#samesameproject

Janina Jerim Jung 

My parents met in a jazz club called “Unterfanrt” in Munich, Germany.

Stories that I remember that follow me due to my mix heritage are various. From kids calling me names in school to people talking to me in different languages thinking I was Japanese, Filipino, Russian or even Brazilian!?

In general, when I’m on the street with one of my parents, people usually don’t get that they’re my parents. At airports people thought my dad kidnapped me. I remember when I was in Syria with my dad, people thought I was his wife!? (different countries, different cultures...).

To all those who come from the mixed cultural backgrounds, I would like to say - BE PROUD!!! Seriously there is nothing more exciting and beautiful than someone who can call two or even more countries their origin. We got the best of both worlds. We may look different than most people and feel like we don’t belong anywhere but look at us - we belong everywhere! Because we’re human, our country is the world and we’re the best example that everyone on this planet is the same and can love the same. Today I am so so so thankful for being mixed race, I wouldn’t want to have it any other way.

Farah Ann Abdul Hadi

How did your parents meet?

My parents met when my mother came to Malaysia for her teaching year and my dad worked at a restaurant near the university that she was teaching at. He was their server and my mom thought he was cute and started coming and eating her lunch there almost every other day. Finally, her friend told my dad that she liked him and the rest is History.

Anything memorable that happens to you due to your mix race? 

I love being able to explain to people that I'm mixed and that I am able to grow up immersed in different cultures and ways of life.

Anything you’d like to share regarding what is it like to be mixed? 

Being mixed really allows a bigger perspective on cultures and races. How we can be and look different but we still are human beings. It has thought me a lot about always looking at the bigger picture and understanding that some people have very different cultures and ways of life and we have to be respectful and understanding.

What would you like to tell your younger self in terms of race?

Race is something to be celebrated and acknowledged. We need to look past a persons exterior. Be able to love our differences, things that make us the same and everything in between.

Anything you’d like to add about your family, race, positive impact on the world, etc?

Zeeba Khan

My mother is from the Ghashghai Turkish tribe in Shiraz (she’s Shia), Iran and my father is from North India (and is Sunni). Our family in India chose to settle in Bhopal in the 1960s.

They have met at a university professor’s funeral in Texas when they were both students. It was love at first sight. My mother thought my father looked like Rajendra Kumar, a famous Bollywood actor, and my father thought my mother was beautiful. They got married and never went back to live in their home countries. 

It’s a privilege to be a blend of different ethnicities. Our home environment was so rich growing up because of all the culture and traditions from both sides – languages, holidays, food, religion, spirituality, clothing, literature, music, movies, family, love, and travel. Additionally, I grew up in countries that were not my parents’ home countries. I was blessed to have a vast exposure to many different cultures while growing up. It’s amazing how warm and welcoming people are to you if only you make an attempt at speaking their language.

Tell me something that will inspire and empower people like yourself?

Identify 100% with all of you. Don’t let society or other people define you with labels of “Oh, so you’re 50% this and 50% that.” No, you’re 100% of all your cultures. You’re not any less than someone who is 100% of a particular ethnicity. You are simply richer because of your exposure to different cultures at home while growing up.

What would you like to tell your younger self in terms of race? 

Don’t worry about being discriminated against. It’ll happen. You have to be authentic. People will either accept you or reject you, so you might as well have it be on the basis of the REAL you. While it’s true that you are representative of your ethnic group and that a positive interaction with you will help to debunk peoples’ negative stereotypes about your people, it is not your personal responsibility to change their minds. Be you – with your wildness and magic and don’t focus on meeting their expectations of how you should be. 

Anything you’d like to add about your worldview to inspire others?

It was because of my deep desire to teach the universalism of all the world’s ancient traditions and religions that I chose a career as a professor of Intercultural Communication and later ventured into Ayurveda and Meditation. I feel that it’s my duty to pass this attitude of embracing others and their differences to the next generation. My mission is to open people’s hearts and open people’s minds. After all, we are One.

Leana van der Meijden

Shermaine Wong and Izran Al Amin

How did you guys meet?

I: Well for sure it wasn't love at first sight. She thought I was a dodgy malay guy and I just thought she was stuck up :p

S: True! I met him through a friend and thought he was such a snob!

3. What was the thing you loved about each other most?

I: I loved how independent her characteristics were evident even when we first started dating. She was always self motivated and had clear goals. Must be her tiger mom's great upbringing! 🐯

S: He's such a kind and generous soul. He's the oldest of 3 siblings, both sisters, he's always putting his family first before his needs. I'm an only child myself and that's a great trait I learnt from him, to always give and be sensitive to people's needs.

4. How did your parents reacted to that fact that you both are of different cultural backgrounds?

I: I'm lucky to come from a family that has had many interracial marriages, and it helps that my mom is half Chinese (my late popo had a profound influence in me growing up) so generally they were receptive. They just wanted to know the person, not her background.

S: At first not so well, my mother and grandmother were especially concerned about how I would "change" and lose my Chinese ways and heritage, especially if I convert. Izran persuaded me to stay patient and have faith, and always SHOW them how I've become a better person and daughter after understanding Islam better. Through my actions and time, their hearts soften and slowly accept Izran and myself, and soon realised how wonderful Izran is.

5. Any fun stories that come to your mind and make you smile that happened to you?

S: The first time Izran spent Chinese New Year with my family in Penang and even though there was communication barrier between him and my grandmother, they bonded so well over laughter and small talk, even though both of them spoke different languages!

6. What would you tell your child about Malaysia you know if you were to have a conversation with him now?

I: Malaysia is and has always been a wonderful place. Your dad has had the privilege of seeing plenty in the world, nd as much as it's exciting, it just doesn't have that warm (literally and figuratively) malaysian feel that only those who have lived here knows.

7. Anything you'd like to add in relation to Malaysia's diversity and maybe advice to the people who are in love with someone who is "different" and for one or another reason is struggling with that.

I: It is normal for a lot of families to be sceptical at first but as long as your partner approaches the relationship with your family with an open mind and is patient, families won't want to stand in the way of your happiness. Doesn't help anyone if you're on defensive mode at first. Charm the elders, we owe it to them!