Biracial/Mixed Race Literature discussion
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Biracial vs. Bicultural vs. Interracial - Discuss
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Hi, Hannah. The two distinct terms (biracial and interracial), can be a bit challenging because the terms are often combined. The more we understand the differences between the two, the more we can narrow our search for the kinds of books we are looking for. You’re right, interracial romance novels may or may not have anything to do with the biracial experience, or vice versa for the reader interested in novels about interracial relationships.
Fascinating distinctions and an important point to bring up, Hannah. I'm a word nerd, too, but I'd never noticed how much interracial and biracial are misused in this context. You've made me realize some books I've lumped into the biracial category actually lie solely in the interracial category. The Keepers of the House by Shirley Ann Grau is one example. Have you read INCOGNITO (sorry can't link to it here; it's on my list of read books) by Michael Fosberg? It's his memoir about discovering his mixed-race identity. Michael performs a one-man show based on his story; I interviewed him for MixedAndHappy.com earlier this year.
Yeah, I like defining things, haha. And Karen, thanks. I've never heard of that book, but I'll look it up.
You're welcome, Hannah. I'm hesitant to plug my own book, but it definitely lands in the biracial camp; my main character is biracial and has struggled with identity issues her whole life. One Sister's Song
I am new to the group and just looking at the postings. I agree that the two terms mean very DIFFERENT things. I myself am biracial (1/2 black and 1/2 white) and my parents have an interracial relationship. I am married to a white guy- so another interesting concept- is that still considered an interracial relationship? What if he was black? Since he is white, I DO consider it an interracial marriage, but if he was black, I don't think I would! Interesting, huh? I really liked 'The Girl Who Fell From the Sky" by Heidi Durrow. But that really was the first book I read with a Biracial theme. I just finished "Sisterland" and was surprised to find an interracial theme there! But it is a subplot, but a good one!
Hi Tiffany, Heidi Durrow is a doll and her book is indeed great. You should connect with her on Facebook! My friend here in Denver Carleen Brice also wrote a book with mixed-race identity issues in the plot (Children of the Waters). While her first book, Orange Mint & Honey dealt with other issues, it's also a fantastic read (that was turned into a Lifetime movie)! Thanks for the note about Sisterland; I'll have to check it out.
Karen, Yes, Heidi and I DID connect on Fb and that is how I learned of her book. Since we grew up around the same time I REALLY related to her story, although not the tragedy in it! I listened to it as an audio book on a road trip and was really drawn in. I am a little obsessed with audio books although I read the real things when I can. I will be looking to read Children of the Waters and YOUR book too!
Hello Hannah,
I love your discussion here. I also respect how well you've made distinctions between biracial and interracial. Job well done!
Before I proceed, I'd like to make one thing clear: I totally respect the views of writers who comment. We all come from differing world views, perspectives and have a wealth of experiences, but may I please interject a few thoughts from my perspective here as a mother of a biracial daughter? I hope you don't mind me referencing your quote here:
Begin Quote below --
……. and the other is a little more internal, though still external as well (i.e. you deal on a daily or regular basis with having to choose, or not wanting to choose, or having to navigate between two sides of your family and possibly also dealing with your appearance not matching the group with which you identify, etc.).
End Quote here -
I know full well that you wrote this to make a valid point -- well taken by the way; however, I just wanted to let all realize that I began to write books primarily due to your statement above. I do not believe that a person who is biracial has to experience, or encounter much of what you've described here. In fact, I ensured that my daughter didn't feel the need to grapple between both races because I showered her with the culture of both. She heartily tells people that she is neither African-American nor Hispanic, but both. She doesn't have to decide which culture or ethnicity to dwell in because she has friends and family in both races and they/we interact very well together. My daughter talks and speaks with pride and shares stories of experiences with pride from both cultures.
I actually wrote an article about this. It's posted on my website (see tab labeled Blog) if you are interested in reading it. Someone once said to me that my daughter would have psychological issues because she's biracial. Well, she doesn't. She self-identifies in a healthy way. As a mother and author, it's important for me to ensure children love who they are, find goodness in themselves and everyone they encounter. They must have pride and realize the importance of their talents and self-worth (affirmation and self-fulfilling prophecy). No one should tell a biracial child, or any child for that matter, which ethnic group they are a part of, and biracial children shouldn't feel the need to choose. If they vacillate between the two, that's fine. I want my child to tell others who she is, and not let others decide for her, and she does that very well.
In fact, biracial children will share the same everyday "run of the mill" experiences any child experiences. It's usually adults and ignorance that point out anything else.
I suppose since my parents raised my siblings and me with colossal self-esteem, we raised our children the same way whether monoracial or biracial to have ample love for self. When issues, rudeness, meanness ever comes into play, they realize it isn’t them who has the problem, but perhaps the perpetraror.
Thank you for letting me share my thoughts here. Deep-seated empowerment is key.
Cherrye S. Vasquez, Ph.D.
Website: http://www.BooksThatSow.com
I love your discussion here. I also respect how well you've made distinctions between biracial and interracial. Job well done!
Before I proceed, I'd like to make one thing clear: I totally respect the views of writers who comment. We all come from differing world views, perspectives and have a wealth of experiences, but may I please interject a few thoughts from my perspective here as a mother of a biracial daughter? I hope you don't mind me referencing your quote here:
Begin Quote below --
……. and the other is a little more internal, though still external as well (i.e. you deal on a daily or regular basis with having to choose, or not wanting to choose, or having to navigate between two sides of your family and possibly also dealing with your appearance not matching the group with which you identify, etc.).
End Quote here -
I know full well that you wrote this to make a valid point -- well taken by the way; however, I just wanted to let all realize that I began to write books primarily due to your statement above. I do not believe that a person who is biracial has to experience, or encounter much of what you've described here. In fact, I ensured that my daughter didn't feel the need to grapple between both races because I showered her with the culture of both. She heartily tells people that she is neither African-American nor Hispanic, but both. She doesn't have to decide which culture or ethnicity to dwell in because she has friends and family in both races and they/we interact very well together. My daughter talks and speaks with pride and shares stories of experiences with pride from both cultures.
I actually wrote an article about this. It's posted on my website (see tab labeled Blog) if you are interested in reading it. Someone once said to me that my daughter would have psychological issues because she's biracial. Well, she doesn't. She self-identifies in a healthy way. As a mother and author, it's important for me to ensure children love who they are, find goodness in themselves and everyone they encounter. They must have pride and realize the importance of their talents and self-worth (affirmation and self-fulfilling prophecy). No one should tell a biracial child, or any child for that matter, which ethnic group they are a part of, and biracial children shouldn't feel the need to choose. If they vacillate between the two, that's fine. I want my child to tell others who she is, and not let others decide for her, and she does that very well.
In fact, biracial children will share the same everyday "run of the mill" experiences any child experiences. It's usually adults and ignorance that point out anything else.
I suppose since my parents raised my siblings and me with colossal self-esteem, we raised our children the same way whether monoracial or biracial to have ample love for self. When issues, rudeness, meanness ever comes into play, they realize it isn’t them who has the problem, but perhaps the perpetraror.
Thank you for letting me share my thoughts here. Deep-seated empowerment is key.
Cherrye S. Vasquez, Ph.D.
Website: http://www.BooksThatSow.com
Hello everyone. I am enjoying reading these posts. The world is a fascinating place! I am 2nd generation Argentine; my grandparents were very young children when they immigrated from the Ukraine to Argentina. We are Jewish and on my father's side, we are supposedly "Kohanim"- the priestly tribe from biblical times. I grew up in Southern California, having to defend myself from the "Latina" girls who would not accept the "huera" (white girl) as a hispanic/latina immigrant. I didn't fit in exactly with the "American" girls because I was "too ethnic". I wasn't Jewish enough, Russian enough, neither "White" or "Hispanic". I had a unique childhood, never truly completing the immigration as we lived with "one foot in America and one foot in Arr-hen-tina." My book is listed here on Goodreads, if anyone cares to take a peek. And I just found out that it made the Top Ten Nonfiction books on Latinoauthor.com (which brought a smile to my 'too white' face)With Love, The Argentina Family: Memories of Tango and Kugel; Mate with Knishes
Best regards!
Biracial/Mixed Race Literature
Books mentioned in this topic
With Love, The Argentina Family: Memories of Tango and Kugel; Mate with Knishes (other topics)One Sister's Song (other topics)
The Keepers of the House (other topics)
For me, the distinction between "interracial" and "biracial" is exceedingly important. First, I'm just a grammar nerd and I think correct word usage is important--therefore I get annoyed when people talk about "biracial romance" or something, because they're just using the word incorrectly. "Biracial" means two races within, "interracial" means between two races. But I also make the distinction because it's important to my research and my creative work. Finally, I think it's important because the interracial experience and the biracial experience are different (no less valid, just different), because one has to do more with grappling with outside forces (i.e. you've grown up identifying comfortably and strongly with one racial or ethnic distinction and are confronted with being close to and possibly in conflict with another when dating someone from a different one if you're in an interracial relationship) and the other is a little more internal, though still external as well (i.e. you deal on a daily or regular basis with having to choose, or not wanting to choose, or having to navigate between two sides of your family and possibly also dealing with your appearance not matching the group with which you identify, etc etc).
Since postings here indicate to me that most of you are comfortable combining "biracial" and "interracial" into the same discussion, or at least the same literary category, can we discuss it? What made you suggest the books you did? How do you think the experiences are similar or dissimilar? Do you think the distinction I'm making is important, or is it detrimental?