"Best of Both Worlds": Dynamics of prejudice against biracial individuals

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-1-2014

Abstract

With the dramatic increase in the multiracial population, researchers are exploring the unique interpersonal and societal racial dynamics that this population evokes and participates in. Similar to other racial groups, the experience of discrimination and prejudice or biracial/multiracial individuals can have negative consequences for wellbeing and general mental health. A growing body of literature has provided evidence that the dynamics of experiencing oppression on individual and systemic levels is different for biracial/multiracial individuals than for their monoracial counterparts. Because they are heavily influenced by the social and familial context, biracial/multiracial individuals face the challenge of shifting identities, the fluctuating perceptions by others based on whether they disclose their biracial/multiracial identity, and experiencing discrimination specific to being of mixed racial heritage. In this chapter, we review the existing body of literature concerned with the experience of discrimination of biracial/multiracial individuals. A conceptual framework is offered to guide research efforts in three general domains: (1) understanding how monoracial members of American society develop stereotypes and prejudice attitudes towards biracial/multiracial individuals, (2) understanding how biracial/multiracial individuals experience prejudice and discrimination (3), and understanding how systemic and interpersonal interactions between monoracial and biracial/multiracial individuals is associated with racial identity development.

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