Who Needs a Mixed-Race Heritage Month?

You might be surprised...

Nov 14, 2024

Fam,

While scrolling the socials, I came upon a post from Rochelle Armstrong who’s working to establish Mixed-Race Heritage Month—and not just in the USA!

She has a petition to make it happen right here.

After I signed Rochelle’s petition, I reached out to learn more about her and this intriguing project. Let me introduce you…

I’m Rochelle Armstrong, a multigenerational Mixed-race Afro Eurasian therapist, author, and podcaster from Cambridgeshire, England. I am a therapist, author, and podcaster with a private practice focused on creating psychologically safe spaces where clients can explore racial identity conflict, process racial trauma, and find resilience. Many of these clients have monoracial parents who, despite their best intentions, may not always understand how to fully support them on their racial identity journeys.

Alongside my clinical work, I write about Mixed-race inclusion and experiences for Refinery29: How Mixed Families Talk To Each Other About Race and articles for British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) :Extending the Conversation on Diversity, where I advocate for Mixed-race identity and representation in the mental health sector. My goal is to help individuals become more of who they were born to be and start living their best lives.

With professional experience that includes working with those affected by racial trauma and internalized biases, I am dedicated to promoting inclusivity and well-being within communities of color.

I also host the podcast Mixedlings where I delve into Mixedness, mental health and belonging, giving voice to the nuanced experiences of Mixed-race individuals.

I have an ebook out called You Are Enough: Mixed Girls Edition, Exploring the Nuance of Mixed race Identity and the Journey of Self Acceptance. And I just completed my next book which will focuse on Mixed-race history, Mixed resilience, and Mixed legacy, to come out in hardback, paperback, and ebook later this year.

Q: Rochelle, what inspired you to create and advocate for Mixed Race Heritage Month?

A: As a Mixed-race person, I often felt that my identity didn’t fit neatly into a single category, and in my work I recognized that many others shared similar experiences. Despite the growing emphasis on diversity and inclusion, Mixed-race individuals and the Mixed community as a whole are often left out of these conversations. I saw the need for a dedicated space to celebrate our unique identities, histories, and contributions. Establishing Mixed Race Heritage Month MRHM) is my way of creating an annual opportunity to raise awareness, foster understanding, and help Mixed people feel validated and celebrated within society.

Sign the MRHM Petition Now!

Q: What is your vision for what Mixed Race Heritage Month (MRHM) could achieve?

A: My vision for MRHM is to foster a stronger sense of belonging and pride within the Mixed community. My identity has been shaped by a rich blend of cultures across generations, which fuels my passion for creating inclusive spaces where Mixed individuals feel truly seen and supported.

I am proposing a Mixed-Race Heritage Month (MRHM) initiative that I envision as adaptable in Britain, the US, and hopefully eventually other places around the globe as well. Similarly to Black Heritage Month, which is observed in October in the UK and in February in the States, MRHM may need to be observed differently in each of these countries. While I initially considered June, as it coincides with Loving Day in the US, I don’t have a solid month in mind yet and am open to suggestions from our community. I believe engaging our community in the decision will foster inclusivity and make the initiative more meaningful.

Q: What are your goals for MHRM?

A: I hope this month will inspire a broader understanding of Mixed identities and spark more inclusive conversations by highlighting our stories and providing the sense of validation and representation we often miss.

Ideally, MRHM would lead to educational programs, media representation, and public discussions that honor the complexities of Mixed identity. It would be an opportunity to bring people together in celebration and to acknowledge the histories and legacies that shape our identities, and to also support the development of policies and initiatives that reflect the unique experiences of the Mixed community. My hope is that MRHM will highlight our stories and provide the sense of validation and representation we often miss.

Let's Sign Up for MRHM!

Q: What does the process of creating a month for a cause like this include?

A: Establishing a heritage month like this is a collaborative and multifaceted process. It starts with gathering support through petitions, forming alliances with advocacy organizations, and connecting with leaders and influencers to help raise awareness. Additionally, I’m working on building support among local, state and international legislators to secure formal proclamations or resolutions. It’s a community-driven effort that relies on collective action, and each step forward brings us closer to making Mixed Race Heritage Month a reality.

Q: What role does the petition play in getting MRHM established?

A: The petition is a crucial step in demonstrating public support for Mixed-Race Heritage Month. Gathering signatures helps us show policymakers and community leaders that there’s a strong demand for this initiative. It’s a way to mobilize the Mixed community and amplify our voices in a meaningful, visible way. The more support we can show through the petition, the stronger our foundation is to make MRHM an officially recognized month.

Q: How many signatures are you seeking, and from what kind(s) of people?

A: We’re aiming for at least 5,000 signatures, though we welcome every signature we can gather. The petition is open to anyone who believes in the importance of Mixed-race representation and inclusion. We encourage signatures from Mixed-race individuals, allies, and anyone who recognizes the value of celebrating Mixed identity and the unique experiences that come with being Mixed.

Q: It’s only in recent years that Mixed-race people and identities are being more fully recognized in public conversations. What do you consider the advantages of this growing recognition?

A: The growing recognition of Mixed-race identities in public conversations brings with it numerous advantages. It allows for a more accurate representation of the world we live in—a world where many of us have roots across multiple cultures and racial backgrounds. This visibility helps break down harmful stereotypes, allows for the sharing of complex stories, and thus reduces feelings of isolation for Mixed people who often feel caught between worlds.

Increased recognition may also create understanding and acceptance of the unique experiences Mixed-race people face, including the reality of experiencing racism, colorism, and feelings of not fully fitting into any one group. It opens the door for healthier conversations and gives Mixed people the representation they deserve in both media and policy discussions.

Q: How would a Mixed-Race Heritage Month impact this growing recognition?

A: A Mixed-Race Heritage Month would be a major step forward in building this growing recognition into something lasting and institutional. It would give us a dedicated time to bring attention to our histories, celebrate our identities, and confront the unique challenges we face. By establishing a month that’s ours, we can help ensure Mixed identities are consistently part of diversity and inclusion efforts, rather than an afterthought.

This month could empower people to share their stories, encourage educators to include Mixed-race history in their curricula, and inspire more media outlets to give voice to our perspectives. The impact would extend beyond the month itself, contributing to a society where Mixed-race people feel seen and valued all year round.

Q: What do you consider some of the biggest challenges facing Mixed-race people today, and how might establishing this month help to address some of those challenges?

A: Mixed-race individuals face unique challenges, including identity struggles, colorism, and sometimes a lack of understanding or acceptance from within their own communities. Many Mixed people experience internalized racism, feelings of guilt, and isolation, as they may feel they don’t fully belong to any one racial or cultural group. In my academic work, I explored these dynamics, particularly within the African diaspora, where colorism impacts Mixed and lighter-skinned individuals differently. While they may have certain privileges tied to lighter skin or proximity to European phenotypes, they also experience the harmful effects of fetishization and may feel disconnected from the monoracial communities that shape their heritage.

Mixed-Race Heritage Month would bring these challenges into public awareness. It would give us a platform to address both the pain and the pride in being Mixed, helping to create spaces for these conversations. By recognizing these experiences formally, we can start to build resources, support systems, and programs specifically designed to help Mixed individuals navigate their unique challenges. This month would provide the acknowledgment and validation that Mixed people often seek but don’t always receive in their everyday lives.

Anything you’d like to add…

A: I’m deeply grateful to see the support for establishing Mixed-Race Heritage Month and for spaces like Mixed Auntie Confidential that help share our stories. This month is just one step toward ensuring that we as Mixed-race individuals feel empowered, connected, and celebrated. Together, we can create a society that not only recognizes our existence but also values the complexity and richness that Mixed identities bring to our world. Thank you for being part of this journey!

Please Sign the Petition!