When no one else looks like you
Editor's note: What defines being black in America? Is it the color of your skin, your family, what society says or something else? Soledad O’Brien reports “Who Is Black in America?” on CNN Saturday at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
(CNN) - "Who is Black in America?" explores how color affects identity. In this video, Danielle Ayers, a biracial woman, discusses her search for identity and the challenges of being color blind after growing up in a primarily white Mennonite community where race was not discussed.
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.
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Asians are only 3% of the U.S population ... most of us grew up being the only Asian kid at school or at any group setting.
when I meet someone for the first time, I simply say I'm probably the only Asian woman in the room.
Really? With all of the issues that black people are facing..this topic makes it to CNN? What about our young black brothers dying every minute from gun violence? What about the social disparity which still remains a barrier in America? Do you think the vast majority of African Americans think this s a concern? C'mon!
dont mix things together that are red herrings at best, impoverished and oppressed groups compete within themselves, this is not a function of them being black but a function of being black in america where their group (black) are impoverished and oppressed!!!
this happens all around the world impoverished and oppressed irish act the exact same way (except they dont have access to guns like gun crazy america has)
She is bi-racial..case closed..she would not look like that if she were black(two black parents, 4 black parents, 4 great grandparents) Danielle dont deny who you are to please people. You are mixed and gorgeous...be PROUD to be bi-racial!!!
Is this White America, or white dominated American press, wanting to claim everything Black now...and brainwash a whole bunch of bi-racials that they are now "white"..."not black or bi-racial". They were right...when you got power, money, beauty and fame...all whites want to claim you as their race or ethnicity. Cunning no doubt.
Isn't it sad that a response to this is "forget about all the black stuff", basically showing no emapthy to Danielle Ayers feelings and her concerns as well as evidencing a racist component in Mr. Bill Lee Joel's thinking. The fact is she is a child of two people with different ethnicities and cultures. She can't just forget about one or the other or relegate one as less or more impacting. She has a right to express herself (and she does so insightfully). I see her as a product of two people who evidently loved each other and loved her. What is more important than that?
Your white... forget about all the black stuff. Someone loved you enough to raise you.... honor that , be thankful and move foreword ...