colleagues, for many years I have been thinking about these issues and
even planning some conceptual paper within the epidemiological
framework, where admixture is a reasonably hot topic. In my glossary
(Bhopal R. Glossary of terms relating to ethnicity and race: for
reflection and debate. Journal Epidemiology & Community Health
2004;58:441-45.) I wrote the following:
'Mixed and other race or ethnic group
This glossary omits a clear exposition on these terms, which
require fresh thought. The increasing importance of the
category mixed (ethnicity or race) is self evident. The
increasing acceptance of sexual unions that cross ethnic
and racial boundaries is adding both richness and complexity
to most societies. The way to categorise people born of such
unions is unclear and the current approaches are inadequate,
partly because the number of potential categories is huge.
Another category seen in racial classifications is ‘‘other’’, this
permitting those not included to identify themselves, or be
identified by the observer. In both instances the solution is,
most probably, to offer space for free text responses for
people to identify themselves. These responses, however,
need to be coded, analysed, summarised, quantified, and
published. Without this individually small, but collectively
large, populations remain hidden when policy on ethnic
diversity is made.'
with aje maiing I also touched on this topic again in our paper on the
word black (Agyemang C., Bhopal, R., Bruijnzeels M. Negro, Black, Black
African, African Caribbean, African American or what? Labelling African
origin populations in the health arena in the 21st century. JECH. 2005;
59:1014-1018.)
'MIXED ETHNICITY OR RACE
The mixed ethnicity or race describes people whose ancestors
are not of a single ethnicity or race. The importance of this
category is being increasingly recognised as shown by the
UK’s 2001 census. In epidemiology and public health
however, the categorisation of people with mixed ethnicity
is still unclear and the current approaches are insufficient,
partly because the number of potential categories is likely to
be enormous. The emerging data suggest that health
outcomes among people with mixed ethnicity differ from
those without, which highlights the need for such a category
in epidemiology and public health research.
It was a regret that I did not make much more progress in my book. I
hope this current debate will inspire someone or some group to write and
publish the conceptual papers that are so greatly needed. Perhaps the
'list' could achieve this difficult task.
Raj
R S Bhopal, Bruce and John Usher Professor of Public Health
Public Health Sciences Section,
Division of Community Health Sciences,
University of Edinburgh, Teviot Place, Edinburgh EH89AG
Telephone (0)1316503216 (switchboard extension 1000),
Fax (0)1316506909
Departmental website:
http://www.chs.med.ed.ac.uk
Free books and documents on the Epidemic of Coronary Heart Disease in
South Asians
http://www.sahf.org.uk
The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in
Scotland, with registration number SC005336.
Mark Johnson wrote:
> That's Yasmin Alibhai Brown, but yes, she writes well and from the
> heart; and also there is a collection of essays edited by Jessica Mai
> Sims, from a conference organised by the Runnymede Trust "Mixed Heritage
> - Identity Policy and Practice" (Sept 2007) - I have to declare an
> interest as I wrote one chapter!
>
> Mark R D Johnson
> Director, MSRC/CEEHD
> De Montfort University
> Leicester LE2 1RQ
> 0116 201 3906
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> *From:* Health of minority ethnic communities in the UK on behalf of
> SUMAN FERNANDO
> *Sent:* Fri 23/01/2009 16:00
> *To:* [log in to unmask]
> *Subject:* Re: [Maybe spam] Conceptual Confusion around Ethnicity, Race
> and Culture
>
> Neil,
>
>
>
> This is a thorny issue! And think of all the perjorative and insulting
> terms in the English language relating to ‘mixing’. To my knowledge
> there are several books: the one by Jasmin Alibhai-Borwn (can’t
> remember the name), /Black, White or Mixed race?/ (Barbara Tizard and
> Ann Phoenix) is a bit dated (1993), /Rethinking Mixed Race/ David Parker
> and Miri Song (2001) is useful, and /Mixed-Race, Post-Race /by Suki Ali
> (2003), the best. Suki Ali’s book (far and away the best) highlights the
> complexity of what it is like to occupy a multi- or ‘mixed’ position in
> modern Britain where racism connects with a black-white position. I find
> it impossible to make any generalizations but note that people claiming
> to be ‘mixed-race’ in the last census form a significant number and
> forecast to become the largest BME category by 2020 (refs in
> introduction to the book I edited with Frank Keating – MH in a
> Multi-ethnic Society second edition). I think the key to looking at
> ‘identity’ is flexible and multiple – something I tried to broach this
> in a short piece called ‘connection’ in /Openmind /SEpt/Oct 2008 (I
> think it is on my website).
>
>
>
> Suman
>
>
>
> Suman Fernando
>
> Suman Fernando
> <http://www.sumanfernando.com>
>
> Hon. Senior Lecturer in Mental Health
> European Centre for Migration & Social Care (MASC)
> University of Kent at Canterbury, Kent CT2 7LZ
> Visiting Professor in the Department of Applied Social Sciences
> London Metropolitan University
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> *From:* Health of minority ethnic communities in the UK
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] *On Behalf Of *Sanyal Neil
> *Sent:* 23 January 2009 13:10
> *To:* [log in to unmask]
> *Subject:* Re: [Maybe spam] Conceptual Confusion around Ethnicity, Race
> and Culture
>
>
>
> Suman,
>
>
>
> Over the twenty years I have worked in health and social care in both
> the North West and South Coast areas I have yet to see any event
> organised that addresses Mixed Heritage/Parentage/Race people other than
> in the field of identity issues for children, where people like Jocelyn
> Maxime have written some wonderful material. Why is it not focused upon?
> I would say that it is a thorny and potentially emotive subject to
> tackle. The confused identity issues are complicated by the fact that
> the White British racists who have made your life hell look the same as
> your mother!!!!! That is one of the biggest problems.
>
>
>
> Do you have any references to point us in the right direction on this
> subject.
>
>
>
> Neil Sanyal
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> *From:* Health of minority ethnic communities in the UK on behalf of
> Suman Fernando
> *Sent:* Fri 23/01/2009 10:22
> *To:* [log in to unmask]
> *Subject:* Re: [Maybe spam] Conceptual Confusion around Ethnicity, Race
> and Culture
>
> It should be noted that Barack Obama seems to identify usually as a 'black
> man' not as a 'mixed race man'. I think 'race' may play out differently in
> different contexts but when it comes to racism anyone who looks 'black'
> seems to face similar issues (e.g. institutional racism) in mental health
> system. Re 'heritage' (different to 'race'), in a way we are all of mixed
> heritage - or hybrid - some more mixed than others. Race as we usually use
> the term is a socially and contextually defined and I think Barack Obama and
> many people with black and white parents are often perceived (and suffer
> disadvantage/ advantage) thru being seen as black (with its subdivisions of
> Asian etc.) or white (with its subdivisions). Barack Obama's race speech -
> 'We the people' speech is worth reading.
>
> Suman
>
> Suman Fernando
> <http://www.sumanfernando.com>
>
> Hon. Senior Lecturer in Mental Health
> European Centre for Migration & Social Care (MASC)
> University of Kent at Canterbury, Kent CT2 7LZ
> Visiting Professor in the Department of Applied Social Sciences
> London Metropolitan University
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Health of minority ethnic communities in the UK
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jacqueline
> Beavan
> Sent: 23 January 2009 08:55
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [Maybe spam] Conceptual Confusion around Ethnicity, Race and
> Culture
>
> Yes, although we have known since 2001 Census that Mixed Heritage is the
> fastest growing group in the UK, it's only in the last few days that
> anything has been made of this in the media (an Obama effect!)
>
> Polly Wright and her health theatre company Hearth put on a moving and
> provocative production called "Other" that was shown to health/social
> care professionals in Birmingham. It had time for discussion afterwards
> and was very well received. You might want to explore this option or
> something similar for your training.
>
> Jackie
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Health of minority ethnic communities in the UK
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Truswell
> David (Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust)
> Sent: 22 January 2009 12:43
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [Maybe spam] Conceptual Confusion around Ethnicity, Race
> and Culture
>
> Neil
>
> I think that the dual/mixed heritage issues are painfully absent from CC
> training. Any suggestions would be welcome.
>
> Regards
>
> David Truswell
>
> Acting Equality and Diversity Coordinator
> Central and North West London
> NHS Foundation Trust
> Greater London House
> Hampstead Road
> LONDON
> NW1 7QY
>
>
>
>
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