(I’ve recently started a new job. I’m Native American. I lighten my hair to bring out red highlights and am commonly mistaken for Hispanic.)

Manager: “I’m glad you’re here today. No one else speaks Spanish. Go help this couple.” *motions Hispanic couple over*

Me: “Sir, I don’t speak Spanish.”

Manager: “Yes, you do. You’re Mexican.”

Me: “No. I’m not.”

Manager: “What are you then?”

Me: “I’m Native American.”

(The next week the manager interviewed two new applicants, both Spanish speaking, since ‘I’m not Mexican.’)

This story is part of our Native-American roundup.

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