Alice #mixedmonday
Hi, I'm Alice. I'm a South Londoner but grew up between New Cross and Havant/Portsmouth. I studied English Lit at UWE, Bristol and after 8 years away made the move back to Bristol in 2018. I've had a varied career, mainly in publishing at Penguin Random House but most recently made the switch into coding. I now work as a creative developer for an agency in South Bristol.
How would you describe your ethnicity?
I have always used the term mixed race and not really questioned it. My dad is from Saint Ann, Jamaica and my mum is from Havant, near Portsmouth. My dad, Fitz, moved to South London in the 1950s and his dad, Lawford was instrumental in setting up the Brockley International Friendship Association which helped encourage mixing between races in the area by organising mixed dances and cricket matches and trips to the seaside. And my grandma on my dad's side is a descendant of Sam Sharpe, who led the biggest uprising in Jamaican history. All a pretty cool legacy.
If I'm honest, how I describe my ethnicity changes on who I'm talking to and how I feel at the time. I'll often say mixed Jamaican & Portsmouth, because my Portsmouth heritage and family are extremely important to me even though I see them less than I'd like. They've also been hugely influential in my life, particularly my grandad so I can't not mention it. I think also, people will make the tie to my Jamaican history almost immediately but not take an interest in my UK heritage, which is just as important to me.
Has your mixed-ness influenced your career in any way?
This is a difficult one to answer. I got my first job straight out of uni at publishing house through an initiative helping young people of colour get into traditionally white sectors. So, absolutely yes - my mixed-ness helped but I don't think it influenced my decision to go into publishing initially.
If you could describe your mixed identity in one word, what would it be?
Nuanced.
What is the best thing about being mixed heritage?
Sometimes, if you're somewhere where you are one of few non-white people and you pass someone that looks like you, you'll experience 'the nod'. I think most people of colour will recognise this. It's totally non verbal, just a nod of recognition that conveys so much - a sense of camaraderie and knowing, and deep down understanding. I saw it described perfectly in an article by @okwonga as a 'swift yet intimate statement of ethnic solidarity.' I guess a bit like you're part of some secret club. There's a joy in that and even though it's a tiny action from a stranger it does something to my heart every time.
And what a cool club to be part of, right?
