Exploring Mixed Identity: In conversation with Jazmine Jarvis and Meagan Kimberly Smith, founders of Mixed in America

Trigger warning: this episode has references to racism, slavery and sexual assault.

I never had access to a mixed community growing up and I went through much of my adolescent years feeling alone and isolated in my experience of the world. I also existed with a fragmented identity, largely comprising of other people’s expectations and judgements. I talk a lot about the power of having experiences validated and that has only been something I’ve been able to experience in the last few years. This episode centres on the power of owning and leaning into all of our mixedness.

And so I’m talking to Jazmine Jarvis and Meagan Kimberly Smith of Mixed in America.  Mixed in America (MIA) empowers the Mixed community and heals the Mixed identity. MIA is run by two multiracial activists, looking to have a more nuanced conversation about race in America. 

We discuss:

- What Self and Identity means to them.

- Other people feeling entitled to tell mixed people how they should define their identity.

- Being a chameleon, the power of fluidity and our experience living with the duality of it all. 

- Thing’s people should stop saying to mixed people (no matter how well meaning it is). 

- The guilt that comes with light skin privilege and feeling entitled to take up space

with the mixed experience.

… and more.

Today’s exercise:  Work through the Mixed in America identity work book . Download it here: https://www.mixedinamerica.org/free-workbook/

Learn more about MIA: https://www.mixedinamerica.org/ 

Follow Mixed in America on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mixed_in_america/ 

Stay connected with Lauren: https://www.instagram.com/laurenaisharc/

Email Lauren: laurenaisharc@outlook.com