Mixed White and Black African people in the United Kingdom

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Mixed White and Black African people in the United Kingdom are a multi-ethnic and biracial group of UK-residents who identify with, or are perceived to have, both

Black African ancestry.[2][3][4]

They constitute a growing minority of the people living in the United Kingdom, with 165,974 (0.3% of the population) persons identifying as 'Mixed White and Black African' in the 2011 United Kingdom census. This represented a national demographic increase of 54% from the 107,700 persons (0.2% of the population) in 2001.

In the United Kingdom censuses, 'Mixed White and Black African' is one of four subcategories of self-reported mixed ethnicity. The others are 'Mixed White and Black Caribbean', 'Mixed White and Asian', and 'Other Mixed'. Outside of the census, academics have studied the grouping, and resources regarding self-identity have explored emerging versions of mixed, white, black, and African identities in the United Kingdom.

Terminology

Mixed White and Black African people are referenced and categorised across a multitude of areas of media, journalism and academia, as well as in relation to perceptions of personhood and self-identity. At times informally, they have been referred to as Mixed or Mixed-race White and Black African persons, people, and other variants,[2][3] in the study and reporting of the group in the United Kingdom.[4][5][6]

Within government-derived naming conventions, such as within the corresponding

NHS
, as well as non-governmental agencies, including charities, universities and other organisations.

Census

The option for the 'Mixed White and Black African' ethnic group was first introduced in the 2001 United Kingdom census. The category was listed alongside, and distinct from, various 'Mixed' subcategories, including 'Mixed White and Asian', 'Mixed White and Black Caribbean', and 'Mixed Other'.

Other organisations and government

NHS in Central Bedfordshire defines members of the group as an ethnic minority.[10] The Welsh Government has used the category to analyse different ethnic minority groups and population compositions in the UK.[11]

Use in academia

Ethnicity expert Peter J. Aspinall has made use of the category to evaluate changing perceptions of self-identity within the grouping between UK censuses.[12] Professor of infectious disease epidemiology Ibrahim Abubakar has co-authored research in relation to COVID-19 which uses the grouping to analysis health outcomes of people with white and black African heritage within Britain.[13]

Demographics

Mixed White and Black African population pyramid in 2021

Population and distribution

The population of persons of Mixed White and Black African ancestry rose from 107,700 to 165,974 between the 2001 and 2011 censuses. This represented a national demographic rise from 0.2% to 0.3% for the whole UK population.

In England, the share of the population of persons identifying as Mixed White and Black African declined from 0.4% to 0.3%.[14] With regards census-based identity, according to research by academic Peter J. Aspinall, 56.8 percent of those identifying with the category, chose the same ethnic group in the following UK census.[12][15]

Education

In 2016 data, Mixed White and Black African pupils had a 20% eligibility rate for

Chinese Britons had the smallest gap at 3% and White British had the highest at 33%.[2] In contrast with other mixed groupings in the local authority, Mixed White and Black African pupils performed near to the group's national average in Lambeth.[3]

People who identify with mixed white and black African ancestry are eligible for

Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, along with the Higher Education Statistics Agency, has attempted to identify underrepresentation within the grouping, and encourage higher education participation.[9]

Religion

Religion England and Wales
2011[17] 2021[18]
Number % Number %
Christianity 94,405 56.88% 122,830 49.21%
No religion 39,204 23.62% 82,522 33.06%
Islam 15,681 9.45% 23,078 9.25%
Judaism 432 0.26% 447 0.18%
Buddhism 464 0.28% 552 0.22%
Hinduism 339 0.20% 208 0.08%
Sikhism 105 0.06% 51 0.02%
Other religions 708 0.43% 1,477 0.59%
Not Stated 14,636 8.82% 18,441 7.39%
Total 165,974 100% 249,596 100%

Culture and society

Health

In 2020 research on COVID-19-related deaths on different ethnic groups in the UK, data for standardised mortality ratios and confidence intervals showed that, while White British persons were at lower risk than the national average, and Black African persons were at higher risk; persons identifying as Mixed White and Black African demonstrated neither increased or reduced risk of mortality.[13] A 2010 study also found the group demonstrating a median data position between the same two other census categories. They were found to be less likely to consume alcohol than White British persons, and more likely than Black African persons.[5]

Representations

Many public figures from various fields and professions in the United Kingdom have spoken about their experiences as mixed race persons who possess what they, or various media, have defined as white and

music genres.[21]

Actress

German Jewish, and Ghanaian ancestry, journalist Afua Hirsch concurs that the perceived exoticism of mixed race people has been exploited in media and advertising:[24]

And where as a child I longed for the normality of seeing a physical resemblance in others, now images of

brown skin
, features that are a touch exotic but not so different as to be threatening to the mainstream, is used to sell sofas, house insurance, gym memberships and mobile phones. It's as if we have become the new, acceptable face of blackness.

Politicians

Manchester, England.[26]

Notable contributions

Arts and entertainment

Notable actors and actresses who are from or based in the UK have been described as being mixed race, and either referenced in media with or identify themselves as having both white and black African ancestry.

Russian Jewish heritage, and paternal Nigerian ancestry.[30]

Actors

O. T. Fagbenle,[31] and Luti Fagbenle,[31] and actresses Ashley Madekwe,[22] Fola Evans-Akingbola,[32] Nina Sosanya,[33] and Tupele Dorgu are of English and Nigerian heritage.[26] Carmen Ejogo has Scottish and Nigerian ancestry,[23] while Richard Ayoade,[34] and Hannah John-Kamen are of Norwegian and Nigerian descent.[35] Kananu Kirimi has Scottish and Kenyan ancestry,[36] and Adjoa Andoh is of English and Ghanaian descent.[37]

Broadcasting and journalism

German Jewish, and Ghanaian descent.[38]

Music

Many notable musicians and singers based in or originating from the United Kingdom have been identified as having both white and black African ancestry. Sade[39] and Shirley Bassey are of English and Nigerian extraction.[19] Emeli Sandé has English and Zimbabwean ancestry.[40]

MC Harvey has English and Sierra Leonean heritage.[41]

Politics

Several notable politicians, including current and former

Polish Jewish and Nigerian,[45] Vaughan Gething is of Welsh and Zambian,[46] and Mark Hendrick has English and Somali heritage.[47]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c 2011 Census: Ethnic group, local authorities in England and Wales, Accessed 27 December 2012
  2. ^ a b c Kirstin Lewis; Feyisa Demie. "The School Experiences of Mixed Race White and Black Caribbean children in England" (PDF). Goldsmiths, University of London. pp. 4–8. As a white mother of a mixed white and black African child the lead researcher's capacity for empathy was useful in building rapport with participants
  3. ^ a b c Feyisa Demie; Andrew Hai. "Mixed Race Pupils' Educational Achievement in England" (PDF). Lambeth London Borough Council. p. 4. The attainment of Mixed White and Black African pupils was similar to the national average. In contrast, Mixed Other and in particular Mixed White and Asian pupils were consistently achieving above the national average.
  4. ^ a b Ravinder Barn; Vicki Harman (2006). "A Contested Identity: An Exploration of the Competing Social and Political Discourse Concerning the Identification and Positioning of Young People of Inter-Racial Parentage". The British Journal of Social Work. Vol. 36. Oxford University Press. Mixed white and black African people accounted for 78,911 people (11.9 per cent of the mixed population).
  5. ^ a b Rachel Hurcombe; Mariana Bayley; Anthony Goodman (2010). "Ethnicity and Alcohol: A review of the UK literature" (PDF). Joseph Rowntree Foundation. For example, Mixed White and Black African people show a greater likelihood of drinking than Black African respondents, though they are less likely to drink than White British people.
  6. ^ "NMC response to the Department of Health and Social Care consultation on Appropriate Clinical Negligence Cover" (PDF). Nursing and Midwifery Council. p. 9. 19 per cent of 'mixed –white and black African'people have indemnity cover through membership of a professional body, compared with 7 per cent ofall people on our register who have indemnity cover through membership of a professional body.
  7. ^ "Ethnicity Codes" (PDF). Kirklees Council. MWBA - Mixed White and Black African
  8. ^ Lucinda Platt. "Ethnicity and family - Relationships within and between ethnic groups: An analysis using the Labour Force Survey" (PDF). University of Essex: Equality and Human Rights Commission. p. 13.
  9. ^ a b "Ethnicity in admissions data" (PDF). UCAS. 2016. UCAS: White/Black African 42; HESA: 42 Mixed White and Black African
  10. ^ Nicola Stokes (May 2017). "Ethnicity In Central Bedfordshire". Central Bedfordshire. 10.3% of people in Central Bedfordshire were from ethnic minority communities in 2011 ... Mixed: White and Black African; 520; 0.2%
  11. ^ Clive Lewis (19 March 2003). "Census of Population: First Results on Ethnic Groups and Identity" (PDF). Welsh Government. 6,100 (10 per cent) being of an African (including mixed white and black African) background
  12. ^ a b Peter J. Aspinall (2018). "What kind of mixed race/ethnicity data is needed for the 2020/21 global population census round: the cases of the UK, USA, and Canada". Ethnic and Racial Studies. Vol. 41. Routledge. Only modest proportions stayed in the same "mixed" group from one census to the next: Mixed white and black Caribbean, 76.4 per cent; Mixed white and Asian, 58.8 per cent; Mixed white and black African, 56.8 per cent
  13. ^
    Chinese
    (1.14; 95% CIs 0.87-1.45), Mixed White and Black African (1.31; 95% CIs 0.70-2.25)
  14. ^ "Population of England and Wales". Office for National Statistics. Other ethnic groups whose percentage of the population decreased were White Irish (from 1.2% to 0.9%), and Mixed White and Black African (from 0.4% to 0.3%)
  15. ^ Ludi Simpson (May 2014). "How have people's ethnic identities changed in England and Wales?". Dynamics of Diversity: Evidence From The 2011 Census (PDF). Centre on Dynamics of Ethnicity: Joseph Rowntree Foundation. The Mixed categories were asked only from 2001, and so their stability in the census can only be measured for the period 2001-2011. It is lower than the 'non-mixed' groups, with over 40% of those choosing 'Mixed White and Asian' or 'Mixed White and Black African' in 2001 moving to a different category in 2011.
  16. ^ "Black and Minority Ethnic Groups". Newcastle University. As a white mother of a mixed white and black African child the lead researcher's capacity for empathy was useful in building rapport with participants
  17. ^ "DC2201EW - Ethnic group and religion - 2011 census". webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk. Retrieved 2023-05-10.
  18. ^ "Ethnic group by religion - Office for National Statistics". www.ons.gov.uk. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
  19. ^ a b TP O’Mahony (23 October 2010). "Brassy side of Bassey". Irish Examiner. When she was born, in the late 1930s, to be a mixed-race child brought up by a white mother in Britain was highly unusual ... Her father was Henry Bassey, a merchant seaman from Calabar, in Nigeria.
  20. ^ a b Katie Rosseinsky (27 July 2020). "Emeli Sande: I was five when I became conscious of being judged for my skin colour". Evening Standard. "That was the beginning of my version of 'the Talk', the conversation many black and mixed-race parents – my father is black, my mother white – are obliged to have with their children".
  21. ^
    Metro UK. 'Being a mixed race artist, I've always been somewhere in the middle of so many different things. And as a writer, I adore all genres,' she admitted
    .
  22. ^ a b Liz Hoggard (15 March 2016). "The Ballsy Move That Scored Ashley Madekwe Her Acting Career". Elle. As mixed race woman, there were times she felt too black or not black enough. "There's an archaic view of what it means to be a black woman sometimes in TV and film," says Madekwe. "I'm mixed race, and I'm very proud of that fact. I don't hide it. I don't look white. I can't really play white.
  23. ^
    New York Times. Though Ms. Ejogo
    usually plays American characters, she was born in London, the daughter of a Scottish mother and a Nigerian father ... looking for roles that wouldn't typecast her as the "mixed-race sort of 'exotic' pretty girl"
  24. ^ Afua Hirsch (25 January 2018). "Afua Hirsch on race and identity in 2018". Evening Standard.
  25. ^ a b "Britain now has enough MPs of African heritage to form the fourth largest party in parliament". Quartz. 14 May 2015. British-born second-generation children of African immigrants, are Helen Grant, Chi Onwurah, Kate Osamor and Chuka Umunna (all of Nigerian origin - Grant and Umunna self-identify as being mixed race on account of having one white parent)
  26. ^ a b "Tupele's tribute to her dad". Manchester Evening News. 20 April 2010. When neighbours ignored him, whispered behind his back or gave him sideways glances, for being the black man who married a white woman from Manchester
  27. Penzance, Cornwall, where her parents – her dad is white British, her mother black, from Zimbabwe
    – sent her to a Catholic school.
  28. ^ Victoria Young (2 April 2003). "March to the top". Evening Standard. Yet life as a mixed-race girl in a white family was never going to be a bed of roses ... She was born the illegitimate daughter of a white mother and a black father in the Sixties.
  29. ^ Megan Conner (18 March 2018). "Gugu Mbatha-Raw: on Oprah, race and Hollywood". The Guardian. Born in 1983, Mbatha-Raw would have been just a year old when Prince picked up his Academy Award for Purple Rain. At this peak in his career, her mother, a white British nurse, and father, a black South African doctor, would more likely have been fans.
  30. ^ Liz Hoggard (20 February 2005). "'I guess I'm up for grabs now'". The Guardian. Okonedo was born in 1969. Her father, a government worker, left the marital home to return to Nigeria when she was five, leaving her mother to raise Sophie. ... All the usual tabloid elements are there: errant black father, brave white single mother and, of course, the plucky young actress who defies the odds to win through.
  31. ^
    OT Fagbenle
    , the British son of a Nigerian father and a white English mother.
  32. ^ Rebecca Hawkes (29 April 2019). "Game of Thrones and race: who are the non-white characters and where are they from in the books and show?". The Daily Telegraph. British actress Fola Evans-Akingbola, who played one of his wives, is mixed-race with Nigerian heritage.
  33. ^ Mark Lawson (11 Jul 2016). "Nina Sosanya: 'I was always a minority – even in my own family'". The Guardian. Through Sarah/Anna, who endures rural Russian antisemitism, Chekhov explores the tensions of identity, a question that, as the child of a white English mother and Nigerian father, Sosanya has presumably had to address.
  34. biracial guy with big hair, on seven seasons of "The IT Crowd
    ,"
  35. woman of color
  36. ISBN 978-1107619579. Caliban was played by the black actor Geff Francis, and Ariel by the mixed-race Kananu Kirimi
    .
  37. ^ "Adjoa Andoh is the black Chekhov". Evening Standard. 2 June 2010. Andoh was born in 1963 in Bristol to a white English mother who taught modern dance and history, and a black father who had been a folk musician and journalist in Ghana
  38. ^ Alex Clark (4 February 2018). "Leïla Slimani and Afua Hirsch: 'People have a cliched way of looking at race'". The Guardian. Hirsch's mother is Ghanaian, while her father is white, with a Jewish, German and Yorkshire family background.
  39. ^ "From the archive, 25 February 1984: The north London kid with the late-night voice". The Guardian. 25 February 2015. Her father came from Nigeria to be a student at the LSE. Her mother is a nurse, and white.
  40. ^ Sandé was raised in Scotland by a white English mother and a black Zambian father. (2 August 2020). "Emeli Sandé and other celebrities on having 'the talk' about racism". The Times.
  41. Harvey or 'Junior' (27 January 2003). "So Solid Crew". BBC.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link
    )
  42. ^ Patrick Barkham (29 August 2008). "'I always knew I was different'". The Guardian. Perhaps most formative was the fact that she was virtually the only non-white person in Carlisle - her mother was white, and her father was black. "I was always noticeable and I always knew I was different," says Grant.
  43. ^ Tania Branigan (25 March 2005). "New face of the party previously known as 'just a bunch of racists'". The Guardian. But Mr Afriyie, the child of a white British mother and Ghanaian father, said that Tory problems around race were "historic".
  44. black African
    father and a white mother and made a meteoric ascent through the political firmament.
  45. ^ Katharine Hibbert (25 February 2007). "Best of Times, Worst of Times: Linda Bellos". The Times. Now a racial-equality consultant, Bellos, 56, is best remembered as an activist and leader of Lambeth council in the 1980s. Here she recalls the constant racism she experienced as the child of a white Jewish mother and a Nigerian father growing up in south London.
  46. ^ Paul Owen (3 Aug 2009). "Black Welshman aims to take the fight to the BNP". The Guardian. Gething was born in Zambia in 1974 to a black Zambian mother and a white Welsh father, a vet who had moved there to work.
  47. Buzzfeed News. Mixed race candidates of African or Caribbean descent contesting seats. Of that 13, eight are seeking re-election, half of which are men (Chuka Umunna in Streatham, Mark Hendrick
    in Preston

External links

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