A journey of mixed-race identity development within the South African context : an autoethnography

Abstract

The aim of this study was to contribute to the limited literature on Mixed-Race identity development in the post-apartheid context while providing a personal, evocative, and critical exploration of Mixed-Race identity. The objectives were to use self-reflection as a tool to think critically about how close relationships and other systemic factors (such as friendships, school environment and broader societal factors) that contributed to my Mixed-Race identity development, played a significant role. The autoethnographic methodology was used to harness the quality of evocative and personal writing in the process of knowledge creation and establishing a voice for the Mixed-Race experience through the narration of my personal experiences. Autoethnography is a methodology that situates the researcher as the ‘data’ by using first-person accounts of their experiences to analyse and discuss particular social and cultural phenomena. Root’s ecological model for multiracial identity development was used as a framework to explore and analyse how systemic factors influenced and shaped my Mixed-Race identity development. Additionally, Worthman’s bio-ecocultural model was used to explore the influence of my bond with my parents on my racial identity formation in childhood. Data collection involved me engaging in a reflexive journaling process. Thematic analysis was used to develop themes from my reflexive journal. Three main themes were found, namely my bond with my parents and their socialisation practices, my experience of being ‘the other’ and an outsider in social settings, and my close friendships. While I discuss the themes separately, there was considerable overlap between the themes and the factors involved in the discussion which suggests a complex relationship between multiple systemic factors (i.e. gender, skin tone, familial relationships, and social settings) that influenced my racial identity development. In conclusion, my racial identity development was (and still is) a lifelong process of self-discovery as I continue to be confronted with my dual-racial heritage in a predominantly monoracial South Africa. Based on the findings and conclusions of this study, the limitations and potential recommendations for future research has also been discussed.