Mixed Chicks Chat

Episode : Amy Wells Mixed and Adopted

We had a great chat with listener Amy Wells today who shared her unique story of being Mixed and adopted!  "Golden-skinned with light brown hair" Amy went on to become a fashion model and a successful businesswoman.  Don't miss her story.

Listener Mail...

We really enjoy getting your letters! This lovely one came recently from digital artist Lani Shepard (www.lanisart.com)

Dear Fanshen and Heidi,

 

    I've been listening to your podcast for a few years now, and have been enjoying it immensely.  At times it's been a psychological lifesaver.  You bring such humor and positivity to issues about mixed racial backgrounds.  Thank you.

 

    For most of my life I have identified as African American, but over time your podcasts have caused me to rethink that identity.  Throughout my life I've gotten that, "What are you?" question, even after already letting someone know how I identified racially and ethnically.  My ancestors are a mix of African, European, Asian and Native American from both sides of the family.  Also my family experience is a mix of many ethnicities, religions and political ideologies.  There's a term now called "Third Culture Kid" that describes my experience a little better than "multiracial" or "biracial".  Because of this your podcast has helped me to feel a greater self-acceptance for all these things.  There's never really been anyone close to me with whom I could freely share the multiple levels of the mixed experience.  What you two do with your various activities is really important, whether it's the podcast or the Mixed Roots Film Festival.  I haven't been to that yet, but I have donated a couple of times anonymously.  It's just good to know these things are out there.

 

    From time to time I've heard you sound uncomfortable about liking or feeling good about yourselves.  Please don't.  Think about the irony of that message.  Black, White, Brown, Yellow or Red people are not openly told they should not find others like themselves attractive, or should not associate with those of a similar background.  Why should people of mixed race be singled out?  No one needs to apologize for having a mixed background or mixed experience.  Someone else's discomfort with this is on her or him, not the other way around.

 

    You both have such beautiful spirits.  Thank you for being you.

 

More Listener Mail...

Send your show ideas whenever you have them!  Our email address is: mccpodcast@gmail.com

Here's a recent show idea...

hi i am commenting because i am multiracial and until recently was
mainly considered black. i think its great that you guys are being
open about these issues, i have listened to some of the podcasts and
find them interesting. would u guys consider including those who look
african but are in fact multiracial i mean it seems like only one side
is being addressed. MANY many African americans are biracial and
choose to simply identify with black even tho they may have no direct
white parent because of societies evils and issues, many civil rights
leaders were biracial to my concern is to divorce this from mixed
chicks chat could be a bit divisive, the african american experience
is a mixed one, as far as im concern but simply focused on that of the
black experience only because it was applicable at that time. so my
concern is the need to include a section so we end up being like South
Africa..where ppl are black white and 'colored'. Mixed is still black
and white regardless of whether others in our society choose to
acknowlege that or not. still the same issues apply and while i
applaud you guys embracing the whole person please include those who
may have the same experience but not look the same as what is
'traditionally considered mixed' this may be a topic for your show.
thanks.

Episode - Mixed Chicks Chat on Autism Spectrum Disorder

Frances wasn't able to join us, but we had a lively chat about Autism Spectrum Disorder with one of our favorite loyal listeners Mike Peden (aka TSB).

"Middle Class Mixed Race Kid" Day 16

"Middle Class Mixed Race Kid" Day 15

Episode - Mixed Chicks Chat w/Tom Williams, writer

Join us for a conversation with Tom Williams.  English Department Chair at Morehead State University and author of the novella, The Mimic's Own Voice.  You can learn more about Tom on his website.

"Middle Class Mixed Race Kid" Day 14

"Middle Class Mixed Race Kid" Day 13

New Thesis on Multiracial Identity

Helyse Sina Turner wrote this for her MA thesis...

[PDF] CREATING THE COVERS OF OUR OWN BOOKS: A LOOK AT MULTIRACIAL IDENTITY COMMUNICATION

Here's the abstract:
Today’s world is diverse. Different races, ethnicities, and cultures increasingly intermingle and the population of multiracial people has increased. What is increasingly clear is that first-glance judgments about a person’s racial background can no longer be made with presumption of guaranteed accuracy. And socially, multiracial people are burdened with explaining who they are racially to others. To better understand this situation, this study examined the ways in which multiracial people communicate their backgrounds. Four research questions were posed, targeting nonverbal communication of race, reasons behind decisions to racially self-identify in a specific way, effect of the increasing multiracial population in the United States, and racial identity revision. Data was gathered through a survey and focus groups. The data was then examined using various identity, racial, biracial, and multiracial theories as lenses. The results of the study shed light on multiracial communication, nonverbal expressions of race, comfort and self-identity. Also significant is the adaptation of Root’s biracial theory and Renn’s multiracial college student theory to form another theory regarding multiracial identity development. Suggestions and recommendations for future research are also provided to help better understand multiracial communication and multiracial self-identification.