A Mix of Experiences: Six Perspectives

Asia Hamilton

For my Social Psychology and the Deaf World Class

Using Atkinson's Minority Development Model

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Introduction

As Atkinson's Minority Identity Development Model suggests, there are five stages of development that minority groups may fall into when understanding themselves and their relation to society. The stages are: Conformity, Dissonance, Resistance and Immersion, Introspection, and the Synergetic Articulation and Awareness Stage. The model is used as a tool to capture the experiences of minorities in a more categorical way - to find a well-rounded scope of their perceptions in a society where they do not possess a dominant identity. In knowing this, I decided to put the model to the test by interviewing six individuals of a minority. Through the questions, I would find whether they believed its stages were accurate to their feelings and experiences, and ultimately, if it was valid.

Having grown up from parents with two different races, I knew I wanted to investigate this model with those of a similar background. To me, this meant capturing the lens of biracial (or mixed) people and their perceptions of the world. I knew it would especially be an interesting study, as all of my interviewees contain half-white ancestry, the dominant racial group in the US and Canada, despite mixed-race people ("Two or More Races") still being one of the smallest racial identities in the country.

While racial stereotypes about mixed people aren't as prominent as other racial groups, there are still certain stigmas surrounding them. In the media, with TV shows like Ginny & Georgia, Modern Family, Mixed-ish, or movies like Spider-man: Into the Spider-verse, mixed people are often portrayed as people who are juggling parts of their identity and cultural knowledge. They feature internally conflicted individuals who continuously learn about themselves, and must learn to grow closer to one of their cultural backgrounds (like learning the language, embracing the culture, etc), which leads them to not "fit in" into either side. There is a strong notion that mixed people struggle to find a sense of belonging in their environment, and that they will never feel completely connected to a single side. With these ideas in mind, I wanted to see if they felt similar, and to keep in mind for Atkinson's model.

Methods

Every stage of Atkinson's model is associated with different attitudes of a sample minority. It is measured on the basis of their perceptions of themselves, their perceptions of minorities who are the same as them, minorities who are different to them, and how they view the dominant group (people who are racially white). The first stage, Conformity, expresses that an individual who may not view their racial identity with much care or esteem (self-depreciating), and views the dominant group with value (group-appreciating). The fifth and last stage, Synergetic Articulation and Awareness, presents a perspective where a minority has great appreciation for themselves, and a selective appreciation for the dominant group.

Can mixed people align themselves with these stages? In light of my interviewees being "part" of the dominant group, could they ever simultaneously be self-depreciating and group-appreciating? Are these considered a conflict of identities?

There were twelve questions I asked in hopes to capture how each individual felt about themselves, others who were mixed-race, other minorities, and the dominant group (white people). For a well-rounded perspective, I put together these questions:

1. Do you believe being mixed race makes you see the world in a different way than others? If so, how?

2. As a mixed person, do you ever change (to any degree) aspects of your identity (e.g. following racial stereotypes) to mold into the environment you are in?

3. Growing up, how do you feel your identity (as a mixed race person) influenced you and do you feel that others' perceptions of you affected the view of yourself?

4. What do you think the advantages are of having two racial identities (half-black, half-white)?

5. What do you think are the disadvantages of having two racial identities, if you believe there are any?

6. Although you are mixed race, how do you view both of your identities distinctly in the world interacting with each other (e.g. black and white person interacting)?

7. Is there a racial identity you feel more comfortable with claiming compared to the other? If so, why?

8. (Follow-up) In claiming this, do you feel you are straying away from being labeled a “mixed” person, or that this claimed identity also encapsulates your experience as a mixed person?

9. Was there any moment where you wished you weren’t mixed race? If so, why?

10. What are your thoughts on other mixed-race people (black-white, or Asian-white), or minorities? Do you think you share the same experiences and are more similar or different than them?

11. As white people are a majority in the country, and you sharing an aspect of their identity, what are your thoughts on them as a group overall? (This may include ones who are more ‘understanding’ to minorities, or ones who are not)

12. What do you think of this model? Do you think this captures your experiences and feelings?

o Colonialism template [Atkinson's Model]

Interviews

Oceana

My first Interviewee, Oceana, held the belief that being mixed does make you see the world differently. She viewed it as a way you can see "two perspectives," and how it's easy to "appreciate and respect both cultures for what they bring." She further discussed how she could see a new side of life in which not everyone gets to see, and how many others may only get to see one perception. These ideas were pressed when I asked about advantages in coming from two different racial backgrounds, to which she brought up cultural aspects: food, dancing, language, and general cultural knowledge. In her eyes, they were all benefits of having multiple identities.

When asked about potential disadvantages, she mentioned instances where mixed people may have identity issues about not feeling fully accepted by either community, although, she added, "I personally don't." She had contemplated longer on what a disadvantage could be, and then brought up a matter of "society not knowing where to categorize you," and added, "which could be a good thing too."

When asked if there was an identity Oceana was more comfortable with claiming over another, she said blackness. She believed this was due to the "western view, one drop of blood makes you a black person, so it's easier to say you are black. Even if I am technically fifty-fifty." She summed up that it was easier to claim blackness due to the history (dominant vs oppressor) who set-up the rules for who black people are. Aside from that, Oceana still saw being mixed as slightly different, but since identity is a means for people to categorize, people aren't ready to "unbox what it means to be mixed, as there are different kinds of mixed" but "people need simple."

On the topic of various mixed-race individuals, Oceana commented on one similarity they all face: the navigation of two identities. However, she mentioned that "looking 'mixed' and being 'mixed' are two different things, and it would depend on society's view of the mixed individual. This was the same for other minorities as well, such as Korean or Chinese who may have a different experience to Indian or people of African-descent. On the contrary, her views on white people were quite similar. She believes there are a multitude of white people, some are educated and understand the lives of minorities, while others who will never fully grasp what it's like to be a mixed minority.

After the interview was completed, I had finally showed and explained Atkinson's model. While she was generally okay with it, she felt there were still some issues. She claimed it felt as though you have to start at stage one, and "who says it starts with self-depreciation?" She was not in favour of the stage set-up, and sought more context associated with it. She said that although she would fit herself in stage five, "It is a good try, but I think there is a better way to express this." After this comment, she referenced a friend of hers to me to interview. She was curious about his perspective as a mixed person, and so I got to interview Chris.

Chris

As the son of a Puerto Rican father and white mother, Chris believes coming from two ethnically different sides brings different world views. He brought up the cultural differences from both: the value of work ethic and money from his mom, compared to his father that values community and family more. Due to this, "I always had conflicting views about the meaning of life and what was important." For the following question, when asked if there was anything he'd ever change about his identity, he commented on his hair. "I have an afro, which for a white person is rare. I have been told from professors, 'you should cut your hair,' 'your hair is ethnic.'" He added how it had always been seen as unprofessional, and to appear more white or in line with the [dominant] color, he needed to cut his hair to do so.

Chris had a friend once tell him, "you're too Hispanic to be white, and too white to be hispanic." Which he felt was true, as with either side, he felt "out of place." He noted that there was never a group of people to fit in with, and that as a mixed-person, "you are always a little bit of an outsider." He came to discuss how he never had much of a strong connection to either racial group. "I always say I am 'Aracial,' I don't have a race or ethnicity, when you're mixed you don't have one." Despite this, he still felt it advantangeous to have "balanced worldview" as a mixed-person.

When posed the question of whether he leaned toward one culture, he remained neutral. He raised the question, "When I take demographic forms, should I even 'mark Hispanic?'" He grew up raised on his mothers side, with an upbringing of a white family. He acknowledged how some other Hispanic people feel a stronger connection to their origins than him as well. All in all, he felt the term mixed was the best way to describe his experience. "There's no mixed-race appreciation month. No one really thinks that experience needs to be addressed." He followed by saying he hadn't had too many negative experiences overall with his identity, but he recalled a time someone asked how he had "black people hair." He viewed this as less an act of prejudice and more curiosity, and that was how he typically viewed questions as such about his racial identity.

From Chris's perspective, other mixed-race people and minorities have different experiences to him. Other groups may possess characteristics, expressions, and traits that can make others feel closer to one culture. However, looking like a fifty-fifty split, he felt as though it was harder to have those. When asked about his views toward white people, whether they be inclusive or not toward him, he said, "I think 'whiteness' isn't the problem," and that their lack of understanding is "more a lack of experience or education or interacting with different groups. White people in China aren't the majority, yet they have the same problem."

After I showed and explained Atkinson's model to Chris, he overall found it interesting. His main critique was questioning why different categories couldn't vary or coincide, "why can't you be self-appreciating and group-depreciating, or vice-versa?" Overall, Chris believes he would probably be around stage two.

Breanna

Breanna described being biracial as being in an "in-between." With a European mom and Jamaican father, their distinct approaches to life offered her "new viewpoints." Although, there were always moments where people (white or black) did not accept her. There were times it would make her question herself as a person. You sort of "fall in a bucket" as she described, "some people might perceive you as being 'better' with their underlying racist tones." The assumptions made about Brianna made her question her identity at times, particular when she was younger and figuring herself out.

Contrary to how she grew up, however, she does not feel the need to follow racial stereotypes to fit into her environments. "At this time in my life, no. Being twenty-eight and being an adult, I've learned what it's like to just be myself and embrace my mixed identity rather than to just conform or follow racial stereotypes." When I asked about the advantageous of being mixed, she brought up cultural aspects such as food, values, or exposure to language, which were all characteristics she believes "blends in myself."

She mentioned how there are situations you can fall into that are not ideal. She gave the example, "there were some family members who were not supportive. As time goes on, people do get over it," She explained, "And because of that, a lot of mixed people may not feel fully accepted. Or not within their own culture. And you can go through an identity crisis." This was an interesting assessment, especially when I asked if there was a culture she leaned toward. "Within myself, I consider myself mixed." She talked about how it is more comfortable to say she is mixed, or black, as compared to white, as she acknowledges the difficulty on a physical standpoint. She is comfortable in her identity, but with examples, such as going to the South (of the US), which in that case, she believes they would consider her black. But despite the physical, and above all, she claims her race as biracial.

Breanna believes every mixed person has probably dealt with something, being "the same across the board." She owed it to similar issues of segregation that makes mixed people a little different. "Not turmoil... but a sense of not belonging" may be what is the most similar amongst mixed people. When it comes to other minorities (who are not mixed), she believes that every minority group faces different issues. "There are different levels of minorities. There are going to be people who look at it from a societal perspective, maybe I have more privileges." She believes there are similarities and differences based on treatment, briefly touching on the persistent issue of colorism amongst minority groups.

As for the dominant (white) group, Breanna does not judge them as a whole. She much prefers to judge on a more individual-level. "I don't have ill-will. I am mindful about the experiences between individuals." While she believes there are white people who don't understand their position in the world, she does not choose to be bothered. However, she acknowledges that some mixed people do have ill-will, "their experiences in relation to white people are going to be different, which will form their perception as a whole."

Once I showed Breanna the Atkinson Model, she understood it and resonated. She viewed every stage as different ways mixed-people may go through their identity issues. Amongst the stages, she found pieces of herself in different phases of life, and even of other people she knew could imagine fitting into different ones. Overall, she felt she could resonate mostly with stage three and five, proceeding to categorize herself into the fifth as she liked the wording for "selective" feelings toward the dominant group.

Abigail

After an initial hesitancy, Abigail expressed that the cultural differences from both her white and Korean family was what developed her understandings of seeing "things different." She described the Asian-community as "close-knit," and the food being different, the names they call women and men over twenty-five, and how they take care of each other being a more engaging experience in Asian culture. When compared to her white side, it is compiled of different interactions, "our conversations are based on politics or something else."

Abigail's high school had different groups, such as Asian students as a friend group, or more white-country kids forming a group. Due to this, there were times she didn't feel she belonged with either of the groups. She did not follow aspects of Asian culture as intensely as others she knew, but also, "I didn't feel I had the right to be in the white group." Instead, she explained how she had a friend group with other mixed people, and for the same reasons, "we never felt like we could fit in." Following this idea, she briefly discussed the lack of representation in media for half-Asian, half-white people in Disney princesses. She expresses how she didn't think much about representation until she watched, The Summer I Turned Pretty, and identifying herself in the main character (a half-asian, half-white protagonist).

"There have been times I wished I have been fully either" she says, referring to her Middle school experience. "I wished I was full Asian, as at the time, I was into Asian culture" but didn't feel she had the right to do so. On the contrary to her Freshman year (of high school), "I wished I was full white with double eyelids and blue eyes." But she explains how she has grown from this phase and is very content with being mixed.

When it comes to other mixed people, Abigail enjoys meeting other mixed people like her. If she suspects someone is Wasian, "I always ask them." She says,"It's a fun thing to have in common. But being mixed, our generation specifically, we're coming up more." And finds it more common amongst people her age (generation Z) than adults. As for other minority groups, Abigail feels she could relate to mixed people than someone who is just full white or full asian, as they share experiences such as a lack of representation in media.

On the basis of white people as a group, Abigail thinks it's very polarized. She believes there are some who can be ignorant, "some south[ern] people called me exotic." Amongst other comments from people she is related to, which she recognizes as ignorance. "You don't have to be interested in someone else's culture, but you should respect it." She gave an example of when she discussed her enthusiasm for live-action Little Mermaid film. She understood why people were excited, as she knew if there was a half-asian, half-white mermaid she would love it. And yet, a white friend of hers did not seem to comprehend why. She then added, "it's hard to understand something you've taken for granted."

After I revealed the Atkinson Development Model to Abigail, she believed it was "pretty accurate and perverse and covers every base." I questioned where she thinks she would relate most, and she believed she was around stage four. "I think sometimes you can always feel like the grass is greener on the other side. But also, I love being part of the group, so I wouldn't be apart of stage three." Due to this, she believed the model (stage four) encapsulated her experiences pretty well as a mixed person.

Daniel

Daniel believes being mixed (half-black, half-white) can create a fairly objectively viewpoint, with less of an internal racial bias. "Being mixed helps you see things in a less polarized lens, almost like an observer or spectator." Although his biracial identity isn't something he thinks about too often, and he didn't grow up thinking about it, he added that how others perceive him does ultimately affect him.

As more racially-ambiguous looking mixed person, Daniel finds it easy to "morph into different cultures." Amongst a variety of other ethnicities, such as Indian, Mexican, Spanish and so on. He finds that people often assume or mistaken him for being someone like them, a familiar face in their culture. Despite these common mix-up's, Daniel described the ability to do this as a form of "spectating privilege" and adds, "If I said I was a [specific] race, they can't really press me on it. I can be whatever I want to be." In addition to this point, he mentioned that as a more racially-ambiguous mixed person, it is harder for people to box him in. "No white guilt as a white person, [since] you don't know what my race is. And you're not labeled as a stereotype by most minorities." He described his experience (and to other mixed-race people like him), "we're chameleons, we're shapeshifters."

While he views these as advantages, he still believes some disadvantages come along with two racial identities, "There is not a specific community who wants you. They won't come up to you, you have to go to them." He gave an example of being at a cultural festival. He could go up to a group of people, such as Mexican, and tell them he's part of their identity and they would likely welcome him. On the contrary, it is not so easy for them to walk up to him, as they would be assuming his (racial) identity. He gave another example of his friend from Trinidad who embraced him after learning he was Jamaican, "but I had to say it first," he added. He told another story of when he told his Indian friends that he was not Indian, like they assumed, but despite that, they still welcomed him in their group as one. "They still took group pics with me at prom and stuff" - and he doesn't feel he would be as welcomed the same with a white friend group.

When I asked if there was a group he felt most comfortable in, he said black. He described white people to be more of an exclusionary community, and could not imagine himself going up to a white person and telling them he is "half-white" and expect embrace. On the other end, he believes black people don't refuse entry and are always open to allies, "we need allies. Especially with oppression in our community."

He briefly touched on media, and how Eurocentrism made him view white people as the standard, or as "the preferable option like in writing stories or fiction." In terms of media representation, he gave the example of Princess and the Frog, where the (black) main protagonist is "more frog than princess in the movie," and "I felt demoralized internally because of that." Additionally with minorities, he acknowledged how colorism plays a factor in the privileges they might have. He described some mixed people (like half-Japanese, half-white), "you're whiter than me, you have more privileges" compared to someone who might be half-black and half-Indian, who may be darker and have less privileges from skin color.

When I asked about Daniel's thoughts on the dominant (white) group, he said, "There are some that are cool. But when they're 'cool' they're just showing basic human respect." At his predominately white school, he claims they don't make efforts to address race much. "You got to tiptoe because it's controversial." In a particular instance, he finds that other people of color in his politics class don't always feel compelled to speak, despite the efforts his teacher makes in creating "a safe space." I inquired further about this, and he talked about how "when a black woman is passionate, they get labeled." As compared to white people, "they can talk about something 'out-there' and not get the same backlash."

I concluded my questions by asking him about Atkinson's Minority Development model. His initial thought was, "it's interesting to get it written down to a science." However, the more time he took to analyze it, the more skeptical he became. He was not fond of the stages, as "stages insinuates you're progressing toward something." He said, "it's trying to capture different perspectives in a linear line. A more accurate depiction is people going through life, stage four to stage two, something non-linear stages." Furthermore, he critiqued stage five, in disbelief that the most 'advanced' stage would involve "appreciating white people." He decided to search up Atkinson to figure out who he was, seeking his credibility. "It's an interesting minority model, but it's sort of lucrative in a way its narrative is appreciating (dominant group) white people." Despite skepticism of its validity, he thinks he would probably fit into stage four, though he felt restricted with his answers. "What if I was darker, in a more racist place? And because I don't kiss ass, I'm stage three?"

Savanna

As a half-white, half-black mixed kid, Savanna believes there is a dual perspective you get from a two-parent household. But it's not just a matter of having different parents, it's the intricacies that come along with having different families. "You can have racist family members who don't think the same way your parents think" and that "you don't realize your experiences are normal until you realize nobody is like you."

Environment played a big role in her life, and she believes the way she perceived herself depended on who she was surrounded by at the time. Growing up, she felt she had to behave, talk, and dress the way other [white] kids dressed. "kids were making fun of me. I was called Zebra, Oreo..." and recalls a specific moment in her life. "When I straightened my hair to fit in, the teacher told me, 'you look better with straight hair' so because of these perceptions, I did try to hide myself." She discussed how these perceptions made her afraid of other peoples opinions. But when she got to high school, a predominantly black school, there was a drastic shift in culture. "I didn't know they liked curly hair and they were beautiful. And there were other fashion options. They had more style, more 'hip' to them."

When it comes to advantages for being mixed-race, Savanna believes there is an uneven playing field, where she can "get more opportunities than a dark-skin woman." She acknowledges that people like her are often casted in movies or TV shows as "the black woman, despite not being fully black." She expressed how society expresses preference to them, as being a "palatable black person," an unfortunate outlook from society. As for disadvantages, she commented on the inability to fit in at family dinners. "White family is blonde hair, blue eyes, and here we are, the mixed ones." She expressed times where she feels like a "showboat," and explained how she felt paraded around, used to show "how diverse your family is, as if you're more items than people" by certain family members. She continued, "you genuinely don't fit in with family and society, and if you do, sometimes people want to use you as a showpiece."

Savanna discussed about how expressive Black Culture is, like at parties how they play music and bring food, or how they have headwear or clothes. When I asked if there was a side she leaned toward, she undoubtedly expressed, "I will say that I am black before I'll ever say that I'm white." She owed this to her looks, "no porcelain skin, no facial features [of a white person], and my nose and lips are different." And also believes "white people wouldn't claim you, versus black people do claim you. Black people have even claimed white people." Nevertheless, as society progresses with an upsurge in mixed people, she believes it's important to separate black and mixed with time.

As for her opinions regarding other mixed-people, she says, "When I see a mixed person, I can spot them so easily. It's crazy that other people can't." She recognizes the different experiences depending on the mixed person, comparing how a white-Asian mix would be different than a Cuban-Black mix, as "there is so much variation across biracial people." She added a theory that mixed households may have more leniency than other minority groups. As she suggests mixed households may have more open-minded parents, which could create a more potential lenient household.

As for her thoughts on the (dominant) white group, "they're people. Good or bad." She acknowledges that although some may or may not understand the shoes of someone non-white, "I don't hate people. I still love them. Just be good."

I revealed Atkinson's Minority Development model to her, and she compared her different ages in life to different stages. She considered her kid-self to fall into stage one, high school to be around stage two, early-university to stage three, and late-university life in stage four. Now, she considers herself to fit in stage five. Even so, she had never felt negatively toward other minorities and classifies herself to have always been in 'stage four' in regards to her appreciation for them growing up. Overall, she feels the model is accurate with its descriptions pertaining to her.

Conclusion

After completing the interviews, the six individuals have demonstrated how much range is amongst mixed-race individuals experiences, and how Atkinson's Minority Development Model captures it. A lot of my interviewees indicated a lot of similar feelings toward their biracial identity, but had vastly different approaches to their views on life and what aspects of their identity help them to make sense of the world. Depending on how they grew up, or who they'd surrounded themselves with, they related to different stages, primarily around stage two to five, with some elements of skepticism.

Whether they were more tied to one side, in a neutral middle ground, or felt they were a blend (culturally) of the two races, they held the belief that their background inherently offered them different perspectives in life. It's fascinating to see how mixed people view themselves in relation to those around them, especially sharing identities with two groups which are far more common than being a mix of the two. Some of them had also mentioned media, and their hopes to see more representation for mixed people on-screen.

Overall, it appears that Atkinson's model is valid. While it was not entirely able to engulf the the experience of mixed race individuals, a lot of them were able to find certain parts of it in themselves. Some stages resonated more at different points in their life, and others found themselves at a blend of the stages - which creates a more unique interpretation of his mode, but still valid nonetheless. As society progresses to a point where mixed-race people become more common, I am curious to know how the answers on Atkinson Model's will change to pertain to a newer society, and what the "dominant" group will grow to become. The responses to Atkinson's model were various and distinct, much like the uniqueness of experiences mixed-race individuals undergo.

References

References Atkinson, D.R., Morten, G., and Sue, D.W. (1998). Counseling American Minorities: A Cross Cultural Perspective (5th Edition). McGraw Hill Company