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But what does that mean - that he's clearly biracial? So you are trying to tell me, that if you saw Obama walking down the street you wouldn't see him as a black man? I don't think so - I am about the same complexion and have green eyes and NOBODY has ever mistaken me (or any of my light skinned relatives) for anything other than black. The reality is that is Obama was Jamal from down the block he would be just another black dude.
~ButterBrownBiscuit~
Quote:
Originally Posted by OhBeeHave
I'm not trying to diminish anyone's blackness or whiteness, if I have offended, I am sorry.
In the case of the POTUS he is clearly biracial -- black father from Africa, white mother from Kansas. He has admitted to self-identifying as black, which is understandable given his experiences facing prejudice. That written, the census is not about prejudice.
While the black person in America might have some caucasian lineage, one has to wonder how far back it would be. A few months ago, while raising funds to support the preservation of a building of local historic importance, an older woman hissed at me, "Might as well tear it down. Nothing but trouble-making octoroons lived in there when I was growing up." She was talking about someone who was the 4th generation descendant of the African American family line.
Given the percentages you've given, and based upon the results of African American Lives, I should check black as well as white. My Puerto Rican ancestors could very well have borne children with an African during that terrible period in our history. Yet if you were to look at me, I make Casper the Friendly Ghost look tan.
Which brings us to your point of race being socially constructed. If we wish to eliminate race, what better way than multi-racial people stating that they are multi-racial, as opposed to denying it?
But what does that mean - that he's clearly biracial? So you are trying to tell me, that if you saw Obama walking down the street you wouldn't see him as a black man? I don't think so - I am about the same complexion and have green eyes and NOBODY has ever mistaken me (or any of my light skinned relatives) for anything other than black. The reality is that is Obama was Jamal from down the block he would be just another black dude.
~ButterBrownBiscuit~
Obama self-identifies as black -- no argument there as he has skin tone and features which are clearly black. Self identify is not the same as actual genetic make up. He had an African father and a caucasian mother. He is of mixed descent. I do not suggest the POTUS say he is biracial -- although he did use that as a campaign strategy in the more conservative mid west. I am not asking the President to deny his heritage; I only question why a man who was raised by his white family feels the need to deny this portion of his racial heritage on the census?
I could simply check off black -- after all, my PR gggg grandparent might have born a mixed race child, and I apparently have a booty that all but confirms it. But as it is not clear -- I am working on my ancestry and am only into the early 1800's on the Hispanic side -- I check off a single race -- white -- until I confirm otherwise.
The President could help bring people together by acknowledging that there are many multiracial people in this country -- intelligent, attractive, athletic people who make us all proud. As has previously been mentioned on this thread, some black people have a trace of European ancestry, and white people have a trace of African ancestry. Is there some shame to be had acknowledging, yes, my mom is white, my dad is black on the census form? It doesn't diminish who our President is or what he stands for.
This census won't be publicly available until 70 years from now. No one will know what you or I personally checked off until that time. Maybe I am being a stickler for wanting to accurately represent my neighborhood. Life isn't solely black, white, yellow or red anymore.
Cornel West is not an extremist and Farrakhan, who is, is nonetheless right on the money when he states there is a danger of Obama being killed by a nut. People who spit on Congressmen and call Jim Clyburn a "******" are capable of anything . And the teabaggers are egging them on.
Clyburn is a LIAR! They were all liars and have never provided proof anything happened. Obama is at no mare risk than any president before him.
Liberals, wrapping their arms around the racist and radicals, as usual.
Obama self-identifies as black -- no argument there as he has skin tone and features which are clearly black. Self identify is not the same as actual genetic make up. He had an African father and a caucasian mother. He is of mixed descent. I do not suggest the POTUS say he is biracial -- although he did use that as a campaign strategy in the more conservative mid west. I am not asking the President to deny his heritage; I only question why a man who was raised by his white family feels the need to deny this portion of his racial heritage on the census?
I could simply check off black -- after all, my PR gggg grandparent might have born a mixed race child, and I apparently have a booty that all but confirms it. But as it is not clear -- I am working on my ancestry and am only into the early 1800's on the Hispanic side -- I check off a single race -- white -- until I confirm otherwise.
The President could help bring people together by acknowledging that there are many multiracial people in this country -- intelligent, attractive, athletic people who make us all proud. As has previously been mentioned on this thread, some black people have a trace of European ancestry, and white people have a trace of African ancestry. Is there some shame to be had acknowledging, yes, my mom is white, my dad is black on the census form? It doesn't diminish who our President is or what he stands for.
This census won't be publicly available until 70 years from now. No one will know what you or I personally checked off until that time. Maybe I am being a stickler for wanting to accurately represent my neighborhood. Life isn't solely black, white, yellow or red anymore.
By saying he is black does not mean that Obama is denying his heritage. Thing is, there have always been biracial and multiracial people in America. Folks act like this is a recent phenomenon. It's just that whites have always excluded from their ranks anyone who had a trace of Native or African ancestry, and therefore, anyone who was mixed was either black (in most cases) or Native (in some cases). It's not that some black people have a trace of European (or non African) ancestry. Realistically, the majority of blacks have more than a trace of European ancestry. Henry Louis Gates says that 58 percent of African Americans have at least 12.5 percent European ancestry, 19.6 percent have at least 25 percent European ancestry, 1 percent have at least 50 percent European ancestry, and 5 percent have at least 12.5 percent Native American ancestry.
I recently had my admixture analyzed and came out 58% African, 27% European, and 15% Asian (in my case it is Native American and Chinese). I look like your average black guy.
And even the notion of you being 58% African requires the homogenization of the genetic diversity of Africa. Trying to look at race from a biological standpoint will get you pretty much nowhere. Race is a social construct, or more accurately, a discursive formation. When Obama walks around, people will identify him as black and treat him as such.
And even the notion of you being 58% African requires the homogenization of the genetic diversity of Africa. Trying to look at race from a biological standpoint will get you pretty much nowhere. Race is a social construct, or more accurately, a discursive formation. When Obama walks around, people will identify him as black and treat him as such.
Yes, it is true that folks like Obama and me (and your garden variety Cape Verdean) are simply thought of as black folks. I am very much aware that race is a construct, but in this society (and many others) it is of overriding importance. Also, when mentioning my African roots in terms of admixture, I am referring specifically to the West African origins of the majority of the slaves who were dispersed throughout the Americas during the period of slavery.
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