That paper bag! Being mixed, I distinctly remember being 5, it was my first day of school and my mother stood beside me, with my dad on the other side. She was holding a brown paper Steinberg's bag (the local grocery chain at the time) and up near my face.

None of it registered until I was about 50. I had no idea that was a thing. I was (am) white presenting but get one hell of a tan, and she was making sure I didn't tan-down darker than the bag! My head still spins....I may have to write about that.