I identify as Middle Eastern but am forced to select White category as there is no racial  box. I do not exist here in America and am encouraged to identify as a race I am not. I am not  White. I am Middle Eastern. I came to America in 1990 and have not witnessed change in census for my racial identity. Is this the United States way of telling me and my community that we  should remain invisible or conform? My family had to flee Iraq as a result of the Iraq-Iran war and settle in Bahrain. Eventually, my parents, my brother and I made our way to the United States where we settled in San Diego. I am no different than the Iraqi refugees that fled Iraq as a  result of the Iraq/American war. America invaded Iraq and as a result Iraqi’s fled to America for peace and justice. If America is willing to go to war with a foriegn country for positive change shouldn’t they welcome and acknowledge their fleeing refugees? I am a proud Iraq-American and received my naturalization but still feel deemed as a second class citizen. I feel our local and  national leaders are not doing a good job with Arab-American’s such as myself feeling visible in the United States. 

I enjoyed the opportunity to interview, take photographs and video clips of a local  musician in Balboa Park. I resonated with the musician from his appearance and sound. He  appeared to be a White male playing Middle Eastern drumming melodies from my culture. He is  my definition of what I want White America to conform to. He provided a story to me through his performance that you don’t have to be a native to appreciate or learn foriegn music. He gave  me hope that I was longing for the future of America.