For this week’s interview for the Mixed Heritage Family Life series, the interviewee wanted to speak freely but stay anonymous. Her account is personal to her and her mixed race child, and the fact that you don’t know her name shouldn’t take away from her honest sharing.

On Motherhood and Personal Growth

TTT: Tell us a bit about yourself?
Anon: I’m a scientist, writer, editor and publisher with a 6 years old son. I am an active Twitter user, and love to read and write stories. Typically, these days, I like having adventures with my son. We play imagination games, write stories together, draw and go for walks.

Before I had my son, if I were to write a profile about myself, I would say I am quiet when I am mainly by myself. I like alone time and peaceful music like La Brea by Alex Isley. However, when I’m out with people, I am outgoing and lively. I love thrift shopping and sitting in small cafes. I enjoy Jazz music. Christmas is my favourite holiday.

TTT: How has your motherhood journey been so far?
Anon: Motherhood has been good in that I get to relive a fun childhood. At first, it seemed difficult because I didn’t know if I was doing things the right way but I got the hang of it. It’s tough at times but rewarding. I get to be the kind of mum that I felt that I also needed. My mom was great but I feel like I needed something more, which I am trying to give to my son. I am not in any way perfect but I don’t feel inadequate for the most part.

Motherhood changed the way I see things. How I view people. How I view myself. I’ve had to do a lot of self-examination. It shines a light on you and turns the mirror back onto yourself; shows you all your flaws and weaknesses but also your strengths and the good things about you too.

TTT: What is the racial mix of your child?
Anon: Black and white. Afro Caribbean and British White

Racial Identity & The Mixed Race Child

TTT: Does your child talk about being mixed? If so what does it mean to him?
Anon: He does not talk about it because I taught him he is black, just a lighter shade.

I’ve observed how some mixed kids behave when they grow up. Telling people, they have ‘white in them’, not identifying with their black heritage and behaving like Trump supporters. If I teach him what he is,  a light skin black person it will be better for him psychologically.

TTT: Do you ‘celebrate’ all your family’s heritage in your daily life? If so how?
Anon: We are immersed in black culture where we live and in the events we attend, also the books we read. This is by choice because I want my son to know he is black and that his heritage is important.

Hopes For The Future

TTT: Are any of your concerns for his future related to his ethnicity? What are they and how do you deal with them?
Anon: I am concerned for his safety if he travels since he is black. I try to raise him to be self-sufficient and Godly. I think that is the best I can do for now. Instill in him his rights as a human and his right to have sound boundaries about his personhood.

TTT: What is your biggest wish for your child?
Anon: To live a Godly life. For him to have a kind loving heart and strong boundaries. For him to live a fun life and treat people well, so that when people think of him they think in fond terms.

I hope you enjoyed this interview and respect the interviewee’s decision to remain anonymous. If you are based in the Caribbean or if you are mixed race and originally from the Caribbean, do you identity with one side of your heritage more? I would feel free to comment below. Share your experiences and/or thoughts with us.  CLICK HERE for more blogs on parenting and raising a mixed race child.

All images form Pexels.com