Freshman Marissa Weaver always knew she was different from the other kids. Growing up in a multicultural and biracial household, she wasn’t quite sure where she belonged.
“I always struggled to find friends, especially in middle school,” said Weaver. “I grew up in South Florida, so there were a lot of different groups, and I never really quite fit in.”
Weaver grew up in Florida, but not in the average American family unit. Weaver’s white male dad was born and raised in Florida. Weaver’s mom, Linda, immigrated to the United States when she was just 14 years old from Dominica, an island in the Caribbean.
Her journey to the country was orchestrated by her family for educational purposes and the opportunity to make something for herself. She eventually set her roots in Florida.
Despite her mom and dad not looking the same, Weaver struggled to acknowledge the difference.
“Marissa thought she wasn’t black when she was younger because she spent more time with her dad’s family,” Linda Weaver said. “I realized the mistake and had to introduce her to my family. That way, she could understand that she was unique and special to house both cultures, which makes her an amazing individual.”
Before an introduction to her mother’s Caribbean culture, Weaver’s early childhood was filled with apprehension over what race to identify with.
“I think I struggled finding friends because I never really knew where I fit in,” said Weaver. “Being biracial growing up [is hard] until you figure it out; you’re constantly trying to pick a side.”
Weaver spent most of her youth surrounded by her father’s side of the family. This led to years of confusion and some adversity. Some teachers openly discriminated against Weaver because of the color of not only her skin, but her parent’s interracial marriage. Weaver had become accustomed to warning her friends of her mother’s cuisine before agreeing to sleepovers. And without being exposed to her mother’s side of the family, she struggled to resonate with her roots.
After Weaver asked questions about her mom’s heritage, her mom opened up. Weaver could call family members in Dominica and build relationships with the culture she had been separated from. Communicating with her family in the Caribbean allowed Weaver to connect the dots for herself and resolve an internal conflict.
“I learned a lot about my mom later in life, and I think, honestly, that helped me finalize [that] this is who I am,” said Weaver. “I don’t have to pick a side.”
Of course, Weaver cherishes the rich culture she represents, but the biggest takeaway from her mother is her character.
Her mother’s expectations for her and her siblings stem from the adversity she has faced. “I think my mom expected a lot from me, because she essentially started from nothing here, and she made herself something,” said Weaver. “She worked for everything she got.”
Weaver carries the passion and morals her mom instilled in her, even on the golf course.
“One of my favorite coaching moments was when Marissa was playing a tournament with a young lady from another school who was having a bad golf day,” said Piedmont head golf coach Hannah Satterfield. “The player was so upset, and Marissa went over and gave her a hug. A complete stranger from another team and Marissa was just giving her encouragement and letting her know it would be okay! It really speaks about her as a person.”
Weaver’s character is strong, and although Weaver has faced adversity in her identity and self-worth, her desire to learn more about her culture and acknowledge her identity has allowed her to flourish into the young lady her mom could have only dreamed of when she came to the United States at 14.
“She is strong, and she faces adversity fearlessly,” Linda said. “She loves hard, and I am thankful God allowed her in my life journey.”
Weaver now embraces her mom’s famous curry chicken as a staple Thanksgiving dish, rather than dismissing it, and if she had one piece of advice for anyone growing up in a biracial or multicultural household Weaver would tell them:
“Embrace it and be proud of where you’re from.”
