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'I Look Like Mummy and Daddy And That's It!'

Journalism, Photography, Photojournalism

Over the last several centuries the untied kingdom has seen its society change into a patterned nation of the world, with the integration of immigrants from worldwide locations. The effects of this can be seen strongly today with the mix of cultures nationwide, and this ever-changing multicultural Britain continues to grow. One important effect we’ve seen is not only the rise of different races, but also the rise of mixed race families in the UK.
Being a mixed race individual can itself bring many complication; receiving racism from both sides of their heritage, confusion of which cultures to belong to and ultimately the confusion of self identity. But what defines ‘race’ especially for mixed race children? I set out to focus on young families with mixed race children, to show the innocence of these children who are originally unaware of ‘race’ its meaning and the prejudice with it, as ultimately they just ‘look like Daddy and Mummy and that’s it!’ Theoretically it is us who implant their ideals when we make them think about ‘race’ and who they are.
Eventually people won’t fit a mould anymore, and these are the people who will popularize the UK. Theses are the people within my photographs.
Jonathan, Nat & Makorae Oppang-wiafe
Nat and Jonathan are parents to 8month old Makorae who is Czech Republic white and Ghanaian black, and British. ‘ In terms of how we want to introduce Makorae into society, it’s as multicultural as possible. Mixed race people can get racism from both sides, because some people would consider mixed race to not belong to either culture, when actually they belong to two and I think Makorae is very privileged and very lucky. Race is a social construct, races don’t actually exist, we’re so used to using the term race that we allow it to become part of our lives, when biological races do not exist. It would take a few 100 years for the idea of race as a social concept to be eliminated. If you think about race, it means being in competition, who are we racing against if we are all the same? We are the human race.’
Micheal, Gina, Nathanibl, Christian & Elliot Ashwin
The children are Philippine and English White mixed race. ‘ I know they have said multiculturalism has had its day just recently, but personally I think the more you make culture integrated is a good thing. I don’t see anything wrong with that. I think it’s good that they have a toe in both waters. As a country I think we are more excepting and people don’t see it as two different things, I think you’re just British. I walk through a lot of mixed race areas and don’t feel any different; I think you should embrace with the people that you’re going to be with. Having my children mixed race I think is better for them. If you end up just staying in the village you can end up quite closed in your thinking and your ways. I think diversity is good. I reckon one day we will all be the same colour. All races together. It’s be nice if eventually we all just came to some type of synergy. My boys find it easy to just slot straight into both lifestyles and have no issues mixing, they’re happy to be anywhere.
Karen Larkin & Ethan May
Karen is mother to 3 year old Ethan who is English white and Jamaican black mixed race. I listen to their conversation, as Karen tries to ask a 3 year old about his identity as a mixed race individual. ‘ Do you think you’re black or white or mixed race?’ ‘ I think black,’ ‘Why do you think black?’ ‘ Because I look black,’ ‘ What colour is Daddy?’ ‘ Black’ ‘ What colour is Mummy?’ ‘ White,’ ‘and does that bother you?’ ‘ No, I look like Daddy and mummy, and that’s it.’ ‘ He’s too young at the moment that he doesn’t get the concept, I think when he’s older he might realise just what his ethnicity is, but at the end of the day he’s just Ethan and he’s lovely.’
Hilary, Anil, Evie & Jasmine Makwana
Hilary and Anil have been together since they were 16 and have twin girls of Indian and English white mixed race. ‘ I think what’s interesting and nice with children, is that they don’t see any differences, they don’t even register it, it’s the innocence, they have no prejudice, it’s such a shame what happens as ultimately it’s us that teaches them the differences, we spoil it when we make them think about race.’ ‘ You look at Evie and you look at Jasmine, their twins and a mixture of us and yet so different, I think it just goes to show that there is no set type of anything. Not many people fit a mould anymore and I think it’s really good.’