Scottish | Nigerian
I identify as dual heritage or mixed-race. I am a Scottish Nigerian Londoner. My Mum is Scottish, and my Dad is Nigerian. Most of my life I have been projected onto, assumptions made, and my identity was a discussion point while others didn’t get that same spotlight. It made me feel badgered and even harassed at times. I am always asked where I am from, what is my mix and which parent is which. It can get tiring. I have found that both Black and White people can view me with a level of intrigue as if I am something or someone that needs to be studied. I’ve had teachers assume I am Jamaican and literally tell me ‘Oh you’re Jamaican, we’re doing a project, can you tell me about Jamaica’. Men have hinted because of my complexion I am some sort of sexual plaything and that has really upset me. Maturing and seeing the absolute beauty in my experience and identity as a woman of dual heritage. Realising it puts me in a very unique and powerful position to see the world through and beyond race and embrace my identity as a person of dual heritage but also as a soul who genuinely sees other people in their essence and not as a product of how they look. Being mixed means that more than ever you are thrown into the deep end of complex human interaction, social polarity, psychology & both overt and subtle post-colonial exchanges. You can see beyond the lines and from many different standpoints. You are a bridge between 2 worlds. I’ve always felt this world isn’t always ready to see and hear that bridge, that conversation. But I believe we are now doing that and I’m excited to see where that will go. If I had the opportunity to be reborn I would want to be me, through and through. I love who I am. I would just want to embrace my experience and accept my place in the world a lot earlier and not allow people to affect me if they project onto me who they think I am and what they think a person of dual heritage is about.
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