Image credit: Jen Tobias-Struski
Hi Marcus, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My story of empowering cultural identity within children began as a poem. However, I noticed a disconnect and a need for such dialogue at an early age as I moved around a lot. I noticed that there was an identity crisis within our youth and my peers. I noticed that I myself found it hard to fit in when I wasn’t one primary ethnicity. The more I found myself not fitting the stereotypes society placed on me, the more difficult it was to find a footing of who I should be according to the standards of my peers. This was heightened when my brothers were born, resembling me but looking different. People couldn’t understand how we looked so different but were one family. What people perceived didn’t make sense to how we looked as siblings. My sister and I have kinky and tight curls with slightly darker skin compared to my little brothers who have wavy and straight hair like ocean waves.
However, I grew up in a household that reiterated the importance of finding my identity in Christ and no one else and being ok with being “in-between”. My parents reinforced the importance of being happy in the skin I was born in because I am, we are, a big family. All the same on the inside. Social Media also pressures our youth, creating image issues along with an identity crisis. I noticed throughout my childhood that, eventually, I wanted to be in the conversation of empowering my friends and children that look like me! Although I couldn’t explain my thoughts at a young age because I still had my veil of innocence, I still had the feeling of having to choose sides. While living in Houston for nine years, I became acquainted with myself and who I wanted to become in life and knew that whatever I did, it must be meaningful as representation matters. I am one with my family and our parents taught us to love without end and be there for each other because what society cant see is the hearts that are within each member of the Peoples Family.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It was difficult but not hindering. Growing up as a person of color, there are things that we have to compromise on because society doesn’t pay attention to certain details such as making you feel like an exotic animal by asking to touch your hair every five seconds or saying that you speak “white” instead of “educated”. Or saying, “of course you can jump, you are black”. Those are just some of the never ending phrases you grow up hearing and over time, it becomes numbing or deafening. You begin to realize that you are only one of so many that face the same issue. Now, is it a cry for society to pay attention to? Yes, but society doesn’t empathize or see how hard it is for individuals navigating their identity when most people of color can only trace their lineage back to slavery and nothing further.
It is never an easy road, but I have realized that my family has become closer to understanding the ignorance that plagues our world. We are a unit and where one lacks, the other picks up, it’s that simple. I struggled with channeling people’s ignorance. I couldn’t understand how most parents didn’t see the problems with the rhetoric of their children or even themselves for that matter. But I understood that it’s a learned behavior and often goes unquestioned for generations due to the inability to share perspectives unlike theirs unless they’re put into a position where they are forced to understand. I find peace knowing that every day, people are faced with choices to understand perspectives that drastically differ from their own and take solace in knowing I can provide guidance to so many that don’t understand at a young age.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Currently, I am an HR Analyst for CPS Energy in the city of San Antonio and also have been a professional model and actor for several years with The Clutts Agency in Dallas, TX. What I am most proud of is my children’s book that I recently published called “Proud To Be In-Between”. A book that empowers children of their cultural identity and helps parents normalize the discussions of race and ethnicity for their children. I am most proud of the fact that I don’t fit into the stereotypes society has placed on me and definitely proud of the family I am a part of.
I am also proud of the TEDx talk I will be giving on February 13th at Texas State University, discussing the importance of children embracing cultural Identity along with normalizing conversations of race and ethnicity. I am a proud sibling, most of all. I believe what sets me apart from others is that I don’t stop chasing after the purpose God has given me. I am here to build people up, not tear them down. I am here to listen and share loving experiences with my family in Christ. I am here to show people that they are very valuable, that they matter and that this world needs their warm smiles and loving personalities.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I don’t believe luck has a place in my life as I believe God works all things out in his likeness. He has always been the source and has never failed or left me.
Pricing:
- Yes, signed copies of my book are for sale at www.proudtobeinbetween.com for $20
Contact Info:
- Address: 1002 NW 38th St San Antonio, TX 78228
- Email: marcuspeoples@att.net
- Website: www.proudtobeinbetween.com
- Instagram: @marcuspeoples_
- Facebook: https://fb.watch/1RkbnYJIJY/
- Other: https://www.kens5.com/video/entertainment/television/great-day-sa/great-day-sa-proud-to-be-in-between/273-6e637377-c712-4ddc-ad22-63ce14b97409
