Japanese | Zambian

Photo credit: provided by subject

I identify as African, Zambian, Japanese & straight. My Mum is Japanese, my Dad is Zambian. They were both teachers in Zambia; my Mum was a volunteer from Japan.

Before race, they are both people first, so they tried to understand each other as people in their relationship, I think. Character is more important to me when choosing a partner. I think people are their character, more than they are their colour. Love is love. They'll always be barriers, if not race then other things; e.g. finance, character, world views.

Because I never knew a lot about my Japanese background, I was insecure about representing it. No one represented me. So in the end I had to choose to represent myself.

I have visited my native countries; I’m in Japan right now. The language barrier is challenging, but I'll get over it soon.

I don’t think there is enough representation of mixed people, and of people of colour in general, but I know that it’s also my responsibility to push for that change, and to make it happen. I do think systemic oppression is a real thing, of course it is. But I also feel that skill is what is used to pick positions. The difference in skill however is a product of oppression. The root is oppression.

If I had the opportunity to be reborn I wouldn't change a thing.

Regardless of race, we are all people, and I feel that we need to approach the future with much more love, compassion, and most importantly understanding; a mind more open and responsible for the changes that will come to our world.

The pandemic has been kinda tough, I've always had football (soccer) as a stress relief (it is also my current career choice). Since I haven't been able to do that for a while now, I've been a little edgy. But better days to come, so I'm being patient. It's also helping me explore other ways of living. All in all, I'm a patient guy.