Leon Mann: “We can learn a lot more by listening, not speaking”
The sports journalist on changing opinions and swimming between spaces
Hi, welcome back to Mixed Messages! This week, I’m speaking to Leon Mann, sports journalist and founder of BCOMS and Football Black List. Leon is of mixed Black and white heritage, and has grown comfortable with changing his opinions – something I see as a huge strength. Read his thoughts on mixed identity below.
How do you define your ethnicity?
My mum was born in Jamaica and came to this country when she was very young with her family. My old man is from Worcester, but he also jumps between different identities. His mother was Irish Catholic, and he was othered because of the four leaf clovers that were sewn into his shorts and being ‘the Irish one’.
My parents are still together to this day, which I say because there’s an assumption with Black parents or mixed relationships that they must have split up.
What terms have you used over time?
I’ve always felt very comfortable and found positivity in the term mixed-race. I identify politically as Black. When I walk into a room, Black people might define me as light-skinned, or ‘the mixed-race guy.’
It drives me crazy when white academics do new studies of what we should call ourselves – often they have mixed children or relationships, so I understand where it’s coming from, but I find it frustrating. However, I do understand the evolution of identity.
Has your sense of identity shifted?
I’ve realised that identity isn’t one defined thing. Everyone’s on their own journey and people have different ways of defining themselves. I think it’s natural to want to find the answer, to make it easier for everybody else to understand, and arguably for ourselves. But there’s something really positive about not defining things too sharply.
A lot of the older generation want people to ‘stick together’ and see the mixed thing as divisive. Some people also see it as leaving the Black group, where you’re racially abused, and stepping into the opposite camp.
Did you speak about mixed identity with your family?
My parents were two people who knew what they thought about the world. There were lots of conversations about being positive about my identity, understanding the potential for racism in society and dealing with that, mainly led by my mum. I’m grateful for that, it helped my journey.
My wife is Jewish, and with our kids it’s an encouragement to ask questions, showing patience as parents and being in the right place to answer them. I ask how they identify, and they talk about having brown or white skin without me saying “no, you’re this,” unless they express negativity towards part of their identity. There have been times where they’ve wanted straight hair like their friends, then the next week they’ll love their curly hair.
Did you look up to anyone when you were younger?
I remember the moment I found out Bob Marley was mixed. It woke something in me, so I went searching for mixed people. Lenny Kravitz was another one, then there’s Goldie. I did a piece for the BBC on Obama, that was a huge moment.
In a sporting context, I now look out for people who are mixed. You’ve got Lewis Hamilton, Chris Armstrong plays for my club, Tottenham Hotspur. Then there’s footballers like Ross Barkley, Ryan Giggs and Kieran Trippier, who is always missed out when people speak about Black England players.
How do you think the mixed conversation needs to change?
There needs to be an openness to understanding everyone’s experience. There was a time in my life I’d have a strong opinion on what was right and wrong, and now I think we can learn a lot more by not speaking and putting more effort into listening.
What’s one of the best things about being mixed for you?
It gives me license to drift between different spaces of identity. Depending on the day, time and environment, it can be brilliant and beautiful and wonderful. On other days, it can be challenging and difficult.
I think there’s a beauty to that situation, understanding that there’s no one single culture, we’re all swimming in between these different spaces, keeping away from areas that feel dangerous and going to safer spaces. It seems complex, but it’s meant to be complex.
Can you define your mixed identity in a word?
Opportunity – to share messages and navigate different worlds.
Next week, I’ll be talking to Ghostcloud author Michael Mann. Subscribe to get Mixed Messages in your inbox on Monday.
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Mixed Messages is a weekly exploration of the mixed-race experience, from me, Isabella Silvers. My mom is Punjabi Indian (by way of East Africa) and my dad is White British, but finding my place between these two cultures hasn’t always been easy. That’s why I started Mixed Messages, where each week I’ll speak to a prominent mixed voice to delve into what it really feels like to be mixed.