Like Tai, Auguste says his Trinidadian parentshas kept him from thinking of race as an importantissue.

In fact, when people ask him "what he is,"Auguste answers that he's "West Indian" ratherthan listing all the elements of his African,Asian, European and South American ancestry.

"I just say 'West Indian' because I'm so mixedup--it's not just a copout," Auguste says. "WestIndian' kind of takes care of everything."

Linda Maxwell, who comes from a small Frenchrural mining town in Canada, says she noted adistinct difference between the way Canadians andAmericans deal with race issues.

"Race is a constant issue [in America]. Itdoesn't just exist, it's a constant issue. There'ssome reason why it's always brought up," Maxwellsays. "In Canada, and especially where I'mfrom...race isn't as much of an issue."

E. Abim Thomas '96, a Currier resident whosefather is Nigerian and mother an American ofDanish ancestry, grew up in Nigeria and Senegal.

"Living in Africa, I noticed it was never aproblem, but I've noticed it is a problem here."Thomas says. "When you get a group of mixed peopletogether, you understand them and they understandyou. In high school, there were more mixed peoplethan anywhere else."

What makes Harvard different, according toThomas, is "a matter of how groups form."

"If I knew how they formed, that would resolvea lot of problems for me," Thomas says.

Thomas, who says she doesn't identify herself"along racial lines," does not belong to anycampus ethnic organizations.

Though she says she thinks the campus ispolarized, she hasn't deliberately tried to choosefriends from all ethnic groups.

"I don't think I try to strike a balance, notconsciously--but I like to think in the end I do,"Thomas says.

Thomas says maintaining her identity asbiracial is important to her.

"I'm offended when people don't recognize me asmixed," Thomas says. "Not to say that it's askill--but if it is, it's one that not many peoplehave."

Not Like a New Sweater