The forgotten people: Multiracial individuals

Abstract

This paper offers an extensive review of the literature pertaining to the identity formation and experiences of multiracial people in the United States. Much of the attention they receive in the literature tends to be directed toward discussions of either the U.S. Census or identity issues. Offered in this critique of the literature is a discussion of the problems which arise when the government attempts to classify multiracial people into monoracial categories, an acknowledgment of the challenges which individuals of mixed race face while forming and developing their multidimensional identities, and an overview of concep­tualizations of race.