British | Cuban
Growing up I was always asked where I was from and if I was born here. My Mum used to get all sorts of questions and assumptions about me when I was a baby because I was a different skin colour to her. I know that in Cuba I can blend in because of how I look, however the moment I'd open my mouth to speak spanish, people would know from my accent that I wasn't from there which always made me feel strange and out of place.
People wouldn't believe me when I told them that my Dad was Black, and that always really stung. I always knew I was mixed but I think I struggled with my identity because I didn't look 'mixed-race' (whatever that is supposed to mean). I think especially being half Black but not necessarily looking like I have black heritage, really made me question my identity because I found if people couldn’t place me how could I begin to place myself? It has taken me a long time to come to terms with my identity and to celebrate my Afro-Cuban heritage. I think I worry a lot about people’s initial assumptions of my heritage and feel I have to start explaining all the layers to be fully accepted. I am still figuring out what this all means for me now.
I find that people don’t always really understand where Cuba is, and that it's part of Latin America and the Caribbean. In the UK, they still on many forms don’t have a Latin American box so I would and still mostly tick 'mixed other'. I think it's crazy that the UK census has managed to miss out the whole continent of Latin America. The Latin American community has been a part of the UK for a long time and continues to grow. We are here!
I love a good cup of tea or a cafecito in the morning; two staple drinks from my two cultures. I also can never open a bottle of rum without pouring a bit out 'pa los santos', and I love a nice toasted crumpet with butter and marmite.
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