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The reason that many Latino groups with African heritage are not considered black by some, is that they fought against that label when they arrived in the USA. I believe it was in the 60's when quite a few Puerto Ricans came to the East coast area, and were shocked to run into people calling them (and sometimes discriminating against them) black. I'm not history prof. on this subject, but I do know they are one of the few groups to raise a fuss and say "we are not black!". It certainly wasn't something that happened naturally, people spoke up and demanded that they be identified the way they identified themselves, rather than being labeled according to physical attributes.
But if the "one drop rule" actually does apply to that extent today, why would almost no one consider your typical NYC Puerto Rican (I'm making these numbers up, but: 75% white, 25% black) to be "black" ? Many people do consider mixed-race Dominicans (who tend to be equally black as they are white) to be "black," but there are many other Latino groups who the general populace does NOT consider "black" despite their mixed lineage. I'm just curious to know what you think because I didn't really think that people went by the "one drop rule" anymore. I can understand someone being 1/2 black (Obama, for instance) to be considered "black" but I have known people who are 1/8-1/4 (and even some Hispanic people who were 1/2!!) black who weren't considered "black."
Benicar, this is really random, but I learned what the term "high yellow" meant in college. I used to be in a choir in which most of the members were African-American and I asked a few of them why they kept referring to this one light-skinned black girl as "yellow" and they explained it to me.
Most likely, "they" simply don't consider themselves black, and respond to racial data accordingly. My son is a prime example. He could certainly "choose" to classify himself as anything other than black, if he so desired. However, he "chooses" to consider himself as black.
In the past, the government made that determination. Now, I believe it’s basically left to individual discretion for biracial citizens. If you “look” white and have two black parents, you could most likely claim that as your race. My aunt is half-white, but looks white. She chose to live the life of a white woman. No one has ever questioned her race, and I doubt they ever will.
Yes, “high yellow” is an old label. People such as Vanessa Williams are considered high yellow by other blacks.
Most likely, "they" simply don't consider themselves black, and respond to racial data accordingly. My son is a prime example. He could certainly "choose" to classify himself as anything other than black, if he so desired. However, he "chooses" to consider himself as black.
In the past, the government made that determination. Now, I believe it’s basically left to individual discretion for biracial citizens. If you “look” white and have two black parents, you could most likely claim that as your race. My aunt is half-white, but looks white. She chose to live the life of a white woman. No one has ever questioned her race, and I doubt they ever will.
Yes, “high yellow” is an old label. People such as Vanessa Williams are considered high yellow by other blacks.
Even DNA testing is not totally accurate.
One 'Black' man had his tested-------------and, received a huge shock. He had no Sub Saharan African heritage at all. Apparently; this guy was 65% White, 30% American Indian and ca. 5% East Asian.
One 'Black' man had his tested-------------and, received a huge shock. He had no Sub Saharan African heritage at all. Apparently; this guy was 65% White, 30% American Indian and ca. 5% East Asian.
It just proves you never know. I have a group of cousins who recently discovered they have Asian roots on their father's side. That was also a shock. Their family's surname is Lee, but no one ever made the connection, although some have slight Asian features. Now we understand.
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I used to be in a choir in which most of the members were African-American and I asked a few of them why they kept referring to this one light-skinned black girl as "yellow" and they explained it to me.
