Are YOU Ready for Pheno-Divergent? Pheno-Non-Conforming? Pheno-Fluid?
Let's explore the possibilities!
What’s the big deal about phenotype?
And why are Sir Auntie Mane and I enthusiastically exploring the possibilities of this nerdy noun for Mixed (and other racially / ethnically ambiguous folks) to describe themselves?
I never encountered the term until I joined social media convos about racial appearance and identity. Now it’s a staple in those discussions. In this context, phenotype refers to what race / ethnicity / nationality one “looks like” or is assumed to belong to based on their appearance.
As someone who is greatly inspired by younger generations challenging the gender binary with an ever-expanding palate of terms, definitions, and applications, I’ve wondered whether some versions of those concepts might be applied to our racial / ethnic identities—especially those of us whose lives can’t be confined to the boxes and bubbles that society assigns us to define ourselves.
Is this a crazy idea, or an intriguing possibility?
Join Sir Auntie Mane and I in another engaging conversation for the Mixed Auntie Confidential series on the topic of Mixed folks’ agency surrounding terms such as "racially ambiguous," "exotic looking," or the often incorrectly used "white passing" versus Mixed folks having the opportunity to express our own Mixedness how we prefer.
Tackling terms like pheno-divergent, pheno-non-conforming, and pheno-fluid, we explore the nuances of reclaiming control over our identities and dismantling preconceived notions.
With our signature wisdom and humor, we navigate the complexities of self-expression and challenge the societal expectation of conforming to neatly labeled boxes. This episode serves as an empowering conversation for listeners, inspiring them to assert their agency in defining their own mixed identities.
We’ve already gotten so many responses, we’re planning a Part 2!
Come join our wildly spicy convo and be sure to let us know what YOU think!
Please share your thoughts on this discussion by emailing Sharmane@MilitantlyMixed.com or TaRessa@MilitantlyMixed.com.
Speaking of our Mixed Auntie Confidential / Militantly Mixed collabos, we’re hard at work creating the most awesome roundup of Mixed voices ever!
Please support the inaugural BE YOUR MIXED-ASS SELF ANTHOLOGY crowdfunding so we can get it into your hands!
Wow. This resonates for me. I'm a "White Mexican" and also neurodivergent. It always makes me want to laugh/cry when people ask me where I'm from, or compliment me on being articulate (for a Mexican, maybe?). Yeah, I say, I was born in Wisconsin... ;-)