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I really believe it's all about the child's upbringing. If you raise the child to accept and love both sides, they will. Anyhow, I do find it interesting that in most instances, the mixed children of black guys often identify as 'black,' while the mixed children of white men, tend to identify as 'mixed.'
I can't speak for all, but I am black and have a son who has a white dad. My son self-identifies as black, although most strangers assume he's Italian or Latino. My mom had a white mother and black father, and she also considers herself black. On the other hand, she has a sister who has always considered herself white, married white, and lives in the white world. In other words, she "passes" for white. Sadly, her children and grandchildren aren't even aware of their black ancestry. While she stays in touch with her siblings, all whom identify as black, she has never brought her husband or children around her black relatives. I have no idea how she has managed this lifestyle, but she has gone on cruises with my mother, and never misses a family wedding or funeral, but she is always alone. In my opinion, that's sad. Different strokes.
However, in response to the OP, I have never given it a thought. My race and gender are inextricably connected. It is simply who I am.
I really believe it's all about the child's upbringing. If you raise the child to accept and love both sides, they will. Anyhow, I do find it interesting that in most instances, the mixed children of black guys often identify as 'black,' while the mixed children of white men, tend to identify as 'mixed.'
Where'd you get that from?
I'm mixed with a black father and I identify as mixed. So do plenty of other biracials that have black fathers. And by the same token there are lots of mixed people who have white fathers and identify as black.
It totally depends on the individual's experience, history, culture, relationships with parents/family/where they grew up, etc. There are myriad reasons (of which parentage is but one) why a mixed person may choose to identify as mixed, black, or white. Yes, some mixed people identify as white.
.....and neither is how he chooses to self identify.
Damn, since when in this country does a black person have to PROVE he's black? When did this little development begin? Used to be that if you were a little too swarthy, you might have some problems. Now, a black man can't be black even if he wants to be.
I know when it started. Sometime around November 2008.
No one is arguing about what your son chooses to self-identify as. Any one can choose to identify themselves as whatever it is that they want. If your son wants to wake up tomorrow and "self identify" as a spotted toad...that's his individual choice. I'm sure he'll have his own reasons as you have already mentioned. But it doesn't mean the rest of us will agree with him though--and that's what's not up for debate.
I'm a black woman and I see myself as black first. It is such a huge part of who I am and most of my experiences in life are as a result of my race, not my gender. I love everything about being a black woman.
re: biracial/multiracial children. While I may label them as Black, the ultimate decision is with the person. I'm not going to argue with someone and insist they say they are black/mixed/etc. If a mixed person says he/she is black/white/mixed, that's good enough for me and I will respect their decision.
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