Mixed and White Reflections

Mixed and White Reflections banner

Some of us are monoracial (for example: Mixed within Asian countries/cultures—such as Japanese & Chinese) Mixed folks, while others of us are multiracial (across broad racial categories, such as Latina/o & Black, or Middle Eastern & Native).  

And some of us are multiracial with a “white and—” (sometimes abbreviated &white, white&, or white+) ethnic story. In thinking about our ethnic identity development as Mixed people, what does it mean to have this complicated family history? What does it mean to reject the harms of whiteness without losing a part of ourselves in the process? 

Jesus’ ethnicity includes both majority and minority culture experiences, both privilege and pain. And he knows what it’s like to have others assume they know your story by how you physically present.  

Use the two reflections below (alone or in groups) to sit at the feet of our Brown, multiethnic, Middle Eastern/North African savior, listening to what he has to say about how we have been made for good. 


“Mixed and White” - Reflection One 

What does it mean to be people of color who are also white? Where does our minority weariness meet our white fragility? How can we be discipled out of whiteness?  

“Some of us might not know about our ancestors beyond a couple of generations. Some of us might have complex, painful, or shameful parts of how our families came into being (especially those that have the legacy of slavery, war, or rape in the family story). Jesus doesn’t ignore this but instead is set on redeeming those hurtful stories.” Sarah Shin, Beyond Colorblind (IVP 2017, p. 30-31) 

Bible Reading: Isaiah 1:1-31 


Reflection Questions: 

  • What does it mean to be multiethnic people of color who are also white?  
  • How do we experience being stuck between two worlds? What does it mean that we challenge the either/or way of thinking, in our very bones?  
  • How can we use the way people see us? How does our “white and—” (sometimes abbreviated &white, white&, or white+) identity hinder our anti-racism work? 
  • If we can “pass as white,” what does that mean for how we see ourselves? If not, what then? Does the terminology of “white presenting” help the discussion, or hinder it? 

Liturgical Prayer: 

Our Lord God, 

God most holy 

God most merciful 

God most wise 


God most patient. 


Thank you for loving us 

in our fragile states 

though we are but a breath 

it is your breath that we breathe 


though we are weak 

in our weakness we are strong 


because you were made weak, 

fragile and helpless 

hungry and homeless 

for the sake of the entire world. 


When we acknowledge our lack 

and embrace our limits 


there we find you 

human without sin 

fragile without breaking 


life everlasting. 


You are healer of hurts 

breaker of chains 


both the lion who roars 

and the lamb who lies down 


You are strength personified 

in perfect weakness, submission 

and rest 


Teach us to cease our striving. 



--Chandra Crane 


*Optional Reading: Beyond Colorblind pp. 29-33 (section “Embracing Our Ethnic Backgrounds”) 


“Mixed and White” - Reflection Two 

“Whiteness” (as opposed to being classified as ethnically/racially white) is a system that privileges light skin and white ethnic identity over other people groups. Since “whiteness” is the true problem, then what does it mean to be “white&”? Can we see our white ethnicity redeemed in ourselves? 


Daniel Hill, quoting a South Asian/Indian friend, White Awake (IVP 2017, p. 4) 


Bible Reading: Rom 13:8-14:18 


Reflection Questions: 

  • What is “white culture”? How does it play out in our lives? How can we learn about it, knowing that “it almost always wins”? 
  • What does it mean to be white and aware? What does it mean to be “more than” just a white and/or monoethnic ally? 
  • For some of us, we didn’t think much about race or culture as a child, because of our family and community dynamics. Has this been your experience, or not? 
  • Is it possible to reject the harms of whiteness without rejecting a part of ourselves and our families? 
  • After this reflection time, how do you feel about your “white&” ethnicity? Is this different than how you felt when you started? 

Liturgical Prayer: 

God most high, 

Who became flesh 

multiethnic flesh, Mixed flesh, 

flesh of a body low and helpless. 


Be with us as we strive, 

not to be “woke” 

but to be awakened 

not to be white 

but to be Mixed people of color 

not to be disjointed 

but to be made whole in your image. 


Be with us as we journey. 

Be with us in our weakness. 


Be with us as we learn more about you, 

and in so doing, learn more about ourselves. 

Be with us as we learn more about ourselves, 

and in so doing, learn more about you  

and your creative goodness.  


We reject white supremacy 

by embracing you.  

We reject lies 

by embracing your truth.  

We reject false binaries  

by embracing the family which you have brought us into.  


Purify our culture,  

that which shapes us as individuals,  

as part of communities,  

and as those who engage a hurting world.  


Help us to see with your eyes, 

to understand what  

is from you, and a blessing.  

May we reject that which is harmful 

and not of you.  


Be with us now  

and forevermore.  



--Chandra Crane 


*Optional Reading: White Awake, pp. 3-7 (Chapter One) and 33 (all full paragraphs) 

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