English | Kenyan
My story is dedicated to my Mother who recently passed, she was a carer, a lover, a fighter, brave, strong and gentle all at once. She lives forever, but her physical presence will be so missed. Nakupenda sana Mama.
Growing up it never really occurred to me that my parents were different races, and that I was a different race to my parents. It was only once the kids at school pointed it out to me, I've been asked if I was adopted when my White Dad came to pick me up from school or if my Mother was in fact my maid. I started to become more aware and self-conscious of the fact that all my school mates were the same race as their parents and I was not. I didn't want people to see my parents anymore. I didn't want people to know that I was a product of an inter-racial marriage. I always made sure that my parents stayed in the car or never came to any school events. It was stressful and tiring but I felt it was worth it in order to uphold my image.
Today, I embrace my identity. I let down my curly, bushy hair. I am different and I love it. I am proud of my ethnicity and grateful for my parents. I show my parents off because they are so beautiful in their differences. I look up to them and their bravery. I know they have faced a lot of discrimination in their marriage and having my sister and me. The least I can do is honor them by honoring my identity.
I think people are becoming more accepting of interracial relationships these days, especially the younger generations. When I was young it was very rare to see interracial relationships, especially in post-apartheid South Africa. People would often stare at my parents. I, myself am currently in an interracial relationship and I know that I have less challenges than my parents did. However, racial inequality still exists as my boyfriend and I have experienced hostility because of our inter-racial relationship.
Racial inequality begins at home. If we can be taught to hate, we can be taught to love. We speak so much about equality but true change comes with action.
Sign up to Patreon or Subscribe to our website to read more