Mixed Race Studies

Is Race Real?

Multiracial Media
2017-07-10

Alex Barnett

They say that race is not a real thing. They say there’s only one race. They say that race is just a person-made (see how I didn’t say “man-made”) construct designed to subjugate people of color, especially those of native African descent, and empower those of native European descent.

They might well be right…

Read the entire article here.

ARMOR: Biracial in the Deep South – a documentary about biracial life in the American South with filmmaker Sarah Gambles, Ep. 107

Multiracial Family Man
2017-03-05

Alex Barnett, Host

Ep. 107: Sarah Gambles is a Hawaiian-born, Biracial (Black-White), filmmaker with family ties in her current home state of Alabama.  After years of teaching, Sarah returned to her creative roots, launching her own production company, SarahFinah Films.  Under the umbrella of that production company, she has now created a new film ARMOR: Biracial in the Deep South – a look at the Biracial population in America’s South, the fastest growing, yet most underrepresented demographic in that region.

Listen as Sarah speaks with Alex about her own life and experience.  Her journey from creative pursuits into teaching and back to filmmaking.  And, her hopes and expectations about the role her film can play in educating people about the Multiracial experience.  Don’t miss it!

Listen to the episode here. Download the episode here.

Multiracial and multicultural community advocacy with Glenn Robinson, Ep. 66

Multiracial Family Man
2016-05-22

Alex Barnett, Host

Ep. 66 – Glenn Robinson is a White guy. He’s married to a Mexican woman, and they have 2 Biracial and Bicultural kids.

Glenn is a devoted advocate for the multiracial and multicultural communities. He aggregates and curates content for several websites aimed at the issues confronting these communities. Those websites are:

• Community Village
• Mixed American Life
• 500 Nations
• Oppression Monitor

Listen to the episode here. Download the episode here.

Multiracialism in the U.K., on being a mixed-race feminist, and the interplay of African and Afro-Caribbean culture, with Nicola Codner, Ep. 52

Multiracial Family Man
2015-02-14

Alex Barnett, Host

Nicola Codner, Founder and Creator
Mixed Race Feminist Blog
Leeds, Yorkshire, United Kingdom

Ep. 52: Nicola Codner is a multiracial woman (Black Jamaican, Nigerian and White British), born and living in Leeds, Yorkshire within the UK. She is a counselor, and she feels that her background has given her a love for diversity and the ability to appreciate multiple perspectives. Prior to training as a counselor she worked in academic publishing.

She is the founder and creator of the Mixed Race Feminist Blog.

Listen as Nicola speaks with Alex about multiracialism in the UK, about being a mixed-race feminist, and about the interplay of African and Afro-Caribbean culture.

Listen to the episode (01:03:44) here. Download the episode here.

Studying multiracialism and critical mixed race studies with Steven Riley, Ep. 42

Multiracial Family Man
2015-12-06

Alex Barnett, Host

Steven F. Riley, Creator and Founder
MixedRaceStudies.org

I’m really excited to let you know that I was just interviewed on the Multiracial Family Man podcast to discuss issues confronting multiracial people and multiracial families. It was great fun, and I really hope you’ll download, listen to, and share the podcast. You can find the podcast here:

• iTunes
• Libsyn Podcast Network
• Stitcher

I See Color and You Should Too

Alex Barnett: Stand-up Comedian and Multiracial Family Man
2015-10-13

Alex Barnett

As a comic and member of a multiracial family, I deal frequently with issues of race in my act and debunk myths.

For example, it is not true that all biracial toddlers can move objects with their mind. On the other hand, I will tell you that our biracial 4-year-old can move my wife and me with his attitude.

Apparently some people think I talk about race too much. One time an audience member came up to me after a show and said, “You talk about race too much. When you look at your wife, you shouldn’t see color, you should see love.”

“Okay,” I thought. “But, I have eyes, and she’s Black.”…

Read the entire article here.

Ep. 22 – Jennifer Frappier, Guest

Multiracial Family Man
2015-07-19

Alex Barnett, Host

In Episode 22 of The Multiracial Family Man Podcast, host Alex Barnett (the White, Jewish husband of a Black woman who converted to Judaism and the father of a 3 year-old, Biracial son) is joined by guest, Jennifer Frappier, Producer and Event Planner for the Mixed Remixed Festival, an actress and spokesperson, and who is an advocate for egg-freezing.

Listen as Jen talks about growing up as a multiracial person in Virginia in the 70s and 80s, about the racial issues that arose during her childhood, and about the racial issues that continue to confront her as she makes her way in her acting career. In addition, Jen speaks with Alex about the growth of the Mixed-Remixed Festival and how it’s become a haven for multiracial people. Finally, check out their conversation about egg freezing, which is becoming more and more of an issue as women delay childbirth until later in life.

Listen to the interview here.

This Passover Choose Judaism

My Jewish Learning
Be’chol Lashon
2015-03-10

Alex Barnett

My wife and I are an interracial couple. I am a White, Ashkenazi Jewish man from New York. She is a Black woman from Detroit, raised in the Lutheran faith, who converted (to Jewish, not to White. She’s still Black). Our 3 year old Biracial son is Jewish.

When I talk about my wife’s conversion, rather than saying she converted I like to say that she’s Jewish by choice. I do this because conversion sounds like the process by which a sofa becomes an uncomfortable bed. Or it sounds like something that happens by magic. I wave my magic wand and “poof” you’re Jewish. Whereas being a Jewish person by choice requires a conscious affirmative decision.

And make no mistake, being Jewish is a choice, whether you were born into our Tribe or whether you joined us midway through the show…

Read the entire article here.