Mix-d: philosophy…..a two pronged approach.

On a recent journey to a family reunion in Jamaica I was ‘affectionately’ referred as the ‘white boy or red-skin’ (my actual complexion is visibly light cream with a spattering of freckles - it is my guess you would certainly recognise that I was neither fully mono-heritage white or black).

The same thing happened on a few more occasions throughout the trip, I would simply smile and say, “...wat ya ah want?”.

Whilst visiting a local hangout down-town, amusingly named: ‘big people corner’ I got into a conversation with one of my father’s oldest friends. The friend who shall remain nameless was proudly telling me about his sons and daughters.

He said, “I have one white daughter like you…I think it is very hard for them because they don’t fit in…!!”

Again, I smiled because there wasn’t any harm intended…and in my experience it is common place for (mono-heritage) people to think they can racialised mixed-race individuals. The conversation went on for sometime and after a while it became clear that his views were placed firmly in a ‘one dimensional‘ perspective, what I would call the ‘sociological’ view point.

There was little if any reference made to his daughter’s thoughts or feelings, (the psychological) but much importance placed on a perceived societal view.

On the way home I thought it would be a good opportunity to explain more about our Mix-d: philosophy and ‘The Two Pronged Approach’...of course, I will try not to make it too speaky spokey!!

Basically, we see the Mix-d: philosophy divided into a two pronged approach: The SOCIOLOGICAL and the PSYCHOLOGICAL.  

The sociological view point is the popular discussion which takes place at a government and institution level, in the media and society at large.

In other words,  it focussed on what it means to be mixed-race in society today. Led by the racial majority, this area of the discussion is most obviously influenced by past historical predjudices, personal assumptions and how media have chosen to name the mixed-race experience.

In my opinion, such a narrow one dimensional sociological view can have a massive negative impact on the individual psychological discussion. Why is this?

Well, the psychological view or the way individuals think about their identities is predominantly shaped by their lived experience and often by internalising external information about themselves from out-side sources…(sociological view)

Over the years many non mixed-race commentators have debated whether mix-d: individuals should feel differently than their ‘mono racial’ counterparts.  I would say that the mix-d: group and individuals we work with across the country overwhelmingly state that differences exist.

Part of the reason for this is simply that there is a disconnect between the popular sociological view point and psychological lived experience of being mixed-race.

At The Multiple Heritage Project and Mix-d. We bring together both the sociological and psychological discussion of being mix-d: and as a result we offer a broader and more balanced understanding of the topic. 

Or put differently, we create an open platform to discuss such issues which can:

- help provide mix-d: individuals with the tools to engage confidently with the existing sociological discussions, from which they have been absent for many years.

- hopefully these contributions and healthy debates will in turn improve the psychology, confidence and esteem and vocabulary of the mix-d: group.

- develop new possibilities, one which takes elements from both the socioloical and psychological view points and creates a mix-d: philosophy.

Speak soon.

Brad.