The Study of Racialism

erasmusinfinity · Mentor Joined: 07 Dec 2008 {Posts: 262 }

I recognize that there are many forms of bi-racial identity and am here specifically intending to discuss matters pertaining to black-white biracial identity. My thought is that there are two main possible reasons for persons who have both African and European ancestry to embrace a biracial identity in this context, that I can think of. Perhaps there are more.

The first reason is that some feel that they should not have to choose sides in a polarity that they do not regard as scientifically consistent or valid and/or that they find to be oppressive in some way. So, rather then trying to fight the social uphill battle of insisting that they are not a race, they embrace "both sides" as a means of expressing solidarity or affiliation with everyone. This choice could apply to persons culturally raised by one "black" and one "white" parent, persons who are raised outside of the US black-white dyad system and then move into it, persons who were culturally raised under one of the two established designations and wish to break free from it, or simply persons who are supporters of the notion that choice of any identity and not just the two established ones is an inalienable right that ought not be denied anyone.

The second, which may or may not be related, is the idea that biracial persons ought to be regarded as a third group alongside the "black" and the "white" groups. Thus that the group "biracial" be a third political interest group that aims, more so, for the advancement of the private interests of its own members then at challenging the intricate system of social codes that can place persons unwillingly into "black" and "white" groups. Without intending to caricature, we could perhaps term this sort of reason for claiming biracial identity as a movement for biracial power.

It strikes me that the second of these involves no necessary claim of moral authority. Thoughts?