Discussions of how being Asian and white affects oneÔÇÖs identity during a time of increased anti-Asianness.┬á

TW// Racism, xenophobia and violence

By Shahrazad Hand

We live in a highly racialised world. From anti-covid attacks that target Eastern Asians to anti-Muslim attacks that target South, West and Central Asians, hate crimes against Asian people are increasing rapidly. As a biracial person of Pakistani and British descent this topic is very close to home. Where do mixed race people fit in? Is there a danger we donÔÇÖt fit in anywhere? I interviewed several young people to gain an insight into what discussions about anti-Asian racism look like in mixed race families. Six different mixed-race people with heritage from across Asia were interviewed:┬áSophie┬á(Thai, Indo-Caribbean and British),┬áSarah┬á(Indonesian and Dutch),┬áJulia┬á(Japanese and British),┬áEilidh┬á(Indian and British)┬áSofia┬á(Yemeni, Irish, Indonesian and Dutch) and┬áDan┬á(Pakistani and British).

The ÔÇ£Perpetual ForeignerÔÇØ

Frequently, people of mixed race feel they do not belong to either of their ethnic communities. The phrase ÔÇ£perpetual foreignerÔÇØ comes to mind. This phrase was typically used to refer to Asian-Americans who were born and raised in America in the post-war period who did not feel they belonged where they were born. It is striking that this remains a relevant term in the twenty-first century. 

Growing up in Japan, Julia saw herself as a white person. When she moved to Britain as a 13-year-old and was suddenly viewed as Asian her whole perception of herself changed. She says that her parents ÔÇ£donÔÇÖt understand what itÔÇÖs like to be a mixed personÔÇØ because ÔÇ£they have a place where they belongÔÇØ whereas ÔÇ£I never feel like I belong in one placeÔÇØ. 

Similarly, Sarah, when in Indonesia says that her family are ÔÇ£accepting but I do feel like an outsiderÔÇØ. They think that ÔÇ£IÔÇÖm a princess because IÔÇÖm half whiteÔÇØ. Alternatively, in the Netherlands, she is often given looks or questioned on her ethnicity. 

Dan, born and raised in Wales, also feels this relativity of identity, ÔÇ£I donÔÇÖt feel entirely at home surrounded by white people or surrounded by Pakistani peopleÔÇØ. Dan feels he understands Welsh culture better than Pakistani culture as he grew up here.

Sophie experiences ÔÇ£a personal sense of not belongingÔÇØ rather than truthfully not being accepted: ÔÇ£Growing up in a predominantly white area, I always felt a bit disconnectedÔÇØ. Eilidh and Sofia also feel a sense of being neither white nor Asian.

Mixed Race Marriages

Asian communities can be disapproving of mixed-race relationships. Sarah and Dan discussed the experiences of one parent being descendant of the other parentÔÇÖs colonial masters:┬á

DanÔÇÖs father is English whereas his motherÔÇÖs parents were born in British India. The fact that DanÔÇÖs parents follow the coloniser-colonised dichotomy created many issues. His mumÔÇÖs parents were at first tentative of her marrying an Englishman but on choosing to convert to Islam they accepted him. DanÔÇÖs paternal grandfather, however, commented on how ÔÇ£exoticÔÇØ it was of his son to marry an Asian woman. 

SarahÔÇÖs mother secretly dated her father for two years as she knew her parents would disapprove of her dating a non-Muslim especially not a Dutch one. Her maternal grandparents were very disapproving of the marriage to start with as a result of the Dutch being colonisers in Indonesia but as he chose to convert to Islam, they became more accepting.

‘White Pride’

Many mixed-race Asian people are taught to be prouder of their whiteness than their Asianness. Growing up in a predominantly white area in Wales Sofia says that ÔÇ£IÔÇÖve been made to feel more comfortable embracing my whiteness, I feel quite disconnected from my Asian sideÔÇØ. Dan also feels this saying ÔÇ£living surrounded by white culture has made me more comfortable and aware of white culture than of Pakistani cultureÔÇØ. Eilidh too feels a disconnect from her Indian heritage as her dad did not give her much insight into it growing up.

Sarah discussed traumatising experiences of her mother advising her to stay out of the sun for fear of her getting ÔÇ£too darkÔÇØ. She also remembers seeing skin bleaching shower gels in her familyÔÇÖs home in Indonesia and is often praised for being lighter skinned. Julia was also often praised for being light-skinned or ÔÇ£beautiful and whiteÔÇØ as they call it in Japan.

Discussing #StopAsianHate

Currently, Eastern Asians (in particular) are experiencing an extreme rise in hate crimes. However, this is not new. Asians have always been victims of racial attacks particularly in Britain where they are the biggest ethnic minority. The skinheads that targeted South Asians (particularly Pakistanis) from the 1960s onwards are just one example of a historic spike in anti-Asian hate crime. 

All interviewees have found it extremely distressing to see the rise in hate crimes. The crimes are so personal because they affect us and our families. Julia, a student in Southampton where Peng Wang was recently attacked, has stopped walking outside alone for fear of being the next victim. Sarah has stopped looking at the news as it is ÔÇ£too personalÔÇØ. Sofia has found the coverage ÔÇ£soberingÔÇØ.

As mixed-race Asians we must explain to close family the issues we face as Asians. Eilidh feels that her mother doesnÔÇÖt understand the nuances of racism leaving her to sometimes feel uncomfortable in her own home. Sarah says her white family members are really ÔÇ£complacent in colour-blindnessÔÇØ meaning they ignore her experiences as a person of colour saying they do not see her ÔÇ£like that”. Sophie has been told she has a ÔÇ£victim complexÔÇØ and ÔÇ£shouldnÔÇÖt talk about race at allÔÇØ when trying to recount her experiences of racism. 

However, it is not all negative. This recent rise in activism for Asian people has created an environment of education. Many activists are educating others on what is anti-Asian, from stereotypes to making fun of our accents. Every person interviewed believed education was the best hope to permanently end Asian hate and it seems like this is gathering momentum.

(image from unsplash.com)