As a child, I disowned my Indian heritage due to the racism in my neighborhood and my appearance. In 2000, I traveled to India to meet my family and claim my heritage for the first time. I also met and became close with my family. After this I began identifying as biracial. I became an expert in Biracial Identity - teaching classes, conducting research, and leading organizations. My identity today is fluid. Often I have painful encounters with Indian people who test my authenticity as an Indian person.