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Most African-Americans are at the 25-30% percent range, as has been repeated throughout this thread. That's why there would be a logical "cutoff" of 25% or so to say one is "African-American."
To say that every African American is "biracial" makes meaningless both terms. Or, to paraphrase one of my favorite animated movies, "If everyone is biracial, then nobody is biracial."
But the word does mean something because cops, hiring managers, prospective fiancee's parents, and others still have attitudes one way or another about people who look African-American.
No, if everybody is biracial, then everybody is biracial!
Then, we have taken a giant step toward changing perceptions!
What ratio do you feel would deserve to be called "mixed"?
50 50 or close to those percentages. 60 40. I refuse to call African Americans mixed because on average they are a minuscule 20-25% that is outrageous. It is a double standard to cry about the one drop rule but deny African Americans the right to call themselves black because they have equivalent one white grandparent despite generationally being nothing but black.
It is absolutely absurd and considering the history between the two groups African Americans do not have to acknowledge nor accept the small admixture. I know no one is saying this on this topic but on several forms their is some idea that because African Americans have small admixture they are a mixed ethnicity and therefore aren't true black people and attempt to further seperate them from Africa more then they already are. It is defiantly not their fault they are over here or the women raped. (Not saying all slave owners or relations were rapest/rape)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Octa
No offense, but who are you to determine how someone defines him or herself?
No offense, but who are you to even question me? It is my opinion and I think it makes sense.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ralph_Kirk
Most African-Americans are at the 25-30% percent range, as has been repeated throughout this thread. That's why there would be a logical "cutoff" of 25% or so to say one is "African-American."
To say that every African American is "biracial" makes meaningless both terms. Or, to paraphrase one of my favorite animated movies, "If everyone is biracial, then nobody is biracial."
But the word does mean something because cops, hiring managers, prospective fiancee's parents, and others still have attitudes one way or another about people who look African-American.
50 50 or close to those percentages. 60 40. I refuse to call African Americans mixed because on average they are a minuscule 20-25% that is outrageous. It is a double standard to cry about the one drop rule but deny African Americans the right to call themselves black because they have equivalent one white grandparent despite generationally being nothing but black.
It is absolutely absurd and considering the history between the two groups African Americans do not have to acknowledge nor accept the small admixture. I know no one is saying this on this topic but on several forms their is some idea that because African Americans have small admixture they are a mixed ethnicity and therefore aren't true black people and attempt to further seperate them from Africa more then they already are. It is defiantly not their fault they are over here or the women raped. (Not saying all slave owners or relations were rapest/rape)
The mixture is there whether one is a "white" with 5% African genetic heritage or "black" with 20% European heritage.
The admixture is a fact.
No one can separate an African American from his African heritage unless he allows it, no matter what degree the admixture is.
Anyone is free to choose the culture with which he identifies, whether the admixture is 50% African/50% European or 75% African/25% European. And anyone with any admixture ratio is free to identify himself as biracial (or multi-racial) if he desires. No one can "deny African Americans the right to call themselves black". That includes those who have been surprised to find their European admixture was far greater than 20%.
P.S. I do not think the "one drop rule" is an issue any more.
The mixture is there whether one is a "white" with 5% African genetic heritage or "black" with 20% European heritage.
The admixture is a fact.
No one can separate an African American from his African heritage unless he allows it, no matter what degree the admixture is.
Anyone is free to choose the culture with which he identifies, whether the admixture is 50% African/50% European or 75% African/25% European. And anyone with any admixture ratio is free to identify himself as biracial (or multi-racial) if he desires. No one can "deny African Americans the right to call themselves black". That includes those who have been surprised to find their European admixture was far greater than 20%.
P.S. I do not think the "one drop rule" is an issue any more.
I agree with you, admixture is admixture, however I just think acknowledging it is irrelevant.
I agree with you, admixture is admixture, however I just think acknowledging it is irrelevant.
Acknowledging it is up to you, of course.
However, when we finally accept that all of us are "mixed", just some more than others, we can sound the death knell for racism. Other prejudices may linger, but skin color will become no more important than the color of the car you drive. Also, maybe then we can appreciate cultural differences without being threatened by them.
No, if everybody is biracial, then everybody is biracial!
No, if everyone is biracial, then the word means nothing.
But everyone is not biracial because as a practical social matter on the street, the word "biracial" really means "racially ambiguous."
Otherwise, the prefix "bi" means "two," not "multiple." Those people who claim the term "biracial" generally mean that each of their parents is a distinctive race.
Most X-Genners and Millennials appear to be unaware that for the last hundred years, "colorism" among African-Americans led many to favor marrying only those who are light-skinned.
Because interracial marriages with blacks was illegal in the majority of states until 1967 (and at some point in history in all states except Hawaii and Alaska), the credo of "don't marry anyone darker than you" is what led to the great majority the "biracial-looking" light skinned African Americans of the War, Boomer, and X- generations. A light-skinned black person of those generations will more likely be the result of two light-skinned black parents--or a random selection of genes between two darker-skinned parents--than an interracial marriage. They are not bi-racial, just light-skinned.
However, when we finally accept that all of us are "mixed", just some more than others, we can sound the death knell for racism. Other prejudices may linger, but skin color will become no more important than the color of the car you drive. Also, maybe then we can appreciate cultural differences without being threatened by them.
But we have a majority in America who are quite fond of the race that they are--it conveys to them great social privilege and status...so that's not going to happen for at least another hundred years.
That's the point. The sooner we get to the point where race means nothing, the better.
I thought that was happening 40 years ago. I discovered over the last few years that the US is as far from it now as it was in 1960. I realize now that it's not happening until at least the Boomers are dead.
I thought that was happening 40 years ago. I discovered over the last few years that the US is as far from it now as it was in 1960. I realize now that it's not happening until at least the Boomers are dead.
Maybe. But some of us boomers have been ready for it since the 60s.
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