Opinions on calling Obama Black instead of Multiracial

[glinda]

This has been on my mind for quite some time and I have wondered why he is not accurately described as Multiracial or Mixed Race.

[EFerrari]

1. Because that's how he identifies himself. n/t

[cyndensco]

4. That's it in a nutshell.

[Fuzz]

16. Bingo. No other answer necessary

[LiberalHeart]

27. On MTV, when an interviewer said he was black he corrected it --

said he was bi-racial (or maybe he said multi). I didn't hear this myself; I was told this by a bi-racial teenage girl who was happy to hear him say that.

(edited to add missing word)

[EFerrari]

31. I'd double check that because it seems as though

he identifies himself as black and very thoughtfully.

I'm Heinz 57 myself, lol, and publicly so.

[LiberalHeart]

34. The source for this info is very, very good at recounting what she hears.

When she was a small child, I read a story to her and then walked with her to the library where she was to give a report to the librarian on the story. When we got there, she recited whole sections of the book precisely as written. Over the years I have heard her recount conversations that I also had heard and her accuracy is tip-top, so I believed her. But, as I said, I didn't see the broadcast myself.

[ilrslr3]

38. Obama Race

:) He has spoken in the past about his White Heritage, as I
remember he has said he was a distant cousin of Cheney.

[EFerrari]

39. Welcome to DU. Yes, he has a joke about Cheney.

:)

[peacebird]

2. probably in some quarters because "1 drop of black blood = black"

:shrug:

an appeal to racism?

[Tallison]

21. Yeah, that's always troubled me

as though it were a 'taint.' I think it's best practice to defer to how a person identifies him or herself, although tradition constricts their options.

[malaise]

28. Let me try and explain this as a black (mixed) woman

If the dominant socio-economic and political group writes laws declaring you inferior and practices institutional racism, and a minority group accepts you as their own, you identify with that group.
It's funny because in one family you will find people insisting that they are mixed and others who are very happy being described as black - Afro-American; Afro-West Indian whatever.

Every time the establishment describe him as black they reinforce that racism and exclusion (the one-drop doctrine). On the other hand he's comfortable being black, just like me and millions of others.
Clearly that does not make the reinforcement of racial stereotypes right.

When it gets confusing is when people who are darker than you say you're not black enough. That is prejudice but it is different from institutional racism.

The first great West Indian batsman, George Headley, arrived in Australia to play a cricket series and was filling out an immigration form which included black or white for race. He scratched out both and put African - that was 1931. Muhammad Ali said it best - I'm black and beautiful.

As I watch him here, I'm trying to remember what Gramps said. He's so damned intelligent and cute - I'd have his baby if I wasn't post menopausal :rofl:

[Tallison]

35. Thank you for this response

The social psychology of any group identification fascinates me. Ethnicity, as nebulous a concept as it is, is the most predictable source of social identification. 'Race,' as an even more problematic anthropological notion, compounds the complexity of social organization by adding appearance as a variable. There are so many shades of 'black' in the US. I have a light-complected 'black' co-worker with an Irish last name, 'O'Leary.' Of any other person I'd have asked, "Are you part Irish?" But with her, I demurred, and I'm not sure if I was right or wrong to have. God knows, she's as likely to be part Irish as the next white person; right? So why the reluctance?

I'll forever live with unanswered questions about what it's like to live as a minority in a society.

[Tim4319]

3. It's called the "One Drop Rule"

Throughout history, if a white woman had a baby by a black man, or if a black woman had a baby by a white man, that baby was known to be black. Here is a definition of the "One Drop Rule":

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_drop_rule

The one-drop rule is a historical colloquial term in the United States that holds that a person with any trace of African ancestry is considered black unless having an alternative non-white ancestry which he or she can claim, such as Native American, Asian, Arab, or Australian aboriginal.<1> It developed most strongly out of the binary culture of long years of institutionalized slavery.

This notion of invisible/intangible membership in a "racial" group has seldom been applied to people of Native American ancestry (see Race in the United States for details). The concept has been chiefly applied to those of black African ancestry. As Langston Hughes wrote, "You see, unfortunately, I am not black. There are lots of different kinds of blood in our family. But here in the United States, the word 'Negro' is used to mean anyone who has any Negro blood at all in his veins. In Africa, the word is more pure. It means all Negro, therefore black. I am brown."<2>

During the Black Pride era of the Civil Rights Movement, the stigma associated with sub-Saharan ancestry was turned to a socio-political advantage.<3>

[EFerrari]

5. Only if you allow other people to define you or, if you agree

that other people can define you.

[Tim4319]

12. No, that is actually history.

For example, Thomas Jefferson had black descendent's, and they were not allowed to bury the remains of those descendent's at Monticello. Was it do to the way their defined by other people? No. It was because they were classified as being black. They had black blood running through their veins, so they were not entitled to the same benefits as their white family members.

[EFerrari]

14. That's right. It's history.

[glinda]

8. Then why is it required on forms?

Many people when they fill out forms will say they are mixed race. I am in a mixed marriage. I am coming from not having grown up with prejudice as a regular part of my life. I know many people have though. Is it a disservice to actually keep saying this about Obama? I will bet that many people do not even know that his mother was white. I think it important right now to make this distinction given the unfortunate state of some people's hatred or bias. But then again what do I know. I only do know that people are shallow. Of course I suppose the media actually started saying that McLame's groups would say "oh he changed it and is denying his race'.

[qwlauren35]

24. If people don't know, it's because they don't want to.

Pictures of his mother and mother's family were all over the place during the convention.

However, "mixed race" is not a common term in America. "Bi-racial" is, and he could use this if he chose. And you can call him bi-racial if you choose. However, as others have said, having a white parent doesn't help you get a cab in New York.

What many African-American slavery descendants point out is that Obama is NOT an African-American slave descendant. In fact, he's literally "half-African". However, you would be surprised how many people don't think it through.

The only thing I can think is that only a subset of Americans really want to know the details of his background. For some, it's irrelevant because what matters is his policies. And sadly, for many Americans, Obama's background is not relevant because they simply go by what they see, and they see a man whom they do not consider "white"... and "half-white" doesn't cut it.

I sense that you are non-American. Because mixed-race is used in many other countries in the world... but not here.

[rebel with a cause]

29. This may come to a shock to you,

since you have grown up without knowledge of prejudice as a regular part of your life, but some people are more prejudice against those of mixed race than they are of those with pure African or other heritage. They feel that someone of mixed race is a result of an unholy union. That the parents of this child committed a sin by mixing and the child then becomes a part of the sin and is unclean. There is no clear cut outlook on prejudice and racism, because ignorance is undefinable.

If you are young and are having children, I would encourage you to do some research on how children of mixed heritages are treated and seen by those who are ignorant and racist. Especially if you are white, you need to prepare yourself for what your children may go through. I have raised two children who have faced this type of idealism from people both ethnically white and those of other ethnicities. I was unprepared for what my children would face, since I had not faced it myself, and my children were identified as Latino.

[glinda]

42. Oh

I am too old to have children and have none anyways. Very interesting information. I was not aware of this other aspect.

[slackmaster]

9. I've always heard that called the Octoroon Rule, and it's bullshit wherever the level is set

Barack Obama is a mixed-race American regardless of what he calls himself. (And I do respect his right to identify himself any way he wants to, but the facts of his genetic heritage are undeniable.)

[EFerrari]

22. The "facts" of his "genetic" heritage don't say anything until

a political agenda tries to construe them.

[slackmaster]

26. The same is true of his self-identification

Goose, gander.

[EFerrari]

30. Well, no.

Unless you yourself credit every random person that tries to define you with the same authority you have to define yourself.

[bunkerbuster1]

6. I think it has to do with how difficult it is to hail a cab.

Not to trivialize it, but I'm pretty sure that's how Obama himself has responded when asked if he's "black."

Anyway, it's not like there are literally any "black" or "white" folks out there.

[Hekate]

7. Self-identification. Since he's actually 1/2 African and 1/2 Euro-American...

... and looks it, the "one-drop" rule has little to do with it in any case.

That said, aside from color he looks so much like his mother's dad when he was a young man. I keep wondering where he got that thousand-watt smile, though.

Hekate

[glinda]

10. Dad

Of course they rarely played the Documentary on him but instead played McLame's at better hours for people and sometimes even played McLame's when the tv said it was Obama's on. But they described his father's smile.

[blue2helix]

11. How about "President"

[EFerrari]

17. That's sounds right to me.

lol

:woohoo:

[SmokingJacket]

13. Most African-Americans have some white ancestors.

Most of them consider themselves "black." So does Obama.

Black, in America, has never meant "100% pure blood African."

[EFerrari]

19. Henry Louis Gates, a man I adore, did this great series

that tried to track notable black people's people back through our American history.

The results were amazing, both for their DNA and for their impact on our culture. :)

http://www.africandna.com/about.aspx

[radfringe]

15. the only thing I want to call him is PRESIDENT OBAMA... n/t

[TahitiNut]

18. When he looks out at the world, just what do you suppose he's seen?

When he walked down the street after dinner one evening in your neighborhood, what do you think he saw??

We ALL see a different world ... a world of people who look at us on the street in a mall or in an interview and display their reactions, biases, impressions, and lusts. A black man SEES a different world than a "pretty young thing" who SEES a different world than an overweight Hispanic kid who SEES a different world than a skinny white kid who SEES a different world than ... and so on.

We can only imagine what others see ... and the effect it has on their sense of having a place in that world.

We are each ... every one of us ... part of the world another human being sees. Maybe ... just maybe ... we can think about our part in CREATING their world.

Then again ... maybe not. :shrug:
(Back to American Idol.)

[rebel with a cause]

32. There is a saying that we see ourselves

as we are reflected in the other person's eyes.

I identify myself as white because everyone identifies me as such. If everyone identifies you as Black/Latino/Asian/American Indian/etc, then you see yourself as such. If everyone identifies you as fat, then you see your self as such. (trust me that no one really sees themselves as a big fat slob. ;)) If everyone identifies you as mentally deficient, then you see your self as that.

This is the same thing (I think) that you said, only said in a different way. It is why we need to be careful in how we define our fellow human beings, and especially our own children and the children of others.

[TahitiNut]

37. "Oh, if I could write the beauty of her eyes! I was born to look in them and know myself."

Is it any wonder that such could be the expression of a deep and abiding love?

I think most of us understand that we've all adopted a facade ... a lifetime's collection of postures, fashions, habits, discretions, and 'social mores' that form a kind of costume. As well, we know that we will find ourselves the object of some displaced blame ... sometimes in an instant and sometimes for longer ... from those who, in fact or in fancy, sustained some injury at the hand of someone in a similar costume. Thankfully, we're also careful to not be COMPLETE in masking some ephemeral, ineffable 'true' being ... a being that's made of "star stuff" and has capacities and potentials and innate worth beyond gold or base metal.

... and when someone SEES that ... and allows us to see it in return. Wow.

it's

so damn sweet when Anybody—
yes;no

matter who,some

total(preferably
blond
of course)

or on the other

well
your oldest
pal
for instance(or

;why

even
i
suppose
one
's wife)

—does doesn't unsays says looks smiles

or simply Is
what makes
you feel you
aren't

6 or 6

teen or sixty
000,000
anybodyelses—

but for once

(imag
-ine)

You

— e. e. cummings

[tannybogus]

47. My favorite poet!! nt

[TahitiNut]

49. Yup... he's tops in my book, too. That particular poem has been my favorite for 38 years.

I received it as a gift, hand-written in calligraphy on nice vellum, from a former nun who was working as a flight attendant (a "stewardess" at the time). A friend of a friend who became my friend, she was one of several folks who helped me 'recover' from Viet Nam and get my head straight. In presenting that poem, she was also conveying to me an acknowledgement of the most important MUTUAL element in our relationship. It was really quite profound at the time. Still is, imho.

[Apollo11]

20. Let's call him American

Born in the USA to an American mother. Raised by Americans to believe in the promise of America.

The other side pretends that only John McCain would be "an American President" ...

[JustAnotherGen]

23. Fair question

I was sitting at the Bar Du Port in St. Tropez this past May . . . the bartender asked, "What are you? Where are you from?"

I answered, after doing this thing where I glance away in case I get a blow, "American".

Guy looks shocked/embarrassed.

Comes back and I've figured out what he was REALLY asking me.

So I told him.


I think Barack Identifies as black in America because its' easier.

Outside of America, he probably identifies as I do - American.

At the end of the day, it's just easier to 'pass as black' in light of the perception of other Americans. I thank God every day I look the way I do. Don't get me wrong, people mis-take me for North African, Brazilian, Columbian, etc. etc. a lot - but the light goes on when I tell them what I am.

BTW - My grandparents:
1 is French/Irish
1 is German
1 is Black/Seminole
1 is Black/Irish/Cherokee

Go figure why I get the question! :rofl:

[dddem]

25. Years ago I had a friend (white woman) who married a black man.

I remember her being upset when she had her first chid because they listed her daughter as 'black' on the birth certificate. She wanted it to be listed as bi-racial, but in those days (20 or so years ago), that was not an option. So, to make a short story long. my friend's children were legally black, even though their mother was white.
Peace.

[liberalpragmatist]

33. African-Americans are a hybrid community as is

Virtually ALL African-Americans have a mixed racial heritage. Virtually all African-Americans who are descended from slaves have white ancestry and many have Native American ancestry as well.

I have seen Obama himself point this out -- the African-American community is itself a hybrid. He's not much less "black" than many other self-identified "blacks."

Since "race" is really just skin deep, ultimately, the fact that he "looks" black makes him "black" to most people. And the black community accepts him that way.

Obama doesn't in any way deny or try to minimize his white heritage -- he grew up with his white family, after all. But given that the African-American community IS a mixed-race group, Obama himself sees no contradiction between citing that white heritage and calling himself "black" or "African-American."

[anitar1]

36. What a blessing it will be when

we no longer have to label anyone. They can just be a man or a woman and forget all of the labeling. I do not refer to Obama as anything but Barack Obama.A beautiful human being who is looking pretty tired these days.

[MellowDem]

40. Personally, I think it is childish...

a notion based on the one-drop rule, a rule originally created by slave masters, that is ironically now pushed by many black leaders as a way to inflate the black population and therefore have more voters and political power (supposedly). In reality, it is just another incredibly depressing symptom of identity politics that keeps old notions of race alive and well in a society that is superficial enough already.

Thankfully, most Americans are almost totally ignorant to all of this, which is good, because it's a really sad thing to be aware of.

[madokie]

41. I just see him as another fine American

who tans a little easier than I do and thats saying a lot.

[Imagevision]

43. Barack Obama, the Democratic presidential nominee...

[rcsl1998]

44. A Person Of Color

A friend of mine refers to himself as a person of color. I had adopted that term whenever a need arose to refer to race, but I defer to whatever term someone classifies themselves as.

[Alexander]

45. I would consider him black, white, and biracial. (All three!)

He's also half Irish if I'm not mistaken.

[AtomicKitten]

46. I call him Barack Obama.

[Mari3333]

48. human genome project

shows that everyone on earth comes from 15 clan mothers in africa, according to mitochondrial dna studies. basically, that makes every human being on earth having the same ancestors from africa.
kind of nips all the racial stuff in the bud, and finds common ground.