Aotearoa youth of African heritage want to embrace their multiple cultural identities, but social attitudes towards migrants make it harder. Thirty-five African heritage youths aged 18-35 took part in surveys and workshops to report on their cultural identities and social connections. Being othered and expected to ‘represent’ Africans based on appearance was especially difficult for youth who were born in Aotearoa or migrated as children, and as a result many preferred to interact with people from cultural minorities. The authors say there is a need for safe spaces where youth can authentically express their multiple cultural identities.
