Do I Have The Right to Speak As a Mixed Person? - An Instagram Conversation

On June 4th, 2020 11:33pm , we received an Instagram DM from Isabelle Mahealani @inklingstyle asking-

Isabelle: Hey guys I actually have a personal question (for myself); as mixed people do we have a right to an opinion for people of color? A lot of times because I am half white I have felt like my opinion has the same weight as white person when it comes to issues for POC. With the resurgence of the civil rights movement, I've started to doubt my validity as a POC voice.

Our social media director Kaiya Jefferson responded saying,

Kaiya: “You ask a really important question! For me personally, I’ve found that Mixed privilege and colorism plays a huge part in when I speak up/my opinion. However because I am Black and not at all white-passing I find my opinion is very important. I understand though that my mixed privilege allows me to be heard more than darker-skinned Black folx so I recognize when it’s not my turn to speak or when I need to make room for other Black people. I think it is all up to you. Of course your feelings and opinions matter but we as a community should also make space for those unheard voices. We have a video on mixed privilege that touches on this and I think you’d enjoy that I’ll send right now (watch that video here )”

Our founder, Addison Lee, then saw Isabelle’s question and also wanted to respond, saying

Addison: Hey Isabelle- Addi here, I was looking through the DM and wanted to give my own thoughts on this as well since it's something I've thought a lot about. Personally I used to get really uncomfortable identifying as a person of color and struggled a lot with the idea of my privilege in being both an asian woman and in being mixed ( I’m also half white ), it’s why starting MixedLife was so terrifying. At some point though, I sort of asked myself which is better —> Do I stay silent with fear because I’m afraid I don’t have the right to speak? Or, do I speak from a place of wanting to learn, from respecting other’s perspectives, and learning to be okay with making mistakes? I have made more errors than I can count in navigating racial identity conversations but I’ve also learned so much. I wish I could give better advice and I get that in being half white half Asian, sometimes it feels like walking on a minefield, but honestly, sometimes I get out of bed and think I have no validity as a POC and some days I wake up and am confident in my perspective and my right to speak. So I wish I personally could give you a more certain answer but I can’t, and no one probably will be able to except for you. What I can tell you is that MixedLife exists in order to be a place to explore these questions and perspectives, it’s why we call it a growth space over a safe space. If I had to leave you with anything, its sadly not advice but it’s knowing that I’ve had the exact same questions ur asking, and that ur not alone in wondering the answers. And honestly reading your question has made me feel more secure in the ones I’m constantly asking myself. That was a lot but really thank you for feeling that we are a safe place to ask these types of questions- and always know that if you ever have any more, or want to explore through writing send us a DM and we'd be happy to help!

Isabelle: One thing I am learning though is that the African American experience is much different than the Asian American/pacific islander experience. While we definitely have experienced challenges and trauma in our homelands, it's a world different than how the American Government has treated its black people. Like the more I am reading the more I am appalled at the absolute destruction and torture of the population. My friend in NYC told me he was completely strip-searched before taking a cab because they accused him of being armed. And me personally I never have and never will experience because of my light skin and pretty privilege. But what is real is our fear for our family members and close friends who are darker-skinned. We also understand the social expectations of a Caucasian society. So in an interesting way, we as mixed people are the solution to advocate for BIPOC because we can amplify the voices of our loved ones who struggle and also be a relatable face for non-poc to understand.

We decided to share this conversation in order to spark conversation and to let other mixed folks with questions that they are not, and never, alone in having those questions.