AIBU To ask if the term Mixed-Race is outdated

[CambridgeEntry2022]

I don't want to cause offence by using outdated terms. Would it be more appropriate to use the term multi racial?

Well my kids aren't bi-racial or duel heritage. If you really wanted to use that kinda language it would have to be quad-racial and quad-heritage. So we'll stick to mixed race.

(DH and I are both mixed, 4 different races)

@SerendipityJane 😂😂

I’m a mix of eastern slav and central Asian, but I doubt anyone should pick up on me as anything but white British in passing introductions (if they didn’t hear my name). I have a real range of reactions of people insisted I am a certain label, white or mixed heritage etc. The only time I’m annoyed is when it’s dictated to me as ‘correct’ (like my kids being EAL purely for funding purposes at school when I haven’t actually ticked the box…)
I think the only respectful way forward is to politely ask others what they wish to be referred as, if the situation arises.

My children are multi racial. One is blonde, one is a read head. One has green eyes, the other blue

They consider themselves multi-racial. You might assume they were white but their DNA says 38% sub Saharan African and they are proud of it

How can a red-haired, blue-eyed person be multiracial? This combination is the most recessive and genes from both parents need to be the same for these characteristics to manifest themselves.

Obsessing over whatever percentages one may have (assuming these tests are accurate), gives off the impression that being white or one race is somehow 'wrong', lesser or not trendy enough.

Wouldn't it be more helpful if you taught your red haired child how to protect their skin from sun damage or other specific health considerations like differences in coagulation or vitamin D absorption?

Why focus on theoretical DNA percentages that have no relevance on their every day life?

38% sub Saharan African
Suspiciously precise

I had to tick dual heritage in a form recently because there wasn't mixed race... that was confusing. I'm Heinz 57

How can a red-haired, blue-eyed person be multiracial? This combination is the most recessive and genes from both parents need to be the same for these characteristics to manifest themselves.

My daughter has those traits and is definitely mixed race.

What races?

@GreyhoundG1rl
Are you asking me that? My daughter is white british and black caribbean.

Unusual colouring, for sure.

I meant hair and eyes, to be clear. That's a classic Irish combination.

Yeah. I’m mixed race. I refer to myself as such. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Freecuthbert

Is your DD's skin white and freckled? I'm asking out of curiosity, not trying to put you on the spot

She is very pale, yes, but she is too young for freckles at the moment.

She is very pale, yes, but she is too young for freckles at the moment

She probably inherited the copy of the 'redhead gene' from you DH too (from what I understand)

I’m multi ethnic having both Celtic and Anglo Saxon ancestors.

@Ursulasunderstudy

You need to use Dual Heritage not mixed race.

No not true. Dual refers to two of something. Every mixed race person isn't a straight simple mix of A+B... They might me a mix of multiple. There is nothing wrong with the term "mixed race". It's not a racial slur or inappropriate etc, it's a fact. The person is a mix-of-races

I think I did not explain myself very well.

The mutated MC1R gene (which needs to be inherited from both parents, as it's recessive) is responsible for red hair colour (and several other characteristics, like skin tone).

So I understand it's not possible for a red-haired (and in particular blue-eyed) person to be what most understand as mixed race (at least in relation to hair, eye and skin colour)

@mustlovegin

I think I did not explain myself very well.

The mutated MC1R gene (which needs to be inherited from both parents, as it's recessive) is responsible for red hair colour (and several other characteristics, like skin tone).

So I understand it's not possible for a red-haired (and in particular blue-eyed) person to be what most understand as mixed race (at least in relation to hair, eye and skin colour)

You said they have 38% Saharan African in their DNA. This suggests that a parent or grandparent is African. Did you do one of those sketchy home DNA kits or do you know their family tree? If their parent or grandparent isn’t of a different race then I wouldn’t class your DC as mixed race.

@luckylavender

But aren't we all mixed race? I'm Welsh and Irish

Welsh and Irish are the same race (white/Caucasian) so no, you are not mixed race.

CutePanda I was responding to a PP and highlighting the complexities regarding hair, eye and skin colour in a red-haired person. In this particular instance they are due to a gene mutation which also impacts other areas of physiology (which - in my view- is what the PP should be focusing on in order to better support her child)

I am Indian, my kids have Indian/British white parentage. Mixed race for us is fine. We also use Eurasian or Anglo Indian. Neither of which we would find offensive. Half Caste definitely would not be unacceptable and coloured is also unacceptable. To posters suggesting colour does not matter and colour should not be discussed I do not agree on a couple of grounds. Firstly, racism is a real tangible issue in the UK as the weekend's events demonstrate. If we do not measure outcomes for against race then we cannot generate actions to address racism. As a mixed race family there can be comedy gold moments where white people feel unable to mention that a person is brown or black. I remember hearing someone needing to speak to my son on a football pitch. He was one of two mixed race players. The white person did not feel comfortable saying yes he is the tall mixed race fellow, so started talking about him being tall, dark haired etc. Oversensitivity feels slightly excluding as well.

How can a red-haired, blue-eyed person be multiracial? This combination is the most recessive and genes from both parents need to be the same for these characteristics to manifest themselves.

Quite possible if both their parents have one black parent and red-headed parent. It wouldn’t be the most likely colouring but it’s certainly possible.

I'm not sure that is why many black/mixed race people don't like it. For my DH he doesn't want to be an acronym. He finds it rude, dehumanising and it annoys him.

I don’t blame him as it is not a term that should be used for any one individual. However it is useful for statistical purposes eg BAME people suffer discrimination; BAME people are more likely to suffer from certain illnesses etc.