An interracial couple gives an honest glimpse into how they've dealt with the tension of race in their relationship and their lives.
When Tineka Smith and Alex Court first fell in love, neither were prepared for the disconnect between them when it came to race. As a Black American woman, Tineka struggled with the oppression and microaggressions she faced on a daily basis, and it took Alex, a White British man, a lot of soul-searching to see that his life-long expectations were skewed by his privilege. The couple's struggles were amplified when the Black Lives Matter movement swept across the United States and the world.
Mixed Up is their confessional. In a series of alternating chapters, Tineka and Alex share their deepest feelings and the lessons they've learned about race and privilege--from their childhoods to their education and workplace experiences to thoughts about their future children. While Tineka finds herself in the role of racial equality advocate in her own relationship, Alex learns what it means to be a true ally as a person--and a husband. In all its raw heartache, humor, and honesty, their story brings hope that there is a future in which interracial relationships and families can find love and acceptance.
"An illuminating book that will challenge what you think you know about relationships, cultural diversity and race." --Olivette Otele, historian and author of
African Europeans "A must read book that will change the way we see mixed race couples and make us question our own entrenched beliefs." --Melissa Fleming, award-winning author of
A Hope More Powerful Than the Sea
Tineka Smith is a writer, racial equality advocate, and entrepreneur. The founder of Huetribe, a greetings card company aimed at promoting diverse representation, she currently serves as a council member for the UK Greeting Card Association and as part of their diversity subcommittee. Smith has served as a press officer for the United Nations Human Rights Committee and has worked on high-profile campaigns such as World Refugee Day. She graduated with an MA from the international journalism program at City, University of London. Her writing and commentary on racism and diversity have appeared in publications such as the Guardian, Elle, BBC Radio London, talkRADIO, Mashable, Yahoo!, the Voice, and more.
Alex Court is a writer and journalist who has lived all over the world. He is currently a marketing lead at the World Economic Forum, based at the organization's headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Court previously worked as a communications advisor at the United Nations Refugee Agency, UNHCR, and his work advocating for people forced to flee their homes took him to places like Mali, Lebanon, Niger, and Kenya. His writing has been published by CNN, Bloomberg, and Roads & Kingdoms. Court has also produced for broadcast projects including "Awake at Night," a podcast from the United Nations, and the BBC Radio 4 programs
From Our Own Correspondent and
Focus on Africa. Court graduated with an MA from the International Journalism program at City, University of London.
