In Between: Races, Languages, & Religions (Being Mixed-Race Series)

"When you're mixed-race, someone's always telling you who you're not."

 

That's the first line from Tamara Jong's personal essay, "In Between," which succinctly captures the essence of what it means to be mixed-race. After experiencing the essay—and I did experience it because I could relate to it with my entire being—I wanted to speak with Tamara about her experience of being in between races, languages, and religions. We spoke in November of 2019 about growing up in these liminal spaces and her journey to find a footing, an identity, and a community. 

 

After our conversation, Tamara messaged me to say that one way she's been finding a sense of belonging is through her own writing and other writers. She's been actively connecting with other Canadian Asian writers and has been purposely reading more books from fellow Canadian Asian writers like Jen Sookfong Lee, Wayson Choy, and she's been getting to know and befriend writers like Carrianne Leung, Yilin Wang, Phoebe Wang, Isabella Wang, and Leanne Dunic. For example, Tamara did an interview with Yilin Wang, who told Tamara that it was nice to be interviewed by a fellow Asian writer. Tamara told me that her heart swelled, because she felt seen and accepted. 

 

There's power in sharing and reading our stories ... so much power to transform our lives that the simple act of reading or hearing about someone else's shared experience can make someone feel like they belong in a world that often Others and devalues them.

Tamara Jong is a Canada-born mixed-race writer and cartoonist of Chinese and European ancestry. 

 

What follows is her performance of her personal essay, "In Between," as well as our conversation.

 

The Nasiona Podcast amplifies the voices and experiences of the marginalized, undervalued, overlooked, silenced, and forgotten, as well as gives you a glimpse into Othered worlds. Hosted, edited, and produced by Julián Esteban Torres López. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram: @JE_Torres_Lopez

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