What is The Mixed Message?

About Us

The Mixed Message is a collection of true stories by individuals of mixed racial and ethnic backgrounds. They are stories about experiences, moments when social or cultural interactions attempt to define our mixed identity.

The way we see ourselves often conflicts with the way others perceive us. These types of interactions can be empowering, humorous, painful, or flat out absurd. Whether our identities are accepted our denied, messages about our identity are always mixed.

Those with diverse racial and ethnic identities are perpetually interrogated with the “what are you?” question. As we mature, age, move between social groups and spaces, perspectives change to match. We come to embody multiple identities with a multitude of meanings over a lifetime. Identity is contextual, perceptions change due to the environment and individuals involved.

People can’t seem to accept or comprehend the possibility that identity isn’t static. Sometimes this is because of cultural beliefs, other times it’s political. There’s a universal amnesia about racial history. It’s not a problem with you, it’s problem with power and rigid thinking.

Your stories are worth telling: the positive, the negative, the inspirational, the offensive, the comedic, all of it. Mixed individuals have rich, critical perspectives of the world that are full of humanity. Stories are powerful for their candidness and honesty, carrying universal resonance.

The Mixed Message is about everyday life, moments of insight and clarity about the complexity of identity. It is a platform form raw self-expression. No two experiences the same, yet there are commonalities in the mixed messaging we collectively experience. We are the sum of our parts, as they say, the embodiment of our personal experiences. Others may find something insightful about yours.

To contribute, please send a message or submission (500 words or less) to James at themixedmessagemedia (at) gmail.com.