Hello everyone. I'm curious what different people's experiences are with self image and how you describe yourself to others and stuff like that.

My story is, I'm half lebanese half russian, and growing up I mainly thought of myself as a jewish girl or a caucasian girl. Just a few years ago, I was reading some essays by mixed race people and realized, a main reason why I hadn't defined myself as arabic is because my skin is so pale. I don't have the familiar olive skin and thick, straight(ish) dark hair. (Though people who know the look recognize me as Lebanese. But they're rare.) On top of that, arabic jews basically have zero visibility, it is as if we don't exist, or we have to choose between the two even though there is nothing contradictory about them.

So anyway I would love to hear people's stories about your own experiences. Especially if you are reclaiming a heritage you don't physically appear to be a part of.