Growing up mixed race in todays racial climate in the UK
When I turned 9 years old, I started to feel some type of way about myself.
I never really felt black enough or white enough. Two things used to upset me; a dislike for my extra curly white textured, hard to manage hair and the opinions of others. At primary school I remember people questioning if I am black because I am lighter skinned, the white kids even after seeing my black father still would refer to me as white.
Growing up in london I have been exposed to many different cultures but yet I still would compare myself to others especially to those who are mixed-race/black. My mum told me a story that when my dad took me out one day a cab driver stopped my dad and wouldn’t drive because he didn’t think I was my dads daughter, That must have upset my dad. A few years later and I am at secondary school and one of my peers tells me “you’re only half black so you cant call yourself black”.
Luckily for me I have a dad and mum who are very knowledgable about the history of the world and self love. They have always taught me how important it is to know myself and love myself. Meeting more new people has shown me that not everybody sees colour and reading great books like ‘you are awesome’ by Matthew Syed has really helped.
Social media allows me to connect with likeminded people who give me great tips and videos on how to manage my hair, with the good always comes some bad and what people write in the comments section can offended me at times, but I know that hurt people hurt people so I try to take no notice.
How do I feel about being mixed race now at 14?
I like it!
I get the best from different cultures like the food — ackee and salt fish to home made Italian pizza.
I wouldn’t change anything about myself, I feel I have a better understanding of where I come from and who I am and I still have lots more to find out about my mixed heritage.
Shiloh
