Two researchers reflect on navigating multiracial identities in the research situation

Studying “Mixed Race”: Reflections on Methodological Practice

“…This, in turn, may impact what information researchers receive and their ability to interpret this information. Mohan and Venzant Chambers (2010) have argued that the qualitative research insider/outsider literature and the terminology it employs does not capture the experiences of scholars who are of mixed race who conduct research on people of mixed race. They seek to challenge previous assertions of those who have addressed methodological issues of conducting research with people of mixed race who do claim insider status (Root, 1992).…”

“…They seek to challenge previous assertions of those who have addressed methodological issues of conducting research with people of mixed race who do claim insider status (Root, 1992). Mohan and Venzant Chambers (2010) have argued that mixed race researchers' status as insiders is problematic because they may not share any of the same experiences as their respondents. For example, phenotypically they could be very different from one another, resulting in differences in others' perceptions, and therefore treatment, of them.…”

“…They also note the likelihood of sharing other characteristics with respondents that shape experiences, such as age, gender, socio-economic status, religion, or sexual identity, is small. Mohan and Venzant Chambers' (2010) discussion exemplifies that it is problematic to assert that it is possible to be an insider or outsider exclusively, which sets up a mutually exclusive, false binary, which many social researchers would problematize. Extending Mohan and Vanzant Chambers (2010) I argue for the recognition of complex commonalities between mixed race researchers and their mixed race respondents, first, through a consideration of the variations across experience resulting from different racialized, gendered, sexual, and class identities, and second, through my identity being simultaneously important, not important, and tested over the course of the research project.…”

Lessons From a Preservice Teacher: Examining Missed Opportunities For Multicultural Education in an English Education Program

“…Although James used the term "mixed" to describe his racial identities, we use the term "multiracial" because it is most widely used in the literature related to education. Despite the lack of research about multiracial teacher candidates, there is much research related to the academic, social, and personal experiences of multiracial students in K-12 and postsecondary schools (Basu, 2006;Chiong, 1998;Mohan & Chambers, 2010;Renn, 2004;Schwartz, 1998;Wallace 2004a;Wardle & Cruz-Janzen, 2004). These researchers state that multiracial children are a fast-growing segment of the U.S. school population and as a consequence are recently gaining attention from researchers and practitioners (Mohan & Chambers, 2010;Renn, 2004).…”

Black/White Biracial Student Socialization in Higher Education

“…Renn 2009;Root, 1990) show biracials' status with ingroups and outgroups is influenced by ecological themes (e.g., family, culture, socioeconomic status [SES], phenotype). More directly, Mohan and Venzant Chambers (2010) have noted ecological themes as instrumental to students' "fit" in a particular community. While the process of finding acceptance and fit is a potential phase/step in adolescent development for most college students, the task of finding acceptance and fit may be a birthright for biracial students.…”