Mulatto is a term commonly refered to someone who is on both black and white ancestry. It usually is used in an offensive way because the term was common during the time of slavery to describe someone of mixed acestry. Despite being commonly used to discribe people with black and white ancestry it can be used for anyone with mixed ancestry. Despite being used in a negative way Mulatto was an official US census category until 1930. Also, mulattos compose a large portion of South American countries like the Domincan Republic and Brazil. Mulattos often faced discrimination and were often portrayed in fiction as the "tragic mulatto".