Scottish/Irish | St Lucian
My Mum is St. Lucian but was born in the UK. My Dad is Scottish and Irish, he was born in Scotland. My Mum needed a plumber to fix her boiler, so she went down to the plumbers merchant at the end of the road, they sent my Dad. He asked her out to dinner while he was on the job.
I didn’t grow up with my Dad so I wouldn’t say I’m that immersed in his culture which is a shame. Growing up in a Black British, Christian household there were so many restrictions on what I could watch (The Simpsons was banned in my house), how I could dress, the places I was allowed to go to, the music I was allowed to listen to (I was a secret Eminem fan) and all aspects of my life.
In most places I’ve worked in within the hospitality sector, I’m forever asked ‘what am I?’, or where I’m ‘really’ from. Especially from people who have immigrated from countries with less diversity. They’re confused how I have an English accent but Brown skin.
Any partner I choose, I want to ensure that they’re culturally aware and educated, and not just dating me because I seem ‘exotic’ to them or I’m fairer skinned. I want someone to be with me because of who I am as a person and because we have the same values.
The biggest challenge and positive I’ve faced is accepting all of myself and removing anyone from my life who doesn’t do the same. I no longer have friends that tease me because of my heritage, and I ensure to embrace and love all other cultures. The way I identify has 100% changed growing up, it went from confusion, to denial, to acceptance, and fully embracing all that I am.
After the death of George Floyd there were times when I felt guilty for maybe not posting enough (in the beginning I didn’t want to because it felt aggressive and very political of which I’m neither), and then it got to the point where I wanted to share information. Being from a mixed background and being just as White as I am Black, I was in a unique position to do this whilst also still supporting the BLM movement. I don’t believe change comes from a place of hate but rather a place of love.
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