English/Irish | Jamaican
We all know that racial inequality is systematic, and that will take many years to change. But I would like to see more steps taken within schools and the healthcare system. We need more allies, and for people to recognise that by being friends with someone who is Black, or even having a Black spouse doesn’t make you an ally. I have also thought about this being mixed-race, and I know I need to take further steps to ensure that I am using my privileges to better society for others.
Society will always come up with different ways to judge people, and I recently had an interesting conversation with a Black friend with a White husband, about how apparently there is a right way to be mixed-race i.e. with parents the ‘right way round’; a White Dad and a Black Mum, due to the negative stereotypes there are about Black men. I do hope though as our collective voices get louder, attitudes will continue to change in positive ways.
A recent ongoing challenge I am dealing with is regarding my White passing three-year-old daughter Olive. Her Dad is White Irish and she takes after him in looks. Since she was born, I am constantly asked whether she is my daughter, with a lot of people assuming I am her nanny. It is pretty draining explaining to people how genes work, and frustrating that people feel the need to even ask in the first place. I now try to laugh it off and say she takes after Dad, but I do worry how Olive will feel. I am raising her to be proud of being mixed-race, whether others think she ‘looks it’ or not, as well as for her to learn to use her privileges that comes with having lighter skin for good.
Growing up I didn’t make a conscious effort to engage or disengage with my cultural backgrounds. I had a positive upbringing and rarely received overt racism. I now better understand concepts such as microaggressions and looking back, these types of situations did occur. Now I make a conscious effort to engage with all my cultural backgrounds. I now understand that being mixed-race is a huge part of who I am, and I make sure I include this when I reflect on situations and behaviours (mine and society's).
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