How does ‘Both Not Half’ navigate Mixed Heritage Identity?

Jassa Ahluwalia is known for his work in British television, starring as teenage heart-throb Rocky in the BBC series Some Girls as well as his role as Dimitri in Peaky Blinders.

In his compelling debut memoir, Both Not Half (2024), Jassa delves deep into the complexities of growing up with mixed heritage in contemporary Britain.

As a British Indian, Jassa weaves together personal narratives, cultural reflections, and societal observations to create a powerful exploration of identity that resonates beyond his individual experience.

The memoir arrives at a crucial moment when discussions about race, belonging, and cultural identity continue to shape public discourse.

Jassa’s narrative voice strikes a delicate balance between vulnerability and assertiveness as he challenges the reductive binary thinking that often plagues conversations about mixed-heritage individuals.

Through carefully crafted chapters, Jassa takes readers on a journey through his childhood in Coventry, his experiences in the entertainment industry, and his ongoing process of self-discovery.

DESIblitz dives into the ways Jassa Ahluwalia presents a narrative about cultural identity that resonates deeply with readers who are navigating similar identity journeys.

Confronting Micro-aggressions & Identity Challenges

The book’s title itself serves as a powerful declaration – a rejection of the fractional language often used to describe mixed-heritage individuals.

Jassa advocates for an additive approach to identity, where being mixed means embodying multiple cultural identities in their entirety.

One of the book’s greatest strengths lies in its unflinching examination of the micro-aggressions and identity-based challenges that mixed-heritage individuals face.

Jassa recounts numerous instances where he was made to feel like an outsider in both his British and Indian communities:

“When a gora speaks better Punjabi than you, LMAO.”

From casting directors pigeonholing him into stereotypical roles to relatives making casual remarks about his appearance, these experiences illuminate the unique pressures of straddling multiple cultural worlds.

Jassa’s exploration of language and its role in shaping identity is particularly noteworthy.

He discusses how terms including “half-caste” and “mixed-race” carry negative historical connotations and argues for more empowering ways to describe mixed heritage.

His analysis of how language can either fragment or unite identity provides valuable insights for readers grappling with similar experiences.

It was the use of language that inspired Jassa to write this book, specifically comments such as: ”This guy has better Punjabi than both of us, and he’s only half Punjabi.”

Jassa explains how comments like these made him feel diminished: “I felt like I was being robbed of something essential to me.

“And as I stared at my screen, realisation dawned. #Bothnothalf, I replied.”

Family Dynamics & Cultural Fusion

Both Not Half shines brightest when Jassa describes his relationship with his parents and their distinct cultural backgrounds.

He paints a vivid picture of a household where Punjabi traditions blend seamlessly with British customs, creating a unique family culture that defies simple categorisation.

These intimate family portraits offer readers a window into the beauty and complexity of multicultural home life.

A specific highlight is his reflections on his speaking Punjabi due to his “BG” (“Grandmother” or “Biji”).

Following a 1995 summer in India with her, Jassa briefly forgot English.

Notably, his parents wanted Jassa to grow up involved with both cultures, which a lot of people struggle with being mixed.

Zara*, a 20-year-old mixed British-Indian woman who has read Both Not Half, says:

“This book really helped me in understanding my own identity, especially as I grew up in a mixed household, not knowing where I stand with my culture.

“I always saw myself as white-washed or not Indian enough as I do not speak Punjabi, and my family do.

“However, recently, after reading Jassa’s book, I feel comfortable being both and not half.

“I recognise that I do not need to speak the language to prove that I am Indian.

“I can express myself as I wish, regardless of if I am only ‘half’.”

Industry Experiences

The memoir also tackles the author’s experiences in the entertainment industry, where his mixed heritage often became both an asset and a liability.

Jassa Ahluwalia’s candid discussions about typecasting and representation in British media provide valuable commentary on the industry’s evolving approach to diversity.

He says that his ‘big break’ came with playing the loveable bad boy Rocky in Some Girls. However, his character was coded as white.

He mentions that he never suggested to the producers to make his character mixed heritage.

His accounts of navigating auditions and dealing with preconceptions of casting directors offer particularly insightful perspectives on the challenges that mixed-heritage performers face.

Cultural Reconnection

The visits of Jassa to India add another layer of depth to the narrative.

These journeys of cultural reconnection are described with both warmth and honesty, acknowledging both the joy of discovery and the painful recognition of cultural distances that have emerged over generations.

The memoir concludes with a powerful meditation on the future of mixed-heritage identity in an increasingly interconnected world.

Jassa’s optimistic yet realistic vision for a more nuanced understanding of cultural identity offers hope while acknowledging the work still needed to achieve true acceptance and understanding.

Throughout the book, Jassa maintains a thoughtful balance between personal anecdotes and broader social commentary.

He effectively uses his individual experiences as a launching pad to discuss wider issues affecting mixed-heritage communities, including cultural appropriation, privilege, and the importance of representation in media.

One of the book’s most powerful aspects is its exploration of belonging.

Jassa articulates the unique position of being simultaneously insider and outsider in multiple communities.

He challenges the notion that mixed-heritage individuals must choose between their cultural identities or somehow prove their authenticity to either community.

Instead, he advocates embracing the complexity and richness of being “both, not half”.

DESIblitz Literature Festival

On October 22, 2024, Jassa Ahluwalia attended the DESIblitz Literature Festival, where he spoke about representation, his mixed identity and his book.

Talking to Pamela Jabbar, Jassa said: “South Asian voices are so underrepresented when it comes to the world of literature.

“I even found, just by getting my book off the ground, that the mixed heritage conversation is still so new.

“We were all quite surprised at how difficult it was to find a publisher to get Both Not Half into the world.

“Opportunities like [the DESIblitz literature festival] are absolutely crucial.”

Both Not Half is more than just a memoir – it’s a valuable contribution to the growing literature on mixed-heritage experiences.

Jassa’s writing is accessible yet profound, making the book relevant not only to those who share similar backgrounds but to anyone interested in understanding the complexities of identity in modern society.

This thought-provoking debut establishes Jassa as an important voice in conversations about race, identity, and belonging.

His book serves as a mirror for those and a window for those seeking to understand the mixed-heritage experience better.

By celebrating the richness of duality, Jassa highlights the unique challenges faced by individuals of mixed heritage.

He promotes a broader understanding of what it means to be whole in a world that often seeks to define us in halves.

Jassa also hosted a TED talk about how language shapes identity, which relates a lot to the book and is a very interesting, insightful watch.

The book is available in hardback, eBook and audiobook, which Jassa himself narrates.

Both Not Half is an essential reading for anyone interested in the evolving nature of cultural identity in contemporary Britain and beyond.