Italian/Jamaican/British | Irish/Gambian
I identify as Black however that has not always been the case! I used to identify as being mixed-race but no longer do; I am Black and proud. I am and have been raised as Church of England Christian. I went to church schools for my whole life.
I am quite unique as both of my parents are mixed-race; my Mother is half Jamaican and half English, and my Dad is half Gambian, half Irish. Both of my parents were born and raised in London. They met as my Dad was my Aunts (Mum’s sister) babysitter! My Mum lived on an estate and my Dad moved to the estate at around 14/15. They have been together for over 30 years and have been married for the past two years.
Sadly my Dad does not have a relationship with either of his birth parents as he was fostered, however he was fostered into a beautiful family who raised him for all of his life as their own. My Dad was the only person of colour fostered into a White family. Both of my Grandparents went through hell and back with the racism I experienced. Due to this, I do not feel that combining their cultures was ever an issue. I believe that my Dad being with my Mum really did help him to embrace the Black side of his culture. My Mum’s side loves my Dad to pieces and treats him as one of their own. My Dad's side of the family is amazing, and even though we are not related by blood, blood could not make them any closer. In reality I am blessed and feel that I have had the best of both worlds.
Personally I do not date outside of my race however I believe you love who you love. I do not tend to date outside of my race as there are parts of my culture that I will never need to explain to my significant other. They just get it and share the same experiences as me. I have never been attracted to anyone outside of my race. Culture certainly makes a difference. I have dated a person of African descent in the past and although we are both Black our cultures were very different! I am open to learning and understanding other cultures if I really do see a future with the person.
I have always felt accepted. In school, 6th Form, University and work. As I am Caribbean, African and English I can always find something that I am able to relate to someone with. In contradiction to this, I have never really known where I place. Even as an adult! I still have ‘my Black friends’ and ‘my White friends’ whom I love both equally. My friends are amazing and accept me for being me but I always worry about where I place/am perceived.
I love dancehall music, it’s the greatest!! I was raised listening to reggae and soul so believe that this has certainly had an impact. I attended ballet, tap jazz and theatre classes from the age of 3, and have my certificates to level 5 (maybe 6?!). My favourite type of cuisine is Caribbean but that’s far too heavy (and fattening) to eat every day!! Apart from that I am not fussy with food at all! I would like to say that I keep up with current trends with fashion. I am certainly a high street fashion girl! Unfortunately I am not bilingual.
I have visited Jamaica and have never felt so at home. I felt as soon as I arrived everything about my culture growing up made perfect sense. I love Jamaica and the people, I actually sobbed when it was time to come home. I appreciate that I was on holiday, but it still is the greatest country I have been lucky enough to jet off to!
My connection to my culture certainly has changed and as I learn and grow I expect this to change even further. I am blessed to come from two mixed-race parents, but I do identify as being Black where I didn’t growing up.
If I had the opportunity to be reborn I would be in exactly the same skin as I am in now, as it makes me, me!! Regardless of my skin colour I am still the same person. The colour of my skin does not define me.