In this insightful interview, we delve into the nuanced experience of mixed-race identity with Jordan Alexandra, a talented actress of Jamaican, Barbadian, and white British heritage. Known for her roles in The Winter King, Boiling Point, Mammals, and Grantchester, Jordan offers a unique perspective on how her mixed background shapes her sense of self and career in the acting industry. We explore Define How societal perceptions and personal experiences intersect to form a mixed-race identity in today’s world.
Defining Racial Identity: A Personal Perspective
When asked about her racial identity, Jordan articulates her heritage clearly: “My mum’s side of the family are from Jamaica and Barbados, then my dad’s side are from the UK.” However, the simple statement of her background often leads to deeper inquiries and assumptions. She recalls initial confusion when first questioned about her origins, realizing quickly that others didn’t automatically place her within their expected categories.
In recent discourse, there’s been considerable debate around individuals who are perceived as white-passing or fair-skinned within the Black community. This has led to uncomfortable challenges, with some questioning the validity of their Black identity, suggesting they haven’t endured “authentic” Black experiences. Jordan reflects on this shift, noting how it has impacted her public self-definition. She admits to feeling pressure to preface her identity as ‘mixed-Black’ rather than her previous phrasing, highlighting the subtle but significant ways external perceptions can influence self-identification. “You have different ways of describing yourself to different people, you always know what they’re looking for,” she explains, underscoring the performative aspect of racial identity in social contexts.
Jordan Alexandra describing her mixed racial identity
She emphasizes the necessity of confronting these complex conversations surrounding mixedness, despite their intimidating nature. Jordan points out the volume of opinions from those outside the mixed-race experience, who often dictate how mixed individuals should or shouldn’t define themselves. This external pressure adds layers of complexity to personal identity formation.
Defining Self: Navigating Shifting Sands of Identity
Jordan believes her core sense of self remains constant, yet acknowledges that claiming her identity has become more challenging, particularly after the global reckoning sparked by George Floyd’s murder. This period intensified discussions around Blackness, leading to understandable frustrations as some felt mixed-race individuals were appropriating experiences unique to those solely identified as Black. While her self-perception didn’t waver, the external environment made expressing it confidently more fraught.
She recounts frequent experiences of being told she is “not Black and also not white,” a sentiment often reinforced through questioning and subtle cues. Jordan approaches these interactions with tolerance, recognizing that most people don’t intend to reject her but rather lack understanding of the nuanced reality of a non-singular identity. She poignantly describes the “heartbreaking” nature of constant challenges to her culture and race, noting that while tedious when coming from any group, it is particularly painful when originating from Black individuals, highlighting the internal divisions and complexities within broader racial dialogues.
Defining Cultural Connection: Roots and Belonging
For Jordan, Caribbean culture is vividly present in her life through food, a powerful and sensory connection. She fondly recalls her mother and family as “incredible cooks,” emphasizing the culinary traditions that anchor her to her heritage. Weekends spent with her maternal grandparents at their allotment also played a crucial role. She draws a cultural parallel between these allotments and the tradition of home-grown produce in Barbados and Jamaica, illustrating how cultural practices are transplanted and adapted across generations and geographies.
Cultural immersion extended beyond the home through exhibitions and shared learning experiences. Watching Roots with her siblings, guided by her mother, stands out as a formative memory. These weren’t didactic lessons but open family discussions sparked by the powerful miniseries, fostering a deep understanding of their heritage. Family gatherings, particularly large Boxing Day parties orchestrated by her mother, who Jordan describes as the family’s linchpin with sixteen siblings, cemented a sense of community and cultural continuity. These gatherings were instrumental in ensuring she and her cousins grew up connected to their shared Caribbean roots.
Jordan Alexandra at a cultural event, highlighting her connection to her heritage
Defining Career Paths: Navigating Identity in Acting
Jordan candidly discusses the challenges her mixed identity presents in her acting career. She notes, “It’s been difficult. It’s added to me realising how different people see me differently.” Her physical appearance, particularly her straight hair, often leads to her not being perceived as “mixed” in stereotypical casting contexts. This has resulted in missed opportunities for mixed-race roles, often lost to actors with curly hair who may even have fairer complexions. This experience is a source of “frustration,” highlighting the narrow visual stereotypes prevalent in the industry.
While acknowledging the types of roles she is frequently suggested for, such as Saudi or Indian characters, Jordan firmly states, “that’s not my journey.” She expresses a strong ethical stance against taking roles that could diminish representation for other minorities, emphasizing, “I’m not here to take that away from another minority, that’s not fair.” Equally, she refuses to be cast in tokenistic “Black roles” merely to fulfill diversity quotas. Her argument is for genuine representation, advocating for creating space for diverse actors rather than simply filling quotas. She underscores the importance of representation for minority audiences, stating that casting choices should genuinely reflect the diversity within communities. Jordan points out that someone who looks like her will not fulfill the need for representation felt by a “dark-skinned Black girl,” and cautions against productions believing a few non-white cast members, especially if predominantly light-skinned or mixed-race with Eurocentric features, adequately represents all People of Color.
She critiques the external imposition of identity, questioning, “why do you as a white person get to define how I’m seen in society.” Jordan powerfully reclaims her identity by asserting, “At the end of the day, whether you like it or not, my mom is Black and my dad is white. You just have to accept that the reality is I am mixed and let me play those roles,” demanding acceptance and recognition of her authentic mixed-race identity in casting and beyond.
Defining Stereotypes: Challenging Perceptions of Mixedness
Jordan addresses the prevalent stereotype that “mixed people” are automatically perceived as Black and white, cautioning against this oversimplification. She argues this generalization erases the vast diversity within the mixed-race community, which encompasses a multitude of ethnic backgrounds. “As mixed people, we don’t all have the same culture and experiences. The racial slurs come with different contexts and histories. Our experiences of how we’ve been racially rejected or attacked are different,” she elaborates, emphasizing the heterogeneity of mixed-race experiences.
She further critiques the limited visual stereotypes of mixed-race individuals, often confined to “fair-skinned with blonde curly hair, maybe green eyes, an ‘exotic’ mixed-race person, or someone with darker skin, curly hair and a London accent.” Jordan also touches on code-switching, a common experience where mixed-race individuals adapt their accents and behaviors to different social contexts. Using her own experience, she jokes, “When I go into an interview, all my Ts are being pronounced!” highlighting the performative adjustments often made.
Jordan advocates for a shift in perception, urging people to “realise there’s not a defined way for mixed-race people to look and identify.” She reveals her personal insecurity about having straight hair, stemming from a lack of representation of individuals who share her racial background and physical traits in media.
She calls for genuine curiosity about the mixed-race experience rather than prescriptive definitions imposed upon them. Jordan points out the lack of a “sense of community or shared understanding” among mixed-race individuals, and while acknowledging potential privileges and acceptance in some contexts, she insists this doesn’t negate their “own challenges and unique difficulties.” She concludes by stating, “We’re not claiming to have the same experiences as other people. You actually feel very alone, so it needs to be spoken about,” emphasizing the need for recognition and open dialogue around the distinct experiences of mixed-race individuals.
Jordan Alexandra advocating for better representation of mixed-race individuals
Defining the Positive: Adaptability and Curiosity
When asked about the best aspect of being mixed, Jordan highlights “My ability to adapt.” She attributes this to growing up navigating different cultures, a skill that has become inherently natural and beneficial. This adaptability extends beyond cultural contexts, aiding her even in situations of social anxiety, providing a fundamental trust in her ability to navigate and “figure it out.”
Her mixed background has also cultivated a deep sense of curiosity. Jordan expresses a desire for reciprocal curiosity from others, “You don’t always know the person in front of you, why not be curious about it and understand them.” She longs for genuine interest in her and her family’s background, preferring curiosity over predefined labels and assumptions.
Jordan concludes with a powerful message of self-acceptance and self-definition for mixed-race individuals: “As mixed people, we need to try to not let our identity attach to other people’s perception of that. At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter what anybody else thinks. What matters is how we see ourselves. We shouldn’t live in fear of offending someone, we’re not claiming to be something we’re not.” This is a call for internal validation and liberation from external pressures to conform to prescribed identities.
Defining Mixed Experience in One Word: Unity
If she had to encapsulate her mixed experience in a single word, Jordan chooses “Unity.” She explains this choice by saying, “There’s togetherness and bringing people being brought together in being mixed. Unity symbolises peace, comfort and safety, but also I feel like anything that becomes united stems from chaos, so encompasses feelings of confusion.” This word encapsulates both the harmonious and complex aspects of her mixed-race identity, acknowledging the diverse paths that converge into a unified sense of self.
Conclusion
Jordan Alexandra’s reflections offer a vital contribution to the ongoing dialogue about mixed-race identity. Her experiences define how personal identity is constructed, challenged, and ultimately embraced in a world still grappling with racial stereotypes and definitions. Through her story, we gain a deeper understanding of the complexities and richness inherent in mixed-race experiences, and are encouraged to move towards curiosity and acceptance, celebrating the multifaceted nature of identity.
