2. From an emotional
position, to an
informed position
Our partnership working has led us to believe that
being ready for society can mean a number of things -
but most importantly it is about the ability to understand
yourself and your surroundings as a mixed race
individual.
It is important to remember that all foster carers play a
massive role in that process.
It is equally important to acknowledge that you do not
need to share the same racial identity to your child, to
enable and help them build a positive racial identity.
It is about an accumulation of soft, gentle and almost
invisible acts of understanding.
We believe that all foster carers want their child to feel,
one or all of the following sensations:
• Loved
• Safe
• Understood
• Accepted
Understanding some of the more hidden issues and
complexities relating to mixed-race identity, is an area
of work we can support you with.
Current research (2014) shows the number of young
people and adults who are selfidentifying as mixed-
race is steadily on the rise. Society has also inherited
many confusing ideas about the subject.
We would like to remove some of those confusing
messages and language to support you to be confident
in your support of the child/young person, to be the
best version of themselves.
Introduction
The Mix-d: Project has been working with Compass Fostering & Families Fostering to get clearer on the
discussion of mixed-race identity.
At the time of this writing, Mix-d: hold the largest data collection on mixed-race identity within the UK.
We have conducted many workshops on the subject and gathered feedback from foster carers across the
country.
This is an introductory guide on mixed-race identity, which will offer some useful tips and guidelines for you
to follow, when caring and supporting a mixed-race child or young person.
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What do we mean when we say Mixed-
Raced?
Many people tend to confuse the difference between
mixed-race and multiple heritage.
Mixed-Race definition:
The popular definition of mixed-race identity at the time
of this writing is as follows:
When a young person’s birth parents come from two
different ‘racial’ backgrounds for example:
One black Jamaican parent and one white English
parent, they will be considered mixedrace.
This is quite different to having or being mixed-culture/
mixed-heritage (please see multiple heritage example).
What do we mean when we say Mixed
Culture or Heritage?
This is when a young person’s birth parents come from
the same racial group but different culture for example:
If a young person has a white English father and a
White French mother, it can be said that they have
a mixed-culture or mixed-heritage, but they are not
mixed-race as their birth parents come from the same
racial group i.e. White
What is the ‘correct’ name to use for a
mixed-race person?
At the time of this publication (June 2014) the most
popular term used by young people of mixed-race to
describe themselves is: MIXED-RACE.
Political correctness has been well intentioned but has
made everyone scared to get it wrong.
The Mix-d: Project has completed extensive work in
this area. We have held many lengthy
discussions with teachers, students, parents, foster
carers and young people.
They all agree that people are very confused about
which terms to use to describe mixedrace
young people.
We hope this will relieve and clarify some of that
confusion.
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3. Language Chart
Status Name Description
Most commonly used. Mixed-race At the time of this publication (June 2014) this is
the most popular term used by young people of
mixed-race to describe themselves.
Status - seen as negative however,
this is still a popular term used in
certain areas across the UK where it
is not deemed negative.
The majority of young people who
attended the Mix-d: Project stated
that they felt it was an outdated and
unpopular term.
Half-caste In India, the population was divided into four
hierarchical castes according to what they were
good at, that is priest, warrior, trades people
and manual workers. Once a personis born in a
lower caste, he/she cannot move up to another
‘higher caste’ nor can they marry into other
castes.
Children born out of wedlock from liaisons
between the castes were known as half-casters.
The higher caste Indians of course used that as
an excuse to keep the lower caste down using
‘institutional racism’.
Outdated and not widely used by
young people.
Coloured In South Africa, this term refers to a ‘mixed’ group
of people with African and European ancestry.
In UK, it is generally considered outdated and
inappropriate as all people are considered to
have colour.
Too academic and not widely used
by young people.
Dual Heritage Some young people dislike the notion of only
referring to two backgrounds.
Too academic and not widely used
by young people.
Mixed Heritage Parents from different heritage backgrounds.
Often used as a modern academic term to
describe mixed-race people.
Too academic and not widely used
by young people.
Multiple Heritage Similar to ‘mixed-heritage’.
This term is becoming less popular.
At The Mix-d: Project we like to refer
to all sides of your child’s heritage
and for that reason we do not
singularly use ‘Black’ to describe a
person with birth parents from two or
more different racial groups.
Black Black: Is not a real skin colour - tends to be used
as a ‘political identity’ for non-white.
Having two black parents Many mixed-race
young people have parents from both parent
groups; it has become less popular to refer to
mixed-race people as simply ‘black’.
Over the last decade, we’ve been focused on political
correctness, but what matters more
is emotional correctness.
Political correctness ties us up in language which can
make you scared to get anything wrong.
Let us scrap that.
Let’s be “Emotionally Correct” rather than politically
correct.
Emotional correctness is the tone and the feeling, It is
about how we say what we say, even if we get it wrong.
Political correctness is about getting the language
correct, at that present time as terminology changes,
but it misses the important emotional feeling.
Emotional correctness is about listening first. We spend
too much time talking past each other and not enough
time, talking through what we do not understand about
each other.
It’s about building common ground. Your challenge
is to find the understanding for your child that you
want for yourselves. When you parent a child who
shares a different ‘racial’ identity to you, they may have
experiences in the world, which you do not share.
Do not respond to them in political correct speak.
Listen, acknowledge and if necessary, accept that this
is something you may not have experienced but you
appreciate it is an important issue to them.
Seek first to understand, with emotional correctness,
rather than be understood with political correctness.
Let’s show Emotional Correctness rather than
Political Correctness
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4. Researchers have coined this term ‘colour blind’ to
describe a learned behaviour where we pretend we
don’t notice race.
This can be a very dangerous position to take as a
foster carer because your child’s mixed-race identity
might be a sensitive issue to them. In day-to-day terms,
we all have a racial identity, which is as important to us
as individuals, as is the colour of our eyes or our hair.
Race is one of those topics which make everyone
uncomfortable. If you bring it up at home, in the office or
in a social setting – people often get frightened.
We need to teach our children how to be comfortable
around the discussion of their identity and be confident
in ourselves in the way we communicate with children
and young people.
Some common myths to consider
There are many common myths and negative assumptions attached to the mixed-race debate. Here are some of the
most popular:
• A mixed-race person must only identify with one parent group (ethnic/racial group) to develop a positive sense of
self
• A mixed-race person will automatically have access to all/both sides of their cultural heritage
• He/she will be accepted by both/all parent groups
• He/she will have an opportunity to discuss and explore ideas about their mixed-race experience
• He/she will stay with one fixed identity throughout their life
• His/her life will automatically follow the same identity as their parents
Many of these myths have been inherited and are not intended to harm but prejudice becomes harmful when looked
upon as fact rather than uninformed opinion.
Use the reflective exercise below as a prompt. The key is to be as honest as possible. Be truthful with yourself and think
how you can begin to improve any areas that need work.
I make a point of finding out how my child is
performing at school or college.
Never Sometimes Mostly Always
I try to find out about mixed-race icons who are
famous for more than sports and entertainment.
I challenge my child’s behaviour appropriately.
I provide academic and extended challenges for
my child.
I can confidently challenge authority where
appropriate without losing my temper.
I am a good role model for my child.
I know what is expected of my child at his/her
school or college.
I know how to support my child with their
homework or where to go for support.
I know the correct procedures to follow if I need to
speak to someone at my child’s school or college.
I know how to support my child with their
homework or where to go for support.
I discuss/negotiate career plans with my child.
I request that the school provides resources
reflecting mixed-race issues.
I know what is included in my child’s curriculum
or where I could find out.
I know what qualifications are necessary for my
child to achieve his/her goals.
I feel confident about attending my child’s
school or college.
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When people say they are colour blind what they might
be trying to say is:
• “I do not want to offend.”
• “I am uncomfortable talking about this.”
• “I don’t see your colour as a defining characteristic
of your level of worth.”
All these responses are positive in their intention, but fail
to recognise all the beautiful and positive things which
make us different and which we all share in common.
How about being colour brave rather than colour
blind? We could start by having real conversations
about identity so we can make our children and young
people, world ready.
Let’s be colour brave instead of colour blind
Mix-d:
