When My Mother Didn’t See My Black Identity - Growing Up Biracial. In this short video, I share a real and honest story about growing up biracial. From a young age, it was clear to me how the world saw me. People around me always saw me as Black, and that became my reality early in life. But inside my home, things felt different. This created confusion and made me question my identity in a deep way. This is a personal story about identity, race, and growing up between two worlds.
- As a child in the 70s and 80s, the idea of being “biracial” was not something people talked about. There were no clear labels or open conversations like today. I had to figure things out on my own. I understood my identity based on how others treated me. This experience shaped how I saw myself and how I moved through the world at a young age.
- What made it more complicated was my relationship with my mother. While the world clearly saw me as Black, she did not fully see or understand that part of my identity. This created a gap between who I was outside and who I was at home. It felt like living two different lives at the same time, which was confusing and emotional.
- This experience became like a “dance” between identities. I had to adjust depending on where I was and who I was with. Over time, this affected my confidence, my voice, and how I understood myself. Many people who grow up between cultures or identities may relate to this feeling of not being fully seen or understood.
- This video is a small but powerful part of a bigger conversation about identity and belonging. If you have ever felt unseen or misunderstood, you are not alone. Stories like this help open real conversations and bring awareness. If this resonates with you, take a moment to reflect on your own journey and identity.
- What You Can Learn From Him:
- How identity is shaped by both family and society
- The emotional impact of not feeling fully seen
- The reality of growing up biracial in earlier generations
If this story touched you, please like, share, and subscribe for more real conversations and powerful stories.
- ⤷ About the Guest:
- ⤷ Dr. Wendy Ashley
- Website: https://www.drwendyashley.com/
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/drwendyashley/
- Book: What Are You Mixed With?
- https://www.amazon.com/shop/deneenlgarrett/list/1R75WS7I6WZFC
Dr. Wendy Ashley opens up about growing up in the in-between, navigating silence within biracial families, and the pain of not being fully seen even by a parent. She shares the emotional weight of moving through a world that often demands monoracial clarity. Together, we explore what it means to reclaim identity, take up space, and live fully without apology.
- ⤷ Host:
- ⤷ Deneen L. Garrett
- ⤷ Women’s Empowerment Leader | International Speaker | Podcast Host.
- Deneen L. Garrett is the creator and host of Women of Color: An Intimate Conversation, a Top 20 women’s empowerment podcast focused on helping women find their voice, build confidence, and create meaningful change in their lives. Through powerful conversations like this one, she brings awareness, education, and real stories that inspire growth and leadership.
- Connect and grow with her community:
- Dream Lifestyle Collective: https://www.skool.com/dream-lifestyle-collective-1653/about
- Official Website:
- https://deneenlgarrett.com
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