Fans Reassure Tia Mowry Of The Impact Her Representation Had, After She Revealed She "Didn't Feel Black Enough"
If you're a millennial like me, then there's a big chance Tia Mowry played a part in your childhood. From shows like Sister, Sister and The Game to movies like Seventeen Again and Twitches, she and her twin sister Tamera were everywhere.
And if you knew them, then there's an even higher chance you knew their younger brother, Smart Guy's Tahj Mowry, as well.
Nowadays, Tia is widely known for sharing bits and pieces of her personal life online and connecting with fans on a deep and fun level. So, over the weekend, she posted a vulnerable message to Instagram to celebrate Juneteenth, where she opened up about her experience as a mixed-race woman, and why she's proud to call herself Black. She wrote her reflections on her Notes app and accompanied them with photos of herself and her family.
"There were moments I questioned where I belonged. Even as a mixed kid, I knew I was Black. But growing up, the world around me didn't always reflect that back to me. I had to go on a journey to fully understand who I was and what it meant to walk through this world as a Black woman."
"As a kid, I noticed the difference. When I was with my mom, who's Black, she was treated with suspicion. Not receiving an application for our dream home. Questions in first class. But with my white dad, people were welcoming. That's when I realized how much the color of your skin shapes how the world treats you."
Tia said it "took time" for her to find her "place" in the world. She felt like everyone was in a clique in school, whether they were separated by interests or by race. Although she didn't always know where she fit in, she did always know where she stood.
"It made me want to be loud about my pride," Tia continued. "To be Black and proud. To celebrate where I come from. And to use my voice and platform to make sure my community is seen, heard, and celebrated."
"Representation matters. I'll never forget the messages I got: 'I never saw someone who looked like me on TV until you.' Moments like that helped me fully land in who I am and who I stand for."
The mother of two revealed she looked into her ancestry. While she already knew her grandmother came from Eleuthera, an island in the Bahamas, she would later learn that her family lineage traces all the way back to Ghana and Nigeria.
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"We were taken, displaced, and yet survived. There is strength in that. And I carry that strength with me every day."
Motherhood has also given Tia a new perspective on Blackness and how she wants to teach her kids to be proud of who they are and where they come from. But it hasn't come without obstacles.
"My children are already feeling the weight of the world. At five, my son was called a monkey. He was told his skin was 'ugly.' And that's why I speak up, so they know they are loved, valued, and protected."
"Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom. But it's also a reminder that we're still pushing, still fighting, still rising. I carry that with me in my work, my purpose, and my motherhood."
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"I am Black. I am proud. I am loud with my love for this community. And I'll keep using my voice to create space for others to be proud too."
What a beautiful message to commemorate the holiday and celebrate the culture. Fans absolutely loved it too:
You can read her full post below:
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