Created through the CSUN Mass Communications Program
A Tale of 2 Cultures:
The Media Representation of Mixed Black Individuals in America
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Mixed Black - a biracial individual with black/African American race making up one of their ethnicities.
A Tale of 2 Cultures is the culmination of research and exploration upon mixed black media portrayal and biracial identity development. Through scholarly analysis, extensive interviews, and personal experience in the matter, this thesis project investigates the history of mixed black race in America, dissecting how its racial and discriminatory foundation translated into society through various forms of media.
These media influence the perceptions of mixed black people, as well as affect how black and biracial individuals see themselves, questioning their dual heritages, not feeling “enough” of one race or the other, and seeking racial validation. Reasons such as these characterize key findings found throughout my research. Others include discovering that mixed black individuals are generally perceived as ambiguous and often exoticized, with an almost overwhelming wonder from strangers on what races they are.
Pertaining to black biracial media figures, some speak out regarding their ethnicities to be a form of representation, while others choose not to acknowledge it to avoid their races defining who they are as a person. As for the media itself, the representation is a slow process, but one that continues to improve and strives to accurately portray mixed black experiences.
This visual essay serves as the thesis video for M.A. graduate Larz Broussard.
Supporting Media Produced Throughout The Process
This is Bryce: A Mixed Black Story
The mixed race experience is different for everyone; hence the term mixed black individuals. Although we may share similar life encounters, these instances each uniquely shape our own mindsets on the concept of mixed black race.
Bryce Broussard shares his story about growing up Black and Filipino, juggling both cultures while trying to find his own identity and personality, especially amongst various people attempting to categorize him into a stereotypical box.
Bryce Broussard has his own takes on the mixed black experience.
A raw and telling conversation between brothers about growing up mixed black.
Mixed Black Fetishization on Social Media
Fetishization - the act of making someone an object of sexual desire based on some aspect of their identity (Janice Gassam Asare, Senior Contributor; Forbes)
Mixed blacks often get “exoticized” due to their lighter-skinned complexion and more Eurocentric features. This superficial way of glamorizing black culture has influenced the way society views both black and mixed black people.
This podcast details the social media influence of the fetishization of biracial individuals. Diving further into racism and colorism, it defines the differences between the two forms of discrimination and speak upon how the digital world affects its continuation.
Click on image to listen via YouTube.
Or press play on audio bar below.
A Tale of 2 Cultures: Through the Eyes of Larz Broussard
Where this entire project began.
Completed during my first year of graduate school, I gave a detailed look experiencing life as a Blasian person, a mix of Black and Asian descent. From a nomadic upbringing to my settling at undergrad, I revealed my personal story of identity crisis and eventual embracement of dual cultures.
This video would become the introduction into my further research and discovery of mixed black culture and perception.
