The truth about raising MIXED-RACE CHILDREN

Wendy Gregory explains the racism her daughters have experienced over the years

- WENDY GREGORY

I’ve got something in common with the royals!’ That was my initial thought when Harry and Meghan got married and went on to have a family of their own. I’m sure I wasn’t alone. There is an ever-growing number of mixed-race families in the UK: in fact, it’s estimated that mixed-race children are the fastest growing ethnic minority group. So what is it really like to be a mixed-race family in modern Britain, and what’s it like to raise mixed-race children?

Firstly, I should state that although my daughters’ father is of black Caribbean origin, in this wonderfully diverse society there are all kinds of mixed-race couples, of all ethnicities. Of course, I can’t speak for everyone, and I’m sure that there is a whole range of different experiences out there, from not having any problems, to being the subjects of the most diabolical forms of racism.

Before my first baby, Maya, was born, I attended some NCT prenatal classes, and one of the group said to me, ‘Yours is the baby I want to see the most!’ When I asked her why, she replied, ‘Well, to see what colour it will be, of course.’ While this isn’t really racism, I did feel slightly uncomfortable with being singled out as different.

While my daughters and I have rarely experienced overt racism, the subtle effects of people’s assumptions based on stereotypes cannot be underestimated. For example, many, many times have we been on the receiving end of remarks such as, ‘I bet they’ve got a great sense of rhythm,’ or ‘They’re bound to be good dancers, it’s in their blood!’ Actually, not all black people are good at, or even necessarily enjoy, dancing. In fact, out of the three of us, I’m the one who has a passion for it.