Tanya #mixedmonday
Hey, my name is Tanya. I grew up in Berkshire, but left when the bright lights of London called me through work. I left the big smoke of London to take time travelling the world which was truly wonderful. I came full circle and returned back to Berkshire which is where I am now with my husband, teenage daughter and two dogs.
Growing up I was one of only a few people of colour in the town, the only person of colour in my junior school and one of two in my secondary! I was brought up by my mother and grandparents who were also white so I didn't see many people that looked like me until I went to college. Many years on and I now celebrate the diverse mix of people I have in my life, it feels like a colourful tapestry and that makes me smile!
How would you describe your ethnicity?
My mum is white British from Carlisle which is just shy of the Scottish border and my father is black Dominican. I currently describe my identity as a 'dual heritage', brown skinned woman, but it changes all the time! I absolutely love my 'bothness'. I am 50 next year and I can honestly say that I have never been happier in my skin. It feels good to say that!
What is the best thing about being Mixed Heritage?
Without doubt it is the journey it has taken me on. At times it has been really challenging, but overall it has brought me more awareness about who I am as a person than I could ever imagine. I feel like living in a brown skin; in the dance between black and white, that I am often the bridge between two worlds. This has given me the ability to see that there are two sides to every story, which has opened my heart up in so many ways.
Has your mixed-ness influenced your career in any way?
Yes, without a doubt! I have been immersed in the world of yoga and mindfulness for over two decades as both a student and a teacher facilitating circles and retreats. For many years my experience of being in these spaces matched those of my younger years with me often being the only person of colour. I became acutely aware of the lack of diversity in so-called 'safe spaces' and started to question why. I spent time healing many traumas I had experienced growing up and from being in spaces that were supposed to feel safe and nurturing, but did not. I drew upon my years as a mindfulness practitioner and educator to work through the big feels. When I finally made it to the other side I could see the gifts the journey had bestowed upon me. I now create spaces for mixed heritage people to gather and retreat together. They are deeply healing, nourishing and so much fun! I also hold sacred space for other Facilitators to increase their racial awareness so that they in turn can create spaces that are more diverse and inclusive. This feels like the medicine from the journey I have been on.
If you could describe your mixed identity in one word, what would it be?
Gifted! I love the twists and turns of living in a body where two cultures intersect.
