The Tragic Mulatto Myth Debunked: Holding Tight to All of Our Roots
I’ll admit it. I absolutely hate the word mulatto. Along with a few other such terms like “jungle fever” and “swirling.” It brings forth no romanticized, nostalgic sentiment for my multi-racial ancestry when I hear or see it. Mulatto.
Let me list a few of the main reasons why I loathe this word:
- The word mulatto is derived from the Old Spanish word mula meaning mule—the crossbreed offspring of a horse and a donkey. It is an outdated term used to label people with relatively equal White and Black ancestry. And, yes, while it may be true that my Black ancestors were enslaved and often bred to labor as such, they were not animals. Any language that dehumanizes them or their descendants so that they potentially are viewed as comparable to a mule is problematic to me.
- Since the term mulatto was formed as a label to be applied to those people of equal White and Black ancestry, I, along with many others, don’t quite make the cut. My mother is Black American and my father is biracial born from a Japanese mother and White American father. The term mulatto excludes anyone who has other multi-racial heritage outside of the Black/White binary in addition to having Black and White ancestry.
- Now, this one may be a personal hang-up, but I cannot seem to see the word mulatto on paper (or computer screen in our modern tech-infused culture) without connecting it to the adjective tragic, as the two words are often observed in cahoots with each other.
Throughout my twenty one years, as various people have approached me with questions—“Why are your eyes so chinky?” or “Why does your father look White? Are you adopted?” or the all-time favorite “What are you?”—I have been forced to contemplate my multi-racial heritage and, from that, build my ethnic and racial identity. I, Aisha, identify as a Black-Mixed woman. In that order. If people want to know more I will tell them that I am of Black, Japanese, and White descent.
“Black-Mixed” is the term I use for myself and is not one I wish to impose on any other individual. The beauty of self-identification is that you create it for yourself. I encourage all mixed-race/multi-racial persons to form their own racial and ethnic identity free and unbound by the subjective opinions of others, including parents, family, friends, neighbors, etc. In writing this article, I seek not to influence the usage of a specific term, or any term with which an individual may or may not wish to identify.
The idea of the “tragic mulatto” comes from an idea, grounded in Euro-centric ideology, that multi-racial people are so troubled by a persistent state of confused racial self-identity, that the resulting inner turmoil leads to a tragic life. Bullshit. Closed-minded and intolerant individuals of all races and ethnicities are what trouble us—persons who are consistently treated as the other, at certain points in our lives. I want to emphasize again that intolerance is evident in all ethnic communities.
I recall my mother and other Black American members of my family scoffing at Tiger Woods as he publicly stated that he was “Cablinasian”—of Caucasian, Black, Indian, and Asian descent. My family members, like many other Black Americans, saw this statement as a rejection and denial by Woods of his Blackness. I did not see it the same way. Wanting to acknowledge all of your roots does not equal denying one in favor of the others. Yet, this idea has been ingrained into many mixed-race people, including myself, when it comes to any inclination to lean towards either a Black or mixed identity.
For the 2010 Census, my mom called me at school to strongly suggest that I only check the box for “Black” in regard to the question of racial/ethnic identity because, as she reminded me, “President Obama only checked Black.” I decided to go against her wishes, as I often seem to do, and proceeded to check all of the boxes for Black, White, and Asian-Japanese.
My father, of White and Japanese descent, has been such a fundamental figure in my life that I felt that if I neglected to include the ancestry that I have inherited from him, it would be, in part, a denial of the crucial role he has played in my life. This denial of my father’s ancestry, as requested by my mother whom I love and adore, is one I believe to be more damaging than Tiger’s inclusion of all of his ethnic ancestries.
Again, a self-identifying statement from a multi-racial person with Black heritage—which includes his or her various racial and ethnic heritages—is not automatically evidence of his or her desire to remove Blackness. It is completely acceptable for me to make the true statement that I love my Blackness. It is less acceptable to claim the same for my White or Japanese ancestries, which not only helped to shape the curl of my hair and the slant of my eyes, but also were essential in my cultural upbringing.
Why must an individual choose one identity from two parents whom they love? The math simply does not add up. Is this thinking partially a residual effect of the Untied States’ historic one-drop rule? Furthermore, is that rule an aspect of a greater ideology that we, as people of color, wish to support in its persistence?
Thoughts are very much appreciated and welcomed.
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I don’t think it is about choosing one or the other, but the fact that some biracial people have trouble with the word “Black” and that others perceive them as black due to their features and the way they look hence why they usually get angry if someone referred to them as such and quickly say I’am mix, multiracial, etc. etc., sorry but it is the true in some cases. Personally, I agree with a few other comments on this board why is it that every time the “why do I have to choose” thing is directed at the rest of black America but nobody RARILY have this discussion with white America, in your case Japanese people, etc. etc. oh yeah because they don’t care if you are mixed they still say black. To me, being Black means a variety of things not just that you have two African American parents because guess what if you are black and born and raised in America MOST LIKELY YOU ARE MIXED ANYWAY! A lot of people throw the mixed and biracial thing out there not because they feel like they are representing both of their parents but to set themselves apart from other black people. Heck, it is the same thing with the word Creole in Louisiana. There are plenty of biracial people who don’t mind being referred to as just black nor do the parents of those kids mind either because we can pretend we live in a post racial society but we don’t, people are still going to try to group you on how they perceive you just like at President Obama. Yes, he is biracial but the majority of the people call him black and he is not insisting or crying for people to call him mix/biracial because he is comfortable with himself and the word Black. Besides, I think most people call biracial people black is usually (not all but most) identify and find quicker acceptance in the black community as oppose to the other community.
Besides, why is it so important to let others know what your heritage consist of…blank stares… and usually people ask what are you mix with is because they could be genuinely curious about your heritage and features, not because they want you to choose. To me it isn’t that serious, whether both parents are black or just one you are still apart of the black experience and heritage
Seriously, black people (two black parents) have issues being black and living in America in some way or another, so I don’t think it’s a stretch that someone who is mixed would experience the same internal insecurities/resentment/pressure. I know it’s judgemental, but black people would be the best at spotting it since they know it so well.
I’m not sure who really self-identifies…I figure most people, even whites, are just thrown into a category and people either accept their circumstances (since it works in their favor), resent
Seriously, black people (two black parents) have issues being black and living in America in some way or another, so I don’t think it’s a stretch that someone who is mixed would experience the same internal insecurities/resentment/pressure. I know it’s judgemental, but black people would be the best at spotting it since they know it so well.
I’m not sure who really self-identifies…I figure most people, even whites, are just thrown into a category and people either accept their circumstances (since it works in their favor), resent their circumstances or get-in where they fit in (like halle berry who hustled in hollywood for long time as a black woman). No one gets to be immune from the situation.
F*ck all the debates. I have light caramel skin and I was born in America. Therefore I’m an American, just like every other American that was born here. There are “blacks”, “whites”, “asians”, “Native Americans” who are darker than me. Those same groups also have members who are lighter than me.
Race is purely colors.
In terms of Latino, IT IS NOT A RACE. It is an ethnicity.
Conclusion: at the end of the day, I’m like Eartha Kitt: I am in the race of me.
I love the strong feelings in your response! If anyone should pose this question to you, respond by asking “Why you ask?” if it’s someone who isn’t close to you…than it’s really none of their business…and purpose does it serve?
I feel we should all have a thing against being called ‘black’. Not just mixed people. We don’t call Japanese or Chinese people yellow. I am American and I guess I dont mind African American… Just like Charlize Theron! lol!
I’m not mixed but I totally agree with Aisha. Racial identity is what you make of it. Just because you’re partially black doesn’t mean it’s the only race should identify with. And I don’t think mixed races call themselves such because they want to be separated from black culture.They just want to acknowledge all the parts that make them unique which I think is very very cool. Additionally, unless you are actually mixed, I don’t think one can truly understand where a mixed person is coming from or pass judgement on them.
@CHICA in order for a mixed race person to understand who they are and were they stand it comes from the parents!! LOTS of mixed race children NOT ALL… grew up in a single family home. For example: If you have a white woman whom had a child with a black man and for whatever reason they break up and he leaves the home and NEVER returns to his child. NOW DO YOU THINK THE CHILDS WHITE MOTHER CAN TEACH HER HALF BLACK CHILD PART OF HER BLACK CULTURE???
NOT ONLY THAT… The child grow up with just her mom whom happens to be white not only that! she doen’t look alot like her mom. The child has different texture of hair and so on. Of course one would be CONFUSED!! And would also want to separterate his/herself from the part of his/herself that LEFT without teaching this child part of the black culture.
SO that is why ALOT of mixed people but NOT ALL feel OUT OF PLACE. They don’t understand the black culture or whatever culture they are mixed with because that part of their up bring was cut short!! Some would also feel out of place with the white culture, some feel out of place as well.
THIS TOPIC IS VERY PAINFULLY FOR ALOT OF PPL!! Their are alot of mixed people longing for peace! THE PARENTS OF MIXED CHILDREN MUST TRY THEIR BEST TO GIVE THAT CHILD BOTH CULTURES. WHETHER LEARNING THE HISTORY OF THE CHILDS CULTURE. LIVING IN NEIGBORHOODS THAT ARE VERY DIVERSE. AND SO ON.
Be well.
I agree with you!
If there are negative feelings surrounding a child’s upbringing as it pertains to any race, and there isn’t a parent there it explain or help the child make sense of it all or at least promote critical thinking, there may be resentment towards one race or the other. It doesn’t help that the media portrays black people in a negative way to begin with.
I think that a lot of “mixed” people with this “identity issue” can thank their parents for it. Period. If there aren’t any real discussions of race then the parents are setting their children up. It’s up to the parents to give their child a healthy self image at the earliest age. If parents are “color-blind” then they are doing a disservice to their children in the greater scheme of things, because the world isn’t color blind. And how a person deals with the discrimination factors of this world are reflected in their upbringing. It remains that mixed race people who choose to embrace all facets of their culture are desperately trying to separate themselves from the general population, even with the best intentions.
I commend the author for her well written article. I know this is a painful and highly debatable subject. I have a black and white mixed grandmother who hates all things black, and her four children (including my mother) struggle with their racial identity to this day, my mother 1/4 Latina claims Hispanic only. My father who is black told me early on that I am black. No matter what I’m mixed with I claim black. No need to go further than that, unless someone truly interested doesn’t mind sitting through a long drawn out cultural and racial explanation of my heritage. Thanks
just about every so-called black person in the u.s. could call themselves black/mixed. lol.
As I mentioned earlier, there’s an underlining assumption that black americans are obessed with how individual who are biracial or multracial identify themselves. It is simply an assumption. The fact that these types of debates or exchanges are rarely found on or in predominately black publications or arenas with “high black traffic” suggests that blacks some how have more to say, more opinion, or more responsibility regarding the matter. While I can understand some of these assumptions lets face it it’s probably been only in the last 20-30 yrs that a “mixed raced” child would have grown up without major influence from it’s “black side” (if he or she were indeed ‘part black’). It was a rare sight to find a white female raising a biracial child without significant assistance from the black community (many times she was within the black community). However things have changed and this is not the case today. I long to see the day when these type of discussions take place on predominately white boards or publications. I long to see biraical and mixed race persons take whites to task.
Actually this discussion will end soon because at the end of the day a lot of the “debate” is simply identity politics. Any study of history understands that identify politics is often a good start but it will sustain anything of true value. What I would like to read about is: What political meaning does your biracial identity or mix race identity have for you? What purpose does your identity have outside of the fact that one parent is ______ and another parent is _________ or your grandparents were____________?
that would be an interesting discussion.
Oh… look.. another group of “bi-racials” doing the same as this one (Aisha) is doing in this article. Look at the title:
“I’m Biracial, Not Black Damn It”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXkPdC_a-ME
Ms. Aisha– READ the title. This is EXACTLY what the black commentators on this post MEAN by when they say the BI-RACIAL issue concerning MULATTOES is ONLY brought up at the feet of black people but NOWHERE to be found concerning anyone else– including white folks.
It is hands-down oneof the most PUZZLING pieces of rhetorical phenomenon concerning mixed people, considering that WHITIES are a HECKUVA LOT more ignorant towards your SUBgroup of people in automatically classifying you as black, than ANY black person of PRESENT or past history has EVER been. WHITIES have been the ones steadily type-casting bi-racial people, thus the implementation of centuries-long history of enforcing the one-drop rule, in which mixed people try to take issue up with primarily BLACK folks today considering. :
One reason why this is is because you and other “tragic mulattoes” KNOW that white people are not going to PLAY “race-games” with you, let alone even embark down the (in their minds– ridiculous) discussion that this is. You just take whatever derogatory racial comment, slur or insult they have in for you– like the truckers whom told you to “Go home”– head bowed, and mouths closed, as you foot-shuffle to the back of the bus with your traps shut, and a “Yes, Massa” written across your heart.
Make sure you hide in the bushes around Whitey, but jump out and pound your gavel down the throats of black folks though,.
Even white Racist historians have documented and recognized this behavior from you all and even wrote about such acts and despised you for it. Haiti’s historical account being one of the most famous in Western Hemisphere history.
Now my end point(s) to take away from this? Just in case you try to use the typical straw-mans you set up for others in this thread..
1.) I dont care WHAT you identify yourself–
2.) and neither do most black people–
3.) this is a concern BETTER fitted to WHITE people than the demographic you are discussing this with.
4.) In which you not only failed to adress or semi-acknowledge as a problem also– but COMPLETELY left out in the article as a demographic whom MAJORLY and were the FIRST to contribute to the problem you described in the FIRST PLACE
5.) Which is what leads us to why this article is a magnanimous fail and my earlier statement:
The only thing this article lended to “debunking” was that the Tragic Mulatto “Myth” really isnt nor wasnt a myth at all.
This is one of the first articles I can ever say I had the pleasure of reading in which the author’s main point ad title of the article was totally debunked by everything she had to say within it.
One hell of a journalism degree you got there…
ohhh you better tell em. I totally agree!!!!!!
Here’s the thing about this: I’ve heard more Black people take issue with mixed folk identifying either as Black OR mixed than any other group.
Just because YOU may personally not care what a mixed person refers to themself doesn’t actually mean other Black people don’t. It’s more prevalent than you think.
On one hand, if you call yourself Black (ie. Paula Patton) and physically you look mixed or of another race, you get the side eye and a “GIRL. Please.” On the other, if you call yourself mixed, and physically you look mixed or of another race, you STILL get the side eye if you happen to be mixed with Black, because then to some people you’re “trying to separate yourself” from the community.
So there’s some who feel you should acknowledge your whole heritage at all times, but this rule only goes for mixed people who LOOK mixed. If you’re mixed and look Black, tough luck because you’re straight Black to some others, even if you acknowledge your whole heritage. Kinda like “Oh, you’re Black and Japanese? Didn’t know that. You look Black though, I don’t see the Japanese at all. *shrugs*” Basically oh that’s nice, you don’t look it, therefore it’s N/A and I don’t care anymore.
And I still scratch my head at “you’re either THIS or you’re THAT”. Really? Is that so? Mixed people can call themselves whatever they want; it’s whatever they can truly identify with in their daily lives.
Oh and for the record I’m Black. Straight up Black lol.
Dr. Chuckles..dayummmmmmmmmmmmmm. I have to agree. Not to add on to an already huge thread, but I have to chime in a little. The “dominant” culture here in the US is not going to play ethnicity games…(not the ones this author is contemplating). There is how one feels as being “black identified” and how people are going to SEE you and treat you in the world at large. If a light-skinned person with freckles, green-eyes, and no obvious African features tells me they are black then dammit they are black. Just know that if the boss at the job thinks you’re something else (White, Spanish, Dutch, etc) then you will have to correct them—or not–. These days if the question is raised in context then I will ask: “What is your nationality?” (Yes, I know this is different than ethnicity, race, etc, but it’s better than asking “ARE YOU BLAKKK???” In 2010 I try not to assume anything. Of course for the author as nearly 100 people have already stated, it is YOU who must define yourself.
This discussion reminds me of this white lady I met when I was working at this camp one summer. She had half black kids. She told me when she got pregnant with her first kid her white mother, who was supposedly a devout Catholic, told her to get an abortion. Her family, full of white folks, disowned her. Her husband’s mother, a full black woman, pretty much saved her life. She said she was depressed and wanted to die. Her white family has nothing to do with she and her half black kids. Even after she and her husband divorced she had a great relationship with his mother. She was always there. That’s why when some blacks and biracials talk about all this racism coming from blacks towards biracial people it makes me mad. I’ve heard many, many stories of white women being ostracized by her family and taken in by the black family. I know a guy like this as well. His mother is white and until he became an adult he had no relationship with his mother’s parents. His mother would have to sneak to see her own mother because her father didn’t like her half black kids. The fact that some are willing to argue that white folks so lovingly approve of biracial kids and blacks folks hate biracial kids, makes my blood boil because I can find real life stories to dispute that crap. Why is it black folks are expected to accept any crap that is handed to us, but white folks can have certain standards and have certain things they can choose to accept?? FOH
“Her family, full of white folks, disowned her. …Her husband’s mother, a full black woman…it makes me mad. I’ve heard many, many stories…”
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Oh so it’s the Gospel, and you believe without question, when a white person relays an experience of being “disowned” or “ostracized” by other whites but it “makes [you] mad,” your “blood boils,” and you disbelieve when bi/multiracials share experiences of being “ostracized,” treated badly and/or rejected by blacks? It’s only ‘truth’ when what’s being conveyed is what you wanna hear and to your liking, eh!?
There’s a word for that and it begins with a big ol’ H!
Oh well regarding your 2nd hand he said-she-said “stories” but do nix trying to speak on the fit of shoes you’ve never worn since you are “browner than a chocolate chip cookie with thick course hair.” No anecdotes conveniently conjured up and thrown into the mix can trump the real experiences lived by bi/multiracials every day of their lives and the truth is the truth. On the daily and in various settings (also witnessed with my own eyes and ears) many bi/multiracials have shared instances of being name-called and mistreated by AAs or about a racist AA grandfather sitting in prison right now for trying to get even with/take out his hate for “whitey” by beating his daughter’s son within an inch of his life, AA uncle not wanting “that half cracker child” around, AA grandmother referring to them with ‘nice’ words like “sh!t-colored” etc., other AA family members calling them “yellow b!tch” etc. etc. etc.
I don’t know if you’re looking for Angel Wings to be bestowed upon your group but quit selectively reading (or seeing what you choose to see) as no biracial is insisting they’ve never encountered racism or ill treatment from whites — only honestly speaking on all areas/experiences of it.
You appear heavily invested in bi/multiracials, their identity and doings (reading mulatto.org) and I don’t know why that is, but no one is asking for your acceptance or approval and it’s not needed. Especially if your objective is to dictate (not listen and learn) and you can only abide an echo and cowardly discussions that only recounts the things you want to hear.
One day you’re whining over light and bi/multiracial females being featured in magazines, movies, videos, America’s ‘most beautiful’ lists etc.; …next you’re ranting in protest about the self-identification of mixed chicks i.e. Zoë, Amber, Halle etc.; …soon enough you appear to take some kind of perverted glee in insinuating that light and mixed females experience routine rejection from whites etc.…so which is it? Are we sought after or rejected by whites?
You can’t have it both ways and attempt to sneer over your hope that bi/multiracials are rejected — then show your real hand via crying over your perception that chicks like you who are “browner than a chocolate chip cookie with thick course hair” are overlooked.
Got it…it’s clear…others are “crap” and you, a so-claimed “true black woman” *snick*, are a never-ending victim with loads of issues and an axe to grind with damn near every group. So, continue calling white and light women ‘ghostly’, crying about bi/multiracials hating you and ranting in anger against “poor victimized black men.”
Get therapy chick. You need help. lmaoooooo
“You appear heavily invested in bi/multiracials, their identity and doings (reading mulatto.org) and I don’t know why that is, but no one is asking for your acceptance or approval and it’s not needed. Especially if your objective is to dictate (not listen and learn) and you can only abide an echo and cowardly discussions that only recounts the things you want to hear”
As oppose to a non-black woman coming on a AA site dictating how she feels *some* black ppl act? Right
*le sigh*
This has been covered several times already so allow me to correct your typos then fix this for ya, Hehe:
“As
opposeopposed to anon-black womanwoman of color coming ona AA sitean online magazine for women of colordictating how she feels *some* black ppl actsharing her opinions same as everyone else?”Do you get it now? *wink*
@Akai*
So how often do you see Asian women or other “women of color” represented on this site? The author of most if not all the articles written on Clutch are what? Yeah Black (more specifically African American).
It just funny that your opinions are usually blatant generalization of Blacks (but then get upset when other commentators make generalization of other groups).
Emma Knight wrote: “I too am mixed race, but a lot older then this writer. …with the election of Obama, I find myself being regularly grilled about mixed race identity by the white people in my life.”
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Cool to read the views of older bi/multiracials and see how the perspectives vary from generation to generation; location (i.e. midwest vs. the south) plays a huge part also. Socializing, digging the same music i.e. rap/hip hop, diverse school settings, co-workers that span the racial spectrum and dating interracially are things 20-somethings have been doing/experiencing since preschool.
I’ve always found ignorant questions asked by whites easy to handle or dismiss. Heck that’s way more tolerable than dealing with incidents of chicks trying to cut off your hair, pick a fight, roll their eyes and prejudge before you’ve uttered one word.
I can be the queen of snar so whenever anyone has attempted to place me in a situation of speaking for all, answering for Obama’s self-identification, or answer a dumb question i.e. “Why do Latinos X?”…I always ask the person why do white people shoot up their co-workers, let their dogs lick them in the mouth etc. 9 times out of 10, the person realizes the absolute absurdity of their question(s) (well, the younger ones tend to) and if they’re not the representative spokesperson for the behaviors and actions of all whites – then neither am I.
Correction: “I can be the queen of
snarsnark…”Fuchsia wrote: “…I think that a lot of “mixed” people with this “identity issue”…
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Several statements have been made insinuating “mixed” people have identity issues, blaming our parents etc….and I always howl in laughter at the sheer arrogance of an AA having the nerve to even go there.
Many AAs apply straightening chemicals to their or their young girl’s heads, or attach someone else’s (or fake) hair to make it appear as if they’ve long hair, yet “mixed” people are the ones with “identity issues?” Really?
It’s not uncommon for some AAs to name-call on a color chart and go from criticizing the light with terms like “yella heffa” to excoriating the dark with words like “tar baby,” oh but “mixed” people are the ones with “identity issues?” For real?
Often there is a lot of yapping about the parents of “mixed” children and self-righteous pontificating on what these parents should do — so look around and explain how well AA parents have done with instilling a “healthy self image” in their children from a young age before daring to judge others!
@ Akai
Not trying to pick a fight, but you come across as very angry toward Black women. Your own prejudice is practically leaping from the screen just as loudly as the ignorance you’re speaking out against. I’m not defending that ignorance but still…if you’re gonna cast a stone, make sure you’re without sin. You’re very careful to use words like “some” and “many” when referring to us, but your comments reek of generalization and bitterness. Maybe you too have an axe to grind against “some” Black women for having not treated you the greatest. That’s a totally valid thing, if it’s the case, but don’t throw out that big ‘ol “H” word if it’s something that can be turned on you…just saying.
Choklitgirlwonder wrote: “Not trying to pick a fight…”
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Yeah, riiiiight…of course you’re not. *sniggle*
Tell me something? Where in the world did you get the idea that I could possibly give a blip what you think (‘you’re prejudice’, ‘you come across’ blah blah blah)?? Anyway, since you shared that unsolicited, unimportant, inconsequential bit and got it off your chest, here’s what I think…you.have.no.integrity!!
Several of us were discussing this offline, but I really hope some of you are not that delusional to think you can ‘say’ whatever you want — and others are obliged to cower in fear or simply take it and offer no rebuttal of any kind. In any case, I’ll ‘say’ what I want, rebut whatever I choose, call out hypocrisy when I please, and cast a stone whenever I feel like it. We clear!? And, obviously, you do ‘defend ignorance’ as you skipped right over pounds of it thrown at/about mixed people in this very thread and attempted to come at me.
Conveniently overlook her statements all day long — but doing so is telling and they are there for all to read. Putting aside her usual rhetoric, the girl is a d@mn hypocrite if she’s quick to believe whites who tell her what she wants to hear – yet her “blood boils” and she gets “mad” over bi/multiracials sharing truths she doesn’t want to hear.
I have no integrity? You read ONE comment in a online forum and now you’re qualified to make judgments about integrity? Girl stop because now you really sound like the women you’re supposedly railing against. Hmph! One would almost think I hit a nerve…at no stage in the game did I imply that you or anyone else should “cower in fear” over anything said online, much less from me. Correct me if I’m wrong but I’m guessing you weren’t yoked up, dragged to this site, and forced to voice your opinions. It’s an online forum, and your comments are subject to analysis, ridicule, praise, whatever. You have no problem calling other folks out on their views but you want to get extra nasty because I said you sound bitter? Well you do, and your response helped prove my point. Like it or lump it, your choice.
There was a LOT that I did and didn’t agree with and in last few days and I chose to not to comment. What does that have to do with you sounding like you have a hate/hate relationship with Black women? What does it have to do with you coming across as just as much of a bitter, hypocritical harpy as you think Isis or Viva Lola are? Not a got dayum thing.
I DO think that the end of the day, for the most part bi-racial folks (if we’re discussing a mainly Black and White mix) can identify as Black if they want to. They can identify as bi-racial or mixed if they want. What they CAN’T be is White. I think that says everything in a nutshell.
I do think it is interesting that people have jumped on Akai’s negative generalizations of black people but haven’t said a word about the derogatory comments made on mixed race people.
I’m mixed and don’t agree with everything Akai said about black people. But I don’t think the rude comments towards mixed people should be ignored either. People have given the thumbs up “like” to prejudiced comments!
Spread love not hate.
Hi Ki,
I’m willing to hear you out and consider what you’ve stated, so could you please list/point out all the “negative generalizations of black people” I’ve written?
I may slip from time to time – though I doubt it comes anywhere near the amount of racism I’ve read spewn about whites, Latinos, biracials etc. here – but I try really hard to always quantify.
The thing is…I can reiterate or expand on something another commenter wrote…other participants can pretty much share the exact same opinion and sentiment as I…but guess who gets labeled ‘racist’? *giggle*
I’ll always share what I know to be true regardless – and won’t be intimidated or stopped by anyone – but often it seems that some people quickly label things ‘bashing’, ‘racist’ etc. simply because they don’t like what is stated yet can’t disprove it. …when that is done, there is no integrity there or reason to even attempt a debate/discussion but, like I already said, I’m open and willing to consider your POV.
You’re not the only one who has noticed how negative and hateful statements have gotten the ‘thumbs up’ and benign comments received the opposite — but there is nothing to do but chalk that up to what it is: juvenile games i.e. encouraging fights and clicking simply because of ‘disliking’ who wrote a comment — not the comment itself.
p.s. …and the way the author, Aisha, was ganged up to basically abandon the article was disgusting!
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