Lily Dryden
What is your ethnicity? White British / Asian
Where did you grow up? North London
What is your interpretation of the word, ‘oriental’? The word oriental reminds me of my Ammama and her Asian food she cooks and also to me it suggests delicacy and beauty
How do you feel about your Eastern heritage? I’m very proud of it, I love asking my Ammama questions about it and try my best to keep it with me in my cooking and design practice.
How would you describe your identity in the terms of cultural representation? As I have always lived in the UK I see myself as British however many identify me with being Asian because of my look and I am very happy when they do as it is nice to be different.
Have you experienced any racial discrimination? Yes once when I was interrailing with my friends and was in Split a taxi driver asked me if I was upset I was not ‘pure’. I thought this was a very stupid comment as I love having a mix and he sounded as if he was from the victorian age!
Do you feel confident with your cultural ethnicity? Yes I do, I’m very proud and confident to have Malaysian and Sri Lankan heritage.
Sam Grant
What is your ethnicity?
Half English, half Filipino
Where did you grow up?
York
What is your interpretation of the word, ‘oriental’?
A person of Asian descent
How do you feel about your Eastern heritage?
The religion of the Philippines isn’t one that I personally follow but I respect it. I do use their way of greeting family members whenever I visit the country or come across an elder of Filipino descent. I have visited many famous heritage towns and cities in the Philippines and fallen in love with them, it makes me feel extremely happy that there are such beautiful places in the country my mum was born and raised in.
How would you describe your identity in the terms of cultural representation?
Besides the international students, there is a huge lack of diversity in the city I grew up in. It tends to make you feel like a bit of an outsider. However I am proud to represent the minority group in my city and I am proud to be able to call myself oriental.
Have you experienced any racial discrimination?
Yes, I think it’s difficult to grow up in a city that lacks diversity without being called up on it. Primary school was definitely worse for me because children don’t know any better than to point out things that they don’t identify with or understand.
At the age of 14 I got asked what it was like to have an Asian mum. To me, my mum was just my mum. I never felt the need to separate her into a group of “Asian mums” away from “English mums”. It definitely made me feel different and like an outsider.
However, in sixth form at the age of 18, a group of boys made a “burn book” filled with a lot of insults and nasty comments about most of the girls in our year group; mine was racist and the only racist comment in the whole book.
Additionally, I’ve noticed that my race is one of the first questions that someone will ask about myself; usually before my age and my career. It tends to be the first thing that someone will notice about me and without fail, I will get asked about it. I never used to mind until I noticed that people of white skin were never asked about their race and where they’re from.
Do you feel confident with your cultural ethnicity?
I love being half Asian. I’m proud of who I am and that I have traits from both my parents. It definitely had its negative aspects when I was growing but I’ve learned to love my ethnicity and be proud of it. Growing up half Asian in a predominately white country, you definitely need to have a thick skin to not let any comments get to you, and loving and respecting your family’s history and race is something you learn through all the negativity.
Maryam
What is your ethnicity?
I am a British Pakistani, Tanzanian Muslim
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Hyde Park Leeds in quite a built up, inner city area and have lived there for 20 years.
However I have also spent a lot of time in Harehills as this is where my Grandma used to live and as a child I stayed with her a lot as she is and always will be a big part of my life and family.
What is your interpretation of the word, ‘oriental’?
The orient to me, lies within the East and eastern countries to Europe. A vast amount of Asian culture history and the word orient in particular just seems so magical to me.
How do you feel about your Eastern heritage?
I feel very proud of my heritage and who I have become from learning from my culture. In addition how my home country was created. I appreciate how much blood and pain went into blessing the land that so many of my family members fought for and bled for. Although this seems very intense its hard to have an identity and identify with your heritage without learning about it. I don’t appreciate ignorance if I’m going to actively push minority rights I need to be at one with my heritage and understand what my ancestors went through to create who I am today.
How would you describe your identity in the terms of cultural representation?
Its very hard because I have felt (through talking to my mother ) that you have to be fully appreciative of your culture and know your culture to go out there and wear the ethnic jewellery because its not something that’s just for a ‘’trend’’ or to be ‘’extra’’ you need to be wearing it because you want to represent the beauty of your culture and how incredibly beautiful it is . Not just as an aesthetic but you carry that as a person and through the way you carry yourself.
However, as far as ‘’having to describe’’ my identity is concerned I do not feel that it is anyone’s right to ask you… I think that if someone wants to say ‘’where are you from ‘’ where are you really from’’ they have already made an assumption in their head and have already placed that judgement upon you. Why should you have to tell a random individual your entire heritage ? your entire family tree?
Why should emergency services have to know the full ethnic background of an individual before bringing them aid ?
Although I am very proud being who I am and fully appreciative of my ethnic heritage. I do not see the point in having to always wear my culture on my sleeve and have to explain the difference in culture and religion all the time. There should be some level of education put in place to allow everyone to be more culturally aware.
Have you experienced any racial discrimination?
I have, but cultural/ religious assumption is more of a frequent occurrence. Assuming that all Muslim women must be ‘’oppressed’’ and aren’t allowed to ‘’leave the house’’ . They cant drive cars …. Ignorance makes me laugh, at least take the time to educate yourself on my religion before you decide to chat blatant shit to my face not realising that I happen to be muslim myself. Also making the ‘’you must be a terrorist ‘’ remark or even the word ‘’paki’’ being thrown around by not only non minority individuals but also other minority groups as they feel because they are not ‘’ Pakistani ‘’ but are brown it gives them automatic consent to bring fellow brothers and sisters down by being incredibly racist. Furthermore, I have seen many instances where most people from South Asia have had remarks thrown at them that make no sense as they aren’t actually from the countries which individuals are being racist about.
Racial discrimination comes in all shapes and sizes and I feel it can come from both sides of the spectrum.
Do you feel confident with your cultural ethnicity?
YES
Taking this research into consideration, the idea of a burn book really stood out. As these tops emphasises racial statements said by individuals, this could be adapted in a burn book format.
The colour scheme is similar and relates well to the theme. However, the only issue with this, is that it has already been done through popular culture by celebrities such as Kendall Jenner and Ariana Grande
Contextual Reference
Ariana Grande new single release is based on the stereotypical approach of the movie "Mean Girls" where the burn book originated from.
The use of the typeface being inconsistent shows the idea of various and diversity. Perhaps this could highlight that the "Oriental" isn't just one and show how complex the Orient is.
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