Hapa

Having a father who was born and raised in hawaii and is in fact "hapa haole" i've been raised with the idea that this term, or label, wasn't negative in context, but after learning about multiraciality in classes and in readings i have found that these labels and terms take away from a persons actual identity and sort-of give them a generic socially constructed identity. In Kip Fullbeck's discussions on hapa identity, he talks about the negative connotations labels such as hapa and Amerasian carry and the effects they can have on a societies ability to see a person for who they are rather than what social constructs say. In readings i have done from various muItiracial authors, i've found a persons identity is one of the most important aspects in their ability to "fit-in" in society. Furthermore, a person starts to create an identity as a young child using various sources, parents, teachers, peers, media to begin to construct an identity. Although finding ones identity is often a life long journey, it is important to remember unnecessary labels only hinder a persons ability to identitfy with other members and groups in society. I agree entirely with Kip's idea that we should celebrate our differences, but it is also important that you do so with courtesy to all people.