Published by Brad on 3 March 2010 | 2 Comments / Have your say

Why I got involve with the project?

My name is Alexandra; I am now the Mix-d: Coordinator for the Multiple Heritage Project

My first involvement with the project was in 2006. Through word of mouth I heard about a conference concerning racial identity and, being prone to intrigue as I am, I decided to attend.  As a 16-year-old I hadn’t really though too deeply about race or what it was to be mixed race, although the concept was always one which stuck to the back of my mind - my thoughts surrounding the subject were definitely there but had never had the chance to be unleashed. The conference was, as I expected, focused partially on the overrepresentation on mixed race people in establishments like the Criminal Justice System.

I disagreed with certain statements made about sleepwalking into segregation and certain generalisations made about “identity stripping” and the confusion of mixed raced individuals. I knew that it wasn’t right for a mono-heritage politician to generalise about how I saw myself; nor about how other mixed race people see themselves (which is a lot of people since the majority of mixed race people are actually under 16!)

Following the conference, Denise Williams (MHP) approached me with a proposal:  would I like to get involved with the multiple heritage project… well you can guess how I responded
At the first training day I walked in, sat down, fiddled with my paper and pens to make it look like I was doing something, and then I noticed I was in a room full of mixed race people. This was a first for me - having attended a predominantly ‘white’ school I was often known as the only “black” person in the class - however, despite recognising none of the trainees, I felt comfortable. We were then introduced to Bradley Lincoln (Founder). Instantly, Bradley and Denise made the entire setting relaxed and were so down-to-earth (which was definitely not what I expected from a training workshop). We were able to openly discuss our issues and experiences on our own terms without being judged or told how we should think and by the end of the day I actually felt listened to!

I took part in two training days and following each one I walked out with a sense of pride and empowerment. A space to talk about a subject which directly affects me but, despite being so eminent in today’s society, is rarely addressed with mixed race people at the centre of the discussion was valuable experience. It was comforting to know that I shared some of the same experiences as other mixed race people – like asking my mum why I was a different colour to her when I was younger or at one stage in my life clinging on to the stereotypical “black” identity -  but it was also comforting to know that I wasn’t just a stereotype or a statistic.

I was so excited about my first conference. A room full of even more mixed race people! I was full of nerves before conducting my workshop, however, I knew that if the young people got half of what I got out of the training day then they would be walking out with their heads held high – and the feedback I received was just that. Each Conference day has been an unexplainable experience for me in some respects. The atmosphere at the beginning of the day, driven by a room full of nervous young people; compared to the atmosphere at the end of the day, having given the young people a chance to discuss their thoughts and feelings regarding their identity in education, society and life, always provides me with sense that we really do make a difference (cliché I know – but true!)

Which is why I stayed involved. Having the opportunity to provide a platform for young people to discuss their identity and turn their backs on stereotypes was enough to keep me hooked. I continued to notice that there was a real need for this type of conversation. I immediately realised that the Multiple Heritage Project was not one of those victimising organisations that see all mixed race people as confused beings who don’t know which category to fit into; MHP is an organisation which empowers young people to consider their identity and acknowledges the similarities and differences in each mixed race individual without labelling them or forcing them into a set category.

One element of the MHP which struck me as unique yet crucial was the emphasis on covering all areas of the discussion: in education, in foster care, in the Criminal Justice System and even in fashion; in order to stay current in focusing on where the discussion is at today, and not where it was 10 years ago. Furthermore, the project highlights the need to continue to place young people at the centre of this big conversation whilst also maintaining the involvement of parents, carers, teachers and professionals.

The next step after moving to Manchester to attend University I soon become the Mix-d: Coordinator. This role allows me to have a huge amount of involvement in the project and allows me to train and keep up-to-date with our youth facilitators from all around the country. I am constantly learning about this mixed race experience from the young people and see a shift from people being forced into categories to people taking ownership of their identity. I get involved with new and exciting projects from educational contexts to technological contexts – all to facilitate moving this discussion forward. Now, on a daily basis, I see a difference being made.

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