ارتفع (airtafae) – Sabah Riyad

Basically when i started talking to Sabah I was so shocked at how gentle she was, she reminded me of roses and doves, only God knows why, so i did a very short interview to get to know her better, just basic stuff, read below.

Sabah – My name is Sabah Riyad , 19 years old , I’m half Lebanese half Nigerian.

• So what was it like growing up with such beautiful diversities? Any struggles ?

Sabah – I was born and raised in Yola, Nigeria , growing up as a mixed race child in Nigeria wasn’t terrible for me. The only struggle I had was when I was a kid , kids at school would call me names like albino , or tomato when I cry because I turn red or paw paw . I hated it .

• Was there any racism at all or were you generally accepted ?

Sabah – I was generally accepted, In Nigeria I actually enjoy a privileged status for just being mixed.

• Thats great really
  Did you ever come across skin or hair issues ?

Sabah – No not really , just people touching my hair everywhere.

• Did you ever feel more white or more black ?

Sabah – I’ve always felt more black, I think its because I grew up in Nigeria.

• I see, what products do you use on your hair ?

Sabah –  I never really cared about taking care of my hair so I used random products, I started using carol’s daughter recently,it’s for natural curly hair and I’m inlove . My curls have never loved better and my hair is healthy now, and coconut oil.

• What are you studying and why ?

Sabah –  I’m studying medicine and surgery, I’ve always wanted to study medicine, I think to have the have the ability to save lives, It’s amazing and because of that white coat.

•  😂😂😂😂amazing
  How many languages can you speak ?

Sabah – Two fluently ,I speak English and Hausa . I understand Arabic a little.

• What kinda music do you listen to ?

Sabah –  I listen to everything, but I love rap, I love music so much.

• So any short words for biracial people around the world ?

Sabah –  Love your hair , I used to hate my hair and wanted straight silky hair, Love your curls, It’s beautiful and you’re beautiful and don’t worry about people calling you albino and paw paw lol.

 

 

 

 

Pictures were taken by @mrobinnaobioma

alqut alwahshi (القط الوحشي) – Louisa Cadi

So basically Louisa’s interview was very upfront and modest, this girl as described in the above language to me is a wild cat, i just can’t seem to get enough of her, so free spirited and loving, read below as to why i admire this girl.

Louisa – My name is Louisa Cadi aka Louie aka lush 😂

• Lushy lush lush
•   Where are you from and how are you mixed ?

Louisa – Erm well I always say I’m Nigerian cause I was born and brought up here but my dad’s Lebanese and my mum’s from Akwa ibom .

• That mix is superrr
•  So how did you grow up ?

  Louisa – What do you mean how ?

• I mean how was it like growing up in Nigeria as a mixed kid, were you generally accepted or left out ?

  Louisa – I’d say half and half. Cause to an extent, it seemed like I’d get ‘special treatment’s cause of it and also that brought about ‘envy’ or ‘hate’ from other kids uno. I was sort of bullied cause of it basically. So yeah half and half.

• Hmmm I see
  What makes you special ?

Louisa – Hmm. My personality I suppose. Idk it’s a mix of everything that makes me who i am. Everyone is special uno, in their own way.

• Was it easy making friends or were you discriminated ?

Louisa – It was really easy making friends cause everyone wanted to be friends with the ‘white girl’ but I’ve never really been one to move with crowds so I always kept my circle small from time. I have a shit load of acquaintances don’t get me wrong, I know loads of people but few people I actually call ‘friends’ and on the flip side, I was discriminated too here and there cause like I said earlier, envy would creep in so I had a few of those too.

• Any siblings ?

Louisa – Yes, I have a half sister.

• And did you ever struggle with hair or skin issues and if yes what did you use to stop it or how do you maintain it ?

Louisa – Yeah my hair doesn’t really grow as much as it should. Or didn’t. It’s getting better now I think. And for skin, it’s always been my face. Prone to pimples and stuff but it’s better now. Can’t remember all the stuff I used over time but right now I’m using stuff from body shop (tea tree facial wash and toner).

• Any last words for biracial people around the world ?

Louisa – It could be a little difficult growing up cause you’d be looked at and treated differently sometimes but it gets better. It’s all just phases and they won’t last. Always remember that you’ve got the best of both worlds. Well that’s how I look at it. Your beauty is a different kind of beauty and that’s why most people act the way they do. Just be real, down to earth, nice and all them good qualities and see how things work out for you 😏. Mixed kids are the future. Ngl (not gonna lie) 😂 we rule 😋

 

Verità by Chantal Cardillo

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Everyone knows that being biracial is a blessing. Having a flexible identity. Coming from two different cultures, Nigerian and Italian, I am able to interact easily with both people haven been brought up within the confines of their attitudes, values culture and language. This enables me to blend into whichever culture at anytime I please.

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However what most mono-racial people tend to forget is that biracial kids are most vulnerable to ignorant racist comments as it affect them either way and are more likely to be secluded from both races because we’re not ‘black enough’ nor ‘white enough’. 

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Growing up in Nigeria, I was brought up with the same values as most of my friends; there is always food at home so eating out isn’t much of an option. Though the remote is 10cm away from your mum, you are called from your room to come and bring it her and NEVER try to defend yourself when your mother is about to slap you.!

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Jokes aside, though I always considered myself Nigerian first and Italian second because of my childhood days in Nigeria, this wasn’t the same for society. I can never fully blend in with one race as the combination of my skin tone and my features are confusing to some people. As a child I struggled to find a sense of belonging with my Nigerian race but now I have fully accepted my multiracial culture.

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However it is important to that note that being biracial exposes you to the best of two worlds (the bad too). In my case is the deeply rooted respect for elders in Nigeria and the almost maniacal frequent house and environment cleaning of the Italians (my grandma).

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I am very proud of being multiracial. Meeting people who are biracial and especially from the same exact mixture is quite intriguing.  I believe that most of us struggled to belong to a group when we were growing up, which is completely normal.  However we shouldn’t let that dependency on attention or affection follow us from our childhood. 

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Being biracial is a true blessing that I have only started to uncover. Speaking multiple languages, being more aware of cultural differences and being more tolerant of different people are important skills when it comes to interacting with people and taking important life decisions. I feel being multiracial gives us a head start to these life skills than mono racial people