Tia Mowry Speaks On Why She Identifies As A Black Woman Despite Being Of Mixed Race: ‘Of Course My Dad Is White, But I Am An Extension Of My Mother’
Tia Mowry Speaks On Why She Identifies As A Black Woman Despite Being Of Mixed Race: ‘Of Course My Dad Is White, But I Am An Extension Of My Mother’
Celebrated actress Tia Mowry is a proud, Black woman, and she isn’t afraid to say that!
Recently, Tia Mowry sat down with Lizzy Mathis from ‘The Cool Mom Code Podcast,’ and opened up about stepping into her identity as a multi-ethnic individual.
When asked about her personal view of her race in society, Tia Mowry told Mathis,
“I identify myself as a Black woman. My mother is Black, you know what I mean? My mother is a strong woman.”
She continued by explaining how watching her mother’s experience as a Black woman impacted her need to be a firm representation of that in her own life and career.
The ‘Sister, Sister’ icon elaborated:
“My mother is dark-skinned. I have seen and felt her struggles being a Black woman. Of course, my dad is white, but I am an extension of my mother. So, yes, I am mixed race, but it’s how I identify myself. And I identify myself as a Black woman. That is how I’ve been viewed, how I’ve been seen.”
While Mowry’s sentiments may be controversial for some, she revealed that they actually reflect her upbringing, as she (seemingly) always related more to the Black community even in childhood.
The 45-year-old concluded,
“I remember studying in school [and] the single drop of, you know, Black blood [meant] you Black! You Black. [laughs] That’s how we were raised! And so… that’s how I consider myself, and I just feel like that is my purpose. Like I was saying. And my passion in life is to be that representation for my community of diverse women and Black women.”
According to reports, Mowry and her twin sister, Tamera, were born to an Afro-Bahamian mother and English/Irish father, Timothy and Darlene Mowry.
The couple met in Miami, Florida but later gave birth to Mowry and Tamera in Gelnhausen, West Germany while Mr. Mowry served in the U.S. Army.
Tia and Tamera Mowry (Housley) have two younger brothers, Tahj (famously known for his starring role in the 90s comedy ‘Smart Guy’) and Tavior.
Following Tia’s thoughts, many have debated whether Tamera’s feelings on the subject mirror hers or not, seeing as though she’s married to a white man whom she shares two children with.
What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below!