The Study of Racialism

Melani23 · Superuser Joined: 30 Aug 2005 {Posts: 1193 } Location: USA

I agree with Powell 100% with these comments. I have experienced or have seen others (Creoles, White mixies) go thru similar.

That's why I will always say that some AAs have a problem with some mixed peole because they are jealous and hateful, not because they want solidarity with mixed people.
And some Whites (esp. ethnic ones) are racist. I bet if they took a DNA test and it came back ~20% SSA, they would NEVER OUT THEMSELVES and claim PRIDE (which they imply for you) in a Black idenity either! Laughing

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

Famu · Mentor Joined: 27 Sep 2007 {Posts: 282 }

Just my two cents:

I come from an interracial family. My paternal grandfather, although he says he's black, doesn't "look black" to anyone, including my mother. She believes him to be a Native American "passing" as black American. My maternal grandmother is multiracial woman who passed as white during her younger years.

My first aunt is Italian. She married my Uncle and they had three kids. The eldest daughter would probably be classified as very "mixed" looking, while the youngest two sons "look white". My second aunt is Chinese. She married my Uncle and the two children "look Indian".

In my family, all of these people would be considered "black". Why? Because it's not so much a "racial" thing. It's a cultural thing. We celebrate Kwanzaa, we eat soul food, we have a strong matriarch. We're also part of the Geechee culture.

No one tells anyone they can't celebrate their heritages. I would never tell my cousins they couldn't celebrate Moon Festival. At the same time, everyone that comes into the fam sort of "adopts" the African American culture.

Some AA are jealous of mixed people--sure, and that's why they want to classify everyone as AA or black. But there are many of us who do it for cultural, familial and personal reasons.

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

Famu...your family sounds cool. And hey, since you guys all share the same cultural activities, more power to you if everyone considers themselves to be AA. It doesn't sound like anyone has a forced identity, you all sound natural and well-rounded. I admire diverse families where cultures are blended and everyone is just accepted. Part of the Geechee culture? Cool! Cool

G-Man, that is true. Many of the Hispanics where I live will tell you in a minute that they consider themselves to be white. And if not white, then they will vehemently state that there is NO African blood in them. Many people seem to have this attitude, actually.

Melani, I too agree with Powell. The problem is that when people like us (meaning people who do not identify as black) express our feelings/viewpoints on this, we are often accused of:

1. Lying about our experiences or imagining that people are jealous and hateful. This makes it seem that people who don't identify as solely black are narcissistic, delusional, and have a superiority complex IN ADDITION TO an identity crisis.

2. "Denial"..."running away"..."distancing"..."passing". All of these words are code for folks who don't identify as being black only and they are words filled with contempt, meant to shame.

3. Looking down on black-identified people. The more European your phenotype, the more likely you will be accused of this...esp. if you are female and attractive. I have been called a "white bitch" by too many folks who definitely did not see me as one of them, but that is another conversation.

4. And then there are so-called "liberal" whites who feel that because they befriend black people (and I find it tends to be white women who do this), they have no racist attitudes or beliefs.

lsgh · Mentor Joined: 02 Oct 2007 {Posts: 226 } Location: Seattle

lsgh · Mentor Joined: 02 Oct 2007 {Posts: 226 } Location: Seattle

bori · Probationary Joined: 20 Mar 2008 {Posts: 5 } Location: USA

serenitystar · Posted: Thu 27 Mar 2008 11:18 Post subject:

serenitystar · Posted: Thu 27 Mar 2008 12:16 Post subject:

fwsweet · Posted: Thu 27 Mar 2008 20:39 Post subject:

serenitystar · Posted: Thu 27 Mar 2008 20:54 Post subject:

Thank you for the reply.

I hope that did not come out any other way than as a question. I understand it is a sensitive subject. There are just so many things one can become aware of with times that was and is bad - but in this case, I want to understand the why - best way to not repeat the behavior in another way.

I'll look up the book.

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

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

Hi, serenitystar...

Sorry I took awhile in responding to you. It pretty much is in the same context.

It sounds like you've developed a sensitivity toward personal identity that was missing in your youth. Kudos to you. Smile

I haven't read Kennedy's book.

I've always been made to feel as if it were a sin to acknowledge my European side. People like me need "communities" like this because there are so many people who deny others the right to a personal identity. I've never felt that blackness is inherently bad or shameful...but I'm not a black woman. Deep down, I've never felt any connection with a black identity at all. I enjoy and appreciate my Caribbean heritage, but that's the extent of it.

Richard Miller · Posted: Sun 20 Apr 2008 23:59 Post subject: Re: One Dropping by Whites

gemini072 · Moderator Joined: 27 Nov 2004 {Posts: 2942 }

Just had a bit of a heated discussion with a 'white' gentleman at the office.

It might be hard to follow this but this is how it sorta went because he would overtalk me or cut me off when I would try to explain the ODR and racial construction.

It started out with: What do we call your people now anyway... After I used the word Colored.

He proceeded to tell me that he is white and I am black. I put up a piece of paper to him and said this is white, your pink. I have a black laptop case and put it next to me and asked is my skin black? I said I'm a darker shade of your color.
I said "your not white" Asked what was his family heritage...
He said that he was caucasian,
I said Indians were considered caucasian too, and noted that our division head is as dark as most dark skinned AA's (He's Indian)
Does that make him black? The guy is getting really frustrated with me and the other 'white' guy get's really quiet.

He began to reiterate that I was black & he was white,
I brought up the idea of race being a social construction.
He's getting a bit flustered and reminds me we are what they say we are... And that my ancestors came over by force on a boat yadda yadda

I say some came over on slave ships some came from France and some are Native America... It didn't register to him I was talking about 3 different races and different ethnic groups. He says well yeah some Africans came from different areas. The other white guys says "He's a mutt"
I had to use racial terms:my family is a mix of white French African and Native Americans Blackfoot and Cherokee and He stresses again tha he is white and I'm black.

fwsweet · Posted: Thu 07 Aug 2008 15:28 Post subject:

DChapman · Posted: Thu 07 Aug 2008 16:08 Post subject:

Ty,

That guy is an ignorant moron. Show him this site if you can and if he wants, participate. I don't think he has the testicles to do so.

Melani23 · Superuser Joined: 30 Aug 2005 {Posts: 1193 } Location: USA

Thanks for sharing. Smile

He, like most AMERICANS, cannot get over Black-White color-line, ODR, Hypodescent, etc dichotomy.

That was an excellent example of the typical 'White' response. Usually they remain silent (or raise eyebrow) and keep their beliefs to themselves. Kudos to the guy who recognized your mixture, albeit in a derogatory way (i.e mutt?).

Funny thing is, many AAs tend to explain 'it' the very SAME way too, and get equally flustered, offended, and UPSET. HA! Razz

OTHER · Posted: Thu 07 Aug 2008 21:01 Post subject:

Richard Miller · Posted: Thu 07 Aug 2008 21:46 Post subject: