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What does 'mixed race' mean to you? How would you describe a 'mixed race' person?

(107 Posts)
jura2 Mon 24-Feb-20 20:34:34

Researchers are asking the question- and it made me think.

ananimous Mon 24-Feb-20 22:35:05

Mine's mixed-heritage.

But who the hell uses that in ordinary everyday life.

People "protecting my rights", apparently.
Fools cause more unrest than anyone else!

annodomini Mon 24-Feb-20 22:31:43

No doubt the next year will see some discussion on the subject of ethnicity as there will be a census in a year's time and we will be asked how we identify ourselves. My senior GD is of mixed ethnicity and is proud of it. The late, great cricket commentator, John Arlott, while on a flight to South Africa had to fill in a form that asked about his race. He wrote 'human'.

BlueBelle Mon 24-Feb-20 22:17:03

Jura my family IS mixed race

janeainsworth Mon 24-Feb-20 22:15:54

That’s interesting Suzie in that the Government encourages people to identify as whatever ethnic group they want to, rather than passively accepting a label that’s been given to them.

Davidhs Mon 24-Feb-20 22:12:37

I don’t think any one would refer to British/ German or French/Swedish parentage a mixed race, within the Caucasian type there are several groupings, Nordic, Slavic, Latin, Celtic to name a few.
Then other wider major groups that might be termed mixed. Negroid, Arab, Asian, Oriental and a few others, these major groups have only mixed in recent years as travel has become more usual. Travel to the Americas to see 3 distinct populations, White, Mullato (the majority) and Black each with their own separate cultures.

GrandmaMoira Mon 24-Feb-20 22:11:49

My background is white British and my grandchildren's mother has Afro-carribbean heritage. I was there when the midwife asked for the ethnicity of the child and offered a tick box list. I used to work in a hospital where they would ask the same questions.
The children describe themselves as brown. They did query where all the black people were when we were on holiday in Norfolk. It might not matter to us but it does to others.

suziewoozie Mon 24-Feb-20 22:10:29

Without the context of the research, this is all a bit daft

Yennifer Mon 24-Feb-20 22:08:38

By their name x

suziewoozie Mon 24-Feb-20 22:04:12

This is how the government deals with it

www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/ethnic-groups

janeainsworth Mon 24-Feb-20 21:58:47

You could argue that there is only one human race to which we all belong and therefore that ‘mixed race’ is a meaningless term.

But anthropologists define different racial groups (in very complicated ways, which have changed over the years) so you could argue that a mixed-race person is someone whose biological parents come from two different anthropologically-defined racial groups.

What is the big deal? (I realise it’s a big deal if you’re on the receiving end of abuse because you’re mixed-race).

GagaJo Mon 24-Feb-20 21:57:21

For me, Jura, it means the future. We're all going to be a light brown one day.

But in the uk now, it means discrimination unfortunately.

jura2 Mon 24-Feb-20 21:52:36

Why? It is a very interesting question on its own. I had no intention of linking to the research - but you asked, so I always reply as honestly as I can.

I am not asking for the programme- but as a question to any member- because it is a subject that interests me. If it does not- just do not take part in this discussion.

Chewbacca Mon 24-Feb-20 21:48:55

Then maybe it should have gone via Media Requests to GNHQ?

jura2 Mon 24-Feb-20 21:47:57

I have replied Chewbacca. It is a strange question I understand, for someone who does not come from a mixed background- and has not been made aware of the huge impact this can have on individuals- yes, even in this day and age- although, thank goodness, not to the same extent.

Chewbacca Mon 24-Feb-20 21:45:59

Now you mention it BlueBelle it is a strange question, I hadn't thought of it before I responded to the OP.

jura which "researchers are asking the question"? Where did you see this? What research is being undertaken? And for what purpose? Or are you asking out of your own curiosity?

jura2 Mon 24-Feb-20 21:45:18

Why 'strange' BlueBelle. It is relevant to vast numbers all over the world- and it affects their daily life, one way or another- in many cases.

Moocow - a friend shared this on Facebook.

Kristina, an Assistant Producer at Pulse Films, an award-winning independent production company, whose recent features include The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann (Netflix) and The People Vs The NHS (BBC2), has passed this query on which may be of interest to Remainers:

Pulse Films are looking for people to be involved in a new series for the BBC exploring what it means to be white in modern Britain.

Alongside a national survey conducted across the UK a group of 8 people will to come together in leading a social experiment guided by a well-known journalist to discuss race, nationality and identity.

To clarify: we are looking for opinionated and open-minded people. You don’t have to necessarily agree or be comfortable with this subject matter, we want a mixture of opinions and thoughts towards this topic.

If you are interested in getting involved then click here: bit.ly/30Um3gK or email me on [email protected]

Have your say...your opinions matters! Please share! (Disclaimer: you do not have to be white to have a say...)

(NB. The presenter will be Afua Hirsch, journalist for The Guardian newspaper and former Social Affairs and Education Editor for Sky News)

However, for us as a family, we have often discussed what it means to be mixed race- because most of my family, or rather OH's family, are. I have a mixed cultural background, French Huguenot, Swiss and English British- but not mixed race. As said about, would be classified as White/Caucasian.

BlueBelle Mon 24-Feb-20 21:29:32

What a strange question !!

Moocow Mon 24-Feb-20 21:11:09

Who do you mean by 'researchers'? I've not heard anyone in general raising this just now, so I'm wondering.

GagaJo Mon 24-Feb-20 21:07:40

My daughter is half Brit and half African American. Her son is half Mongolian. He is amazingly beautiful. I'm always stopped when out with him by people admiring him. Very pretty little boy. Big bubbly curls. Huge eyes.

Greymar Mon 24-Feb-20 21:03:12

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

paddyanne Mon 24-Feb-20 21:03:05

Scottish /asian or Scottish/african ,never mixed race ,most of these people I know who have differing backgrounds are happy to be called Scottish by choice and that suits me .Its what they are .

jura2 Mon 24-Feb-20 21:00:42

The question is often asked still on forms and census.
Thanks for all your comments- keep them coming.

Chewbacca Mon 24-Feb-20 21:00:39

Some of my colleagues are mixed race. 1 South Korean American. 2 Anglo Indian. 2 Anglo Nigerian. 1 Ghanian British. 1 Australian Chinese and an Anglo Iranian. We're a mixed bag and get on very well together.

kircubbin2000 Mon 24-Feb-20 20:59:36

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Mamardoit Mon 24-Feb-20 20:57:54

My DD calls her DC mixed heritage. Mum is white English and dad is also English but Jamaican heritage.