Whenever people protest that a child is ‘biracial’, not Black, not only are they denying the impact that being classified as ‘non-white’ has on the life of a child, but they are also teaching that child to embrace ‘whiteness’ as an ideal, writes JuJuBe.
13 February 2011
As a woman who is classified as "white" I have been told time and time again that it is "not my place" to define the racial identity of a non-white person. So, I am going to be stepping on a few toes with this article, but I am not going to apologize for that. I am simply going to state my case as to why I believe that the "biracial" or "mixed" label is detrimental.
A while back, I was made aware of a video entitled "Biracial, not Black, Dammit!" I could not even bring myself to watch the documentary, because I assumed it was a blatant rejection of the Black collective, and was, in fact, a tool of white supremacy. The more white supremacists can convince non-white people to remain divided the stronger the racists become.
The "One Drop Rule" previously was used as a method to keep people who had Black heritage down. Once an individual was identified as having Black heritage, it was easy for white people to dismiss and subjugate them. But, today, in many cases, the "one drop rule" is used instead to convince Black people who have a white parent that they, in fact, are closer to "whiteness" and should therefore reject the notion of struggling to dismantle white supremacy.
This is a dangerous situation to me. While some people claim that the term "biracial" allows them to embrace the fullness of their heritage, I think, unfortunately, that white people often use it to keep Black people, who could otherwise be working together to end racism, stratified. It creates a sort of "buffer" zone between white and Black, which is used to convince people that racism/white supremacy is no longer an issue.
I find it extremely disconcerting when I hear white people who have children with a Black partner insist that their child is not Black, but is, in fact, "biracial". Their insistence upon the use of the term "biracial" indicates to me that they are not at all allies with Black people in the struggle to replace white supremacy with justice for all. The offhanded dismissal of the "Blackness" of their child leads their child to subconsciously identify more strongly with "whiteness", which is, let's face the facts, an easier existence.
The more white people can convince so called "biracial" people that they have a vested interest in being "part white" the more they can convince them to reject the cause of racial justice. It teaches so called "biracial" children that it is of ultimate importance to elevate and embrace "whiteness".
By doing so, it manufactures an existential crisis in that child that prevents him/her from taking up the cause of justice. White people do this in order to convince individuals who classify themselves as "biracial" or "mixed" to reject the notion that "whiteness" is a condition that must be annihilated in order for there to be a more just world.
If the white supremacists can convince a person that he is "biracial" then it is only a short journey to the defense of whiteness. After all, if you are "half white", then you should be invested in preserving the white race, right?
I cringe whenever I hear people protest that a child is "biracial", not Black. Not only are they denying the impact that being classified as "nonwhite" has on the life of a child, but they are also teaching that child to embrace "whiteness" as an ideal. That is not what I want for my children.
When I have children, it is extremely likely that they will be Black. And yes, I said Black, not biracial. Biracial is just an artificial category devised by white supremacists to boost the number of people who are "white identified".
When I hear "embracing both sides of your heritage" pushed as the ultimate goal of using the "biracial" label, I immediately recognize it for what it is... an attempt to negate the evils perpetrated by the white race over so many centuries.
I have seen many individuals who have a white parent fight for the cause of justice, and for the elevation of the Black collective. But I have never once heard any of them refer to themselves as "biracial". That term seems to be reserved for the confused, for those longing to be "white".
JuJuBe blogs at My Name is JuJuBe where this article first appeared.
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written by darlene, 29 January 2012
How come there are no issues like this about people who are white/(asian, native american, or hispanic). How come a person that is half-white, half-asian (or other non-white) can call themselves mixed but white/black people have to self-identify as black?
written by Vada, 27 January 2012
You are misled to believe that the superiority of any skin colour can further justice. You are still thinking in terms of colour and not individuals. People have different experiences causing them to identify differently. I am a black woman and I do not have an issue with someone referring to themselves as biracial. It is a positive term. The one drop rule you are advocating implies that you have to be one or the other. These persons are 100% black and 100% white..not half. They too have history and genes that relate to somewhere else but as long as we prize one skin colour over another we will run into issues. People fall in love with individuals. Race is a social construct with historical pain. We need to move forward and that includes stop seeing groups as enemies. I think the term biracial celebrates both aspects of that individuals background. Mixed persons identify with black simply because it's easier..the genes are more dominant..prejudice still exists in society so they will be treated as blacks..however, racial justice isn't just the responsibility of blacks. We define ourselves..I think mixed persons should be free to define themselves also.. I think you are the one confused.
written by somo, 25 January 2012
drive through Mississippi late at night alone, the cops will let you know what you are. 
written by Louisiananative, 22 January 2012
Someone in an earlier comment, misspoke about "Creole" terminology. The term originally referred to someone whose parents were not from the US..but they were born here. So you are a native, but your parents were not. This term originally referred to Caucasian as well as people of African descent. The term has been popularized to refer to people of mixed races particularly those of African and Spanish or French descent. See the wikipedia article below:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisiana_Creole_people
Louisiana Creole people refers to those who are descended from the colonial settlers in Louisiana, especially those of French and Spanish descent. The term was first used during colonial times by the settlers to refer to those who were born in the colony, as opposed to those born in the Old World.[2] After the Civil War some, in response to the changing racial climate imposed by the increasingly dominant Anglo-Saxon society (and the anxieties provoked thereby), Creole scholars such as Charles Gayarre and Alcee Fortier began to assert that the word Creole referred exclusively to people of European descent.[3] However, references to "Creoles of Color" and "Creole Slaves" can be found in colonial-era documents, and the term as it is now commonly applied to individuals of mixed-race heritage. Both groups have common European heritage and, in most cases, are related to each other and share cultural ties.[4]
The term "French Creoles" came to be applied to white Creoles, and "Creoles of color", in use in the Colonial era but widely popularized in the 19th-century, came to refer to mixed-race people of African and European ancestry (primarily French and Spanish, although later of additional ethnicities) who were native in the area before the Louisiana Purchase. Some Creoles of color may also have Native American heritage. Both groups of Creoles may have additional European ancestry, such as German, Irish or Italian, related to later immigrants to New Orleans. Most modern Creoles have family ties to Louisiana, particularly New Orleans; they are mostly Catholic in religion; through the nineteenth century, most spoke French and were strongly connected to French colonial culture; and they have had a major impact on the state's culture.[5]
While the sophisticated Créole society of New Orleans has historically received much attention, the Cane River area developed its own strong Créole culture.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisiana_Creole_people
Louisiana Creole people refers to those who are descended from the colonial settlers in Louisiana, especially those of French and Spanish descent. The term was first used during colonial times by the settlers to refer to those who were born in the colony, as opposed to those born in the Old World.[2] After the Civil War some, in response to the changing racial climate imposed by the increasingly dominant Anglo-Saxon society (and the anxieties provoked thereby), Creole scholars such as Charles Gayarre and Alcee Fortier began to assert that the word Creole referred exclusively to people of European descent.[3] However, references to "Creoles of Color" and "Creole Slaves" can be found in colonial-era documents, and the term as it is now commonly applied to individuals of mixed-race heritage. Both groups have common European heritage and, in most cases, are related to each other and share cultural ties.[4]
The term "French Creoles" came to be applied to white Creoles, and "Creoles of color", in use in the Colonial era but widely popularized in the 19th-century, came to refer to mixed-race people of African and European ancestry (primarily French and Spanish, although later of additional ethnicities) who were native in the area before the Louisiana Purchase. Some Creoles of color may also have Native American heritage. Both groups of Creoles may have additional European ancestry, such as German, Irish or Italian, related to later immigrants to New Orleans. Most modern Creoles have family ties to Louisiana, particularly New Orleans; they are mostly Catholic in religion; through the nineteenth century, most spoke French and were strongly connected to French colonial culture; and they have had a major impact on the state's culture.[5]
While the sophisticated Créole society of New Orleans has historically received much attention, the Cane River area developed its own strong Créole culture.
written by D, 13 January 2012
This is incorrect, I am a 21 yo Mixed guy and know the world for what it is, I respect your opinion but I disagree. My father is black and my mother is white. I am neither black or white, as I am both, you say that white supremacists use the term biracial as a tool, but how can that be? When your mixed you have to embrace what you are and to hell with what black people or white people think of that. Color is just that... color. What I am embracing is the dual ethnicity of my childhood. The fact that I am from two different worlds. I am not implying that mixed people are in any way more special or any better than anyone else but we are different because neither race fully accepts us. Most older white people cant even grasp the concept of mixed and black people always ask if im puerto rican. To say I was "black" is a lie. I am not only black nor will I ever be, saying I am only white is a lie too and would be disrespectful to the man who raised me, if you truly intend to have mixed kids and yes I said MIXED then I hope you dont feed them that... stuff for lack of a non insulting word, because that will mess them up in so many ways. We are who we are its as simple and complicated as that.
written by Basketball Jones, 31 December 2011
The author of this article is full of shit, she sounds like she has a serious case of "White guilt" over past discrimination and mistreatment of Blacks in the USA she has to "avoid" any possible conceivable "racist" notion.
If a parent insists their kid is Biracial and not Black... it's because their kid is Biracial not fully Black you idiot! I'm pretty sure theyre not going to call their kid White either because the kid is not White.. he's multiracial.
In my opinion Racial pride and division is stupid. It's more sensible to classify people ethnically... (Dutch vs. English vs. French vs. Ghanian vs. Nigerian vs. Japanese or whatever). But Americans love putting as little hard work into decision making as possible, so clearly dividing people into Black, White, Asian, Middle Eastern, Hispanic is "easier"
If a parent insists their kid is Biracial and not Black... it's because their kid is Biracial not fully Black you idiot! I'm pretty sure theyre not going to call their kid White either because the kid is not White.. he's multiracial.
In my opinion Racial pride and division is stupid. It's more sensible to classify people ethnically... (Dutch vs. English vs. French vs. Ghanian vs. Nigerian vs. Japanese or whatever). But Americans love putting as little hard work into decision making as possible, so clearly dividing people into Black, White, Asian, Middle Eastern, Hispanic is "easier"
written by AllPeople (AP) Gifts, 26 December 2011
.
There is absolutely NO SUCH THING as
a so-called 'Light-Skinned Black' person.
.
The term of 'Light-Skinned Black' is simply a racist
oxymoron that was created by racial supremacists
in an effort to deny people who are of a Mixed-Race
Lineage the right to embrace their full-Lineage and
to have said lineage publicly acknowledged as well.
.
The very term of 'Light-Skinned Black' is based
on the application of the 'black-lineage mocking',
non-scientific and racist 'One Drop Rule' (ODR).
.
In it’s decision in the 1967 "Loving" case, the U.S.
Supreme Court stated that the racist-'One-Drop Rule'
(ODR) was UN-Constitutional (i.e. illegal, outlawed,
banned, unenforceable, non-applicable, etc.) and in
this decision, the high court also described the vile
ODR by such terms as 'odious' and as 'repugnant'.
.
Here are a few 'Reference' Links for any
and everyone who refuses to accept vile
views of the racist-'One-Drop Rule' (ODR)
.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/...ssage/4162
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/...ssage/4187
.
http://parablemania.ektopos.co...1drop.html
.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/...ssage/4160
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/...ssage/4157
.
http://www.facebook.com/allpeo...7016632181
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/...ssage/4186
.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/...ssage/4152
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/...ssage/4153
.
RELATED LINKS:
.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/...ssage/3331
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/...sage/1399
.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/...sage/1034
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/...sage/1032 .
There is absolutely NO SUCH THING as
a so-called 'Light-Skinned Black' person.
.
The term of 'Light-Skinned Black' is simply a racist
oxymoron that was created by racial supremacists
in an effort to deny people who are of a Mixed-Race
Lineage the right to embrace their full-Lineage and
to have said lineage publicly acknowledged as well.
.
The very term of 'Light-Skinned Black' is based
on the application of the 'black-lineage mocking',
non-scientific and racist 'One Drop Rule' (ODR).
.
In it’s decision in the 1967 "Loving" case, the U.S.
Supreme Court stated that the racist-'One-Drop Rule'
(ODR) was UN-Constitutional (i.e. illegal, outlawed,
banned, unenforceable, non-applicable, etc.) and in
this decision, the high court also described the vile
ODR by such terms as 'odious' and as 'repugnant'.
.
Here are a few 'Reference' Links for any
and everyone who refuses to accept vile
views of the racist-'One-Drop Rule' (ODR)
.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/...ssage/4162
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/...ssage/4187
.
http://parablemania.ektopos.co...1drop.html
.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/...ssage/4160
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/...ssage/4157
.
http://www.facebook.com/allpeo...7016632181
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/...ssage/4186
.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/...ssage/4152
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/...ssage/4153
.
RELATED LINKS:
.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/...ssage/3331
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/...sage/1399
.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/...sage/1034
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/...sage/1032 .
written by Dean, 19 December 2011
What a bunch of black racist crap. First, why do you care how one labels their children and secondly, how is it any of your business. There has ALWAYS been a mulatto sub-culture in the US. Mulattos were often looked up as the "cream of the crop" of the "black race". If they would have been regarded as a sub-culture of "whites", then they would not have been "different" or rather "exotic". As part of the "black race", they were "smarter", "prettier". Believe me, many mulattos or "light skinned" or "ligher skinned" blacks do not want to be associated with blacks in private. Many are very proud of their white heritage and are thankful of it. I am not trying to advance an agenda here, it is what it is. I think it's more damaging to the self-esteem of blacks, particularly black women, who are not as mixed to see "black" models who have a more European look. Just look at the rap videos. Does this re-enforce that these black women can do what the other women are doing? It does not. There is a difference. It's not truthful to pretend the mixture does not exist. If that's the way you want to raise your kids, then fine. Do not chastise others for not buying into your "black" world view. Black parent + White Parent does NOT equal a "Black" child. Particulaly if the "Black" parent is mixed themselves. If you want to have a scholarly discussion, check out: www.thestudyofracialism.org , a scholarly look at race, and race designation in America.
written by Jasmine, 18 December 2011
Are you kidding me??? Are you trying to assert that a mixed race child should, in order to appease YOUR sensibilities, altogether abandon one side of his/her heritage? My grandmother is Cherokee. Should I go about calling myself Cherokee, even though the rest of my heritage hales from European roots?
Were I to have a child with a black partner, I would make damn sure they knew they were biracial. How idiotic would it be for me, a white woman, to go about allowing my child to think they were black when they weren't? As an adult they could identify with whichever culture or ethnic combination they chose. But as my child, they would know about my heritage and the struggles and proud accomplishments of my heritage. I would NEVER delude them into think ill of either side of their heritage.
As for ignorant comments about non-whites need to basically combine forces to defeat racism, that in itself is racist. And I would strongly recommend a long, unbiased trip throughout Asia. No whites or blacks indigenous to that part of the world. And yet ... racism thrives. It is a human condition and a fact of where we all are in the evolutionary process. Our higher ideals are often tested by our gut responses.
Were I to have a child with a black partner, I would make damn sure they knew they were biracial. How idiotic would it be for me, a white woman, to go about allowing my child to think they were black when they weren't? As an adult they could identify with whichever culture or ethnic combination they chose. But as my child, they would know about my heritage and the struggles and proud accomplishments of my heritage. I would NEVER delude them into think ill of either side of their heritage.
As for ignorant comments about non-whites need to basically combine forces to defeat racism, that in itself is racist. And I would strongly recommend a long, unbiased trip throughout Asia. No whites or blacks indigenous to that part of the world. And yet ... racism thrives. It is a human condition and a fact of where we all are in the evolutionary process. Our higher ideals are often tested by our gut responses.
written by AllPeople (AP) Gifts, 30 November 2011
.
The 'black-lineage mocking' and exceedingly
racist 'One-Drop Rule' was made ILLEGAL in the
U.S. by the Supreme Court in 1967 ('Loving vs. VA')
.
In additon -- it was a "black" American (Mildred Loving)
who got the racist 'One-Drop Rule' BANNED in the U.S.
in 1967 AND it was a "black" American (representative
John Conyers and his colleagues at the 'national black
caucus) that successfully fought to have the 'Multiracial'
/ 'Mixed-Race' option returned to U.S. government forms.
.
The following link contains information on the racist, reeking,
odious, ODR ('One-Drop Rule') -- which, thank goodness,
has finally been legally "cleared from the air" of the USA:
.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Generation-Mixed/message/4162
.
Related Links:
.
http://www.facebook.com/notes/allpeople-gifts/the-facts-on-mixed-race/321878451159708
.
http://www.facebook.com/allpeople.gifts
.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/generation-mixed
.
The 'black-lineage mocking' and exceedingly
racist 'One-Drop Rule' was made ILLEGAL in the
U.S. by the Supreme Court in 1967 ('Loving vs. VA')
.
In additon -- it was a "black" American (Mildred Loving)
who got the racist 'One-Drop Rule' BANNED in the U.S.
in 1967 AND it was a "black" American (representative
John Conyers and his colleagues at the 'national black
caucus) that successfully fought to have the 'Multiracial'
/ 'Mixed-Race' option returned to U.S. government forms.
.
The following link contains information on the racist, reeking,
odious, ODR ('One-Drop Rule') -- which, thank goodness,
has finally been legally "cleared from the air" of the USA:
.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Generation-Mixed/message/4162
.
Related Links:
.
http://www.facebook.com/notes/allpeople-gifts/the-facts-on-mixed-race/321878451159708
.
http://www.facebook.com/allpeople.gifts
.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/generation-mixed
.
written by oli hen, 10 November 2011
I am half black and half white. The reality is that I don't really fit into either category and I came to this conclusion not based on my own thoughts but on the fact that neither group fully identifies with me because it is not that simple and I am not easily one or the other. It is extremely frustrating that I am HALF white and HALF black yet other people expect me to choose to identify with one half more than the other half for some reason. Funny how people who have no part in the situation want me to choose whatever opinion they favor rather than get over it and progress, and everyone has an opinion. How can I please all of you?
written by countrygrl, 28 October 2011
I read somewhere that this "biracial" term did not come into play until white females started having children with black men; they did not want to call their children black because it would be too hard on them; and it is especially good if the child looks more white. And to be honest, most biracial do not want to be called black because of what it identifies with. Believe if there was no racism in this country, they would be jumping and screaming on the roof tops.. "I AM NEGRA"!!! I am a fair skinned black girl with green eyes and curly red hair. Most whites, biracials always ask me, "are you mixed"? and when I say no, they get this look on their face; like how dare you be lighter than I am. Just look at the comments to your article.. so much anger. But, I know a lot of whites that do not have a problem with their children being called "black". They are quite proud of it.
written by Jamie, 18 October 2011
I don't agree at all, i'm white and have a BI-RACIAL daughter who is whiter than iam but yet with one drop shes black i dont think so.I grew up around black people all my life and been with my fiance for 13 years. So im just saying it depends on pigment to me my niece is darker than Alicia Keys she relates more with her black friends,my daughter is 2 as long as she knows her history she can have the best of both worlds.
written by Delilah , 29 August 2011
People there is only one race and human species in this world , which is the human race we have not got 10-20 races , the way race is defined and discussed in the west only serves to divide and conquer for the benefit of one group of people who are essentially greedy . I would rather embrace my ethnic origin than put emphasis on the colour of my skin . I am black , this nit a term used where income from to identify people this come about with the European man .
written by sarahWill, 28 August 2011
As a proud BIRACIAL woman I am happy to embrace my two sides which are neither black nor white. I am Filipino/Mexican and my husband is Black/Hawaiian. We completely embrace all cultures but color is not an issue in our house since its not as serious as so many people like to make it. Don't over analyze things and just be proud to be who you are. I will never deny any part of me but I will also not let what I am define who I am.
written by Ronna Keffer, 28 August 2011
I, as a" biracial" woman, couldn't agree more with this. I am black and Irish; however, no matter how proud I am of both my sides, white America still sees me as black. I wear the label proudly, but to balance my physical representation of one half, I have chosen to tattoo traditional Celtic symbols on my body to give an outward representation of my other half. Despite my pride in being both black and Irish, no matter how many times I check all the boxes that apply, the government still calls me black...who is to say they are wrong since I am truly both black and white. While we are on this topic, anyone who says biracial children grow up in a different world where they are not concerned w/such things is delusional. My daughter is a quarter black and very much looks white...maybe Hispanic...but is considered black. She is 2.5 and will proudly tell you she is brownish, almost like her very brown cousins. She identifies herself with her black part...am I to tell her she is wrong? I wont...I will do what my WHITE parents (I am adopted) taught me to do and teach her to be proud of who she is. If she feels her brownish skin is something to boast about proudly than more power to her. Finding pride in yourself is important at any age, and I am happy to say my daughter has found pride in her blackness at such a young age and did not struggle w/where she fits in well into her teens as I did. My daughter proudly announces her browness and yet in the same amount of pride beams w/joy when someone tells her how much she looks like her daddy. To me biracial is a term created by people who are ashamed by the fact that races mix and quite frankly one race came out more physically dominate than another.
written by Teresa Lane, 10 July 2011
Regarding having bi-racial/black children. JuJuBe, you need to chill out or you will make your children the biggest tools ever. Leave them something safe to rebel with like junk food or body piercings.
As the white mother of two boys by a man of African-Caribean decent, I promise you that your concern will not be their concern. They will grow up in a different space and time and society will greet them differently and provide a different experience than you or the black man who will be their father have had.
I too was hyper worried about how my kids self identified and aware of how society would identify them. My (x) husband is dark skinned but our children turned out rather light (due to his father's Lebanese decent). As sometimes happens, without the hair, when they were little they looked like suntanned white boys so I made sure their hair stayed long. I was worried that other people wouldn't read their "blackness".
I usually use the term mixed. It sounds odd for me as a white woman to say I have black children. I do not claim that my children have the same experience as people that are born into families where everybody is of African decent. Through conversations between us and other people, they have grasped the fact that they are bi-racial on one level but when they get out into the big wide world, they are black. If the cops stop you in Mississippi, you will be taken as black men so behave accordingly. I realized my oldest had learned this lesson because when he was in High School, he admitted he wouldn't bother experimenting with drugs because as a black young man, he felt he wouldn't get away with it.
With all this effort put into clarifying things, when their dad and I address racial issues, they think we are a couple of artifacts from the past. I think they are very naive sometime but maybe that's what it takes to ride your childhood into changing the future. They are both very much into justice for all and are disinclined to believe rhetoric from either side of the fence. Boondocks has been a very good tool for explaining many of these complicated subjects.
As the white mother of two boys by a man of African-Caribean decent, I promise you that your concern will not be their concern. They will grow up in a different space and time and society will greet them differently and provide a different experience than you or the black man who will be their father have had.
I too was hyper worried about how my kids self identified and aware of how society would identify them. My (x) husband is dark skinned but our children turned out rather light (due to his father's Lebanese decent). As sometimes happens, without the hair, when they were little they looked like suntanned white boys so I made sure their hair stayed long. I was worried that other people wouldn't read their "blackness".
I usually use the term mixed. It sounds odd for me as a white woman to say I have black children. I do not claim that my children have the same experience as people that are born into families where everybody is of African decent. Through conversations between us and other people, they have grasped the fact that they are bi-racial on one level but when they get out into the big wide world, they are black. If the cops stop you in Mississippi, you will be taken as black men so behave accordingly. I realized my oldest had learned this lesson because when he was in High School, he admitted he wouldn't bother experimenting with drugs because as a black young man, he felt he wouldn't get away with it.
With all this effort put into clarifying things, when their dad and I address racial issues, they think we are a couple of artifacts from the past. I think they are very naive sometime but maybe that's what it takes to ride your childhood into changing the future. They are both very much into justice for all and are disinclined to believe rhetoric from either side of the fence. Boondocks has been a very good tool for explaining many of these complicated subjects.
written by Ada, 15 June 2011
the last thing i want is for a child with 1 black parent and 1 non black parent to call themselves black. its like looking at the child of a black couple and saying "hey, you only NEED ONE BLACK PERSON for the same result!" its insulting to black children and black families.
written by Finnegan, 01 March 2011
I wonder, does this logic apply to ethnicity, as well as race? I, for example, am of mixed Irish and Scottish ancestry; should I identify only with the Irish, because that is the part which suffered the greatest historical oppression? After all, many of the "evils perpetrated by the white race" were perpetrated against other "white" people.
written by Clarissa, 01 March 2011
How about letting the imaginary child in question choose how s/he wants to identify? Why this desire to cannibalize the identity of some one who hasn't even been born yet? It's her race. Let her choose.
written by N, 01 March 2011
What about Creole people? (It's a term not limited to the Southern USA.) That's an identity that people might say is biracial rather than black or white. Dismissing Creole culture and people is really problematic and worrying me. When someone comes from more than one race, as I do, it's my right to choose what I am, as long as it based in honesty. To force an identity upon someone like this reminds me of my family's experience under South African Apartheid.
written by N, 01 March 2011
So those people who identify as Creole should be forced to choose? Creole (another word for biracial) is a recognised cultural identity but it seems some people don't think it is as worthy as other races.
written by Garrett , 01 March 2011
This is one of the most ridiculous articles I have encountered in quite some time. 'Biracial' simply means having parents of two different races - it's used to outline a fact, not pander to white supremacy. If I have an African-American mother and an English father, I call myself biracial because I want to acknowledge both elements of my heritage, not because I want to scale up the whiteness spectrum. And if I was using the word for that reason, I would suggest there are other deeper issues at play that won't at all be resolved by removing 'biracial' from the social vernacular. It's absurd - a word in itself is not the problem, it's the intention and emotion behind its use.
Moreover, the irony here is that this article is actually inherently racist - racism can equally apply to people of white heritage as well, just like gay people can be guilty of sexual discrimination against straight people... it works both ways.
Moreover, the irony here is that this article is actually inherently racist - racism can equally apply to people of white heritage as well, just like gay people can be guilty of sexual discrimination against straight people... it works both ways.
written by pfft, 01 March 2011
so what about biracial people who don't have any white heritage. Way to erase those peeps.
written by ???, 01 March 2011
This article is as racist as it is stupid- why can't you teach your children to be proud of both their heritages? That they are black AND white, and white AND black. I'm white and have ancestry linking me to around six different European nationalities, including ones that colonised and oppressed each other and fought bloody wars against each other over hundreds of years, yet I have no problem with identifying with the good in all of them while learning the lessons of the bad in them. I also identify as an Australian at the same time. And yes it is possible to be racist against your own race. This seems to be more about sparing your children white guilt.
written by Jeff, 26 February 2011
So if someone is half black and half white, they're black. What about 2/3 white? or 3/4? Where do you draw the line?
written by Joanna, 24 February 2011
Terror... that is possible when it is two nonwhite parents. I am specifically referring to children who are nonwhite but have a white parent in this case, and the damage I see many white parents doing to their nonwhite children by encouraging the use of the "biracial" label
written by Joanna, 24 February 2011
Marisa - Why would you discourage it? Because I want my children to be proud Black men and women?? Because I do not want my children to run around saying "I am half white too!"? Because I believe that unity between all non-white people is key to defeating racism? I am not telling you how you should define yourself... but as for my children, I will strongly encourage them to be Black, strong and proud!
written by Marisa, 21 February 2011
I am a biracial woman and I find your article both confusing and mildly ignorant. I know you have a right to your opinion, but I find it very hard to believe you would ever have children with a black man. In fact, given how you feel, I would strongly discourage it. You can get all puffed up and put on airs if you want, but your children would NOT be black. And they would NOT be white. A biracial is a person who, by definition, is neither black nor white. We are both and neither all at the same time. We are a culture and "race" all on our own.
written by Terror, 18 February 2011
I agree on 'biracial' being used to diminish the poc experience of people who have white parents but who are seen as Black. I think that it works differently for non-Black people of colour though, or mixed-race kids of Black and other non-white ancestry, or in places where the "one drop" rule has never applied: http://terror-incognita.tumblr...-you-adopt.
Write comment
CONTRARY TO (the racist-'One-Drop Rule'-based)
MYTH .... there is absolutely NO SUCH THING
as a so-called "Light-Skinned Black' person.
.
In addition, CONTRARY to the exact same
(racist-'One-Drop Rule'-based) MYTH ...
the Black "race" does NOT "come in ALL
shades, colors, hues, tones or arrays".
.
It is Mixed-Race that "comes in ALL shades".
.
HERE ARE LINKS TO A FEW MORE
THOUGHTS ON THIS VERY TOPIC:
.
http://www.facebook.com/groups/253286018082418/permalink/253341281410225
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Generation-Mixed/message/4160
.
http://www.facebook.com/groups/253286018082418/permalink/253341891410164
.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Generation-Mixed/message/4162
.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Generation-Mixed/message/4187
.
http://www.facebook.com/groups/253286018082418/permalink/253342398076780
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Generation-Mixed/message/4157
.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Generation-Mixed/message/4154
.
http://www.facebook.com/allpeople.gifts/posts/309460495741441
.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Generation-Mixed/message/4153
.
http://www.facebook.com/allpeople.gifts/posts/300777016632181
.
MORE THOUGHTS:
.
http://www.facebook.com/notes/allpeople-gifts/the-facts-on-mixed-race/321878451159708
.
http://www.facebook.com/allpeople.gifts/posts/164203590359746
.
http://www.facebook.com/groups/253286018082418
.
http://www.facebook.com/groups/251823631562712
.