The Study of Racialism

Andrew Waters · Posted: Thu 26 Jul 2007 05:24 Post subject:

G-man said, ''It could be due to the possibility that everyone sees the two of you as being from the same tribe.''

Bingo! This sure was on my mind too.

Powell · Guru Joined: 27 Nov 2004 {Posts: 2462 }

mixedmom · Moderator Joined: 27 Nov 2004 {Posts: 782 }

G-Man · Moderator Joined: 27 Nov 2004 {Posts: 2992 }

pianoplayer111 · Wizard Joined: 16 May 2007 {Posts: 429 }

Congratulations to your daughter, Mr. Waters! I know her educational experience at university will pay off. You must be very proud of her.

I sort of did have the feeling that you identify as "black" only. I suppose we all choose an identity that is in line with who we are culturally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. I tried to identify as "black" when I was very young but it was near impossible. Not because I didn't know anything about various types of black culture, but because as young as I was, it didn't feel like "me". I wasn't being true to myself. Now I identify as biracial in the company of some people and White when in the company of others (and this can mean people of any background).

I remember when I was a student and I referred to myself as black once. You could've heard a pin drop in that room! The folks I was speaking with looked at one another, looked at me, and burst into laughter. One person said, "You're not black, honey...why would you say that?" It was then that I realized how different I seemed in other people's eyes. Wink

pianoplayer111 · Wizard Joined: 16 May 2007 {Posts: 429 }

Well, here's how I see it, Ms. Powell...

the one-drop rule is almost like a guilt trip. This means that in a sense one is blinded to the fact that they look no different from "white people" because they have been conditioned to have a "black" identity. People feel that identifying as anything but Black is pretty much siding with the "enemy" (oh, those evil white folks! Laughing

)

I know an older fellow in his 60's who says that whites are the most inherently evil people in this world. A broad statement about an entire race, isn't it? Never mind the fact that he had an outside affair with a White woman (who behaves in a stereotypically "black" way) and would speak proudly of her blonde hair and green eyes. He had a daughter with her, too, and this girl grew up extremely confused about her identity. This person often attempts to "one-drop" me by saying that I'm in "denial". In denial of what, I ask? My phenotype and my life experiences say it all. Only we can speak to our own personal experiences and why we self-identify the way we do.

pianoplayer111 · Wizard Joined: 16 May 2007 {Posts: 429 }

I see myself as being the same as whites, both physically and culturally. I definitely appreciate certain facets of "black" culture (like Jamaican food and different types of music) but there are many facets of "white" culture that I identify with, too.

I have no siblings on my mother's side. My father had numerous affairs many years ago with different women of different races and all his children look very different. Of course, only one of my half-sisters (who is older than me by twelve years) lives in this state. She was shocked the first time we met because she didn't expect me to look like this. When I visited her at work, there were looks of bewilderment all around when I introduced myself to her coworkers. Her mother is black and she has none of my father's features at all. She is brown-skinned with a slightly Asian look and short, kinky hair.

G-Man · Moderator Joined: 27 Nov 2004 {Posts: 2992 }

pianoplayer111 · Wizard Joined: 16 May 2007 {Posts: 429 }

Actually, I disagree...it is definitely a facet of black culture. Afro-Caribbean culture, that is. Black American culture? No...but then, I have no "black Americans" in my family.

pianoplayer111 · Wizard Joined: 16 May 2007 {Posts: 429 }

Whoops! I asked a friend just now if she considered it to be part of black culture and she said no. Looks like you're right about that. Sorry... Embarassed