Opinion: What does Blackness look like?
Editor's note: Yaba Blay, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of Africana studies who teaches courses at Lafayette College. Her research focuses on black identity, with specific attention to skin color and hair politics. She is the recipient of a 2010 Leeway Foundation Art and Change Grant through which she embarked upon the book project, (1)ne Drop: Conversations on Skin Color, Race, and Identity.
This is part of a three-part series. Read Don Lemon's column, "It only takes one drop."
By Yaba Blay, Special to CNN
I always thought I could spot a Black person anywhere. My eyes were trained in New Orleans – home to a historically preeminent group of folks who self-identify as “Creoles.” Many of them would make it a point to announce that they are different—not White, not Black, but “Creole.” A mix of African, Native American, French, and sometimes Spanish heritage, some Creoles are light-skinned enough to be mistaken for— or “pass”—for White people. We call them “passé blanc.”
One of my favorite pastimes as a youth in New Orleans was “picking out Black people” – people whom everyone else might have thought were White or “something else,” but whom I knew for a fact were Black. Somehow. Without even knowing it at the time, I had blindly accepted the “one-drop rule,” the early 1900’s law turned social rule that held that anyone with 1/32 of “African Black blood” was Black. And somehow I made it my mission to identify that “one-drop” any chance I could get. Maybe it was my way of retaliating against those who didn’t want to be associated with my kind – those whom I felt were somehow rejecting their own kind.
In my limited experiences, it seemed that people whose physical appearance gave them the “option” to be something else, chose to be something else. So in my adult life, when I left New Orleans and began to meet people who were very adamant about their black identity, even though they could have easily identified as “mixed” or “Latino” or “Creole” or could have even “passed” for white, I found myself intrigued. On one particular occasion, I was on a panel hosted by the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI); and for as “learned” and as well-versed as (I thought) I was in global skin color politics, I found myself somehow taken aback each time either of my co-panelists, whom I would have identified as “Latino/a,” self-identified as “Black” and “African.” In that moment, I felt ashamed of myself for questioning their identities based upon the stereotypical visions of "Blackness" that lived in my head. Afterwards, as I continued to struggle with myself, I knew that I wanted to do something with my feelings that could be useful to others like myself. I wanted to explore the “other” sides of Blackness.
So began my journey into the (1)ne Drop project.
Starting with my own personal contacts and snowballing into a pool of over 40 contributors representing 20 countries, I interviewed people who self-identify as “Black” (or some version of it) but don’t necessarily look Black, like my collaborator, photographer Noelle Théard, who identifies as Black but is often assumed to be Latina. I asked them a variety of questions, like:
How do you identify? Racially? Culturally?
What makes a person Black? What makes you Black?
Upon first meeting you, what do people usually assume about your identity?
Do people question your Blackness?
All questions I myself have never had to think about, much less articulate answers to.
Most everyone that I spoke with had had the experience of having complete strangers casually ask them, “What are you?” Another question I have never been asked. Although I had lived most of my life acutely aware of what I felt were disadvantages assigned to my dark skin–especially growing up in New Orleans–it wasn’t until I began having these conversations that I came to realize some of the privileges my dark skin carries; the most profound of which is its ability to clearly communicate my racial identity, not only to other people, but to other black people.
I can rest assured that when someone in the room is talking about Black people, they realize that they are talking about my people. I also know that if I say “we” when talking about Black people, no one looks at me like I’m crazy, no one laughs at me as if I am somehow confused about my identity, and no one takes offense because they suspect I am somehow perpetrating a fraud, which is what often happens when many of the people I interviewed claim their “Blackness.” Whether they are from the U.S., the U.K., Cuba or South Africa, all have had the experience of having their identity called into question simply because they don’t neatly fit into the “Black” box. Yet and still, they are clear about their identity as Black people: racially, culturally, and/or politically.
Combining candid memoirs with vivid portraiture, (1)ne Drop provides living testimony to the fluidity of “Blackness.” Through their personal narratives, contributors provide insight into their own imaginings of Black identity and their experiences as Black people. According to the old “one-drop rule,” Blackness is a matter of biology and the law, effectively leaving its subjects without voice (or choice for that matter), but it is through the personal narratives of our contributors that we come to see multiple possibilities for "Blackness" - ones that go above and beyond that old narrow and restrictive box.
The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Yaba Blay.
About In America
What defines you? Maybe it’s the shade of your skin, the place you grew up, the accent in your words, the make up of your family, the gender you were born with, the intimate relationships you chose to have or your generation? As the American identity changes we will be there to report it. In America is a venue for creative and timely sharing of news that explores who we are. Reach us at inamerica@cnn.com.
Black in America
iReport
You do realize that, when there is an exception to a definition you create, your definition is incorrect, right?
I am not lazy. I am actually very well informed, I'd say, for my age. I am generally a happy person (unless someone steals my sour gummy worms. then it's on). I am of normal strength, i'd say. And i have never hit anyone in my life.
Furthermore, I am not intellectualy childlike, thanks to the preparatory high school I go to, which educates us with texts such as Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment and Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics.
And I'm definitely not ugly. Actually, I am always being told that I'm "so pretty for a black girl" (which is incredibly insulting, actually). And I love my family.
I am 100% Ghanaian American.
So shut up 🙂
and Yepyep, even I am ashamed for you. I can't believe you define yourself like that.
This thread is hilarious! First people start saying that mumbo jumbo about how we shouldn't talk about race and race shouldn't matter, then the racists start posting and show why we need to have race discussions like this in the first place. Then it just degrades into a hate thread, haha. Well these posts always prove my rule of thumb, that 95% of people are just plain stupid. That's right 95%, across all races (and countries and cultures, however you want to play it). We are the 95%!
What insights would the enlightened 5% impart upon the others?
After scrolling through the comments posted here – most merely racist and not actually discussing the article prompt – if this an example of what people really feel when anonymous behind their computers or it it just that forums are mostly flooded with sad unhappy people who failed logic and manners for first graders?
Dr. Blay, Will you marry me?
This will never change until we are each others Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins. When we can see a person, and all that implies, and not just a representative of some demographic group. This is the challenge: to get past our natural fear of that which is different. The world will never be otherwise; even if we can get past race we will find other differences to highlight. Can you get past it? That's what matters.
Good living in this economy you can be a published writer by doing a write-up on what it means to be black or white. Just buy a god damn mirror that's what you are and find something else to worry about. Your appearance coupled with your behaviors is what the world sees typically judging first by appearance and second by behavior.
The discussion board of this article proves that articles that are always focused on race only create racial tensions. Want to know how to get rid or racism and hate crimes in the US? Stop talking about it.
I absolutely agree!
Actually not talking about it is essentially the problem. Many people do not realize how racist they are until someone actually points it out to them. That includes all races. We all have a tendancy to judge based on race. The more we talk about it the more we can begin to get to know others beyond their skin color.
I don't think we need talk I think we need action. Bury past judgments, concessions, be prepared to know everyone will NOT be on board but that's something we cannot control. I don't see too many Asian people worrying about this they are too busy just doing.
but m00nsuit, how do you do that without discussion?
It's hard to believe so many comments on here. I was raised up to see a crowd of people--as just being that. A crowd of people ! There is nobody that is different from the other.
You're joking right?
Don't forget to discuss it with your sister when you two are in bed tonight, don't let your six-toed cross-eyed kids hear you though!
Dr. Blay mistakenly referred to Dr. James Scott as biracial when, in fact, both of his parents are black.
What does "whiteness" look like? What a waste of bandwidth. These CNN race baiting articles are completely moronic
Of ALL categories in the United States, black women are the most overweight.
Please present your proof, and then we can continue this.
Millions of ugly, fat, balding white guys out there too, in fact you're probably one of them!
I can define it better TIM, whiteness looks like a pink pigs skin, bleached blonde hair, green veins popping out, sun burned skined with some puss ouzing out (ouch) and noses as long as pinocchoio's ewwww
yes and i agree, black like national geographic, black with no visible veins popping out, no sunburns.
i will rather stick with the black than white
black men don't even find black woman attractive.
Whiteness looks like racists who got bored with the black-bashing on Stormfront and came to CNN to spew their hatred.
Lovely generalizations. Shall I do the same? No, but you keep blowing your dog whistle.
Blackness looks like... no white guy on earth would get with Yaba Blay for ANY amount of money. Ever.
Fakeness looks like the cover of Playboy, bleached blonde hair and silicone boobs. Black looks like the lovely Ashanti, Kelly Rowland, and Beyonce.
Ashanti, Kelly Rowland, and Beyonce are all predominately white. As is Halle Berry.
i dont know about the other woman, but are we talking about the same Kelly Rowland? because....she's definitely not white at all. She's pretty dark-skinned. Maybe there is white in her somewhere back a million generations ago, but it's not predominant. so check your facts, thanks.
Haha GENE, white people get with the ugliest black people and black people get with the ugliest white people. You are so wrong and yaba is very pretty. then again you are white so i don't expect you to know what pretty is
I'd like to know what whiteness looks like. Oh wait. That would be racist.
we already know that...Whiteness refers to White Anglo-Saxon Protestant men and women (i.e., WASP). If you are not that...you are not really "White" which many light skinned europeans, jews and latinos have assimilated and identify with. Just know the KKK aint talkin bout those europeans and latinos when they say "White" they mean WASP
I don't think that's racist at all. White is complex too because of intermixing, just like other races. The problem is that we identify races at all, it's a problem much older than we are.
Joe, joe, joe. i can define white better – it is like nothing, non existent, no color. sorry, i apologise u are NOT white, you are pink. K so let's define what pink is now................
Black blood, I thought all human blood is red no matter the color of skin...when are you people going to repent and accept that we are just humans no matter what.
while this article and everyone else on here are talking about race, let me pose this question. can any of you smart ones say what race is and how to prove what it is because its never been, only ethnicity and as soon as people notice black white or whatever isnt a race and there is no such thing this wouldnt be an issue **get educated**
i love you.
Go into a windowless room in the middle of the night,turn off all the lights,put on a blindfold and close your eyes
That is what blackness looks like,duh
Wouldnt blind people get offended if they read this comment?
This woman is an idiot. Stop trying to claim us mixed people! If someone is half white half black, that is what they are! Why are black people so desperate to claim us?! It ticks me off to no end. Obama is NOT a black man, he is HALF BLACK. Halle Berry is not a black woman, she is HALF BLACK! We exist you know. It is RACIST and hurtful to the other parent if you claim one side. My mother is white and my father is black. It would hurt my mother deeply if I said I was black, and it would hurt my father if I said I was white. This woman is a complete joke and everything she stands for is stupid.
What is interesting to me is the fact that President Obama IS African-American (by the very definition of the term). He's more so than most black Americans whose closest African relative is perhaps 7 or 8 generations away. Most black people in America have closer European ancestry than African.
So if the author is wrong for claiming people of mixed races to be black and not giving them the choice to make themselves, are you not also wrong for not allowing people of mixed races to identify with whatever race they choose to? YOU want to identify as mixed, but I know a lot of other 'mixed' people and SOME choose to identify as white and some identify as black (this is of course given that they are mixed with black and white).
No you stupid! if your parent are white and black you are African American, there is no middle race and you cant make one up.
I bet you will not check that box on an application white if your parents are black and white... You will never get that job!
I believe that the "Dr." hates that she is black,and envies those who are mixed/light-skinned,fair-haired,etc.
Sarah, sounds like you didn't bother to read the article before you posted.She has a Phd. Did you see what field she is studying?
Thus is what Phd s do. They study raw data, collect data from the primary source, analyze it, publish it and discuss it. If not, they can't get tenure and they become unemployed.
It's a lot different and harder than when you got your GED.
Ron you should try educating yourself. Like Sarah said, she is both black and white. She doesn't have to say she is African American. As other's have pointed out, Obama really is African American given his direct paternal ties to Africa. Science backs up Sarah not you. Being bi-racial or multi-racial is not making up a race either. Take your time to find out what a race is as compared to an ethnicity.
Personally, I do not care for the term African American. Asians living here are not referred to as Asian American or White as European American.
I gotta agree with Jammaster; Sarah didn't read the whole article.....she likely didn't past the second paragraph....
Sad..
Warriors!!!!!
It is true that blacks of different shades absolutely notice one another, and will even criticize one another based on their shade. There is certainly jealousy involved.
@Kruelgor all day long light-skinned blacks vs. dark-skinned blacks
What is a light skinned black? Is there such a thing as a dark skinned white? How stupid and ignorant are these terms? Someone who is erroneously called a light skinned black is probably mixed WITH black. That is possible you know right? Ugh. This topic makes me sick. Stop with this nonsense!
Actually, there are white people with darker skin tones than other. Tall, dark and handsome does not just apply to black people.
Right. I agree. I think we should do away with "racial" classification altogether.
An Italian, Spanish, Portuguese or Greek person living in the Mediterranean region would be considered a dark-skinned white. Yes, there are light-skinned blacks, my father was one. We come in all shades and you don't have to be directly mixed (have one parent who is white or other) to be a "light-skinned" black.
Did she really ask the young woman in the interview if she thought she was "Black Enough"? What does that mean? I want everyone who posted here to ask themselves a question... What will America "be like" (not look like) when European Americans are the minority? Any one who thinks that is a racist question doesn't understand its concept, or its importance. I don't see color, but I do see character. This issue frightens me beyond belief. It should frighten everyone, regardless of color.
^^love, love, love. That is so true.
Well except the european-americans being a minority part. I don't understand why that would be scary..
Whites being the Minority is not the issue, example would be Pre-Mandela South Africa. Whites were the Minority, and still controlled the country. But I think you have hit the nail on the head when the Demographic change comes. Since as a Country we spent more money on Wars, Prisons, and anything other than Educating our Citizens, there are a lot of nervous people, my exhibit, the Tea Party, and a large portion of the Republican Party.
I'm a 41yr. old, 6' foot 5", 260 lbs,bald-headed, goatee, dark-skinned, basketball playin', cap't crunch eatin, bbq'in, white girl screwin', among other races I might add, orange soda lovin', bad-mutha-brotha. But I pose a serious question........Would America (black or white) ever vote for a blackman with my physical characteristics???
Depends on your fiscal policies and stance on the wars, gay marriage, abortion, etc.
Strange thing, the demographic that is most swayed by race, isn't white people, it's black people. Most white people are over it (save a very vocal minority) and will generally vote for whoever has the best policies, or whoever has the correct letter next to their name.
When Barry O signed up and ran in '08, more black people came out to vote that in any other election... ever. And a higher percentage went D than in any other election... ever.
race race race!
it's all this country is consumed with. who cares? if you let idiots like this broad comment over and over she would have you believe that all 300 million americans are black! well, I'm not. and i am very proud of it. just like anyone else should be proud of their heritage. i'm sick of all this. people are people but broads like her cause problems!
Why in the world does it matter to you if this woman is interested in race and culture? It's a fascinating topic and she saw it fit to study one aspect of it, African American culture. You more resemble an idiot than she for insinuating that this woman's interest isn't worth exploring. Js.
Oh and are you proud of being whatever race you are or are you proud of specifically not being black? Cuz there's a difference.
Think before you speak. Thank you.
European-American is a term I just heard in Yaba's interview with Dr. James Scott (that interview video was played during Don Lemon's column about "one drop"). Never heard of "European-American" before, however, I think it is a fair tag to put on us Caucasians. If black Americans are referred to as African-Americans then why not European to describe those of us with ancestors from Europe? It only seems right if anybody thinks there is a need to point out a difference based on skin color. Bottom line though is that we are all Americans and why is it necessary to tag one race with an extra identifier?
These 2 sounds like 5$ hoe even without looking at them. and their color.
You are who you are and don't let anybody question it. One big promlem is that acording to Jesse Jackson blacks in the USA are supposed to carry a chip on the shoulder. You will not find that with people from Ghana or Jamaica. Let me tell you there are smart and beautiful girls of every skin color and I love them all. (Not into guys). Just not enough time.
I am 1/32 Chippewa/Ojibwa - I guess via the old "one-drop rule" I would be considered Native American? That would be fine with me. I loved my great-grandmother and remember sitting by her bed, watching her sleep, when I was a wee girl and thinking she had so much character and beauty in her strong features and long, soft grey plaits. She was born in the 1880's on the reservation in North Dakota and attended Carlisle Indian Industrial School as an older teen. The career they prepared her for (per her school records, which are in the National Archives) was "housekeeper". Every time I am forced to pick one race on a form I feel very, very reluctant to deny her blood in my veins and her important place in my life. I was 18 when she passed, and sometimes it seems like just yesterday that I sat and watched my grandmother (her daughter) brush her long hair and braid it for the night. I consider myself multi-racial and I select both Caucasian and Native American whenever I'm presented with the opportunity. She is my kin, my blood, and the fact that I can "pass" doesn't erase her from my memory or from my heart.
Beautifully said. Thank you for sharing.
It is not important to ask the question "What does blackness look like"?...it is more important to ask "What does blackness act like"?
HAHAH oh-em-gee.
I don't mean to offend you, but that's a terrible question. The color that a human is born with does not affect its mental processes. Therefore, there is no standard behavior black humans, or any humans for that matter, except based on WHERE they grow up. So if u want to ask about behavior, talk about culture, not color. Cuz then u run the risk of calling a black person with correct grammar "white" when actually, they're just a black person with correct grammar.
"skin color and hair politics"
And I thought Underwater Basket Weaving was the course de jour. I'm gonna have to look into this one. Pretty sure a mohawk is libertarian, and anything with blue skin is a nativist.
Why do people keep saying this? Why does it matter to you what interested her enough to study it in college? African American culture interests her. Who are you to tell her what and what not to be interested in? My friend, whose heritage is scottish, studied Celtic and Scottish studies in college; should she be chastised for studying what interested her? Cultural studies are INTERESTING. So please.
...Haha so I definitely meant to post that on a different comment...awkward..
I'M A HISPANIC , PR GUY...MANY BLACKS WISH THAT THEY WERE WHITE A FACT....BLACK PEOPLE WHO ARE RICH ACT LIKE THEY ARE WHITE, THEY RARELY HANG OUT WITH OTHER BLACKS , A FACT....TAKE O.J. SIMPSON -KOBE BRIAN-M. JORDAN-TIGER WOODS THOSE PEOPLE DATE WHITE WOMEN, WHY ? BECAUSE IS AS CLOSE OF BEING WHITE AS THEY WILL EVER GET....TIGER WOOD EVER DATED A BLACK WOMEN ? HE THINK THAT HE IS WHITE..SAD.
Jose, most black people don't want to be white OK. What is true is that many of the black people in the US are of white/European descent. People tend to hang out with whomever they have the most in common with. BTW, Tiger Woods is multi-racial yet you label him as black. There in lies the problem, people like you who do not know what they are talking about. You have a problem. Please tell us all what 'acting white' is. I do not know what you mean.
BTW, I ski, enjoy the symphony, go to the beach and don't like rap music. Is that what you mean by acting white? No one cares what you think as your thinking is greatly flawed. From that statement alone, you are a bigot yourself and I'm guessing you don't really like 'white' people either since you've sat around and defined 'acting white'.
Mulit-racial rainbow thank you. My husband and I are white with biological children and and adopted son who is half white and half black. I think he is treated this way by many. They say he wants to be white but for crying out loud he has been raised by white people. He is a wonderful young man and he needs to be recognized for who he is and not what people think he should be, black, hispanic or white. Heck people don't go around calling me Irish because I'm a redhead.
Yes pray tell us Jose what is 'acting white' or 'acting black' because I really don't know. I'm from the Caribbean, a majority black region. How you act is how you act. People act differently not because of race but upbringing, education, moral beliefs, personality and other influences. Stop being so prejudiced.
the KKK will show you what blackness looks like
The KKK is no longer a threat, we only laugh at how they look while in their oufits, nice hahaha
Hey,Sapper:Those KKK uniforms you talk about are no different than the New Black Panther Panther Party or Nation of Islam uniforms.Underneath all of them is the same type of racism.Equal opportunity racism.
I think it has to do with the fact that your ethnicity and your appearance have little to do with who you are, but alot to do with it. On one hand no more may identify me as 'black' looking like one of the tribes of Africa but it means nothing because i have african ancestry. whether it is necessary to identify that depends on your social contruct. If you are an oppressed person in the United States whether you look it or not, you did not grow up with the priveleges as those that decended from slave owners or founding father, generally you were in the SAME boat (literally) as the other Africans who were shipped here. if you are light skinned you DO however HAVE to deal with the fact that somewhere someone was white in your lineage. If you dont LOOK it its relatively hidden and vice versa. there are africans with mostly african heritage who took after the one white parent. Perhaps its God's way of saying, you will not get away with murder so to speak here is a reminder of your sin. But moving forward you do have to remember to not judge people by the color of their skin and if you have African heritage you should ACKNOWlegde that there will be traditions and good things passed down. But if one did not grow up in Angola so to speak you will not know they're heritage and traditions. Many of american cultural traditions mimic that of England and Ireland we didnt really COME up with anything NEW but adapted as our needs changed. So the only peoples who are not 'allowed' to bring there heritage are americans with African heritage because still in America (hence all the racist comments) it is stilll not accepted.
or your appearance may reflect a good lineage all white ppl are not bad, so i am learning to embrace all of who i am.
I have come to the conclusion;that it do not matter what color you are;we are all just Hairless Monkeys and the dna will support that and just look how some of us act from time to time and it do not matter what color you are;it's in the DNA..
Awwww...to be Mexican, Black, Puerto Rico...etc (any one with color). What a lovely life we have been given. And to top it all off...we don't have to berate people to make ourselves feel better. Our beauty is forever above "their" hatred!!!!
But Reena,your racism sounds just like all "other"racism.
everyone knows race is a social construction, right?
"Race" isn't a social construction since our ethnicity, Caucasian, African, or Asia is detectable from observation of our skeletal systems.
So, what happens if you are shown facts that contradict your opinion?
Wow never thought I'd read such ignorant, disrespectful comments to a topic such as this. But as usual, an adult conversation about race or anything related to it tends to bring out the ignorant. Sad. Keep up the good work Ms. Blay.
Unfortunately, many on-line discussions bring out the very worst. I think that's the result of on-line anonymity, which is a mixed blessing or a curse, depending on how you look at it.
The topic is race baiting and CNN is a master at it
To Long did not read.
Black is a color.
Black is a skin pigment.
Black is a race.
Black is a culture.
Now move on with your day people and be productive to society.
Um what if race and culture interest certain people? Have you ever heard of anthropology? Race, specifically the black race, interests this woman and she is exploring its cultural implications. Do not dismiss a worthy topic to explore. If you think it's a waste of timely, then you needn't read articles like this.
Oh and actually, "black" isn't a culture. Thats like saying "white" is a culture when, really, several different cultures, like those of the Scottish, the Irish, the German, etc, exist within it. If you're used to thinking wihtout speaking and having no one say anything about it, be very careful in this world, lest someone call you out on your nonsense.
I have a dream-cicle !! oh boy, get over it... we already have affirmative action and the gov jobs go to that side of the house. Take the 401k money and go where the land is lighter.
wow. dumb.
What an offensive and idiotically irrelevant to the topic of this blog thing to comment. Do not downplay or mock the influence, impact, accomplishments of MLK and do not assume this woman is asking for anything or in need of anything from the government. Oh my gosh :O i cannot stand stupidity
What does Blackness look like? Picture heaven in your mind and you've got a good start.
Funny how blacks now subscribe to the racist one drop theory but have totally disavowed everything else from that time.
Please do not generalize. Some do. Science has proven that one drop applies to all races.
Oh my gosh thank you so much! I hate when people take one person's actions to be my actions. I have nothing to do with that person! It doesn't matter that he/she ended up being dark brown like me, I don't know him/her and I therefore have nothing to do with what he/she does or thinks or says!
Not ALL black people subscribe to the plantation generated and perpetuated for profit "one drop" rule.
Bravo. While the masses were referring to President Obama as black and he himself as well...I was sitting here wondering why we were co-signing the murderous masters and america's one drop rule. We do not have to discount his mother to embrace him. He is whatever he chooses to call himself...but
whatever!! and you make this comment because you saw this one article??? real genius...
I absolutely love this. I myself am almost entirely Hispanic. But my differnt characteristics have people questioning what I am on an almost weekly basis. I take pride in being one hundred percent culturally and for all intensive purposes ethnically Hispanic. It gets really annoying when people see my name and then see me and immediately begin asking immodest questions. I have come to the point of asking them how "interesting and unsual their names are" - no matter how run of they mill or common their names actually are. Just a random rant!
That is a gracious way to handle it. I too have learned to be gracious to a variety of people who ask immodest questions or make less than intelligent comments: "Oh you like classical music?' "Hey so what do you think of NeYo" "Oh my your hair is really soft" "Where you born here?" etc etc etc.
I hope Ms. Blay will look for ways to promote ending this type of baloney in the black community since she seems to have a voice. I also hope she'll stop wasting her time scrutinizing people. Frankly, she reminds me of the bullies from school who use to harrass bi-racial kids and tell them to choose "are you black or white".
I am glad she has an education. She should try talking to some of the scientiest at the university she teaches at and discuss genetics with them.
Everytime I'd like to respond to someone on a clearly incorrect idea or assumption, you correct. You make reading the comments easier. Lol thanks.
This article is relevant to the problems that exist within the "black race". People of color (as I prefer) have long since engaged in this hateful, and spiteful behaviour that was taught to them by their parents; given to the parent's by slave owners; given to slave owners by Willie Lynch, an author of a book, or memo, or manifesto on how to keep slaves enslaved. Event to this day, darker-skinned harbor resentment toward the lighter-skinned, and lighter-skinned toward darker-skinned. And, the only ones who prosper from this abominable behaviour, is caucasians. I must note that caucasians aren't in a position of power to force people of color to behave in this fashion. Thus the enigma of why this remains so?
Really? You're just looking at people and trying to figure out their racial background? That's an article? This is so pointless.
From now on, don't post your nonsense on these sites. When people have to explain the significance of an article to a person, it just boasts the notion of "The Dumbest Generation." Find sites that you can relate to...for example, a neo-naz!i forum perhapts.
All Sean is saying is he doesn't care. He comments is not racist at all. I agree with him.
I find this article to be completely uninteresting. Who cares!
Evidently you care since you took the time to read the article & make a comment about it!
What do you mean more black looking people aren't being represented in the media/on tv? Aren't Vanessa Williams, Halle Berry, Paula Patton, Alicia Keys, etc... black? What does it matter that we chose a part European Black over a non-part European Dinka Black.
Black, is black, is black isn't it?
With different stages of miscegenation a new breed, new generation, of people is produced that will have sets of physical traits close in proximity to previous generations. However, to older generations the differences are, or may be, noticeable. However, applying the western concept of race, it becomes trivial to even make an issue out of this type of difference, or that this type of breeding, leaning, or socializing away from certain features has become widely practiced.
This type of thing has happened all over the world. In American, during my time living here which as been over 30 years, I've notice the trend where blacks breed more away from certain features. I've witnessed this in my own family both in the states and abroad...
So, when we talk about who looks black...I don't really care about who looks black. Whether you have one non-black, or non-sub-Saharan African descended parent, per the one drop rule, we're kind of in the same boat, minus the social heritage of racial priviledge which has not been equally inherited among the generations of miscegentation. But that's not what this article is about.
My concern is more about social and psychological influences revolving around ethnic (as many of our physical traits can be traced to certain ethnic groups in SSA and other parts of brown/dark Africa, or 'elsewhere') and/or phenotype cleansing within the black race.
And I apologize to any celebrity whose name I used in my examples. It's nothing personal. You're all fabulous.
Black racist will say that Vanessa Williams and some of the others you mention are not truly black . As far as science goes the one drop rule applies to every race, which is why there are multi-racial people. I only have photos of 'black and white' in my family, but we also have Native American and Asian. When I encounter people from the West Indies, they always know. Why? The culture is steeped with multi-racial people, the look is familar.
Overall, I am disappointed that some blacks keep dragging out ancient ignorant rules made by racist and meglomaniacs of a bygone era. I will not waste my time on any of the stipulations for race and ethnicity set by people long buried.
Funny thing is you do not see 'white' people running around complaining about all the discrimination in the white race that occured. It happened first to them and then was passed along to other groups of people. Where do you think the term 'blue blood' arose from? Humanity overall has a poor record of classism and they will find a way to apply it any way they can.
I still say this all boils down to, and continues to set the stage for, phenotype genocide.
I agree with rainbow. I am multiracial myself, my mother and father are BOTH biracial of 4 completely different races! Why do I need to choose? How ignorant and racist is that? What saddens me is black people who actually use the one drop lie that was INVENTED BY BIGOTS WHO HATED BLACK PEOPLE! They said that if you had even a drop of african, you were TAINTED OR FILTH! Why on EARTH would a black person agree with that? It just shows that there is ALOT Of racial ignorance among black people.
Accept the fact that I am mixed race. I will be until I die and I am proud of it. I am not CONFUSED. I am not choosing a side. It is illogical and hateful. ACCEPT IT!
I am Latino, Chicano, Mex-Am...what ever. I know who I am and where my parents and grandparents came from. However, I am very dark, darker than many African Americans that I know and work with. I can still remember playing as a child with neighbor kids and having one of them turn to me and say, " You're the best nig__ I er met!"...I am now 58 years old and this must have happened when I was about 6, It was a common occurrence much of my life. It seems so may people only see the surface of others and from their opinions, judgments and thoughts on that basis. Such a shame that they are so short sighted. May God give me the patience to accept them with all their short comings.
MLH check out Professor Gates special on Blacks in Latin America
Mexico & Peru: The Black Grandma in the Closet.
"In Mexico and Peru Professor Gates explores the almost unknown history of the significant numbers of black people—the two countries together received far more slaves than did the United States —brought to these countries as early as the 16th and 17th centuries, and the worlds of culture that their descendants have created in Vera Cruz on the Gulf of Mexico, the Costa Chica region on the Pacific, and in and around Lima, Peru"
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/black-in-latin-america/
THE QUESTION IS STUPID...THE ARTICLE IS RIDICULOUS... AND WHAT A WASTE OF TIME for a PH.D Professional!!!
Are you serious? WHO THE H..LL CARES? What does it mean to be ASIAN.., MONGOL.., ETC., ANOTHER RACIST U.S. STRATEGY TO KEEP People of COLOR ON THE DEFENSIVE with such LAME nonsense!!!!
CNN is a PEDDLER OF TRASH....and a PUSHER OF IGNORANCE AND STATIS QUO!! This NETWORK STINKS!!!
Er,um, ahem... Then why are you here? No 1 is forcing you to log on
bye.
Excuse me?!??! Why the hell does it matter to you what interests this woman! Why do people dismiss the exploration of culture and race! It's INTERESTING. That's why people become anthropologists!! If this woman is fascinated by race, specifically black race, who are you to tell her not to explore it? If it doesn't interest you, get your judgmental behind off of this blog and find something that does.
What dies blackness look like? Interesting topic and it makes me wonder what African-Americans think when dealing with the question of black folks in the African Diaspora, particularly those in Latin America countries. Take Brazil for example. I have met so many black folk who will look at black Latinos and say: "They ain't black!" I mean, this is a ridiculous statement. Do most folks realize that 96% of the slaves sent to the Americas from Africa went to Latin America and the Caribbean? They say pics say a thousand words. Take a look and tell me what you think: http://blackwomenofbrazil.blogspot.com
You people are unreal, I think you should all think back in history to the begining in the thousends of years this world has been around do you really think that there has never been a human being that has not intermixed ? Do you really think that when Columbus came to the Americas and His crew saw the natives that there wasn,t some intermixing going on? There is no true White and Black if you Really think about it and get Racism trully out of your mind set Think about it if you can
What does Blackness look like?...black?
How about a piece on what it smells like ?
Like me foot up your ass.
If blacks were white, they'd be a lot better off.
You really are a sad and insecure person. Guess what? Black people also go to church quite a bit. I'm going tomorrow and will pray for you. And, I apologize if I had offended anyone during the course of these conversations. But you all know by now, sometimes Black people take enough - but, you don't know when to call it quits. Like all human beings, you have things deep within you that words really hurt. But, we all are supposed to worship one God and he made all of us. Because of him, I write this email of apology for anyone offended in what I replied to. Regardless if we live in the U.S., Europe or Africa, we have to live spiritually within our own minds first. I chose to do that. Peace
I like who I am. I wouldn't change it. The only thing I would change if I could are the ugly perceptions people like to heap on racial and ethnic groups.
Even if black people were not around to be trashed, I know another target would be found, whether that target is someone white or another race. That is what weak pathetic people do.
If you were black you would be a lot better off.
.....no they'd be outnumbered. We don't need to be White....obviously YOU do. as 2% of the earth's population nothing you do or say matters much anymore. You will be absorbed.
...and I thought a black person was because he or she is black....:)
some people have just too much free time on hands...lol
There is a lot of hate on this board. That is for sure. Even if I didn't like a particular ethnicity or race, I would not stoop to name calling for obvious reasons.
All the talk about hair and skin tone has run its course. People in general need to get a clue that any country that has a multi-racial citizenship will have multi-racial people. Black Americans need to understand that they may be multi-racial based on the history of the country. Dragging out skin color/tone and hair texture is a waste of time, it is just another pecking order that is a waste of time.
I hope I never meet this woman. Not because I pass for white; because it is creepy to know that someone is going to scutinize people based on their skin tone, features and hair. Lady, please go listen to genetic lectures, it might help you settle the questions in your mind.
I get what the interviewee touched on regarding bullies at school. I didn't get beat up because of my skin-tone but because of my hair. Black people need to be honest first about the hang-ups amongst black people. This article certainly does not speak for all blacks.
Nicely said, and I agree with you 100%! All this "to do" about skin color!?
WOW, people really have not evolved very much have they? There are sooo
many other things that are more important than this!!! It's silly...
Color is only the pigment in ones skin race and racism has been instilled in the mind by our fore fathers
@Gunner, you are wrong, skin color debates are not just a part of some black cultures, it is part of most racial cultures. White and Asian come to mind. I'm not aware that skin color is debated amongst Native Americans other than a defining factor of tribe.
Even if people long gone and buried developed this thinking does not mean one should hold on to it. Thank goodness my mom focused my siblings and I on what is important. Decency to others and educating ourselves. I do not care what race someone is or how light or dark they are. At the end of the day, all I want to know is if you are trustworthy and nice.
If you wrote an article I would read it and share. You should take all the comments you've posted on this board and turn them into an entry. You're personal ideas are as revolutionary as Ms. Blays.
I did'nt read the artical, but the comments are great! Nobody hit the "report abuse", and everyone got to express themselfs..I wish it was always like this .Marcia, i made fun of you but i enjoyed your comments. gotta go but have fun!
@ Twang – Appreciate the challenge and grateful you're not a sore loserlike I'll refrain from mentioning who.
A Class Act!
Bow. Curtsey.... Ein schones wochenende 🙂
LOL, to funny but a good call. you do notice she avoids comments about her weight. That's because my guess is true. She flounders in pure fat. Shes sub-conscience about it, that and being black...who can blame her? She is an embarrassment to the truly good black people out there.
@ CobraKiller – unlike you, I do not use google for intelligent rhetoric or creative insight. There's more than enough of that going around in my grey matter. Yours on the other hand, is another story alltogether:)
@ CobraKiller:
What do you call somone who speaks THREE languages? TRILINGUAL.
What do you call someone who speaks TWO languages? BILINGUAL
What do you call someone who speaks ONLY ONE language? No, not monolingual.
The answer is AN AMERICAN lol....are you one :)????
I speak SIX, just sayin.!!!
You truly are stupid. Just keep posting, your an embarrassment to the black community, but then most fat black broads are...just saying
Klingon and Elvish don't count.
Neither does pig latin.
So Marcia, still no comment on how you are attempting to control all that fat your yarding around? You seem to be Infatuated with the white male penis. Hint, fat, black broads like you will never get any.
Sorry to the other posters for this tirade with Marcia. Its just losers like this annoy me.
5' 3Inches & anywhere between 120 to135lbs at any given time – no "give or take a little" ambo jambo like you.
Avid academic & literary enthusiast (obviously), sprinter, swimmer & cyclist – that's how I know EXACTLY where I stand. It's called discipline – try it some time.
academic & literary enthusiast ??? You Google that? Your posts prove otherwise.
@ CobraKiller – you seem to have a wealth of expedrience with stupid fat black broads (Iwhite's too I'd stake my life on it). Otherwise how would you know, like you stated, that "but then again, most fat black brads are" :)? Not sur[prising, America is FATTY PEOPLE CENTRAL (Obesity, Diabetes...) – blacks, whites, pinkies....the whole nine yards!
I'm guessing you're somewhat tongue tied around about....N O W ::)?
Dont stake ur life on it as you would be wrong. As much as I detest your fat black a**, you are a disgrace to the black community, but then as you scarf down a bucket of chicken I suspect you dont care.
@ CobraKiller – AU Contraire my non-worthy opponent: I get some 4 to 5 times a week. My husband is ...um, white, soooo good to look at :), super intelligent (he's a heart surgeon) has a black-sized penis (his dad is black, his mum white :)). So I get to have the best of both worlds....an intelligent black girl getting black-sized dick from a super intelligent and good looking white boy – mm mm mm mm mm :)! Gotta love multiracial America when racial differences are set aside!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That, dear people, has been my point all along.
If you dish it, you oughta' have the balls (oops:)) and character to take it as well.
Au revoir...It's been fun. Till we meet again...my life's a calling 🙂
@Marcia I agree with you Im glad I didnt marry a black woman I married a trailer tresh white woman it was the best move I have ever made in my life. I got your back Marcia there are nothing but haters here they are mad because nobody white wants to marry them.
@ CobraKiller – AT least I'm only a sad piece of flesh.
You on the other hand are a sorry, white, small minded, small penised, too heavy for biggest loser piece of flesh.
How do you spell S A D?
Answer: CobraKiller!
Marcia, is a horse man enough for you?
Ahhhh... Cnn finally let some white people express how they feel. Thanks, it felt good
@ Twang – yap! Finally; and all it took was am intelligent black girl unafraid to say exactly how she feels and what she thinks because she's not inherently white...or American, i.e. raised in a society/culture that glorifies conformity in thought, action and expression and is uncomfortable with anything outside its sphere of influence or radius of control. get it :)?
CNN USUALLY WILL CUT YOU OFF IF YOU TALK ABOUT ILLEGALS. THEY THINK THAT YOU ARE BEING RACISTS WHEN IN FACT YOO ARE TELLING THE TRUTH ABOUT THEM.
CNN USUALLY WILL CUT YOU OFF IF YOU TALK ABOUT ILLEGALS. THEY THINK THAT YOU ARE BEING RACISTS WHEN IN FACT YOU ARE TELLING THE TRUTH ABOUT THEM.
ALL WHITE MEN HAVE SMALL DIKS!!!!!!!!!!!! No amount o0f enhancement pills or racial hatred can change that. It's their genetic curse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Again you let us know how little your getting. Your a sad piece of flesh
sad, just sad
This fickle definition of "race" will transform in the coming decades. Labels will be destroyed. It's only a matter of time. History shows how this is true. The terms 'white' and 'black' weren't always in use. An they are pretty weak since I can think of alot of australian aboriginals and even pacific islanders from melanesia, solomon islands, papau new guinea, fiji, etc that could come to america and be mistakenly called black in the context of them being "african americans". Some latinos can blend into a middle eastern crowd easily, and I'm, not even talking about the ones of middle eastern decent(lebanese diaspora for example). Like I said, the labels are weak and fickle. There's lots of ignorance and preconception revolving the entire 'concept' of race. Forget "looking black", don't get me started on why people say ignorant things like 'acting black', because I can't even answer that. It confuses me to this day. lol
Do black people really have an extra muscle in their calves?
I am white and I like black people.
Some people are bigoted or have prejudice. What can we do? I work and live in the South and there is a mix here. Its not that people just go there separate ways. Wake up people, just try to enjoy life and quit worrying about what HOLDS YOU BACK.
Yes it is true.
Why do all black women have stinky crotches?
Bc racist white people forced them to. Its not that they dont shower or have good hygiene, its the white persons fault. Thats their reasooning
I meant white women*
You stole my name troll. Do you have a stinky crotch? You must be blackrifan-american or whatever you want to be called now.
Ok, Ok, I did...but honestly, are you serious?
How does that in any way remedy the fact that your comment is the stupidest one on here? Please just never speak again.
It's not white's fault that black suffer in America. It's not white's fault that white is the majority in America (majority meaning political power, not only population number).
Whiteness is not to blame for blackness, because when education, whiteness can help make America a better place by giving more equal opportunities to all people regardless of skin color.
However, people of white skin color and those of "whiteness" are still going to succeed in America, because in order to live a good American life you must live in "whiteness".
......well, I don't know what to say about that 'cause you couldn't understand that in any language. There may be medication for that.
@SCHLONG they do because of the extra sweat gland because of the nappy pubic hairs.
...and you have smelled all black women's crotches?.........certainly sounds like it.
cruel , man...ha
ive smelled their crotches and they all STINK
What about whiteness? ... when is the article about being a white male in America who has TO FEEL GUILTY ABOUT HIS SKIN COLOR and for some reason EMBRACE all other cultures because they are "other cultures."
I can imagine what it takes to get a PHD in African studies: sit around close-minded african-americans that want to embrace their skin color as LESSER THAN and never move forward.
What it means to be white in America... that would not be right. Why? Oh I forgot, your still VICTIMS.
Actually a big part of American-Asian, African-American, and Latino studies, is to study whiteness. In order to know what exactly it means to be white in America.
lemme ask you a question, there is a black poor man living in the bad part of town, and then there is a high class black person living in the richest parts of America. Which one is more "white"?
The answer is the second one, because being "white" isn't necessarily a skin-color issue, its a lifestyle issue. To be american, and to live the expected american dream, is to be "white" in america.
Yes..race is just a political tool..it doesn't exist at all...any well-trained scientist will tell you when speaking on race, you're talking about something that actually doesn't exist. Sadly, most Americans are too dull to acknowledge this
birdmaster,
its a shame you walk around with a slave mindset in separating people into herds of hyphenated- americans.
in your thinking, the individual is not responsible for him or herself... but are destined to move in one direction because of their skin color. skin color is destiny. so pathetic.
Individuals are not destined to move in one set direction, but often society encourages people of color to move into a certain direction.
Why is it that many Hispanics and African Americans get low paying jobs regardless of their level of education? Why is it that Asians are more likely to go and study a field related to math or engineering?
I wish I could everything is equal, but society often pushed people into certain group. This is why "whiteness" has nothing to do about skin color, but everything to do with those that live "white" lives. Meaning those who blacks and live in a good rich society would be considered to have "whiteness". Was he born with this privilege? No he had to work for the privileges that many whites are born with.
Look at the drop out rate and the achievement gap birdmaster. The black culture doesn't emphasize education, but dropping out. The culture celebrates sports stars and hip hop artists. No black men around to be role models. Young black males don't look to be teachers, engineers, or doctors; but look up to the lights and what shines. If you want to make a difference in the black community, call it what it is. Not the white man's problem. BUT A SERIOUS LACK OF RESPONSIBILITY IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY TO LEAD A RESPONSIBLE LIFE.
So you have to be a POS to be black?
No black role models? There are plenty.
And that's exactly what I'm talking about. Society ENCOURAGES people of certain groups to follow a certain path in life. This is why you see more people of other racial colors in college.
Why? It has NOTHING to do because the entire race is lazy. To understand this issue maybe you should read up "whiteness" and educate yourself. This doesn't mean that whiteness is to blame, but if you could open your eyes to the privileges you were granted with at birth, then you would understand how to push this nation forward into becoming more accepting of people regardless of their skin color.
@twang
When I say "whiteness" and "white in America" you should close your eyes to color, but to the political statement and influence behind it. What it means to be "black in America" does not mean being "black in Australia" or "black in Africa". It has nothing to do with skin color, but lifestyle.
I wish everything was perfect in fine, and that racism didn't exist, but it does. The key to being active in stopping racism is not to ignore it, but to educate yourself on issues with racism. It's best if you can neutral your opinion and understand WHY society acts the way it does. Opinion influenced solutions are merely Positive Economics.
birdmaster,
You are Playing the Victim. and obviously DO NOT WORK WITH BLACK YOUTH.
I WORK WITH BLACK YOUTH and have a far better understanding of why they drop out of school. The black community IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY for its drop out rate and the achievement gap. Stop coloring the issue with privilege. This term privilege automatically sets you up as the VICTIM. Keep your slave mindset as the black community continues its collapse. You refuse to take responsibility and are using the race card as destiny. Drive down to the nearest public high school in the city and survey black males ... tell me about what they dream about. You are another office chair quarterback broad brushing.
The sooner you open your eyes to understand that Society as a whole in America does NOT give unearned privileges in America, then you would understand that this plays a big plays a big role in the social and class gap between many(not all) blacks in America and whites in America.
You think an ENTIRE RACE drops out of high-school because they're merely stupid and dirty? Society's role is very powerful, but also subtle.
The answer lies behind your own eyes, but you're too blind to see the solution. Am I only victimizing blacks? Are you trying to tell me that America is 100% equal opportunity for people of all color and forms of education? If so, then why do certain minority races more likely follow a set path, rather than an equilibrium path with whites?
birdmaster,
be specific and anwer my question.
What privilege was i born with because you seem to know?
oh im white.... oh..... wow. this makes perfect sense now.
You still refuse to accept the premise of responsibility ... so pathetic.
birdmaster, based on your thinking... there could never be black doctors or lawyers.
they are Victims.
why are they doctors or lawyers? they took responsibility.
Very few privileges regarding being white include:
1. I can talk with my mouth full and not have people put this down
to my color.
2. I can swear, or dress in secondhand clothes, or not answer letters,
without having people attribute these choices to the bad morals,
the poverty, or the illiteracy of my race.
3. I can speak in public to a powerful male group without putting
my race on trial.
4. I can do well in a challenging situation without being called a
credit to my race.
5. I am never asked to speak for all the people of my racial group.
The list goes on and on and on. Those who make it to be doctors and lawyers (yes they do exist), is because they live in "whiteness". If you read my other posts you wouldn't be so ignorant in what I'm trying to tell you. You're saying that the black population has to take 'responsibility', but how they can responsibility in a society that puts them down? I'm not saying that black people who are successful don't exist (Obama, for example). But you don't think of those selects few as 'black in America' but rather 'white in America'. Because whiteness is not entirely about skin-color. It's just called 'whiteness' because it's regarding to the where the unearned privileges in America go to.
It goes on and on of what I can do, that others can't, as a white person...
6. I can, if I wish, arrange to be in the company of people of my race
most of the time.
7. I can avoid spending time with people whom I was trained to mistrust
and who have learned to mistrust my kind or me.
8. If I should need to move, I can be pretty sure of renting or purchasing
housing in an area which I can afford and in which I would
want to live.
9. I can be reasonably sure that my neighbors in such a location will
be neutral or pleasant to me.
10. I can go shopping alone most of the time, fairly well assured that I
will not be followed or harassed by store detectives.
@Whitedude you are telling the truth I agree with you 100.
Birdmaster is a clown who blames whites for all his problems. Makes it easier to accept your failures that way doesnt it birdman?
Haha, I'm not blaming whites, I'm just stating the obvious privileges that whites are born with in America.
It's obvious that because those of "whiteness" are the majority in America, everybody else is a minority. This would place all asians, blacks, and hispanics into the minority group.
To say what exactly it is to be "white in Amerca" has nothing to do with skin color, because "whiteness" is a lifestyle approved by Americans of what the ideal American dream is. Those who do not live those lifestyles therefore aren't living in "whiteness".
Does that make sense to you?
Don't bother! These knuckle heads have obviously not attained a post high school education. Can't really lead the blind if they can't accept their blindness
....so this woman thinks she is a victim...because she's interested in African American culture...
Yeah, that makes perfect sense.
And you're definitely the close-minded one here for trying to tell people what to be interested in.
Oh and there is no "White Studies." This woman studied African American culture. But I'm sure if you want to get up off of your close-minded behind, you can major in Scottish or Irish studies maybe. I'm sure you'd be allowed to study White American studies if you wanted to.
The American Dilemma. The American Disease. American "Exceptionalism," on parade, and all the world sees.
We're special, you see.
I have noticed that my friends from New Oreleans do have a problem with friending darker skinned black folks. However, let me say this loud and clear "it does not matter because if we have a President Newt, everyone darker than him will have problems, If you are light skin, blue skin, gay skin, dark skin etc. So prepare!
Gay skin? That is gross, unless youre talking about only the women. What color is gay skin? Pink?
Newt is only qualified to be a dog-catcher.
Rod you need to look at that interview again she does not have a hard time accepting who she is, other black girls did'nt accept her, so they wanted to beat her up because of the way she look...that is how it is....
Good ol' American mutt here. Native American, European with just a hint of western Asia thrown in.
My wife and I adopted two infants who would be catagorized as black, in most circles. As such, we've talked a bit about biases. They're in their first year of school and had MLK day off. My son was telling my wife about learning about King Martin Jr (and my daughter joined in).
Wife – "What did you learn about Martin Luther King Jr?"
Son – "Well, there used to be white only places and restaurants and stuff, and brown people couldn't go there. And there were white only water fountains and brown people couldn't go there."
Daughter – "But he had a DREAM!!!"
Wife – "What was his dream?"
Son – "That all that stuff would change."
Wife – "How did he want it to be?"
Son – "Like it is now."
He knows his skin's a different color than mine. He has no idea why anyone would care. No native americans have ever messed with me because I don't spend a lot of time correcting people who call me white. No "white people" have ever said anything negative about my adopting "black children". Plenty of "black people" have. But, my son has it right. MLK wanted it basically like it is today. My son doesn't care about skin color, neither do I, nor should the government.
I agree with you Naffell. Black people are more racist than whites now in this country and I am a black man. I hear ALL THE TIME racist garbage from my family members , particularly black women. They are the MOST RACIST of all. I am not prejudiced and have dated women of all colors. Whenever I date a white woman, they always have something stupid and racist to say. I have dated biracial girls and they always hate on her because she has nice hair, nice features, and isn't rude like they are. I am sick of it. I am also sometimes ashamed to be black because of them.
Q: Why dont blacks celibrate thanksgiving?
Kfc isnt open on holidays
im black that was a good joke LMAO.
BS....you're about as black as a snowstorm. If you are another self hater like your hero Clarence Thomas. Thanks for letting us know Uncle Tom ain't dead he just moved to the suburbs or the Trailer Park.
To answer what "blackness" looks like, we first need to address what exactly "whiteness" is. Whiteness in America means having privilege. Whether you like to face problems of racism in America or not, you have to acknowledge that America has many issues regarding racism to fix.
With that said, whiteness means having UNEARNED privilege. Blackness in America would then mean NOT having an unearned privilege. Blacks have to work hard and prove to society to earn the privileges that many whites are born with.
So blackness in America is ultimately having to prove yourself and working hard to avoid a simple stereotype that is placed on them because of the color of their skin.
Yu have to work hard? Maybe bc 99% of u all just take welfare and dont bother to gewt a job. The few that actually work and are smart are basically guaranteed to get in undeservingly to better colleges or higher level mgmt positions in office jobs bc of affirmative action. You clueless and placing the blame on whites justlike all the other lazy nlgs, congrats youre jus like all the others
im black I agree with JIGGABOO
Thank you for posting these pearls of wisdom. If we needed any further proof of the ignorance of racists you have provided plenty. You and yepyep (what stupid name) should go down to your respective local ghettoes and "soap box" your views so the brothers can get the benefits of your Jethro Clampett education (one gizinta one one times).
I can feel my brain getting stupider when I read anything you write, Jiggafool.
And get your facts straight before you speak, you ghastly human being with the sense of a goat.
There are more white people on welfare than any other race, and the percentage of the white population that is on welfare is greater than the percentage of the black population on welfare. Are you trying to say that you are better than me because of how u happened to be born? Cuz I don't buy that for a second.
. I'm letting u know race has little to do with poverty and that you need to shut up right now before someone gets angry and you and decides to synchronize your kneecaps.
The playing field is now level – the sooner everyone realizes that, the better
Why do black women give me , a half mexican half black girl, dirty looks all the time? Their men look me up and down while they are with them! LOL. I know that many of them are jealous but they don't make it easy for men to want them by being rude, fat, and manly.
Black in america means affermitive action and job preferance
Q: What do u call 1,000 black people on a plane back to Africa?
A good start
Hhahahaha
How do you break up the "Million Man March"?
Fly overhead with helicopters and drop job applications.
Hahahahaha
A Ph.D in African studies. Too funny.
about as funny as a degree in english lit.
i got a joke for you Lydia
How do you make a blackman squirm?
Answer: Give him a book.
This is from a blackman.
agreed, imagine how useful this degree is to society?
its not a step forward, but a couple century steps backward.
you teach an audience why they should feel empowered and how race will determine xyz... a slave mindset.
it benefits no one, but one group of people.
complete crap.
Sigh really? This again? Are you really going to scoff at her for studying what interested her? There are tons of fascinating cultural studies to major in. In fact I have a friend who majored in Celtic and Scottish studies. She was interested in her culture and this woman was interested in hers. she is not "taking a step a century backwards" or whatever. Stop assuming she is getting hung up on American racism (did she even mention that at all??) and stop trying to tell people what to be interested in.
A black guy and his black girlfriend are in a car. Who's driving?
The cop hahahahaha
you gotta give us time to guess man
What do you call an American who has no culture, conforms to the rules of others and society (instead of just being themself), speaks only 1 language and can only survive in an environment where "white's" succeeed in making others believe they are suprior by intimidation, coercion and sheer bigotry?WHITE!!! Go to Africa, if you can affordto take the trip (oh wait, you're american, so your life is basically resigned to a life of slavery – working until you're in your late 70's and 80's so you can pay off your debts and bills) WHITE!most caucasian's (from any western nation) who visit, would rather not come back (and only do so because they must). Most of those who stay inter-marry with the Africans )yes, they're black in Africa – take that ignorant American) and are happier than they ever thought possible.
@ marcia
Sorry i couldnt quite understand what you were saying because your english is atrociuos. Correct that i wouldnt want to travel to africa, even though i could afford it. Why you ask? Would you rather take a trip to a dumpster or a beautiful beach? If youd choose a dumpster (ie africa) then youre dumber than i thought.
@JIGGABO – Of course you DON'T get it (the point) or my english. You're white!
White = small minds. Even smalled penises = alot of anger which is expressed by racist outbursts and propaganda.
Even THAT ougt to be simple enough for your small pea brain to get.
How can you tell a black person is lying?
Hs lips are moving hahahaha
What do you call a black person who goes to college?
A basketball player
What do you call an insecure white person that uses a blog like this to rant his frustrations because he isn't Black. Jiggabo. Why don't you go back and get your G.E.D. no, why not finish grade school first. Did some Black girl dump you or, did your wife take off with a black man? Where is your hate coming from??
Why do Blacks continually wish they were white? We earned were we are today. You earned were you are today.. the Getto
Haha its a joke clownface. Like u nlgs dont tell white jokes. Btw you completely underestimate my education.
I'm sorry, I did underestimate your education. What was it home school kindergarten in the trailer? See how words hurt???
But not your lack of intelligence..... How much money did you waste on your degree(s)? probably the national debt.
...by your spelling and rhetoric if you have an education beyond public school I'd get my money back. It's a relief to know you guys will be gone by 2200.
Actually we leave the joke telling to actual comedians and when they do joke about whites it's not of a racist nature.
The writer brings up an interesting topic. Americans continue to have issues with race, ethnicity , and color. Race is a social construct to delineate superficial differences among humans. Biologically the differences among us are on the surface..hair, skin, and eyes yet we are still stuck behind the times on race. Whoever made up race knew what they are doing because here we are hundreds of years later still not accepting of differences. My daughter is bi racial and looks a lot like Vanessa Williams with blue eyes, light colored hair and skin. Black and Whites both are extremely rude. They ask the most ignorant questions about whether her hair is hers, her eyes are hers. They get in her face and tell her that she looks nothing like me ( I am brown skinned with dark hair/ natural hair) and our features, and build are exactly the same. They ask what she is and stare at her all the time. These are strangers in public. It has made her self conscious and angry. I do not blame her one bit. Get over the race thing and realize that many Americans are the result of mixed heritage and more than 90% of black Americans with ancestry/roots from enslaved Africans are mixed with European blood... Good or bad. It is what it is.
I'd say that most of 'White America' has given' up on the race thing...
It's the races themselves that push the issue.
I'm a white boy and I get people of all races, except for Caucasians giving me dirty looks, acting funny, making snark remarks, ignoring my presence...
Everyone wants to be equal. Heck, we say we're all equal.
It took how many years to get equality for African/Latino Americans?
Oh shoot, I forgot...these people even get extra points on tests because of Affirmative Action. But wait...we're all equal. Why don't I get an extra point?
It's a two way street these days, man.
....according to you're inherent racist ethics we need them and you don't. If you are so superior why are you even worried about it?
I get the same thing and I am mixed too. I get more racist bull**** questions from black people than any other group. 'How did you do your hair like that?' Blah blah blah. You can tell I am mixed race and I am sick and tired of black people trying to claim me! I am part black just like I am part white! Stop thinking we have the same hair texture, we don't! Why don't you be proud of who YOU are and work on yourself instead of being jealous all the time. Jealousy is an UGLY trait. But I too am sick and tired of celebs who are mixed being called black when they are not!
Someone asked my if I dont like blacks why am I commenting simple I like to keep my friends close and my enemies closer blacks are my enemy therefor the more I know the better cause the day of infamy is coming!! I will be ready trust me!!!
WHITEPOWER!!!!
I'll believe there is power in whiteness when you pasties stop getting a tan every summer...tired of looking at that chicken skin all year long....pale pasties!
That day surely is coming...Latinos are out numbering you losers!!! Haters!
they did that 3 years ago they are the largest minority group we are 3rd and rapidly declining. That's a fact it was on Cnn news.
Sad that you are having twice the number of babies just so you can outnumber us. One question though, whose going to support you when you outnumber us?
Looohoohooohoohoohoooser!!!! You are so weak and pathetic this is all the response you deserve. I'll be laughing at your post for the rest of the day.
Why does CNN continue to enable these self-victimizing racists? Such as this waste of oxygen and Granderson?
Dont go there dude, or your a gonner... Just saying
No one ever got anywhere by staying silent.
I agree Ganderson and Martin including that latino punk are all using up precious air.
Javol, Heir Oburst! .......not.
What are you talking about? Are u looking at the same article I am? What part of it was self-victimizing or racist?
Didn't you know even mentioning race is racist and self-victimizing? This is America! Everyone is equal and some people are only on the bottom because they didn't work hard enough, as hard as the perfect white people. I can't believe you don't get it?!
I'm sorry, but I disagree. Mentioning race when it's being studied/explored and/or celebrating culture and difference is NOT self-victimizing. It becomes self-victimizing when people assume the mentioning of race includes the stereotypes that may tag along with them. There's a difference between "I'm black and I like to explore my heritage in my publications" and "I'm black so everyone hates me."
this is still Zoe, btw..if you still cared hahaa..
Is there any correlation between Blacks being the laziest ppl in america and africa being the worst continent on earth? Winning is clearly just not in the blacks genes (aside from sports). Anything that requires intellect they seem to fall very short (99.9%). It is what it is nlggas
Antarctica is definitely the worst continent on earth. It's why no one wants to live there.
Awesome dude!
I knew if you put your mind to it, you would be able to determine how to turn off the caps lock!
If you're even half the man you try to make you are :), your small balls (yap, I mean those ones)!! Name a place, date and time and you and I can have a recorded showdown – make it withoin the next 72 hours so you don't go fill your empty head with some stuff and try convince the rest of us you're smart.
We'll see who shows who down at mental math, calculus, physics, chemistry, biology...andy topic you choose.
Who am I? BLACK – from Africa and now living in the US. Married to a man who says he's white but it really doesn't matter that much to me) see my other post – he would neve, not for anything, go back to dating white women after knowing and being with me. ha!!!