Exploring Identity and Belonging with Becky White: A Conversation on Mixed Heritage and Cultural Pride
2024-11-20In this interview I had the pleasure of speaking with Rebecca White, the director of The Halfie Project, an initiative that explores the lives and stories of mixed Korean kids and the hidden challenges they face in their daily life.
The following are excerpts from an online interview on November 3rd, 2024.
Could you tell us about the origins of the Project and what inspired you to start it?
The Halfie Project started to fill a personal need. Growing up with a mixed heritage, I often felt like there weren’t enough people or places where I could share my experiences openly. It was quite a journey to find someone who utterly understands what it’s like to navigate multiple cultural backgrounds, often feeling like I didn’t fully belong to any of them. The project is now a platform for people to share their stories, and we’re constantly exploring what it means to belong when you’re rooted in two places at once.
Can you share some of the challenges mixed kids face, particularly Korean kids raised abroad?
Growing up feeling like you're not fully part of any single culture can be really tough. This struggle often starts in childhood and sticks with you into adulthood. In Korea, there’s a strong sense of national identity, and if you're only partly Korean or raised abroad, it can make you feel out of place, like you don’t really belong anywhere. This feeling is often made worse by societal expectations or misunderstandings about mixed-race individuals.
You mentioned how Korean society sometimes feels “less-than” compared to other cultures, especially in multicultural relationships. Could you expand on that?
Absolutely, Korea's relationship with its global identity can be pretty intricate. In multicultural relationships, it's not uncommon for Koreans to downplay their heritage when they move abroad. For instance, in the United States, I've noticed Korean parents, especially mothers, often minimize their culture to help their kids blend in as "American." They might stop speaking Korean at home or skip passing down traditions, all in hopes of helping their children succeed in a society where being different can sometimes be a hurdle.
What advice would you give to parents in mixed-cultural relationships about nurturing a child’s dual heritage?
My advice would be to be open and direct with children about both heritages. Kids are incredibly perceptive and often make sense of things based on what they see. If they sense that one part of their identity isn’t welcome, they might internalize it as something to be ashamed of, which can impact their self-worth.
From your experience, what are the long-term effects when children aren’t encouraged to embrace both sides of their cultural identity?
Children can carry feelings of inadequacy into adulthood. If they grow up sensing that one part of them is “less-than” it can create lasting insecurities. When they experience conflict between their cultural identities, they might feel they don’t truly belong to either one. This can lead to resentment, especially if they feel their parents didn’t nurture a significant part of who they are.
What are some common misunderstandings about mixed-race children that you hope to address through the Project?
A big one is the assumption that mixed-race children have an easier time fitting into both cultures, but that’s rarely the case. When I first traveled to Korea, I hoped to find a sense of belonging, but soon realized I didn’t entirely “fit” in there either. People of mixed heritage often feel like outsiders, no matter where they are, and this is something that others don’t always understand.
Is there anything else you’d like to add about the importance of cultural pride and self-acceptance?
I would just say to anyone in a multicultural family – be proud of all parts of who you are. Don’t let societal pressures or misunderstandings make you feel “less-than.” Embracing both heritages doesn’t make you half of each; it makes you whole.
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