Mixed Blessings: Mixed Race Identites - part 3

Dossier

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“Mixed up” refers to the notions of blending identities and transgressing cultural norms...

We are pleased to present this dossier on the subject of mixed-race identity, originally curated by filmmaker Anne Marie Nakagawa.

“Mixed up” refers to the notions of blending identities and transgressing cultural norms, shifting the trajectory of where individuals without the traditional Canadian (or American) plus-one-ethnic-identity choose to locate themselves in a sea of social and political contradictions.

For a country that prides itself in being “multicultural,” there still appears to be difficulty in understanding and accepting a person of mixed racial and cultural decent as “Canadian,” especially if one of their heritages falls into the category of “visible minority.”

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Audio

Mixed Blessings: Mixed Race Identites - part 3

Contributed by Anne Marie Nakagawa

Creator:

Lisa Khoo

Length: 19:50

License: Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives (by-nc-nd)

Year of Production: 2007

This installment of Mixed Blessings puts the spotlight on the role mixed-race people play in popular culture. While these days mixed is “in” on the runways and on the big screen (Halle Barry, Keanu Reeves, etc.), thirty years ago, mixed race characters didn’t exist with the exception of Spock from Star Trek. Now they are very much a part of the popular cultural landscape and Lisa Khoo examines the social implications of this. The use of humour is also examined as mixed-race people begin to reclaim the question “What are you?” with a subversive slant. In addition, Jeff Chiba Stearns talks about growing up half-Japanese in Kelowna and the personal significance of making his film: “What are you Anyways?” The doc also features poet Fred Wah (author of “Diamond Grill”) who gives an overview of identity politics from the 1950’s until now.