Myiea
Myiea is another person who I met at Bunim-Murray Productions. Our paths did not cross very often since she worked in the Development Department and I spent my days alone in a room editing, but we became aware of one another and developed a friendship. When I first asked Myiea if she was mixed and would be interested in participating in The PartBlack Project she said that she was not mixed, that she identified as Black, but then we chatted about how there was clearly some mix in her ancestry based on her skin tone and her physical features. A few months later Myiea reached out to me. After having taken a DNA test, she discovered that her ancestry was a lot more complicated than she previously thought, and said that she would now be very interested in participating in my project. On the day of the shoot I drove out to Burbank, where Myiea lives, and we took a walk around her neighborhood.
Q: Do you identify as Black? White? Mixed? Something else? Please describe your ethnic/cultural background. -
A: I identify as black I recently took a 23 and me test and my results were that I was 51 percent Eureapean with a 23 percent Irish concentration. I cried real tears, my soul is black, Africa resides in me so it’s been a little unsettling. DON’T LAUGH! My story like many people across the diaspora is layered with colorism issues, insecurities and other stupid shit.
Q: Who are some PartBlack people who have inspired you?
A: Former President Barack Obama, Bob Marley, hell Drake.
Q: Which public figure, of any ethnicity, has had the greatest influence on your life? (This can be an artist, scientist, musician, filmmaker, philosopher, athlete, politician, writer -- anyone.)
A: Maya Angelou I believe that she holds no time, like she could have been born at any point and her message would have been needed and received. She reminds me of my Nana.
Q: Are there any fictional characters from film or literature that have influenced your life? How?
A: Growing up I was obsessed with Lisa Turtle from Saved by the Bell. LOL she was one of the only curly girls on tv and she was really pretty like she crossed genre.
Q: What countries have you traveled to, and how does your physical appearance influence how people treat you around the world?
A: Honestly when I travel abroad I don’t feel any different than I do here but I will say the US seems way more dangerous as of late. I am scared now, where I used to feel free. The racial friction is at an all time high and don’t get me started on police brutality it’s like people of color suffer from ptsd daily.
Q: Are there other PartBlack people in your life, and/or how do you feel when you meet another person who is PartBlack?
A: Yes! I have a lot of biracial friends, my god daughters are biracial. To be honest I don’t judge people off of their ethnic background so meeting another biracial person is just like meeting anyone else I will say that if I am in a room full of white people I am comforted when another person of color walks in strange I know but that’s what happens.
Q: Which part of your background do you identify with and/or who are you closest to in your family?
A: I identify with being a black though, I am curious about my European side as my dad was adopted in a multi-racial family his mother was Caucasian and at the time of his birth a teenager. She reached out sometime after I was born but my father opted to keep his distance my grandfather told me she died the following year.
Q: What are your thoughts on descriptors like light-skinned, high yellow, Mulatto, etc?
A: Honestly, I don’t like light skin/dark skin descriptors at all. I can’t tell you how many times my best friend has been told she’s pretty for a DARK SKIN GIRL like what is that? She’s beautiful period. When I was young I fought a lot and people would say she can fight for a light skin girl the thing is in a lot of cases I was fighting because I was light skin I would get picked on because of my hair or how I spoke. I remember being told I “talked” like a white girl so I should go eat with the white kids. There is so much that comes with those descriptors it truly creates a divide and it goes back to slavery how were the slave divided between the house and field? Sound familiar?
Q: What are your feelings on the N-Word? Do you use it?
A: Honestly, I use it but if you are not black, I don’t think you should.
Q: In your career, how has being PartBlack helped or hurt you?
A: In my present career it helps me as I am the only person of color on my team so when it comes to being an expert on culture I wear that crown proudly however there are microaggressions that happen at times it’s an interesting dance.
Q: Has ethnicity played a factor in your romantic relationships?
A: I’m married to a black man. I have dated all ethnicities, but I always returned to black men there is something about sharing a similar struggle and history that’s just beautiful.
Q: Growing up, do you feel that you experienced unique challenges being PartBlack?
A: Of course, Colorism! I grew up in a predominately black area and I fought a lot to prove how black I was like emoting a tough exterior was going to win friends and influence people. The thing is it made me who I am and now watching my kids navigate through a predominantly Armenian school system where they often he the word nigger and coon I brought full circle.
Q: In general, are there benefits or challenges to being PartBlack?
A: I think there are more challenges than benefits to being a person of color at this time but there is a new community among us I share more smiles and hugs when I meet strangers of color than ever before especially in the work place.
Q: Have you ever felt that your life would be easier if you were just one ethnicity?
A: No.
Q: When was the first time someone referred to you as or directly called you a nigger?
A: Oh there was so many! I remember when we lived in White Plains, NY I was in third grade and we were playing outside this blonde kid wanted the swing I was getting my life on and well he said “Get off Nigger” and pushed me off the swing. I went home crying and my aunt made me go out and fight him and I did. I won.
Q: Have you had negative or racist thoughts about people who share any of your ethnicities.
A: No
Q: Can you discuss some ways friends or family have made your life more difficult?
A: My Nana hasn’t made my life more difficult, but she grew up in an extremely racist era in Mississippi, so she’s always had some issues with colorism. I remember asking her if she would ever want to trace her roots to a specific part of Africa and her reaction surprised me she frowned her face and said “I am not African I am black”. I was so confused by the response, but I know what she’s been through a father who was tarred, feathered and killed by a mob of angry white men and a mother who died shortly after. She raised herself and I am sure she’s seen more than most, but I truly wish she was more intrigued by her ancestral land I think it would help mend some open wounds in her heart.
Q: Do you feel any obligation to any of the ethnicities or cultures in your background?
A: Yes. I am obligated and blessed to live out loud for Black folks. I love my people.
Q: Do you consider yourself political, and in what ways?
A: Yes. I am anti the current administration. I won’t go into all my beliefs but I will justice reform is imperative.
Q: What do you think the world could learn from PartBlack people?
A: The world could learn a lot from part black people and honestly people of color as a whole we are beautiful with all of our many layers and experiences woven into one. I like this series because it offers a personal perspective we are not all the same and yet we are.
Q: What would you tell your 12-year-old self?
A: Dream big, rock curls and let go of the idea of perfection. God’s got you,
Q: What has been the most annoying or frustrating thing about being PartBlack?
A: My hair. I wish I could find the right products to embrace my curly hair FULL TIME.
Q: What is your funniest or fondest memory that involves your ethnicity?
A: When I was a kid and I was out with my dad people would say “THAT’s your dad” we looked just alike except he was lighter and one time he responded “Yes I am her dad and she is my universe, lucky me huh” in that moment I felt nothing and everything at once. At the end of the day it’s about one thing love.