British | Indian
On forms I classify myself as either ‘Mixed White British and Asian’ or ‘Mixed White British and Indian’, I prefer the second because it’s more specific. I’m a 43-year-old mother of two, living with my White Male partner in Sheffield. My Mum is White British and was brought up in the South of England. My Dad is Indian, born and raised in Kolkata, West Bengal. I was born in Cheshire and grew up in a very White village, you could count the number of families of people of colour on two hands at the most. I think I had a sense that I was from different cultural backgrounds at quite an early age. One of the things that stood out to me was when I realised that my Dad would speak to his friends in a language I didn’t understand. My parents also took us from a very early age on trips to visit family in India. The older I have become, the more pleasure I have got from experiencing life in India. Although I don’t feel like I fit in there, I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to experience Indian life like other Indians do. Most of my experiences in relation to other people’s perceptions of my mixed race have been positive. Although I do remember growing up, certain peers saying stupid things about ‘Pakis’ in front of me and then when I would protest they would say things like ‘not you though - you’re not like that’, or some such ignorant, immature rubbish. Growing up in a very white village has made me really appreciate living in a city where there is such a mix of cultures and languages. My life is much richer for it and I feel a sense of belonging, much more than I did in Holmes Chapel. Now, I have two children who look like White British kids, however they are extremely proud of their quarter Indian side! They love their Dadu’s curry and we have taken them to India when they were small. If I was born again, I’d be really happy to be born the way I am. It has been an enriching experience. I’d happily have the same again because it’s been positive. I think we should embrace the mixing of cultures, especially in times when it feels like there is a push against this from the right-wing.
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