Between Black and White: The Experiences of Identity Development and Colourism Among Black-white Biracial Individuals in the Netherlands

This study explored how Black-white biracial individuals, living in the Netherlands developed their identity and experienced colourism. Through ten semi-structured interviews, Black-white participants provided an insight into their experiences. Findings highlight that biracial individuals have a heightened awareness of how they are perceived by others. Their identity development is a fluid process, which changes over time. Most participants firstly developed a Dutch identity, while later on in their life they discovered their Blackness. Being raised in a white environment and having a lighter skin colour, made most participants unaware of their relative privileges regarding colourism. However Black-white biracial individuals also faced exclusion from a Black community, since their Blackness was questioned. As well did they experience verbal assault due to their proximity to whiteness