More on Skin Color Terms

[Roslyn]

In light of a conversation we had a while back on terms used to describe skin color in romance, I tjought Sarah Wendell's commentary at Kirkus about coffee terms being used to describe people of color was interesting. http://www.kirkusreviews.com/blog/rom...

[Michelle, Mod with the Bod]

Thanks for sharing Roslyn.

[Andrea]

Interesting. I just posted it to my FB page with the the question about what terms people may use.

[Chaeya]

Yes, I've seen it a lot in books, but it's never bothered me. I'm there for the story, not to nitpick how a character is compared. If it's overused, then yes, but . . .

Have I used it? I don't think so, I'm pretty simple with dark skinned, mahogany, colors, etc.

Okay, so I used mahogany, chestnut-colored skin and when will the memo come that people were reminded too much of furniture at Ikea?

Honey-colored skin - oh no, started thinking of food again.

But was anyone else annoyed by the fact that the message here is Romance writers need to change comparing their skin colors to food or beverages, and MAYBE she would read more books with people of color in them? Normally I like snarky articles, but sometimes it just gets annoying.

I've been really irritable lately, so I probably shouldn't even be responding to this.

Chaeya

[Violetta]

I don't like absolute rules in writing. Something being offensive or badly written can vary a lot in context.

I read an E. Lynn Harris book in which a man was referred to as having skin the color of a Hershey bar. It made sense, and it was supposed to have a sexual undertone. But then, I read another book where someone had a "chocolate gaze" and it was awful on sooooo many levels.

I personally hate Asian characters being described as having almond eyes. It's a meaningless cliche, because our eyes aren't even shaped like almonds! (funny visual explanation here) But I'll just wince and skim over it if I have to, because it's so common. And the alternatives are often much worse.

When I write descriptions of skin color I try to keep it simple. Medium brown, tawny, etc. But in the right context (like a sex scene involving food) I don't see a problem with food-related terms.

I haven't read these guides, but they seem like a really interesting potential resource for writers (Val Kovalin posts in this group, too)

http://www.obsidianbookshelf.com/html...

[The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears]

The problem I see is that the food metaphors are just so OVERDONE! There are way too many books with mocha-chocolate-caramel-honey-souffle character descriptions that I think I'm reading one of Nigella Lawson's cookbooks rather than a romance, LOL. There's also my own suspicion that some authors prefer the food descriptions because there's still some color consciousness in play. A "coffee with cream" complexion seems to work better than a "midnight brown" one.

I confess that when I first started writing I used 'Belgian chocolate' to describe a character, but then I got bored. I thought of wood or jewel tones, and I still think those are pretty cool.

@Violetta: BTW, one of my characters is Asian, so how would I go about describing his eye shape that isn't falling back on "almond-shaped"? You teach me and I'll teach you.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

That's an incredible resource, Violetta.

I don't 100% have an issue with food terms to describe skin color. I just think that some creativity at work is ideal. It's better than calling them all dark-skinned as though there was no incredible spectrum of skin color available.

[Ayana - Petra]

Hi ladies,
I am not put off by the various terms used by authors to describe a character's skin complexion. With all due respect who is being hurt by using food terms to describe the richness of one's complexion. Is there a particular handbook out that says only certain prescribe terms can be used. As a reader of romance for a long time. I remember when terms like these were not even use in most books I read, because you were not even in them.

Words like "Redbone"."High Yella" "Black" and"Darkie" were used as common place terms to describe each other. Are we really serious? Except the fact that you will never,ever please everybody. I applaud all authors who are trying to get an up in this industry. With IR and Indie being the new kids on the block as far as literature is concern. People will nitpick. Perfecting one's craft is a process and definitely not one size fits all. If your not describing who I am reading about you become suspect to me. Because my preference is BW heroines. I have bought books that were very deceiving. So yes, I love it when a description reflects that level of detail.
Thanks for letting me share my thoughts.

[Chaeya]

I just wanted to add that if you state a character is "dark-skinned" - that means different things to different races. I've heard white people described as "dark-skinned" and you're thinking of a very tanned or "swarthy" complexioned person, but to us, that would be a light-skinned black person.

The issue is that white people can be quite vague with skin colors because they don't really have to deal with listing skin complexions and most of them simply say African-American and leave it at that. While they have subtle differences in complexions, it's not enough where they need to write it in for their readers. However, they read us doing it and they want to poke fun at it, and to call it "lazy" - really? What's the difference between stating "mocha" or "dark-skinned" or "mahogany" - any one of these are less lazy?

Chaeya

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

I totally agree with you about the ambiguous nature of the term dark-skinned. It's also a huge pet peeve for my sister.

I can see why people use food terms. They are quite recognizable. If you eat Hershey's you know what color it is. If you like cinnamon, you have a mental image for it.

I think the poster was going for humor, but perhaps it came off as too blase'?

[The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears]

Ayana wrote: "Hi ladies,
I am not put off by the various terms used by authors to describe a character's skin complexion. With all due respect who is being hurt by using food terms to describe the richness of o..."

It's about CREATIVITY, an author's stock in trade. Some things have become cliche in my opinion, just like some subgenres have become cliche-ridden. There's nothing wrong with changing things up a little and coming up with more original ways to describe skin color. If crayola can come up with "sienna" and "umber", we can invent some great descriptive terms as well. And "dark-skinned" is definitely vague.

[Violetta]

Vixenne wrote: You teach me and I'll teach you.


I'll do my best to talk around it!

Asians who grew up in predominantly Asian countries aren't really concerned with eye shape. It's more about the eyelid. Having a lid crease is kind of a big thing. Some Asians have lid creases and some don't, and if you don't, some buy these weird string things to create a false crease, have a plastic surgery procedure called blepharoplasty, or create a crease through makeup. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oz1AzS...

Asian-Americans or any Asians who grew up in a minority setting can sometimes have a lot of hang-ups about our eyes due to racism. These issues can overlap with crease issues.

So as for an Asian-American describing their own eyes... well, if they're vulnerable to internalized racism they will often think of their eyes as too small or shaped wrong. In Hawaiian Gothic we wrote a lot of Asians who grew up in predominantly Asian communities so it's not such a big deal to them. We didn't describe eye shape at all, just left it for granted.

Other Asians describing their own eyes might talk about them in terms of eyelid creases. But honestly, "monolid versus double" talk is almost totally meaningless to non-Asians and I wouldn't bother putting it in a book unless it was really contextualized and part of the plot (e.g. set in the fashion industry)

One neutral and non-offensive way to talk about the difference of Asian eyes is to mention the epicanthic fold which covers the corner of the eye. However, this isn't unique to Asians; many Native Americans have it too, and Latin Americans with a lot of indigenous ancestry will also have it.

If I was describing a mixed group of people, I'd probably just say, "so and so had Asian eyes." Although to be specific I really should say East Asian, since South Asians have a totally different eye shape. But I'd probably just say Asian in casual speech.

Words to avoid in ascending order of awfulness: slanted, slitted, squinty and ch*nky. Almond is kind of groanworthy but not actively offensive to me.

I don't have any skin color "what word goes here" problems at the moment, but I might come back and take advantage of your offer very soon! Our latest WIP is set in ancient Rome and has a pretty important black character (an "Aethiopian" from modern-day Ethiopia).

[Ayana - Petra]

I agree the IR genre must evolve. But is this really the weakest link in it's potential growth. When there are so many other area's that need fine tuning. I am saying to you. I as a reader who makes it my business to be your customer. I will not and have not. Let this become an albatross to you as an author. When it comes to spending my money.

If you are looking to broaden your base of potential customers. Then the question becomes. Who am I marketing this book to? Right now you are in a niche market. This is not solely about creativity but marketing as well. I definitely understand. I would suggest a focus group. You and other author's trying to determine what is really needed to make your books more inclusive without losing your base.

Thanks Vixenne!

[The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears]

Ayana wrote: "I agree the IR genre must evolve. But is this really the weakest link in it's potential growth. When there are so many other area's that need fine tuning. I am saying to you. I as a reader who make..."

Great point. We are the new kid on the block, which for me means that we shouldn't allow ourselves as readers and writers to get hung-up with the same old tropes that are so problematic in mainstream romance. We should be edgy, take more chances, be creative when it comes to characters and plots. Honestly because we're still a niche market we've got a lot less to lose and yet more to prove. I want IR to have major bragging rights and be the leaders rather than the followers. Yes, I'm pretty idealistic in that respect,LOL.

@Violetta: thanks mich for the lesson. I know about "number ones and number twos" as well.

[Roslyn]

That's interesting Violetta, I just finished a novella with a Samoan hero, and my free read has a Korean heroine. I didn't really get into eye descriptions except in one scene the (white) hero talks about how deep and dark the heroine's eyes are. I guess I assumed that everyone knows in general what Asian eyes look like, though I suppose that's a cop out too. But I've read about the terms some Asians find offensive and wanted to avoid using them. Interestingly enough though, I've described some of my African American heroines as having almond shaped eyes.

As for skin color terms, I like playing around with descriptors. I remember describing one heroine as being so dark she seemed to absorb light and glow from within. I expected major blowback from that one, but thus far, nothing. It wasn't one of my more popular books so maybe that's why I haven't gotten much response. I've also used russet, obsidian, jet and sienna. Again with no problem. Cinnamon OTOH caused a major uproar.

[The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears]

"I remember describing one heroine as being so dark she seemed to absorb light and glow from within. I expected major blowback from that one, but thus far, nothing."

What book was that, Roslyn? I need to read it! On the other hand, I just bought your latest and my poor Nook is letting me know I'm getting near my limit until I buy a micro SDHC card, LOL.

[Roslyn]

That's Gabriel's Redemption. My fallen angel chased by an end of days cult story.

[Asteropê]

I'm not a writer (published, professionally, etc), but I have many story ideas and like to write for fun. I was wondering how to describe skin color and tone without being (unintentionally) offensive, so I was planning on asking here, but found this discussion. I'm glad the standard food/beverage-orientated phrases are acceptable as those would probably be the ones I'd use.

In case I ever write a Native American character, I was wondering how to describe them. My dad is 1/2 Native and has a reddish-brown coloring, medium dark if tanned. I can't really think of phrases to describe it -- cinnamon? Reddish sienna? Or reddish-brown? Does anyone have any ideas?

Edit: something like this, I mean:
http://www.123rf.com/photo_8139900_po...
(only in my dad's case, he's got more of a red tone)

[Tamekia]

How about nutmeg or honey brown?I like sienna too..

[Asteropê]

Tamekia wrote: "How about nutmeg or honey brown?I like sienna too.."

Nutmeg! I didn't think of that. That'd work. Thanks :-)

I just wanted to make sure I didn't use a phrase that'd be offensive or weird. While my dad has dark coloring, I look completely white (even got blue eyes, only one in my family) and my brother more light-honey when he tans. My dad just says he has red skin (not redskin, the slur), but I'd never use that in a story due to its connotations and similarity to a slur.

[Tamekia]

I understand completely and glad I could help:) good luck with your story!

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

Here is a list of color terms on Wikipedia. Maybe this would be helpful to you.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_...

[Chrisolu]

I've always been fond of comparing my skin to foods. Everyone likes food right:) I don't think it has any negative connotations. If anyone thinks differently, please enlighten me as to why I might be mistaken.

[Chrisolu]

Roslyn I love your non food skin color descriptors. Obsidian and sienna are my favorite. Why did cinnamon cause an uproar?

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

Chrisolu wrote: "I've always been fond of comparing my skin to foods. Everyone likes food right:) I don't think it has any negative connotations. If anyone thinks differently, please enlighten me as to why I might ..."

I think some members feel this objectifies black people. I don't feel that way. I think that these terms are readily identifiable and gives an instant mental picture. Everyone knows what milk chocolate looks like. I do agree that authors could be more creative and learn different terms to use to describe skin color, but I also think that is the case with white authors. As a long-term Crayon fan and artist, I love exploring colors.

[Robin]

I've mentioned this in this group before. But one of my pet peeves with IR is the food comparison/description thing. I mean I get why it's done. It makes sense. But when you see 12,845,673 times and it's the same description over and over(or a small variant), it gets a very tiresome, very quickly.

Plus, it might even be slightly offensive.

[Rose]

My two cents: I also don't mind the food, furniture or crayola etc. descriptors. With so many shades from ebony to ivory amongst those of the African diaspora, it is something we as writers (of all 'races') are figuring out.

If I describe a black person as "light brown" it'll probably register as a number of shades across different readers, as will the actual story content, character personalities etc.; differing interpretations come with the territory.

But if the exact shade is necessary to the plot or character, I will try to find an object to get that shade in my readers' minds (and the way a character sees it), whether I have to use "tar" "cheese" or "cardboard" to do it! :)

[[deleted user]]

Just wondering what others find offensive about being compared to food in terms of describing skin color?

Im just curious. I cant speak for anyone, but my skin color is similar to chocolate. People like chocolate. Being a part of the darker spectrum, if I see someone described as chocolate, I'm uber excited. If a writer does use the term brown, one person's brown is another person's tan.

Im Afro-Latino. So obviously the "stereotypical" look for Latinos is tan/mulatto looking. A friend of mine who is Euro-Latino considers herself dark. Mind you, she could easily pass for Greek, Italian, Portuguese or even Eastern European. Not that I can identify with the term "brown" but I like to know that my image is not being ignored.

[Paganalexandria]

Guinevere wrote: "Just wondering what others find offensive about being compared to food in terms of describing skin color?

Im just curious. I cant speak for anyone, but my skin color is similar to chocolate. Peopl..."

Hi Guinevere, I think it depends on context and comfort level. I've had strange men sing that Rolling Stones song "Brown Sugar" to me and it set my teeth on edge because it's objectifying me. Yet, someone close to me calls me Starbucks (for Hot Mocha) and it's fine because it's our thing. When you build up intimacy almost anything can be allowed.

The same concept works in books too. I only find icky when the guy comes out the gate comparing her to food, especially out loud (inner dialogue get's a pass from me). If the writer does a good job of establishing the relationship is based on more than the physical I never even notice it. Unfortunately there is so much IR that are just porn novellas, which keeps them from earning the pass.

Does that make sense?

[The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears]

I wouldn't mind the food descriptions if they were used sporadically. I didn't mind them when IR books first came out. The issue for me is how much of a fall back they've become. I guess the creative geek in me wants to see other ways to describe our varying hues. I've become rather fond of jewel tones like jet, onyx and obsidian.

[The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears]

I wouldn't mind the food descriptions if they were used sporadically. I didn't mind them when IR books first came out. The issue for me is how much of a fall back they've become. I guess the creative geek in me wants to see other ways to describe our varying hues. I've become rather fond of jewel tones like jet, onyx and obsidian.

[Paganalexandria]

TheFountainPenDiva wrote: "I wouldn't mind the food descriptions if they were used sporadically. I didn't mind them when IR books first came out. The issue for me is how much of a fall back they've become. I guess the creative geek in me wants to see other ways to describe our varying hues. I've become rather fond of jewel tones like jet, onyx and obsidian"

Diva, but if jewel tones became the "norm", you would probably get sick of that too most likely. I honestly don't mind if the story is told in third person it's only when the guy is going on and on about "tasting her chocolaty essence" five minutes in, that it personally drives me bonkers. LOL

[The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears]

LOL, true. But let me get to that point first *grin*

[[deleted user]]

Ok that's a good point :)


I've kinda been referred to as chocolate(or slang "chocolatina) but its mainly been from the Latino community. I don't read erotica too much. But I always see the reference in people's reviews. To be honest no non-Latino white guy has ever referred to me by a nickname outside of black. I don't have experience with Asian men, but I've never been offended by it.


I must also say, in description books there are about 30 ways to describe pale. About 4 to describe my color. None of them flattering. I've found that the color burnt umber is as close to my shade that's not food. And I actually find the color very regal. I'm just afraid others might hear or see the word "burnt" and find it offensive. It's just a richer color or umber.

[Savannah- Quad Motherin' Book Readin' Diva]

All I know is that I'm sick of café au lait and ebony.

I'm a dark sista, and even I'M not ebony for cryin out loud. Its not a truly common skin tone as far as I've noticed. And it never fails, at some point in the story they deviate SO far away from anything even remotely ebony in the description of the heroine's skin tone. What the heck every happened to mahogany? Teak? Something!Just plain dark brown for cryin out loud. Why does it even need to be fancied up? Its skin. If a character needs to be described in order to focus a mental picture, then I'd be happy with light/medium/dark brown. Why put so much effort into making it flowery when that effort can be spent on her other features?

And when I think of café au lait, I automatically see foamy swirls in a cup. LOL I'm pretty sure that's not what they are going for.

[[deleted user]]

Being Afro Latino can I just say @ savannah that fairer Latinos often refer to themselves as dark brown. Even some of our white sisters refer to themselves as brown when they tan. I'm nowhere near the color of the women I've seen and heard refer to this way. So perhaps an emphasis is put for "some" authors so readers will not assume white. In still bugging over rue in hunger games. She was described dark brown like thresh, yet people saw her as tan not black. And as great as the actress who played her was, she was not dark. I see no representation of Afro Latinas in books, so I rely on books with non Latino blacks to represent me the way I should be. Fab, dark and confident. Dark brown sometimes can be someone's "tan" or "bronze" or any other term to exclude blacks. :( I think mahogany is great, and I am close to that, but I'm not at all offended by ebony. But perhaps because I don't read as many novels featuring romance as its main focus???

[Savannah- Quad Motherin' Book Readin' Diva]

Not disagreeing with your experience, Guinevere- but it has to be said that for the purposes of this specific irritation regarding descriptive terms in these books, I'm not sure the vast majority of readers would be confused by the term as usually the heroine in question is identified as AA. One can never account for the perceptions of every race/culture who might read the story. Dark brown in most parts of the AA community wouldn't be considered on the fair side by any means. That's not me being dismissive of other cultures, just realistically saying there is no way to account for every perception, so at times writers have to go with a majority mindset unless the story dictates otherwise.

[[deleted user]]

True, true. Also have to say, I at times refer to myself as AA. Nothing really excludes me from using the term, as I am American born, and of African-Cuban descent. And from what my parents tell me, in Cuba, you'd just be considered Black. The US is different,as we tend to rely on terms to join or separate us. I just agree sometimes that color should be highlighted, and at times disagree as well.

So perhaps there is no pleasing every reader :) I suppose there is so much emphasis on the caramel, the honey, the not darker than a paper bag color, that if someone is described as darker, even if it is in a greater detail than dark brown, Im usually pleased.

[Savannah- Quad Motherin' Book Readin' Diva]

And I'm not offended by ebony, I just don't yhonk its used aui curately most of the time. Especially when other adjectives are used later in the story that make the use of it obviously off base lol. Chick can't have ebony skin in chapter 1 then sudden turn caramel in chapter 5. That's my beef with the word. Its being used as a blanket term sometimes to describe anyone not light skinned. If she's ebony then I say, let that sista be a truly beautiful shade of straight BLACK because that is what tthe word denotes.

[Savannah- Quad Motherin' Book Readin' Diva]

sorry for the typos, my phone hates my flatass thumbs!

[Savannah- Quad Motherin' Book Readin' Diva]

That's interesting (how you/your parents identify). I hadn't given it thought but I imagine it does cause a different type of reflection when reading.

My kids are biracial (black +caucasian which for them is a mix of italian and french) but as they are being raised in America I'm teaching them to identify as black but learn about the other parts of their racial background and history. Ultimately, I think being biracial is so common now that its becoming its own, seperately identifiable race, which is great imo.

[[deleted user]]

My friend is biracial. Racially he is white and black as well. But culturally his father is a Black Haitian, and his mother a White Colombian(Her parents were originally from Basque, which is near France, Spain, it's European and pretty lacking in diversity, but they moved to Colombia before she was born). He's in between so unfortunately, and he says this often, he should be his own race. I cant say I agree or disagree. But he also only defines being biracial as being White and Black. To him a white/asian mix is not biracial, so I suppose if being biracial were it's own race, who would define it? Would there be many different kinds of biracial? Or do you think they might benefit being all in one category?

I only ask, because I have this discussion with him alot. Perhaps my experience has made me very conscious about race, and it's even more evident now that Im dating someone who is not only uncomfortable, but clueless about race(he's a non-latino white person).

And it'd be interesting to hear the opinion of someone who experiences biracial identity in their home, as Im not biracial, so I dont understand my friend's walk of life.

[[deleted user]]

Oh and I get the typos, I was dealing with them myself, which is why I ran to my desktop :p smartphones aren't always so smart when you're in a rush.

[[deleted user]]

Guinevere wrote: "My friend is biracial. Racially he is white and black as well. But culturally his father is a Black Haitian, and his mother a White Colombian(Her parents were originally from Basque, which is near ..."

Interesting...I've never thought about different categories of biracial. Everyone I know who is of mixed raced usually identifies with one or the other or they just tell ppl what races they are mixed with rather than calling themselves "biracial".

Honestly, I think 'biracial' is a misnomer. I know very few ppl of mixed race who are just BI-racial considering many have a make up like your friend with parents and/or grandparents that are from multiple cultures/ethnicities. For instance, my father is half Black, half Puerto Rican but my grandfather's parents moved to PR from Jamaica - Grandpa's mother was White and his father was Black. Then my grandmother was White, Native American and Black. Both my parents identify with being AA therefore I'm by no means biracial, but I am multicultural. There is no easy formula for defining ppl anymore. Defining biracial as only Black and White is somewhat narrow minded, IMO.

[Savannah- Quad Motherin' Book Readin' Diva]

I think I could get jnto trouble for this, but I gotta "keep it 100" as the saying goes LOL. I think biracial as an identifiable seperate race ( as in a box one can check ona form because their are enough people in that category to justify the need) would be black/white.

Again, not dismissing anyone. Just being...pragmatic lol. To try to split too many hairs in irder to be inclusive of every possible mix would, to my mind, negate the point.

[Savannah- Quad Motherin' Book Readin' Diva]

I should probably add what I think the point would even be lol. For me its just the fact that we live in a world where if for no otherreason than by the virtue if sheer numbers, these people and (children especially) deserve the benefit of all these years of accumulated knowledge and tolerance enough to no longer have to choose or to break down something that people already know darn well lol.

[[deleted user]]

So someone who is Black and Japanese (or Korean, or Chinese, etc) isn't biracial? When Black and Asian are two distinct and defined races? Asian folks are by no means White.

[Arch , Mod]

Hi Guinevere, to me,if a person is mixed with two races they are biracial. So yes, a person that's half white/half asian is biracial. Some people that are biracial goes by only one race and I don't think that's right. I feel when a person does that they are refusing to accept one parent's race. I have a little Native American running in my blood, but I'm not biracial. I even have a little white running in my blood, but I'm not biracial. I'm a black woman, who has Native American features. My grandmother's mother was half black/half native american and I was told that her husband was natvie american. I've never seen him. I think he died, before I was born. My grandfather's mother was mulatto b.k.a. biracial now.

I think that if a person is mixed with two races, they should tell people they are biracial. Now, if they are mixed with more than one race, then they should break it down like Tiger Wood did.

Now as for skin color being compared to food, I don't see anything wrong with it.

[Savannah- Quad Motherin' Book Readin' Diva]

BkGurl wrote: "So someone who is Black and Japanese (or Korean, or Chinese, etc) isn't biracial? When Black and Asian are two distinct and defined races? Asian folks are by no means White."
Didn't say that.
They can check the darn box too if they want. I'm just saying there are way too many black/white biracial folk not to acknowledge it as a race in and of itself. I've got quadruplets so I've filled out more forms than I can count at this point and it just seems crazy to me that we can be inclusive enough to have single boxes for SO MANY but not them. Amer Indian, Alaskan Native, Pacific Islander..yet my kids grow up in a nation where I gotta be a smartass and check two boxes just to acknowdge something so common. That's dumb to me and I afmit to having odd peeves lmao.

I guess my point is more that its a bit nuts to me that at this point that particular mixture isn't acknowledged as a race. Call it whatever, I honestly don't care lol. "Biracial" is just what's out there currently and as pointed out, it includes a lot. I'm just saying it seems like it should be a race at this point.

Again, I'm not trying to exclude, just acknowledge.


Its like walking around saying I've got rhinopharyngitis when I've got a flippin cold. lol. Both are true but the more common usage makes more sense to use.

[[deleted user]]

Arch wrote: "Hi Guinevere, to me,if a person is mixed with two races they are biracial. So yes, a person that's half white/half asian is biracial. Some people that are biracial goes by only one race and I don't..."

When I was a kid my sibs and cousins used to use the crayola box to describe each other's complexion. I was Burnt Sienna lol. We still do it when describing someone...or use things like dark chocolate, milk chocolate, caramel, cafe au lait, etc. So for sake of describing in terms ppl understand, it works for me.