Guinean | Russian

Photo credit: provided by subject

I identify as mixed, Muslim, Christian & straight. My Mom is from Guinea and my Dad is from Russia. My Dad was in the military and was stationed in Guinea at the time and he met my Mom. It went uphill from there! I was born in Guinea, West Africa and raised in Morocco for a bit before returning to Guinea. I then moved to America with my Mom and Dad when I turned 5. My parents love to cook and combine their cultural foods with the family. My Mom speaks Fulani mostly and English when she is speaking to my Father. My Father speaks Russian sometimes but they both try to speak to me in English. My restrictions are not too bad, however there are certain things I can’t do like go out too much. Mostly they combined their cultures by cooking and we keep up with news in both countries.

I am more interested in foreign men rather than typical American men. I would love someone who could speak a different language and has a completely different culture to me. I used to hide my culture and identity throughout my life up until I was about 17. I was always so embarrassed of the food my parents would cook because it didn’t look ‘American’ enough. I grew up in a White suburban area so it was hard for me to be myself because I was too busy wanting to look like my friends around me. I’m actually in an interracial relationship. I think they’re magnificent and really bring a spice to the community. It’s amazing having two completely different races/cultures come together and love each other, you share so much due to the fact that you probably don’t have much in common. My Grandparents were both Black on my Mom’s side and both White on my Dad’s side. They did not support my parents' relationship because they thought each race should stick to dating that same race.

I have met so many people who have amazing stories like I do! The challenges I faced was accepting my identity due to where I grew up. It was hard being myself and sometimes I even hated my identity. I never embraced it because I was made fun of due to my Mom being from Africa. Many kids always use to say I had Ebola. However I overcame all of this.

I have never visited Russia. I have visited Guinea 3-4 times since I moved to America when I was 5. I learn more and more about Guinea and the beautiful culture every time I go.

I used to think being mixed was a sin and something that shouldn’t have happened to me due to my Grandparents beliefs. I was always the only mixed person in my classes up until middle school. This was a nice transition into meeting more kids like me which was great. Evolving into an adult I learnt that being mixed was a blessing after all and never a curse! I now work in an environment that is extremely diverse and considerate of all aspects included.

If I had the opportunity to be reborn I would return as a butterfly because they fly so freely and so peacefully. They’re absolutely beautiful and their transition from a caterpillar to a butterfly is absolutely magnificent. I have always cherished butterflies and gazed at them since I was younger. It was one of the first things I saw when I moved to America.