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Empire's Grace Byers Talks About Her Struggles as a Biracial Woman


Grace Byers (photo cred: Instagram)

Today, author and Empire actress Grace Byers broke down her struggles on Instagram of being a biracial woman, including feeling the need to claim her white or Black side more. Byers, who is Caymanian and American said she made herself small to not make other people feel uncomfortable.
She began her post saying, "I am a Biracial woman; a proud Afro-Caribbean Woman."

Byers continued, "While the world accosted me to interpret my mixed heritage for the purpose of comfort-labeling, I acquiesced. Feeling required to constantly defend my Blackness, while clearly acknowledging that the world did not receive me as white, was exhausting." Byers also said that she felt displaced.

The 35-year-old said she allowed other people to define her. She said, "To please others became second-nature as my instinct was to always protect others -  and their feelings - at all costs."


 Grace Byers is not alone in her experience as a biracial woman. According to Psychology Today the question of identity is one of the most daunting questions for mixed race people. They said, "One of the most vexing parts of the multiracial experience, according to many who identify as such is being asked, "What are you?"

Byers said that today, she has decided to no longer be quiet. She said, "I continue to stand in the identity of my bi-racial heritage and ancestry; embracing all parts of me." She will also continue to support Black women and all women of color.


Trai and Grace Byers (photo cred: Instagram)


In addition to talking about her identity as a bi-racial woman, Byers also talked about the rejection she received from other women. She said, "Many of us have felt the pain of being torn down and rejected by women." Byers ended her post saying that she had the choice to choose to be one of those women or to be supportive of other women and their God-given talents, and she chose to be supportive.

Byers is married to former Empire co-star Trai Byers. She is the author of two children books including  the New York Bestseller I Am Enough (2018)  and I Believe I Can (2020). Both books were illustrated by artist Keturah A. Bobo.








I am a Bi-Racial Woman; a proud Afro-Caribbean-American Woman For years, I hid my shine and coerced myself out of my worth. Making myself small or inconsequential seemed to cause less waves. And I didn’t want a ripple-effect. While the world accosted me to interpret my mixed heritage for the purpose of comfort-labeling, I acquiesced. Feeling required to constantly defend my Blackness, while clearly acknowledging that the world did not receive me as white, was exhausting. I felt displaced. In the process, I even allowed others to define me. To please others became second-nature as my instinct was always to protect others - and their feelings - at all costs, even at the sake of mine. I wanted no surges. No watery billows. I needed still waters. But, today. I trouble the oceans and let the waves swell. I hide for no one. I slink back for none. I take up space. I raise my voice. I shine. I continue to stand unapologetically in the identity of my bi-racial heritage and ancestry; embracing all parts of me. And it is my joy to particularly keep building and supporting other Black Women + Women Of Color. Many of us have felt the pain of being torn down and rejected by women. I realized quickly, in the midst of it all, that I could either become the same through my hurt - or continue to support, uplift and encourage other women in their God-given purpose and talents. I will forever choose the latter. Let us, as Black Women of all backgrounds, continue to stand together as one: a united and galvanized front. Knowing that as long as we are divided, we will miss the experience and significant impact of moving together in power, solidarity and love. We are - and have always been - [more than] enough Tagged 10 of my queens to roll in this challenge
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Can you relate to Grace Byers story about being a biracial woman?

Related Articles: Why Grace Byers Doesn't Want Her Scars Covered
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