Blood Quantum

Abstract

The following collection of poems deals primarily but not exclusively with the idea of ethnic identity. Moving through themes of family, love, religion and race I am examining how one comes to define themselves racially, especially when he or she is of mixed race-- a term I have only recently adopted. In each section there are poems that seem out of place but they are meant to represent an absence of self. Another subtle aspect present throughout is a shift between light and dark which is meant to represent the trials and tribulations we all face in life. As someone pushed toward defining himself as Native American I am also pushing back by writing less about this part of my history as an act of rebellion to bring back into focus the fact I am of mixed race.