Swedish | Vincentian/Jamaican - BHF Information Security Analyst
My Mum is Swedish, and my Dad is from St. Vincent & Jamaica. My Mum's family live in Sweden, so we visit several times a year. My Mum is bi-lingual, and I have lived in Sweden for a year so understand quite a lot of Swedish and can speak a little. I haven’t been to the Caribbean yet, but my Dad’s family live close to us, so we have always seen them regularly. I’ve always eaten a mixture of English, Caribbean and Swedish food.
As I come from a very mixed background I am able to choose whoever I am interested in without it being a problem for my parents. My view is very open in that all races should be able to be in an interracial relationship and be able to make it work. My parents and Grandparents share this view, however, for my Grandparents it was not as normal as it is now.
I've never had to or had any reason to hide my identity, rather I was proud to tell people that I am both of Swedish, Vincentian and Jamaican heritage. I have only been to Sweden so far. We are planning to travel to Jamaica. The Caribbean culture is very prominent in my Dad and his family. As a child I didn't think much of it, your parents are just your parents. As I get older I realise being of mixed heritage makes you more understanding of people's different cultures. I do believe now that I'm a lot more intrigued to learn and understand different cultures and races.
I have been stopped and searched 2-3 times. Also fitting the description having armed police surround me and friends at the park. Since the recent protest, I have been made aware of a Kaleidoscope group which the @the_bhf runs to tackle issues with equality, race and gender.
If I had the opportunity to be reborn I would return the same way, with the same family but with the ability to have my own opinions and not have to use the media or any sources to determine my thoughts. This is I believe that in our generation the media dictates and creates a worldwide culture in which brainwashes us into believing anything.
Want to read more? Subscribe here #mixedracefaces