Cambodian | Martinique

Photo credit: provided by subject

I’m French native, born in France. I’m defined as a mixed person, growing up in the French & Khmer culture. My Mother heritage was much more important than my Father ones, because I lived with her! I’m straight and I don’t have a religion, even if a believe in God. My mother is Cambodian, and my Father is Caribbean (Martinique, French island). They met after immigrating to France, in the city I was born Mulhouse/Alsace/France.

My Mother was separated from my Father early and I didn’t really grow up with my Father’s culture. It was clearly obvious for me to live with the French culture, because my Mother came to France when she was 13, and Khmer culture, because we were visiting my family quite often. My Father didn’t really manage to fuse his culture into mine, but I was always asking questions to my family to better know my past and ancestors.

Right now, it is so easy to live with a person from another race than ours. Everybody is so open about interracial relationships. And I’m totally for interracial relationships, it is so interesting to know a different culture than what we know already. However, that wasn’t the case for my Grandparents. The best thing for them would be to have a partner from the same race as theirs. If I’m taking my Asian side, I know they would be 100% agree for a Khmer partner. It is OK if he is Asian. But finding someone from another race is not making them 100% enthusiastic, even if they have no choice to be agree.

My culture does not have an influence on the way I’m choosing my partner. I’m really open when it comes to races. BUT it is important for me to have someone open and interested in my cultural background. The partner should care, at least-about my background and question myself about our uses and habits.

People are always happy and keen to know more about your multi-cultural background. I like being questioned about my countries. It is making people curious and of course, you feel really proud of yourself. Also, they remember about you more easily than any other ‘standard’ person.

I visited Cambodia and it was such a great feeling to go in a place that sounds familiar to me! When I came to Cambodia, it was 3 years ago, I don’t know why (maybe because it was the first time?), I wanted to cry. I was so happy to be there; it was like my family was around me. Right now, I’m going on holidays to Martinique, as I wish to connect with my heritage and my culture.

When I was a child, I was not interested, at all, in my Caribbean culture. I grew up in a French Environnement, mixed with Khmer culture, and for me Martinique was only about sands and beaches. Also, I never really appreciated Caribbean music or its food. However, after my 25 (yes, I know, it’s late!), I started being more interested in Martinique the day my Father showed me a picture of his holidays over there. He has told me about all the slavery heritage, the Black oppression etc. And I was like ‘This looks so interesting’ I need to know more about it! And I bought my flight ticket to Martinique. So yes, when you get older, you are changing your perception of your mixed-raced ethnicity. But only if you are trying to.

I work in a small company with only French roots persons (who are White) but I never felt any difference with me because of my background. We are really open.