I Am Because You Are: My Journey Through South Africa as a Biracial Woman

By Nat Marshall
Special Contributor

Growing up, I often found myself straddling the line between racial identities and grappling with questions of belonging and acceptance. My mom is white and my dad is Black, so I identify as biracial. This identity of mine shapes so much about how I view myself, other people, and the world. My experiences being both Black and white while navigating the complex structure of race in the United States has had a profound impact on my life. Whether I find myself code-switching in new environments, exploring various kinds of music to listen to, or trying new hairstyles, I find that my biracial identity influences all of it – even traveling. 

Traveling has always been a huge part of my life. I’m the only daughter of two parents that love to travel to new places, try unfamiliar foods, and search for fun experiences. For as long as I can remember, we were on planes or in cars going to new areas – whether that be the restaurant that opened down the street, a cute beach town on the coast for us to explore, or a city in Europe that we hadn’t been to. I love that I am able to share these experiences with my family and grow together. 

Being biracial has allowed me to immerse myself in multiple cultures and bridge the gap between different racial communities. This has been even more prevalent during my most recent trip, which was a three-week study abroad program to South Africa with Notre Dame. The program was run by Notre Dame International (NDI), which aims to provide students and faculty with international opportunities through education, research, networking, and engagement.

Embracing my multicultural heritage has broadened my perspectives, and I have developed a desire and appreciation to learn about the diversity of human experiences. When I found out that South Africa was an option for my summer study abroad program, I knew immediately that I wanted to experience that for myself. Traveling to Africa has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember because it seemed like a place where I could connect with my Blackness in a way that would feel authentic, empowering, and transformative. This trip seemed like the perfect opportunity for me to learn more about both African and Black culture(s), explore my own racial identity, and forge meaningful connections with my peers and the local community.

South Africa in particular has a complex history marked by racial segregation and a struggle in the fight against Apartheid. As a biracial woman, I can relate to the experiences of people who have faced discrimination and more importantly, I understand the sacrifice and bravery that it takes for marginalized people to resist racial oppression and overcome racial barriers.

Our study abroad program consisted of 21 undergraduate and graduate students from Notre Dame and was led by psychology professor Anre Venter. Professor Venter, who prefers to go by just Anre, was born and raised in South Africa and offered the most insightful, personable experiences about the country and its history that I would not have received had I not gone with him. 

One of the most memorable parts of the trip for me was when our group visited Constitutional Hill in Johannesburg, which is a former prison complex-turned historical site. During the tour, our guide described the inhumane conditions of how many South Africans were treated at the prison during Apartheid, and many of them were activists advocating for a more equitable society for all South Africans. Yet it wasn’t these discussions that stuck with me the most…it was an area at the end of the tour that allowed visitors to leave personal notes.

I am because you are.

I learned about this phrase for the first time in this museum. “I am because you are” is a very meaningful affirmation for many people in the Bantu-speaking countries of Africa, including South Africa. We learned that the phrase has also been used by Africanist scholars as a way to critique certain ideologies and misconceptions brought upon by colonialism. The phrase even informs much of how the post-Apartheid society of South Africa is constructed now. 

The museum was emotional for me, largely in part because the history we learned so much about only occurred sixty years ago. Race impacted, and still impacts, the lives of so many South Africans. Our class talked a lot about race and drew parallels between its impact in South Africa and the United States. I felt even more empowered to continue my passion for activism for a more antiracist country back home. 

My biracial identity has instilled in me a strong belief in the power and necessity of open, honest dialogue around race, and we did just that. Engaging in meaningful conversations with each other and in the local community in South Africa helped our group better understand the experiences and viewpoints of others. Throughout all of this, I wanted to feel a sense of belonging and solidarity with the people with whom I engaged in South Africa. On my trip, I didn’t find myself questioning my identity. In fact, I felt like I could fully embrace and celebrate my Blackness without reservation or explanation. My journey as a biracial traveler to South Africa not only deepened my connection to my Blackness, but also reiterated the importance of celebrating diversity across borders. 

What I learned in South Africa in their country’s fight for racial justice is that it is a similar reflection of how Black Americans have fought for centuries. The bravery and sacrifice of those in the United States allowed my parents to have the ability to be married and then create the life for me that they did. There are so many ways that Black Americans have fought for racial justice for our community, most notably in the civil rights movements and most recently in the Black Lives Matter movement. I am because the people in these areas have been fighting for justice to better the lives of both Black and white people alike. So when I think back to the phrase in that museum that inspires so many, I feel empowered because quite literally, I am because they did.

Nat Marshall is a senior forward on the Notre Dame women’s basketball team. She hails from Queens, N.Y.