Why are people so afraid to call our next president...BIRACIAL.

[blueladybird]

What's wrong with being biracial or multiracial. I don't see anything wrong with it. We dishonor his mother by calling President Elect Obama a black man. He is an African American (Kenyan American) or person of color or black and white man. So what? I am not surprised that a person of color is in the white house. He's an intelligent HUMAN BEING who won yet another election in the united states. By stressing his tan, we take away from him as simply a human being. And let's please stop objectifying and sexuallizing yet another man of color as is too often done in this country. there is a long history of this mandingo obsession.

[JuniperLea]

I long for the day when all such words leave our everyday language

I long for the day when people are called by their name, and no one feels the need to add a race, or a sex, to the discussion. When true equality exists, perhaps we'll evolve to a higher mindset.

[awoke_in_2003]

13. so true...

progress has been made in the last 40 years, but we still have a long way to go

[bdamomma]

153. yes indeed, we all have something in common our blood is red.

only wishing for the day when we rise above race and sex, we have along way to go.

[Bunny]

1. Well, I believe he identifies himself as black.

I think we should go along with what he prefers.

[blueladybird]

33. If I as a Black woman identify myself as Asian does that work too?

Just makes zero sense to me. Own who you are and be proud. We are humans who come from different backgrounds. Let's celebrate those backgrounds while keeping it real. We don't all have to be the same. That would be boring. I'm just saying we CAN NOT label President Elect Barack Obama as a black man. And that's not a bad thing.

[firedupdem]

34. I'm a black woman and I've labeled you as a shit starter.....I saw

you posting sprinklings like this in another thread. Why don't you focus on something else? God knows there are other more pressing issues. Seems like your beginning posts here would be about something different.

My bullshit meter is off the charts today!

[blueladybird]

38. This proves my point. What are you afraid of?

Just answer the question. If you can't then there are plenty of other topics to answer nicely.

[firedupdem]

42. What the hell are you talking about?

I'm afraid of the economy crashing...how's that. I'm afraid you won't get banned within the next 5 minutes. Go Away. You're on ignore now so don't bother responding.

[Grateful for Hope]

48. This is what I see

and, I thank you for your post.

[shanti]

112. ITA

you can smell it a mile away!

[Bunny]

39. Well, are you partially Asian?

If so, then go ahead and self-identify as Asian. If you have no Asian heritage, then I'm afraid I don't understand your point.

Barack Obama calls himself black - it's the height of arrogance to presume that we have more authority to label him than he does.

[blueladybird]

41. No.

[blueladybird]

44. But if I choose to call myself Asian I am.

[NorthernSpy]

157. But if Obama chooses to call himself black, he's wrong?

You're arguing against yourself.

[Number23]

97. If you can pull it off, go for it girl!

If I as a Black woman identify myself as Asian does that work too?

But why do I doubt that you could?? :rofl: :rofl:

I'm just saying we CAN NOT label President Elect Barack Obama as a black man.

Obama calls himself a black man. His MAMA called him a black man. I'm sure that every person he loves and that loves him back calls him a black man. It's really so very, very simple...

[alwysdrunk]

2. For one thing, he refers to himself as black

And usually people respect that unless it's totally false.

The other reason is that "biracial" is not really a race in the US. You have to choose one. If you are part black, you don't really get a choice, you're black. It used to be the law in this country.

In other countries, biracial is a race. In the UK they say "mixed race" It took me a while to get used to it. I referred to biracial girls (Black & White) as black and was often corrected by them and others.

[LiberalHeart]

7. How long since you've seen a US census form?

[alwysdrunk]

18. Census? 1990. I take it they changed it?

Since the election started people in the UK ask me about this all the time and I have to explain it. I tell them how when I was a kid in the 80's there was 3 races. Black, White and Other. Then at some point in the 80's they added Hispanic\Latino and Asian\Pacific-Islander. I take it they changed it again, do you know when that was?

[LiberalHeart]

23. In 2000, you could check the boxes for multiple races.

[blueladybird]

40. So just stick with the ignorant forms?

[blueladybird]

36. What???

"If you are part black, you don't really get a choice, you're black. It used to be the law in this country."

What prevents you from saying this:
If you are part white, you don't get a choice, you're white? Don't get me started on some of the laws this country has had in the past...

[alwysdrunk]

51. It's mostly because of those laws but that's how it is

Now it's just part our culture. A black and white mixed person will be laughed out calling themselves white, so they don't.

[boppers]

92. "One Drop"

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

Good piece of American history to know about.

[Lionel Mandrake]

148. You bring up an interesting point.

"black" means different things in different places.

In England, people from India are called "black". That sounds strange to an American.

[Alenne]

3. Why do you care?

He refers to himself as African American.

It doesn't seem to be a big deal to him or his family either way.

[blueladybird]

50. I keep hearing first black president this and first black president that.

I care because I feel for his mother and his mother's side of the family. Just looking for anything that makes sense.

[Nedsdag]

73. If you didn't know who he was or his background, would you call him black or biracial?

n/t

[Genevieve]

81. Stop.

[PeaceNikki]

82. You feel what for his mother and mother's side of the family?

His mother has passed and his grandmother passed just before the election. I'm sure if SHE had a problem with him identifying as black, she would have made it known to him at some point in his life, no?

You don't "feel" for them at all.

[Starry Messenger]

83. Well, keep looking!

:rofl:

[gollygee]

86. I think he knows how his mother feels better than you do

He still seems close to his family. I don't think they need you worrying about them.

He personally identifies as black. He had to overcome the same discrimination as anyone else who is black, because when people see him they see a black man. People don't ask for a birth certificate or do geneological research before discriminating.

Why do you care what he chooses to identify as?

[HCE SuiGeneris]

88. You "feel" for his mother?

Oh, please. Your BS doesn't fly.

[marshall]

125. He is the first president to identify himself as black

Warren G. Harding was reputedly descended from a West Indian/African but he did not identify as such.

[pipi_k]

126. Maybe you are projecting

your own sense of hurt onto his white family. Maybe his white family isn't really all that upset over his preference for calling himself black, and your empathy for them could be entirely misplaced or wasted.

Perhaps you yourself would be insulted or hurt if a biracial child of yours identified himself more with the other race?

I personally don't see the problem. He prefers to be called "black", and we should respect people's preferences...

:shrug:

[Genevieve]

4. Obama refers to himself as black, not a "person of color or black and white man."

So, is he dishonoring his mother as well?

I think not.

[Tunkamerica]

29. black and white man, that's funny. Reminds me of Day/Night man

from It's always sunny in Philadelphia

Day man
fighter of the night man
champion of the sun
master of karate
and friendship for everyone

[Genevieve]

76. LOL! . nt

[Tunkamerica]

117. you gotta pay the troll toll to get into this boy's...

soul

(hole?)

[marimour]

103. LMAO. I love that show!

[blueladybird]

52. Trust me, Barack sees himself as biracial "mut".

Mut is negative. I prefer biracial or multiracial. Again, no big deal. Just is what it is. Who has a choice when it comes to there own race.

[bitchkitty]

106. I assume you mean "mutt" and not "mut".

In which case, why do you think that he sees himself as a mutt? That's so idiotic and far-reaching that it makes me doubt anything and everything you say. You're either an idiot, or you're trying to stir the shit...

[elocs]

5. I don't believe anyone is "afraid" to call Obama biracial, it's the way it is & largely his choice.

Millions of us are multiracial to one degree or another but for ourselves we choose what racial we want to identify with. I don't believe Obama's mother is dishonored in any way at all by this choosing to identify more with his black heritage.

[blueladybird]

54. Have you really ever thought about it though???

[IndianaGreen]

6. People are hung up on biracial as they are with bisexual

The late Eartha Kitt refused to be tagged as being a particular race.

[Fire1]

17. And that's 'Ertha Kitt', not Barack Obama. He could just as

easily made up some race or ethnicity as Tiger Woods did, but apparently he chooses to be 'Black' or AA.

[IndianaGreen]

19. Rejoicing in one's diversity!

There's lots of it around now, and I love all of it.

[blueladybird]

63. Homosexual, heterosexual and bisexual...

[blueladybird]

8. I'm dead serious.

I'm only interested in serious answers otherwise, whatever. It's just something that seems so obvious to me.

[LiberalHeart]

11. It's obvious to me, too.

[elocs]

27. What seems eminently obvious to me is that it is Obama's choice.

When you post a thread online you get the replies you get whether they are serious or not.

[H2O Man]

9. human racial

live seriously

[La Lioness Priyanka]

10. well since race is a social construct based on appearance, obama looks like a black man

and hence is considered black. its also diluting his symbolism by calling him biracial. this was a big victory for african americans, i dont think its unfair to consider him black even if he is technically biracial.

also he identifies as black, so i dont see why i should redefine his identity

the rest of your post i dont quite understand

[Genevieve]

16. exactly. ..... " diluting his symbolism "

and the rest of the post thing too.

[JuniperLea]

21. Well, this was a big victory for all people...

Of all color.

Maybe I'm over sensitive right now, maybe not. I'm tired... no, sick and freaking tired... of labels.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

26. labels are important for minorities to get rights and to define communities

its not as simple as we can all live without labels. in a perfect world it would be nice to live w.out labels.

[JuniperLea]

49. I find it unlikely we can get to that perfect world

When we cling so vehemently to the things that divide us.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

56. if we didnt label ourselves we wouldnt be able to fight for our rights

its the only reason to endorse labels.

[JuniperLea]

69. Not true at all

Every right worth fighting for is a right that is due all people. Labeling only gives "the other side" a target. When I go to GLBT rallies, I don't feel the need to wear my "straight" label. I'd much rather be part of a group of people with a common cause. It's nobody's business that I'm straight. If I were a lesbian, that would be nobody's business either. All that said, I don't think my participation in said rallies would be any different or any less (or more) meaningful either way. I'm fighting for a human right that is given to some and denied to others merely because of a label. I'm not suggesting that anyone hide who they are or pretend to be something they are not.

[marimour]

104. true.

Take brazil. In Brazil blacks or people with African blood are free to label themselves as many other things and more often than not choose not to call themselves black. on the downside, they haven't really been able to unify like we have in the US to demand equal treatment, access to education, and fight discrimination.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

123. It is a myth that Brazil has better race relations. Many dark-skinned blacks have been conditioned

to marry lighter-skinned blacks or whites because they've been affected by European standards and images of beauty, as we all have. There is still a lot of discrimination based on skin color, where darker-skinned blacks tend to have the lowest-paid jobs, live in "favelas," etc. This is similar to the caste system in India where darker-skinned Indians are treated unfairly.

To the OP:

If Obama looked like Mariah Carey, who is also biracial (but identifies as a black woman), would it matter? Why does it matter how people define themselves, especially since there is no such thing as race?

I'm a brown-skinned black woman and most of the members of my family vary in skin color and tone; that is because we all have white and American Native ancestry. Should we therefore call ourselves "multiracial" or "biracial," knowing that we are treated as BLACK PEOPLE in society? Nearly 80% of the African American population has mixed ancestry. Most black people in this country have mixed blood. Should we all just drop our blackness and call ourselves 'multiracial'? I don't think so...

Finally, one of my favorite bands of all time is Depeche Mode, a British rock band. One of its members, the primary songwriter, Martin Gore is biracial. Looking at him, no one would believe it because he is the whitest of white. And yet, he wants to be identified as a biracial man, but when he tells people that he is, they laugh. He can't go around calling himself a white man because he is not, nor can he call himself a black man, and he cannot call himself biracial. But because of how society is, he is a white man because of how he looks so I suppose that it's what he most identifies as.

Martin Gore:

[Radical Activist]

115. Not to mention the fact

that there are nearly zero African-Americans who don't have a white ancestor. Everyone is multi-racial if you research their family history enough.

[AspenRose]

119. Yep, you are correct (as usual)

NOW all of a sudden white folks want to change the rules and take away the one-drop rule that has haunted black people in this country for CENTURIES....and NOT have it apply to Barack Obama.

Why IS that? Isn't Obama identifying as a BLACK MAN good enough? Or do we have to "whitewash" his preferences so white people can feel better about him? (rhetorical question)

News flash for those who didn't know: The *average* black american has AT LEAST 25% white ancestry. Some even *more*. But the "choice" given by the white majority has ALWAYS been for those folks to be seen as BLACK, no matter what.

[tekisui]

12. Where is the 'dishonor' towards his mom in referring to him as a black man?

It is what he refers to himself as, that is good enough for me.

[cali]

14. Obama identifies himself as a black man. And the reasons why should

be clear. He doesn't dishonor his mother and neither do we. And wtf is this "tan" bullshit. His color doesn't come from a tanning bed or sunning himself. Nor is anyone sexualizing him because of his racial makeup.

Good start, new poster.

[Xipe Totec]

15. Afraid? Who? Where? Why? WTF?

And who cares?

[Alexander]

20. Obama has a "Tan"? You sound like someone else I know...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3339631#3341436

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=1179286&mesg_id=1179539

[HEyHEY]

22. It's a well-known fact that races can't have babies together scientifically

Er, wait, I mean that that's what he identifies himself as. But really, do you want to say Obama is a "Bwhite guy"?

[alwysdrunk]

24. Also, most black and white biracial people identify as black

No way to know what percentage but I would guess well over 90%.

[Fire1]

32. You beat me to it!

[YvonneCa]

43. So...

...is that a good thing? Or not...

[alwysdrunk]

67. Good or bad it is what it is

I say it's unlikely to ever change. In my opinion it's good, but one day far in the future it won't matter at all.

[YvonneCa]

91. And...

...it won't matter because...???

[kristopher]

25. Self identification vs group identification

Anthropologically "race" itself is a myth except as a social construct. It cannot be independently defined in a manner that can be applied consistently, there are always exceptions to any definition based on physical characteristics and those exception disprove the rule. What we are left with is a nebulous definition by social perception; a definition that has two facets - how the individual defines his or herself and how outside groups define that person.
Currently in the USA this group and individual identity will vary widely among social groupings; a light complexioned person from Puerto Rico raised in NY might be considered black in one setting, white in the family and immediate friends group, or Hispanic by another group.

I personally think biracial is ok, but I prefer bi-cultural. I suppose I use it mostly when there is a need to inflect the parent's heritage into the point being made.

[wryter2000]

28. Welcome to DU

:hi:

I don't know that it's fear so much as it takes a few extra mental steps to think of him that way. Even my African American coworker said she didn't see his great uncle who liberated Buchenwald at that speech. I had to remind her the uncle was the white man on Michelle's left. We both had an aha of recognition at that. In fact, when I first heard the story, I assumed the uncle was AA until I figured out his father's family wouldn't have been in the US Army.

[firedupdem]

30. Let it go blueladybird...

you don't know his mother and he identifies as being black. He's the first Black President and we're extremely proud. Being black is nothing to be ashamed of...some of us embrace it no matter how mixed up we are. If he says he's black leave it at that.

[blueladybird]

62. Why should I let it go?

This doesn't rule my life. Can a person ponder? If his mother was black and his father was white,I would still be thinking the same thing.

[Muttocracy]

31. "Mandingo"?! Who are you to lecture on race! nt

[firedupdem]

37. I'll answer.....

a shit starting disruptor! That's who it is!

[Fire1]

46. That's what it sounds like to me, too.

[blueladybird]

55. Were you also checking out his body?

Geez. just pointing out something very offensive.

[Muttocracy]

59. You are using words without knowing their meaning and are the one obsessed

with his body, skin, race, etc.

[Cash_thatswhatiwant]

35. There is nothing wrong with finding our president good looking, and its not "mandigo" obsession.

or w/e that is.

[valerief]

45. Race is a political category, not a scientific one. For example, forty years

ago there were only three races. Now there are a gazillion.

[Grateful for Hope]

47. Because

There has never been any need to refer to a President's race until now. If, for instance, Bush was described as a "bi-caucasian", then I would understand this need.

Please.

[Fire1]

53. Nobody is AFRAID to call him bi-racial. The question is WHY

should he be called bi-racial? To make YOU feel better? FORTY THREE FREAKIN Presidents have been WHITE and you can't stand not to have HIM TOO?? DAMN, LET US HAVE ONE, FOR GOD'S SAKE! JUST FREAKIN ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!}(

[Bluebear]

57. Mandingo? No, tell me you didn't

[firedupdem]

58. self delete

[Bluebear]

60. Roger!

[La Lioness Priyanka]

61. i dread to ask what that is?

[Bluebear]

64. ---

Mandingo (born February 25, 1975) is an African American pornographic actor. He is believed to be the actor with the largest male genitalia in the film industry, at approximately one foot long (about 30 cm), larger than John Holmes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ManDingo_(porn_star)

[lynne]

68. No reason to dread - the word Mandingo refers to a specific group of African peoples -

Man·din·go < man díng gō > (plural Man·din·gos or Man·din·goes or Man·din·go)

noun
Definition:

1. a member of West African people: a member of any of several peoples who live in parts of West Africa, especially along the Niger River valley

2. West African language group: a group of Mande languages spoken in parts of West Africa, especially along the Niger River valley. Native speakers: 6 million.

[blueladybird]

65. Does anyone see my point?

Geez. This is such a touchy subject. I have not said anything horrible about being biracial or of mult races. I'm dissappointed in the negative responses and have nothing else to say. Whatever, Peace.

[JoePhilly]

121. Since when is being called black a "dishonor" ????

Interesting choice of words ...

[asteroid2003QQ47]

135. "biracial or of mult races" is in itself "horrible." Grow the fuck up!

Expand your horizons, get a copy of Well's
Journey of Man, do yourself a favor.

[NorthernSpy]

156. Ah, choices, choices... Should Obama identify with the "mandingoes" or the "mutt races"?

And if the former, then surely he's "dishonoring" his Mom!


:eyes:


Lady, what's your deal?

[flyingfysh]

66. it's a deplorable American tradition

Some Southern states were notorious for laws saying that any kid with any identifiable black ancestry had to be classified as black, and sent to the black schools.

Just look at typical pictures of American blacks and random people living in Africa. They really don't look the same. Because of our history, probably most American blacks have some white ancestry.

[Posteritatis]

70. That's not just an American tradition; Canada had similar things (nt)

[Raineyb]

105. I'd go so far to say that most blacks from North, South, and Central America plus

the Caribbean have some white ancestry.

Regards

[Jamastiene]

133. That was my great great grandmother's case.

She married a white man and then somehow, through some fancy footwork, by the time it got to my grandmother, we were Tuscarora...yet W is on my grandmother's birth certificate, my mother's birth certificate and mine. How they managed that in North Carolina back then, I do not know. In reality, my family is multiracial with Tuscarora, black, white, and possibly others mixed in.

[Life Long Dem]

71. I feel like I jumped into a time machine.

So yesterday

[carpe diem]

72. I think people refer to him as Black or AA because that is

how he refers to himself. I don't think it's a fear so much as respect for how he chooses to identify. Also, he has said in interviews that he was raised by his family (white mother & grandparents) to see himself as black, that it was just the way he was seen by his family...probably because of his appearance. If he looked less like a Black man, he might see himself, and his family may have seen him differently.

Also, in his first book, he references being 10/11 yrs. old and making a conscious decision to stop telling people his mother was white (because they wouldn't know otherwise) because he felt that it was a way of trying to ingratiate himself with people and he didn't want to do that.

Anyway, it seems silly to be so concerned about his mother being 'recognized' when she and his grandparents are the one's who raised him to see himself as 'black'. Presumably, if she felt she was somehow being 'left out', she and her parents would have made a point of emphasizing his white half.

I do find it interesting how white people want to claim Obama now, but let's see how many debates there are about how he's not really black if he really screws up or gets caught in some scandal. If Obama were getting arrested for something instead of on his way to the White House, he would be just some Black guy going to jail and no one would be 'worried' about properly acknowledging his white relatives.

The cynic in me believes that part of this 'concern' for his mother is really a desire to take the feeling of hope and sense of accomplishment away from the Black community. Can't have the darkies feeling to good about themselves, they might actually start to believe that they really can do and be anything. Kind of hard to keep 'em down on the farm, etc...

[firedupdem]

74. Amen.....and this poster doesn't really care anyway....but thanks for

making the point!...have a good nite..

[Genevieve]

77. You called it!

Why does the OP not want to let Obama be black?


"The cynic in me believes that part of this 'concern' for his mother is really a desire to take the feeling of hope and sense of accomplishment away from the Black community."


'

[Raineyb]

107. Well said.

When you're right, you're right.

Regards

[noamnety]

110. Oddly, I haven't seen half as much passion

by any DUer about the need to refer to Colin Powell as biracial. ;)

[ZombieHorde]

75. Where have you seen this fear?

[mr1956]

78. This discussion reminds me of Dave Chapelle's racial draft

The audio on this clip is off a bit, but I just can't help but laugh.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrwG6_Z0sjU

[PeaceNikki]

79. Ummm... "stressing his tan"

REALLY!?!?

And "there is a long history of this mandingo obsession".

:wtf:

[Genevieve]

80. OP has "issues".

eom

[TK421]

84. Did someone post something about this earlier? I mean having a problem

with Obama being biracial? What did I miss? and do you have a link to that?

[Raschel]

85. Do you not want him to be Black? Or is he not Black enough for you? (P.S. It's not a tan)

And the public would identify him as a Black man, not "see that biracial man over there?"

It's obvious he's quite proud of his mom and grandparents. You've seen pics, and he's talked about them. If you can't figure that out, that's your problem.

I know "biracial" people who don't look mixed, and believe it or not, some people don't believe them when they mention that they have a White parent.

I don't understand what your problem is with the whole thing.

[noamnety]

87. Barack Obama: America's First Tan President. (n/t)

[gollygee]

90. ROFL

Just like Malibu Ken.



There are some weird threads these days.

[blogslut]

89. ...

http://comedians.comedycentral.com/wanda-sykes/videos/wanda-sykes---turned-to-milk

[Empowerer]

93. Most American blacks are multi-racial. That's never stopped us from being called black before

Why is it that all of a sudden a black person of mixed race is expected to self-identify as "multi racial" when for the past several hundred years, the fact that a person had white blood was completely irrelevant if they had any black blood at all?

Several of my grandparents and great-grandparents were of similar heritage as Obama - they had one white parent and one black parent. That didn't make one bit of difference in the eyes of society, which treated them as black (or colored) and subjected them to the same treatment as any black person with 100 percent African blood.

So I'm not all that worked up about Obama calling himself black, just as millions of other newly so-called "multi-racial" people have done for centuries. Frankly, I find it a little insulting that now that a black person has achieved the presidency, some people are trying to argue that he's not really black but he's something different than the vast majority of black people in this country.

As far as Obama is concerned, he is black. As far as I am concerned, Obama is black. And as far as society has been concerned for century after century - apparently until a few months ago - Obama is black, just like the millions of other black people with mixed blood are.

[MellowDem]

94. It's called a post-racial society

And many people have been pushing for it for more than "a few months". Meanwhile, many people such as yourself cling desperately to stupid old notions of "race" that were made up by slave masters to divide poor whites and blacks. Unsurprisingly, many who stop to think that we still follow these absurd racial rules find it incredibly stupid. Many others, especially many black leaders, actively encourage keeping the idea of race around, or even defend the basis of race. They would be scared shitless in a world without race, as it has become such a vital, if shallow, part of their identity. And they want people to keep using the one drop rule and other absurd notions, because the more people who identify as black, the more power politically they have.

The fairy tale of race was created to divide poor whites from blacks and consolidate power with the planter class, and now it is ironically being defended for the exact same reason by blacks themselves, those who suffered most from all that came with "race". And there are those on here actually telling the OP to drop it and not to think about it! The nerve... It's an ugly spot that everyone knows about, but few are willing to acknowledge.

Those who view Obama as a human are enlightened, and who say that him identifying as "black" is stupid are quite right. But once again, it's politics. Obama might even personally not like identifying himself as black, but it helps to identify himself as such in many cases. I don't identify as "white". I fucking hate those terms.

Stop thinking inside the box. Stop defending stuff just because it's the status quo. If you did, you would see how sad your post is.

[dendrobium]

100. He says he is black.

I remember Obama during a 60 Minutes interview joking that he had difficulty getting a cab just like other black men so as far as he is concerned he identifies as Black. What is amusing is the number of white people who are still thinking they have the right to tell black people who they are. Most black people have white and other ethnicities in their bloodlines. Yet now suddenly we must acknowledge our white blood or our white relatives will be offended. Obama looks black, he has always been treated as Black. You now have a Black man as President. Get over it.

[gollygee]

102. It will be a post-racial society when we are post-discrimination

Until then, people have to live in reality.

[Raschel]

109. It's politics? What a laugh.

When my son was told not to bring his nigger-ass down to the playground, do you think it would have mattered if he told them he was biracial?

When the person we bought our house from received calls from neighbors telling him to "keep those niggers out of this neighborhood", do you think it mattered that our kids had one White parent?

When my son was stopped by the cops and asked why he was driving in that suburb, then told to get back to the city, do you think he should have told the officer he was biracial?

Most people call themselves Black/African American because they're seen as Black, and treated as such.

For you to say that identifying Obama as Black is stupid shows just how clueless you are.

[Raineyb]

118. Post-Racial is bullshit

What you think that the election of one black man as President changes the fundamental nature of this country? Get your head out of the sand. If Obama were crime suspect there'd be no great cry to stress that he's biracial. The man identifies himself as black who are you to tell the man he's identifying himself incorrectly?

When driving while black or Latino stops being a problem, then we'll talk about the country being "post racial." When white flight isn't an issue, maybe we can have the discussion. When schools in predominately minority neighborhoods aren't constantly underfunded, perhaps we can chat about this post-racial theory of yours. When black teenagers are given the benefit of the doubt that white teenagers are given instead of being assumed to be suspects to be shot at by the police maybe your theory might have some merit.

Until then your post-racial theory is nothing more than bullshit used to pretend that everything in this country is okay racially when it clearly is not. You can put your head in the sand if you wish. I do not have that luxury.

Regards

[Jamastiene]

134. That is very true.

We are definitely NOT post-racial in this country yet.

[blueladybird]

146. And we won't be if the attitudes here remain the same.

[ecstatic]

127. Bingo! nt

[MellowDem]

95. I agree with you 100%

It is one of the few topics that people cannot discuss reasonably on DU. And for the life of me I can't tell why. The idea calling Obama biracial somehow takes something away from African Americans disgusts me, as if they somehow own him. Heck, he isn't even African American, he's Kenyan American if you want to be technical. But for some reason pointing out the outdated and ridiculousness that is race rules starts a firestorm. And God forbid you point out how society still bends to such things as the one drop rule. It's the status quo, and don't fuck with it, that's the message I get.

[blueladybird]

140. Exhaling.

All I can say is thank you. I thought I was in the twilight zone.:think:

[skygazer]

141. Just a heads up - Kenya is in Africa

[blueladybird]

142. Your point?

So is Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa Niger and so on. What's your point?

[skygazer]

143. Was I talking to you?

Look at the post to which I was responding.

Read it.

Then read my post.

You may get the point.

If not, it doesn't matter because it wasn't directed to you.

[blueladybird]

145. Africa is a continent. ..."if you want to be technical"

Pretty sure the poster knows Kenya is in Africa.

[Raineyb]

152. Then he wouldn't have disclaimed the fact that Barak is African American.

He's more African American than most of us who are called African American. But your acquaintance, for lack of a better word, in his zeal to pretend that race isn't a factor in this country, made an egregious mistake.

When the term African American is used to discuss anyone who is descended from African slaves (whose countries of origin were not recorded hence the use of the continent) and then someone argues, "well he's not even African American he's Kenyan American" seemingly ignorant of the fact that Kenya is on the continent of Africa, one can only come to one conclusion about such a glaring error. The person who made said statement doesn't know what the hell they're talking about.

Regards

[Trajan]

96. Who are 'people' ?

Who says 'people' are afraid of saying he is biracial ?

I think most everyone is aware that he is biracial .... To use the terms 'Black' or 'African American' normally indicate some portion of African ethnicity exists, and makes no specific reference to the extent ....

How many in the African American community are purely African WITHOUT any other ethnic type in their genetic makeup ? .... That is extremely rare, so the common usage would have 'people' use the term 'black' or 'African American' even when referring to those of mixed heritage ....

One might ask why the obsession with the 'Mandingo' aspect ? .... I have heard NO ONE in DU even make the tiniest reference to such a thing, until you brought it up ....

I am an Italian-English-German-Dutch-Native American-American .... Should I feel affronted if 'people' don't mention my full heritage ?

I want to be sensitive to your feelings, but this is a fallacious appeal ....

Perhaps we should seek NO ethnic references in the public sphere .... Isn't that the goal ?

I didn't vote for Barack Obama because he was a specific race, but because he is a man of vision whom I can respect and follow ....

[Waiting For Everyman]

98. How about if we only got offended when there was a real offense?

This is nitpicking.

I'll call him whatever he wants to be called, if he has a preference, and there's no fear involved in it.

[backscatter712]

99. Didn't you know?

If you've got 15 white ancestors and one black ancestor, that means you're black! :sarcasm:

[Karenina]

101. Ya know what, there has been a plethora of dumb-assed posts

in the last days but I'm saving this one a spot in the TOP 10 List! :rofl:

[democrattotheend]

108. I think he considers himself African American

And it's up to him how he wants to identify. I'll call him whatever he calls himself.

[angee_is_mad]

111. ummm, cause He identifies himself as African American?

Who constantly honors his white mother, and praises his white grandparents who raised him.
I know some people have a problem with the word Black or African American and tend to associate a negative connotation to those words.

Hopefully Barack Obama will show young black boys and men that you don't have to apologize or explain how you look, because its OKAY to be black and African American.

Black is Beautiful!!!!!

[FrenchieCat]

113. Is there something wrong with being Black or something?

Biracial just became "in style" recently. It wasn't a choice when Obama was growing up.

I'm biracial, but call myself Black, and the way I look, it certainly might make some folks wonder...."what is she?"....but still, I consider myself to be Black and I'm proud to tell anyone who asks. I'm older than Barack, and I know for a fact that they didn't have any other option for years and years. So just cause they came up with something new, folks aren't just going to change what they've been calling themselves.

Why should he all of the sudden start categorizing himself to be of a race different from his wife and his children after years of considering himself the same as they.....just because someone came up with a new box for him to check late in the game?

Plus being Black is a good thing, if you hadn't heard....Pass it on! :eyes:

[JoePhilly]

blueladybrid thinks so ... she says its a "dishonor" ...

typo

[blueladybird]

147. Sigh...

Why aren/t you proud to be biracial or multiracial. Biracial existed even before another human being labeled it. BTW, are you really black? I've never seen black skin before only brown and really dark beautiful brown. But, you want to call yourself black. Even "black' people aren't black and you're biracial.

[kwassa]

158. Where are you from? Born yesterday?

Seriously, did you grow up in the United States? You seem to have no knowledge of the racial history of this country.

Race is a social construct, and it has little to do with actually being black, but with the history that stated that anyone with ONE DROP of black ancestry was to be legally considered black. It has been that way for hundreds of years. As others have stated, most African-Americans have racially-mixed ancestry, and yet have always been considered black. Black was the liability.

It is not disrespecting Barack's mother to call him black, she, as an anthropologist, she would understand exactly why he is considered black in American society, and why he considers himself black.

[dorkulon]

114. Society sees him as black.

In this country, 5% black is black. There weren't any "biracial" water fountains during segregation.

[Life Long Dem]

116. Because his name is Barraco and not Biracial. With a Ba.. Ba.. Bah..

:silly:

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

120. Race is a social construction. Barack Obama identifies as a black man. That is his choice.

What is more, he is treated as a black man. As long as we are obsessed with race in this country, then you can't blame the guy for identifying with the race that he most feels comfortable with, and what most others see him as.

By the way, why is it that it seems that some white people are uncomfortable with how Obama identifies himself? Why does it matter so much to them? Does it matter because they want him to eschew his blackness? I'm just curious.

[asteroid2003QQ47]

122. "biracial or multiracial" is an IMPOSSIBILITY!!!

There is only ONE race, when will humans get a fucking clue!

-------------------------------------------

“Genetics, I think, resoundingly has answered the question of where we ultimately came from, we came out of Africa. And we came out quite recently, within the last 50 or 60 thousand years,”
--Spencer Wells

[kwenu]

137. Self-delete

Posted in wrong spot.

[treestar]

124. I think he won by being the best person for the job

But it is historic that he is the first AA president.

His Irish side gets plenty of attention. There's a study showing he's related to Biden and a town in Ireland claiming his ancestry! We know more about his mother's side than his father's, since they did the most to raise him. And a great job they did.

After JFK, we're proud to have our second Irish American in the White House! (third if we count Ray-gun).

[RetroLounge]

128. May your stay here be short...

:puke:

RL

[madmom]

129. Sounds to me like some one can't come to grips with a "black man" being our president!

[Brewman_Jax]

130. Absolutely ridiculous

he's black, get over it. :eyes:

[Iggo]

131. My dad's very dark brown and my mom's very light white.

Do not call me biracial. Not to my face, anyway.

[Jamastiene]

132. What do you mean by mandingo? I've never heard that before.

Of course, he is biracial. That would be the correct term about his race. I haven't seen anyone make a big deal about it...at least not here on DU. :shrug:

[No Elephants]

136. Aren't most African Americans biracial or multiracial? He has said that he likes to be called

African American as it refers to both his parents. "I take him at his word," so that's what I call him.

[kwenu]

138. American Blacks are multiracial. Black is also an ethnic identity in the United States.

Obama is Black of multiracial origin. In other words, he's just like most every other Black person in the U.S. with regard to mixed ancestry. There is no disrespect to his mothers family that I can see at all. Obama loves and acknowledges all of his family regardless of color.

[asteroid2003QQ47]

139. Riveting wisdom from one of 'The Nicest Kids In Town"

The Nicest Kids In Town--Hairspray

CORNY
Hey there, Teenage Baltimore!
Don't change that channel!
'Cause it's time for the Corny
Collins Show! Brought to you by
Ultra Clutch Hairspray!

CORNY (& COUNCIL MEMBERS)
Ev'ry afternoon
When the clock strikes four
(bop-bee-ba, ba-ba-ba-ba, bee-ba)

A crazy bunch of kids
Crash through that door yeah
(bop-bee-ba, ba-ba-ba-ba, bee-ba)

Well they throw off their coats
And leave the squares behind
And then they shake it, shake it, shake it
Like they're losing their mind
You'll never see them frown
'Cause they're the nicest kids in town

So every afternoon
You turn your T.V. on
(na, na, na, na, na, na-na-na-na)

And we know you turn the sound up
When your parents are gone, yeah
(na, na, na, na, na, na-na-na-na)

And then you twist and shout
For your favorite star
And when you've practiced every step
That's in your repertoire

You better come on down
And meet the nicest kids in town

Nice WHITE kids
Who like to lead the way
And once a month
We have our "negro day!"
And i'm the man who keeps it spinnin' round
Mr. Corny Collins
With the latest, greatest Baltimore sound!!

So every afternoon
Drop everything woo!
(bop-bee-ba, ba-ba-ba-ba, bee-ba)

Who needs to read and write
When you can dance and sing?
(bop-bee-ba, ba-ba-ba-ba, bee-ba)

Forget about your algebra
And calculus
You can always do your homework
On the morning bus
Can't tell a verb from a noun
They're the nicest kids in town

Roll Call!!
COUNCIL MEMBERS
I'm Amber!
Brad!
Tammy!
Fender!
Brenda!
Sketch!
Shelley!
I.Q!
Lou Ann!
Joey!
Mikey, Vicki, Becky, Bix, Jessie, Darla, Paulie!
Noreen!
Doreen!
And I'm...LINK!
(All of the girls scream.)

CORNY (& COUNCIL MEMBERS)
So, if every night you're shaking
As you lie in bed
(pony-pony, ooh, pony-pony)
Shake it baby!

And the bass and drums
Are pounding in your head
(mony-mony, ooh, mony-mony)
Who cares about sleep
When you can snooze in
School?

They'll never get to college
But they sure look cool
Don't need a cap and a gown
When you're the nicest
Kids in town

Nicest kids in...
Kids in town!
Woo!

[Waiting For Everyman]

154. I wonder if you even slightly know any of the real people you're making fun of?

Or are you even aware that this little "ditty" is mocking real people? Who btw, were also among the brightest "kids in town".

I did know some of them, and Buddy Deane WAS one of the nicest people ever, as a matter of fact, as were the dancers on this show. But go ahead, tear them up however you will. It fits perfectly in one of DU's hypersensitivity threads.

[asteroid2003QQ47]

155. "But go ahead, tear them up however you will." Thanks, that's mighty white of you. eom

[blueladybird]

144. Obama: New dog could be 'mutt like me'

I didn't write this. Obama's an intelligent man.
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/11/07/obama-new-dog-could-be-mutt-like-me/

If anyone wants to insult me, read my initial post and tell me where the problem is.

[Raschel]

149. After reading your post #147 it's plain to see that you're a troll. And BTW

our new President is BLACK! Ain't it great!!!!

[FrenchieCat]

150. I posted this thread back in February of 2007. It should "clear" things up for ya!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x184940

[BlooInBloo]

151. "We dishonor his mother by calling President Elect Obama a black man."

:puke: