I'm Not Bi-racial, I'm a Human BeingAt the end of my first semester at University, I had the experience of filling out forms to evaluate each professor's course I was enrolled in at the time. Each standard assessment provided by the University was similar in almost every way. I've been taking standardized tests since second grade and it felt pretty familiar to fill in the information circles with a number two pencil. Information circles were nothing new to me: full name, gender, social security number, and race, yet every time I reach the race section, I can't find a good solution to an existing problem. Biologically I am half African American and half Caucasian. My appearance tells me I should choose one answer and my life experience tells me I should choose another answer to the race question. This usually puts me in the “other” category. I don't want to be known as "other." I don't want to be known as black or white or pink or blue or green, for that matter. I want to be known as Karin Brown, an unclassified human being. In her essay “Fifty Years in America: Through Back Doors,” Elena Caceres uses the idea of ​​“Americanness” (90) as a philosophical aspect of her life; one that will fulfill dreams and promises if perfected. It seems that the “American-ness” that each person experiences varies on many levels. In Caceres' case, it all started as something to be regarded with the utmost respect, but the feelings people have about acceptance can extend to extreme positions. How can a country founded on the ideas of freedom and individuality promote acceptance at all levels and at the same time make classification a normal part of everyday life, as... middle of paper... She looked past the information section and began to laugh. I asked her what was funny and she read me the options available to verify the breed. He was chuckling at the last option as he said enthusiastically, "More. I wonder who should check it." This statement enlightened me on two very important aspects of my life. First, it allowed me to understand the idea that standard classifications of “Americanness” are not always appropriate. Second, I was pleased to know and understand that people in my daily life look beyond the color of my skin and see Karin Brown, because in the midst of her giggling, my classmate had forgotten that I was "the other ".Works Cited Caceres , Elena. “Fifty Years in America: Through the Back Doors.” MultiAmerica: Essays on Culture Wars and Cultural Peace. Ed. Ishmael Reed. Penguin Books (USA), 1997.