Blackinese: Reflections on Race and Ethnicity from a Biracial Millennial

by Patricia Bradby Moore

In this candid and thought-provoking memoir, a millennial woman of Black and Chinese heritage reflects on the complexities of growing up with a mixed identity in the American South and beyond. From childhood memories to college experiences and a burgeoning career, Blackinese explores the nuances of race, culture, and belonging, tackling everything from food and music to dating, politics, and religion.

With vulnerable honesty, author Patricia Bradby Moore takes listeners on a journey through her ever-evolving sense of self, which has been shaped by her diverse upbringing and global travels. From navigating the challenges of being multiracial in the U.S. to exploring how race is understood and experienced in other parts of the world, her story speaks to the growing population of mixed-race individuals who don’t fit into simple boxes.

Blackinese is an invitation to reflect on identity, empathy, and the shared human experience. With every word, it encourages listeners to embrace their complexity and find strength in their uniqueness. This is a memoir for anyone who has ever felt they don’t quite fit the mold and for those who want to better understand what it means to live in a world where the lines of race and identity are anything but clear.

Genres: Memoir

Audible Audio

Published October 7, 2025

Reviews

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was earnest and informative. It reads like a conversation with a good friend and keeps you engaged the entire time. I was so engaged that I read it all in one evening. The thoughts and questions in this book around race and identity are paramount, especially at this moment in time. Blackinese will leave you looking at the world differently, with a more nuanced view of how we connect and how we can connect better.

[READER VIEWS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being multiracial comes with its own set of challenges. In Blackinese: Reflections on Race and Ethnicity from a Biracial Millennial, author Patricia Bradby Moore tackles these challenges head-on, exemplifying what it’s really like to exist as a person of multiple ethnicities in mainstream America, and beyond.

Moore was born in America and carries Asian, Black, and Native American genes. Her father was also born in America and is of African American descent, while her mother was born in and raised on the island of Penang, off the coast of Malaysia. As such, Moore has “racially ambiguous features” and, interestingly, it’s this exterior appearance that causes the most confusion, in terms of how others perceive her.

I found the reflections around microaggressions to be particularly insightful. This is something that I (a fellow mixed-race woman) have encountered on several occasions. The anecdote about how an ignorant middle-aged woman in a shopping mall commented that she was “articulate” (for a Black person) really hit home, and this is certainly a situation that resonated with me on a personal level. I could also understand the author’s reluctance to speak up and challenge this stranger at the time, as it can feel uncomfortable to draw attention to oneself in this way.

There is much joy, Moore explains, in immersing ourselves in the cultures experienced by our ancestors. The exploration of different foods (for example, the strong smell of durian fruit, which she enjoyed eating with her mother) provides an avenue into the rich heritage that she carries. There are, however, salient reminders in this ancestry of a past filled with pain and suffering. An example of this includes the “emotional weight” of the slave trade and how this affected her family’s lineage.

Moore reminds us, though, that the culture we feel most at home with is where we truly belong. America, after all, is “a true melting pot.” It is her belief that soon enough, it will be virtually impossible to separate society by race, and she urges us to focus on “celebrating the unique attributes of others…” Finding a sense of connection, it seems, is key, rather than trying to segregate one another into different categories based on appearance.

Readers who enjoy memoirs are likely to enjoy this book, especially if they have an underlying interest in the complexities and challenges involved in navigating life, work, and even relationships as a multiracial individual. First-person perspective quickly builds a rapport with the reader, and I felt that the author understood what it’s like (and how lonely it can be) to belong to multiple ethnic groups.

Blackinese: Reflections on Race and Ethnicity from a Biracial Millennial is a long-awaited book, one that finally makes people of mixed heritage feel seen, understood, and validated. Moore writes with passion, urging us to persist in the journey of shaping our own identities, while also emphasizing the need to establish meaningful connections with others that go beyond the surface.

[SEPTEMBER WITHERS · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Blackinese: Reflections on Race and Ethnicity from a Biracial Millennial, Patricia Bradby Moore delivers a candid, thoughtful, and emotionally intelligent memoir that explores the layered realities of growing up Black and Chinese in the American South and beyond.

What makes this book especially compelling is its balance between personal storytelling and cultural reflection. Moore does not simply recount experiences; she examines them. From childhood moments to college life and professional growth, she thoughtfully unpacks how race, ethnicity, and perception shape everyday interactions in food, music, dating, religion, and politics.

Her voice is vulnerable yet steady, inviting readers into moments of confusion, self-discovery, and global awareness. The exploration of how multiracial identity is interpreted both in the United States and internationally adds depth and dimension to the narrative. Rather than presenting identity as fixed, Moore shows it as fluid, evolving, and deeply contextual.

With a 4.64 rating, it’s clear that readers resonate with the authenticity and clarity of her reflections. Blackinese stands as an important contribution to contemporary conversations about race and belonging, particularly for millennials navigating increasingly complex cultural landscapes.

This memoir is not only for multiracial readers it is for anyone willing to engage honestly with questions of identity, empathy, and what it truly means to belong

[Jana Burtner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a page-turner. It reads like a friend handed you their diary, and the tone is optimistic without sugar-coating challenges. As a white person (not of mixed-race) I wasn't sure how much I would identify with the author's experience, but it was really easy to identify with the narratives and feelings shared—personal experiences she describes, pop culture references, and her introspection resonates deeply. After reading, I think I'm equipped to be a better ally to friends who are mixed race or people of color in general, and already bought copies for my cousins who have shared with me some of their joys/struggles with their own identities as part of being people of mixed race. Recommending this quick read to anyone!

[Jacqui Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This memoir is both engaging and timely, arriving in an era when personal identities are less homogenous. The author shares her own lived experience in a way that is practical, approachable, and relatable—no matter your background. She invites readers to embrace not only diverse perspectives but also empathy and genuine human connection. Blackinese serves as a thoughtful guide for shaping the inclusive communities of today and tomorrow.