So, let's get this out of the way early, my life is not (in a traditional sense) hard. Nor is it particularly taking in a non-traditional sense to be fair but, screw you guys, it's my life, and I'll struggle with what I damn well choose...
True dat.
ANYWAY, I have a good job (for now), good friends (really for now) and my family, though insane, haven't kicked me out for any of the insane judgmental reasons families seem to find to stop paying for their almost-but-not-quite-adult children (I'm looking at you, homophobic parents, you creeps). Just to clarify, I don't live at home, which really helps our relationship. The only real smoking gun of adversity which involves me (apart from being a woman but we'll get to that) is my lack of whiteness.
You may be asking yourselves at this point why I would choose to articulate my race in that way, well I'm glad you asked that internet friend! I, as I mention every chance the sweet Lord gives me, am mixed race (white, black and some extra flavours for variety). The fact of being mixed race does not intrinsically mean anything. There are many different variations on the mixed race theme, just as there are lots of different ways in the world to be any sort of minority. There is no in-built issue with being an "ethnic minority" (remember that, it's important). It's about perception. It's about the way people look at you. It's about what people in power find it appropriate to make available to you. So, instead of discussing all the Fucked Up Nightmare Shit there is out there (racism is such a gentle word), I've decided to make a list of all the non-theoretical, non-geopolitical issues my lack colourful lack of whiteness causes me in my actual everyday life. This is not about theories. This is about my actual life.
And yet, they do.
I was originally going to just give you a list (with a bit of an explanation) and then stop there, but upon trying, and failing, to make these post something resembling a reasonable length. I have given up (#failingmywaytosuccess). So, here's the list, and I will follow this up with a series of full posts on the topics:
- The Term "Skin Colour"
- Inability to say the word "Diversity" (or point out instances of racism)
- The Summer Months
- The Winter Months
- Fuck it, Autumn as well
- Generalised Terror
- Constant irritating questions
- Old people
- Invasions of personal space
Something to look forward to...