Finnish/Ghanaian | Guyanese/Ghanaian
I identify as a mixed-race female. My Dad is from Finland and Ghana and my Mum is from Ghana and Guyana. They were both going to the same sports club for three years in Ghana, then one day my Dad took my Mum to a chopbar and the romance began.
My Dad isn't that attune with his Finnish culture; however he is always bringing up cool facts about Finland. My Mum would introduce Guyanese dishes, and we would constantly eat Ghanaian food. We also spent four years in Ghana, as my parents thought it's important to show my sister and I another side of our culture. But when I lived in Ghana I would be insulted if I mentioned that I was half Ghanaian, because my skin tone was 'too light'. My French teacher called me ‘obroni coco’ which means yellow, and never once cared to learn my name. People would class me as White and say, ‘if my cheeks can go red I’m White’. I’ve been accused of lying where I’m from and told my hair isn’t ‘mixed girl hair’. Someone has yanked my braids before because they thought I was lying about where I’m from. There were parts of my time there I will cherish forever, like the life-long friendships I made, and understanding who I am more. However, like any place there were also parts I wish never happened like excessive bullying and blatant judging from others in my neighbourhood.
Interracial couples should be able to live life freely because love is love no matter where someone comes from. My parents and grandparents believed this as my Grandpa, a Black man, married my Grandma, a White woman, when society was even more prejudiced than it is now.
Although I haven't been to Finland or Guyana yet, I'm planning on visiting both places once I turn eighteen. When I was younger I didn’t think much of it just that I’m not Black but I’m not White, but now I notice how people regard me or act a certain way because of my complexion. In England when I told someone I’m mixed-race they would say, ‘not really because you’re a bit too dark to be mixed-race’. It’s made me notice how there are stereotypes for any type of person in the world. Peers are always interested in any insights I have on my heritage, and I appreciate how people are trying to educate themselves on different cultures instead of assuming stereotypes.
If I had the opportunity to be reborn I would like to be someone of a different ethnicity or sexuality from me, so I can perceive and experience the world through a different lens.