Don't ask Don't tell.

 It's a tricky thing to be black or mixed in today's world. As I've stated before biracial Americans are often racially ambiguous, and considered "exotic" by many.

Rashida Jones is one actor who walks the line of ambiguity frequently. Jones is the younger daughter of Quincy Jones and Peggy Lipton. Throughout her career Rashida Jones has played a variety of roles on shows such as Freaks and Geeks, Boston Public, and  Chappelle's Show. As Jones' career and notoriety advanced so did the caliber of her roles.

Jones went from a character actor to leading actor and has starred in films and tv shows such as I Love You, Man and Parks and Recreation. I am a huge fan of Jones and I would never doubt her pride in her heritage as she has always defended being bi racial but there's one thing that puzzles me about the roles Jones portrays.

Seldom do they define her race, in any role Rashida Jones plays. In I Love You, Man Jones marries Paul Rudd and there is little to no discussion of race. Jones has played white in some movies even with white parents and at other times it is assumed that character she portrays share her mixed background.

Meghan Markle is another young actor finding success with her biracial charms. Markle's mother is African American and her father is of Dutch and Irish descent.

Markle is best known for her role as Rachel Zane in the popular drama Suits. Zane is the love interest of the shows protagonist Mike Ross played by Patrick J. Adams. There are a couple things I found interesting about Markle's character Zane.

Markle being chosen as the love interest while being biracial shows a shift in thinking radically different from a decade or two ago. In the most recent episode of season 3, Rachel Zane confronts her father and the other characters learn she is the daughter of the powerful African American lawyer, Robert Zane.

This moment is important for the story because robert Zane becomes a recurring character, but by admitting Zane is her father she is also admitting she is black. Although it had been hinted to in the series it had never been outright stated by Markle's character Rachel.

Although Actors such as Jones, and Markle are often criticized for not publicizing their African American roots we need them. We need them to keep playing lead roles and portraying women in roles where they are not defined by their race. Their persistence and success in the industry will blaze a path for others in generations to come.