Posted on 02/24/2011 6:14:06 AM PST by flowerplough
Halle Berry's recent comments in Ebony magazine have brought up the complex subject of racial identity, which still seems to confuse many Americans. Asked if her daughter, Nahla, is African American, the Oscar-winning actress answered, "I feel like she's black. I'm black and I'm her mother, and I believe in the one-drop theory."
Blogs raged, and suddenly everyone was an expert on dissecting the social construction of race. Even many black websites roared that Nahla wasn't black. It was as if a chapter from an Alex Haley book had come to life on the Web.
Berry has never used the words "mixed" or "biracial" to describe her racial identity. She identifies as a black woman. Similarly, President Barack Obama, Faith Evans, Jasmine Guy and even the late, great Bob Marley all embraced having a white parent -- but didn't identify by degree of blackness. Apparently, they subscribe to the belief that either you are black -- or you are not.
In 2011, black is no longer praised as beautiful; everyone wants to be "multi." People proudly run through their race, ethnicity and nationality as if it's a résumé. "Mixed," "multiethnic," even the deeply offensive word "mulatto," are resurging as the hottest labels around. Here's another new term I recently heard: "double-raced."
(Excerpt) Read more at theroot.com ...
and I believe in the one-drop theory.”
Yeah, me too. Drop everything to do with Halle Berry.
If you are white, you are held to a higher standard.
If you are Black, the standard of behavior you are held to; is much much lower. So, by claiming to be black - they can appear as ‘Superman’, while if claiming to be white, they are merely ‘successful mortals’.
Sounds raaist; but it’s fact - like it or not.
That is a crazy title. Why can’t we just be decent human beings?
Seriously, this identity garbage only ends badly.
Well there’s also Pigford and Pigford II money to be had, special colleges, funds and loans to be had
If your not white...
paid for by whites.
Those crazy Octoroons..../sarc
Notice how this morning all things of the Middle East have fallen off the news? No constant coverage, no more Muslim interviews.
But gay marriage, race articles etc are everywhere...
And where is the media on the outrageous gas prices? Crickets.
Until you posted, I could have told you who Derek Jeter was, but nothing about his race. Isn’t that the way it should be?
Jeter has two excellent parents.I believe Berry’s pappy was
a rolling stone?
I guess someone needs to educate me on why this is. I've never known this word to be "deeply offensive". Why is it? I thought it was just a simple term to define someone of mixed black/white race.
Jeter's parents.
Yup.
I’m not a Yankees fan, but I have to give Jeter his due. He’s a class act, keeps a low profile, and to be the type of star he is and to never make a huge public mistake in NY... impressive.
Yes, it’s a crazy title, and even crazier is the article. If the truth were known, and it could be with a DNA test, I doubt there would be many of us that don’t have “one drop” of black blood. That attitude, or misguided belief, belongs to the past when people thought races were pure. Or I could be rude and say it’s just plain ignorant.
On the other hand, if racists are going to treat you like a n*gger anyway - you may as well say you are Black.
One of my best friends growing up was half black and half white, he knew nothing of black culture other than faithlessness, and other blacks made fun of him for “acting white” (how the hell else was he supposed to act, watch the ‘Jeffersons’ and ‘Good Time's and model his mannerisms after that?), but he still caught all the potential flack from whites for being black as well.
Archer: Not diverse enough? Lana is Black.....ish.
Lana: “BLACK-ISH?”
Archer: Well you went crazy when I called you an Octaroon!
Lana: Well imagine that!
Definitely. 15 years along now, it's safe to say he's a true professional. What a great example he's been for the kiddos. Think about it.
It often does. Didn't the KKK apply the "one-drop" perspective to their crimes?
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