Black Executive Men: For Biracial and Mixed With Black Men
Are you a biracial Black man uncertain about your racial identity? Choosing and protecting one’s identity especially when you’re in the center of a society that constantly classifies you based on your racial identity could be stressful and confusing.
The term biracial applies to any child or person who is mixed with two or more racial backgrounds, and in the United States, often refers to persons of European and African descent. Accepting one’s multiracial identity could be seriously challenging.
This discussion will highlight the issues biracial people face because of racial classification in society.
Changing Racial Identity as a Result of Biracial Stigma
There are several studies involving children of multiple origins in longitudinal settings. According to the findings, people who self-identified as biracial were at significant risk of changing their race to save themselves from the stigma present in society. These individuals are likely to change and identify themselves as monoracial.
Difficulty in Accepting Biracial Identity
Many people find it hard to accept their biracial identity because of the social stigma about biracial people. The way they've been treated within their social circles and at the workplace also affects how they perceive their self-identity. To help these people know the importance of identifying their biracial status, psychotherapy is the solution.
Flexibility with Racial Identity
Besides, on the other hand, it is pertinent to acknowledge that racial code-switching or identification or de-identification could have dire outcomes for the emotional and mental well-being of a person. In another study, those who were more flexible with their racial identity reported significantly poor health.
The study further pointed out that increased flexibility about racial identification for biracial individuals highlighted an increased risk of depressive symptoms.
Effect of Environment on the Racial Identity of an Individual
While we speak of racial identity, it is worth knowing that emphasis on racial identity is not inherently drawn from the individual. Rather, it is the effect of the environment classifying the individual in terms of their race.
This leads the individual to self-identify themselves concerning their racial origin. Such attempts of classification or race trigger stress and frustration among people.
The Role of Family
To protect against the harms of biracial identity exploration, studies suggest that family plays a prominent role in reducing the stressors in the environment for their biracial children. Family members need to understand and appreciate the idea that since their children are biracial, they would have a different cultural heritage than that of the family.
It is important to understand that families have the opportunity to provide social support and counseling to their biracial members as needed. It can be helpful for biracial or multiracial people to engage in an environment where people of multiple ethnicities move and interact freely.
An environment where you as a biracial Black man can engage with other biracial people could help to build confidence to socialize freely and defeat the stigma of biracial identification.
Remember, if you’re going through stress because of experiencing biracial classification from your peers or friends, then it’s advised to talk about it.
You may connect with me by scheduling a one-to-one appointment session
https://calendly.com/jewellove
I am a professional licensed psychotherapist. I have vast experience of engaging and working with Black and Biracial Black men who have faced discrimination because of their racial identity in society.
What to Do if You’re Stressed?
There are two ways to deal with social or cultural stigma - wait for the things to change for you or change yourself to bring improvement in your professional and personal life. If you choose to go with the latter, we need to talk.
Connect with me today and let’s talk about the challenges you’re facing and how you can overcome these!