What's it like to be a black girl in Britain?

Britain is a pretty diverse place - but where I grew up in the south east of England is predominantly white, and I thought you might all like to know what it's actually like to live in white Britain with black skin. I'm mixed race so I guess I've got the best of both worlds.

Racism
The big "R" that splits countries, friends and races. Despite the Daily Mail headlines and "Britain First" facebook posts, you'd probably be surprised (and hopefully relieved) to hear that in my 23 years on this earth I've never been discriminated against because of my colour. I've been up and down the country and have only ever been treated simply as another human being. This is of course as far as I know. I can't speak for what's been said behind my back, but as far as I'm aware I have never been put down, excluded or made to feel upset because I have dark skin. That's not to say there aren't other annoyances that occur...

Questions

I wasn't impressed then either...

It's not the hatred of man that gets to me, but rather the inquisitiveness. Discussions about heritage are perfectly normal amongst friends, and I'm proud to explain the many bloodlines that were brought together to create me. However, strangers that upon first seeing my brown skin are trying to find out which country I'm from despite my sussex accent really do ruffle my tropical feathers.

"So, where are you from?"
"No, I mean where are you really from?"
"Which one of your parents is black?"
"I bet you like this hot weather?"
"Do you feel the cold more?" 
"Can I touch your hair?"
"Don't worry, I'm not racist, I have a black cousin"

Why yes, I prefer the warm break that a british summer's day gives rather than the usual dull, grey, cold atmosphere. How did you know? I've taken to replying with an unexpected but truthful answer - "My grandad was Polish". Not the answer you were looking for? Oh.

Even whilst choosing my meal on the ferry back from France - "curry, or fish and chips, or a roast?" - the choice was made clear by the guy serving the curries... saying "I bet you like the curries" before asking where in Asia I'm from.


I know there's no malicious intent behind these kind of conversations, and that the question poser is genuinely interested. But I'm afraid if I don't know you it's just not the first thing I want you to know about me. Sorry.

And for anyone reading this and now wondering, well I guess you're just going to have to make friends with me to find out ;)

The "blackface" debate
Blackface (or brownface) is the tradition of a white person painting their face brown to portray a black person and it has been the cause of much controversy and upset. It has been brought to publicity earlier this year with an Australian schoolchild who painted his face and dressed up as his favourite AFL player. As a person with brown skin, I can't say I find the act remotely offensive. In history however, blackface was used by performers portraying stereotypes of plantation slaves in America in the early 19th century. This is something different altogether, and I would put it with portraying any kind of stereotype in a negative way, whether black, white, gay, lesbian, rich or poor. These are still characters that an actor may play and it would not be deemed offensive to, for example, pretend to be gay for a role as a popular likeable tv character. A kid saying "I want to be just like my idol, even though he's black" is not a bad thing, and if a kid dressed up as me and said "I want to be like you" I'd feel complimented. Despite my views on it, there are always people who will find it offensive and for that reason I don't think it's a practise that should be done.

Hair

Found my twin in Australia!

Hair, hair, hair. The bane of my life. Now that I'm older I really appreciate the time, effort and money my mother put into trying to control my hair despite my constant tears. Being mixed race, my hair is not quite afro, but it's definitely not straight. It's what could only be described as a frizzy mess. Most white people who describe their hair as "frizzy" are slightly insulting compared to what I have to deal with here. Many people say they'd love to have big hair. Well, not if you were born with it, I promise you.


I've gone through different stages in my life to try to tame the beast. There are very few caucasian hairdressers in the UK I would actually trust with it. As a child my mum would put my hair in one big plait, but it was so bulky and heavy she probably should have

Rocking the box braids

cut it off to make a door knocker. In secondary school I had mastered the "two-plaits" approach as this was much easier to style myself. But I became so obsessed with all the messy flyaway bits at the top that I wore a headband, and went through a tub a week of extra strong hold styling gel to hold it down. By college I had discovered the wonder of GHD straighteners, but still couldn't bear to wear my straightened hair out of a ponytail. Now, whatever goes. Curls made easy with the Babyliss Curl Secret really is a miracurl! But down is for special occassions only. I always wished for "normal" hair that I could wear without a hair tie. Maybe one day I'll get there.

Big bum
I know the extra cushioning on my behind is probably due to the fact that I'd much prefer a burger than a salad. But I like to think the black genes (not jeans) accentuate it. I don't think it's a bad thing as long as I remember to stay healthy.

[insert picture of my fat ass...naaat]

Make-up 
I don't wear make-up and I'm so glad for the thousands of pounds I must have saved in my life. But as a zitty teen trying to cover up spots I soon learnt that not many products are suitable for dark skin. Any time I did want to wear make-up, it was hard to find something that didn't look obvious. Foundation is the only real problem here though, as eye and lip make-up is fine. The good thing is I've never needed fake tan!


Sun
Yes, I still tan in the sun and I even burn. However I don't wear much sun cream and maybe I should, but thanks to the extra melanin in my skin I am less likely to suffer effects from the sun as most of my white friends. I also don't feel the pressure to have a nice tan before or after going on holiday as, well, I already have one!

"I can burn? OH!"

So, now you have a bit of an insight into what it's like being me. I love the skin I was born in and so should every single person on this planet no matter where they are living or what anyone says. If you have any questions (other than where I'm from) or anything I've said has ruffled your feathers, if you're a constant sharer of "britain first" posts or if you're a fellow minority, leave me a message in the comments!