NSFW: I’m A White Jamaican In New York

Hello there: I understand the fact of being stereotyped. I am a black woman from Canada (I live in the USA) and when most Canadian people meet me, the first thing they ask me where I'm from. I tell them that I come from Canada; however, then they say, "no, but where are you really from - where are your parents from?" then I have to explain that my parents are from Canada, but then that's not enough for them, then they ask where my grandparents are from, then I say: CANADA. It's like it's not good enough for them.

I simply tell them that my parental grandmother was born in 1902 in Canada and my paternal grandfather was born in 1895 in Canada. I'm 4th generation Black Canadian on my Father's side and 5th generation on my mother's side. That's when people shut up after that, but it really bothers me. The first thing they expect is for me to say I'm from Jamaica, Barbados or Trinidad. A lot of Caucasian people think I'm East Indian from India. Go figure!

My parents first applied for Canadian passports in the late 80s and when they went to the office, the woman kept looking at them funny because they have Canadian birth certificates and she said she never saw that before.

I know that there are White Jamaicans, Chinese Jamacians, etc; however, people can't accept them. However, I know how you feel, people can't accept that I am a black person from Canada and then I get stereotyped. I find that your history is fascinating and keep it up man! You're doing a great job.

PS: I don't get stereotyped as much in the USA; however, some Black people can't believe that Black people do exist in Canada.