So, as a black person, I have had to worry alot about my firstborn as she looks alot like me and I have had to talk to her about the way she may be treated in regards to her skin colour. I don’t know if black people in the UK have the culture about having ‘the talk’ with their parents at a young, (sometimes very young) age, but I have had talks/discussions over the years with her.

My problem is now my son. Even though he is half black, he very much looks like his dad, who is Japanese.

In April/May 2020, My hubby told me that there were attacks in the town that he works in against Chinese people. I didn’t really believe it, but there were pictures going around in that area at the time.

It has been about a year since then and upon hearing that there are hate crimes against ‘Asians’, (basically Chinese looking people) in the USA, I was not so shocked as the language used about Covid-19 and it’s origins ignited a fire that enabled this behaviour.

As I live in the UK, I didn’t think anything of it but I have heard of some places where these attacks have happened in the US and Europe.

Now, I am worrying about my son. When I first thought about ‘Asians’ in the UK, when I was younger, this meant people from Indian/Pakistani heritage but now this includes ‘Oriental’ (yes I know that this term is not PC/old school but I still have to catch up with new terms after I have been away from the UK when PC stuff were being developed) people which is why I am worried.

As far as I know, there hasn’t been any attacks where I live but I am still worrying. Am losing sleep over him going to school and back.

Now that the UK is opening up, I fear for his development when he want to go out more. I have told him about being aware of his surroundings but …..

#ukjpliving #blasian #blackjapanese