my mixed skin color would become a core part of my identity, no matter what.

I am so grateful to my parents. They provide me with so much, including the freedom to ask questions and learn about both of my backgrounds. Especially around the Black Lives Matter movement in June 2020, I had very serious talks with them about being unsure where I fit into society. I did not understand how to be involved in BLM, so they shared their stories with me to help me decide where I felt best represented. They also do not pressure me to "pick a side" - I am both, and they give me the freedom to express, learn, and celebrate both cultures.

I understand that I attend a Predominately White Institution, so many of my classes will not include diverse bodies. Still, a lack of diversity in the theatre program is recognizable, and brings me anxiety at times. I heard a terrible rumor one time that a specific individual was cast in a part for the only reason of bringing the diversity up in the cast, which made me paranoid of my casting in Charlotte's Web (being the only person of color). I know that rumor is untrue, but the lack of diversity is still present. After college, I hope to participate in theatrical productions with more diverse bodies in the cast and production teams.

Recording artist Amanda Marshall wrote this song in 2001 explaining the difficulty of navigating life as a biracial woman. People would see Marshall and not recognize her as a person of color. When she claimed to be one, though, others would treat her completely differently. A lack of acceptance for bi-racial individuals qualifies as a micro-aggression, similar to what I experienced as a kid. Marshall did not think her race would be a deciding factor on how people treated her, but as we know from history, a person's race is often the first thing people use to decide how they will treat you. I connect with Marshall's song, as I, too, sometimes feel like a double agent. I am not one or the other, but I can code switch depending on who I am with. At the end of the day, though, I am both.

The beginning of the film portrays how two families of different backgrounds should not support a biracial child. They feel the child only needs one culture, one "race" to fully live out her life. To push away half of your background identity is to deny half of your culture. What the families in the film eventually learn is the main child can live and grow with both backgrounds serving as a core part of her upbringing. While the grandparents from different cultures may not always see eye-to-eye, they finally agree that Eloise (the young child) will benefit from experiencing both cultures. I remember seeing this film in theaters, and not understanding why my parents showed to me so young. I quickly understood why, as they wanted me to feel free to learn about my cultures and ask questions!

Starting in the mid-1800's and working his way through history until to 2015, Stewart F. Lane tells the story of African American's "making it big" in New York city. Today, there are multiple shows on Broadway that only feature diverse casting - not because of the story, but as a normality. Other shows that do not feature a completely diverse cast still have POC members on and off stage. There is still a long ways to go, though. I do not see biracial people on stage often, and it is time to change this! Knowing the history of African Americans on Broadway, it took a long time to diversify professional art programs, but it is not impossible! I hope with my continuous involvement in theatre at WCU (and hopefully, professionally) will inspire other young, biracial performers to take the leap and strive for artisitc greatness!

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