In the Mix

I am really looking forward to the 3-part BBC series Mixed Britannia, which will unveil the untold history of Britain’s mixed race community.

A mixed couple on their wedding day in the 1940's (Image: BBC)

Race relations have not always been rosy here in the UK – riotsmarches and even murder leave an indelible blemish on the history of the nation – but as a young, black woman, who was born and bred in the UK, I am proud to call myself British.  I am proud to be British because I know that fundamentally the core values of tolerance and acceptance are weaved into the very fabric of society and are upheld by the vast majority of citizens.

According to the BBC News website, the mixed-race (or multiracial) demographic is the fastest growing ethnic minority in the UK and the number of mixed-race people in Britain is expected to double between 2001 and 2020, when demographers predict it will reach 1.3 million people.

I thought that it would be fitting to pay tribute to some of the leading British women of mixed heritage, who are making an impact in our nation and around the world.

Jade Thompson for Revlon - The winner of Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model 2011

Thandie Newton - Cambridge educated, A-list actress

Zadie Smith - award winning novelist, essayist and Professor of Creative Writing at the University of New York

Oona Tamsyn King, Baroness of Bow and former Labour MP

Dame Kelly Holmes, DBE, MBE - Double Olympic Gold medallist

Dame Linda Penelope Dobbs, DBE, styled The Honourable Mrs Justice Dobbs - the first non-white person to be appointed to the senior judiciary of England and Wales, being appointed a high court judge in 2004

Leona Lewis - Hackney born, mega songstress

Mixed Britannia will begin tomorrow (6th October) on BBC 2 at 9pm.

4 comments for “In the Mix

  1. October 7, 2011 at 5:52 pm

    I Know what you mean! Can’t wait for the next two installments. Watching The program yesterday made me feel proud to be British and proud of my mixed heritage (British born of African origin), because although I am not mixed race in the traditional sense, I have always felt so because of my mixed background. Thanks for a great post celebrating humanity!

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