Our first biracial or multi-ethnic President.....right?
By Wendy
@jerzgirl (9384)
United States
November 11, 2008 3:56pm CST
That's right - I didn't say Black or African-American. Barack Obama isn't just Black. His mother is white. That does not in any way mean if both of his parents were Black, I would have a problem with his being called Black. People are what they are. They bring into their lives what they get from their parents. But, Barack Obama isn't any one single ethnicity. Neither am I, and I'm betting that neither are you.
So what if my genetic structure doesn't include a beautiful natural tan, but instead graces me with a rash of freckles and easily scorched skin. I'm just as much a "mutt" as Mr. Obama is. I'm Irish, Scottish, German, Prussian. Swedish, Finnish, French and English (that I know of). One of my ancestral names' origins has been traced back to China at the time of Marco Polo. So who knows...I may be Chinese as well. But, can I say I am only one of those? I am a blend of ALL of those. 
At one time in this country, there was a law referred to as the "one drop" law - basically, if you had even one miniscule drop of African blood, regardless of how far back it may have originated, then you were considered legally Black. It was a way for dominant Whites to control people. It was used expressly for discriminatory purposes....purposes that are now illegal. 
So, why do we refer to Mr. Obama as Black and not biracial or multi-ethnic? I think it's a fair question. I don't have a problem with people identifying with him as an example of how far we've come as a nation (despite the bigots who do still exist). I don't have a problem with Blacks seeing in him the hope of Martin Luther King's dreams where people will not be judged by the color of their skin - yet, many only consider him Black. Why? Because of the color of his skin? If so, isn't that totally the opposite of what Martin Luther King died for? Or am I misunderstand Dr. King's "I Have a Dream"? 
The following article speaks volumes about this. I think it is one of the best I've read so far. Some of you may not appreciate that it is from a liberal site, but I ask you to read it. I really don't think the ideals it expresses are exclusively "liberal" - nor should they be. Read it and tell me what you think. If you disagree with what I'm talking about, please explain the reasoning behind your disagreement. No bashing, no hate, just reason and logic.
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2008/11/11-1
At one time in this country, there was a law referred to as the "one drop" law - basically, if you had even one miniscule drop of African blood, regardless of how far back it may have originated, then you were considered legally Black. It was a way for dominant Whites to control people. It was used expressly for discriminatory purposes....purposes that are now illegal.
So, why do we refer to Mr. Obama as Black and not biracial or multi-ethnic? I think it's a fair question. I don't have a problem with people identifying with him as an example of how far we've come as a nation (despite the bigots who do still exist). I don't have a problem with Blacks seeing in him the hope of Martin Luther King's dreams where people will not be judged by the color of their skin - yet, many only consider him Black. Why? Because of the color of his skin? If so, isn't that totally the opposite of what Martin Luther King died for? Or am I misunderstand Dr. King's "I Have a Dream"?
The following article speaks volumes about this. I think it is one of the best I've read so far. Some of you may not appreciate that it is from a liberal site, but I ask you to read it. I really don't think the ideals it expresses are exclusively "liberal" - nor should they be. Read it and tell me what you think. If you disagree with what I'm talking about, please explain the reasoning behind your disagreement. No bashing, no hate, just reason and logic.
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2008/11/11-14 people like this
13 responses
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
11 Nov 08
OMG seriously I'm sick of Obama's race 
The most funny part of it is that Republicans are the ones that want to live by the Constitution and not call Obama black. All those many years ago anyone that had any "black" blood was considered black. Whether their great great great grandfather was black and no one else in the family was they were still BLACK! And, if we really still lived by the Constitution blacks would only be counts as 3/5ths of a person. Ok sorry about the rant I just can't stand anymore of black, mixed, mutt whatever.
The most funny part of it is that Republicans are the ones that want to live by the Constitution and not call Obama black. All those many years ago anyone that had any "black" blood was considered black. Whether their great great great grandfather was black and no one else in the family was they were still BLACK! And, if we really still lived by the Constitution blacks would only be counts as 3/5ths of a person. Ok sorry about the rant I just can't stand anymore of black, mixed, mutt whatever. 3 people like this
@jerzgirl (9384)
• United States
11 Nov 08
I understand. I just brought this one out because we do tend to be focused on one or the other when neither is exclusive. I thought it was a good article, and as I mentioned above, I have personal interest in the topic in general. But, I do understand.
2 people like this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
11 Nov 08
Yes, the 3/5 Comprimise is one example of where it was good that the Founding Fathers saw the need to make the US Constitution ammendable.
I think it's kind of interesting though, the racist South wanted a Black person to be counted as 3/5 of a person, but the tolerant and progressive North didn't want them counted as a person at all. ;~D
Yes, I know neither of them had the rights of the individual at heart, but it is an interesting thought.
2 people like this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
11 Nov 08
Actually it's just proof that race means more than it ever has. There are too many people who owe their livelihood to making sure race matters. In fact, to those racist criminals, it is the only thing that matters.
Jesse Jackson! Al Sharpton! Michelle and Barack Obama! Jeremiah Wright! Are you listening?
3 people like this
@jerzgirl (9384)
• United States
11 Nov 08
Not to Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, I'm not. Jeremiah Wright either. But, I don't believe B.O. falls into that category of person. He doesn't see himself as any one thing, either. My kids are multi-ethnic and I hate when someone only sees their father in them. Or who, ignorantly, can't understand how I, an ivory white redhead, could have a son with such a beautiful natural tan and dark hair. I've been asked that before. So, the issue in general is one in which I find strong interest. Plus, I went through adolescence and puberty during the end decade of the Civil Rights era, took Ethnic Studies in high school and it was one of my emphases in college. I see race and ethnicity as being more cultural now. No one is "pure" anything. JJ, AS and JW are divisive individuals who seek out confrontation and exaggerate difference. I have no use for their radical perceptions. They may produce valid points periodically, the the negative outweighs the positive, for me anyway. Yet, I do understand their draw for many. But, with Blacks, as with Whites, it's the parents who are often the teachers of hate in their children. They raise them to not trust whole groups of people instead of taking people individually on their own merits. My ex's family as well - there were segments who never got over the fact that he married outside their ethnicity - even refused to attend the wedding.
BTW - I will be sending you a PM about another issue we interacted over recently. Don't want you thinking I planned it that way.
2 people like this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
11 Nov 08
Obama's campaign was about making him "The first Black President". No one can expect race to have been such an issue but say it never mattered to him. In the early days of the campaign he made sure everyone knew he was "Black Enough" because many civil rights leaders were saying he isn't.
I agree though, most of what we call race we really mean culture (or even subculture).
My experience with Ethnic Education classes was sitting listening to a flaming liberal drone on and on about how there is no such thing as Americans.
3 people like this
@mamaafrica9 (108)
• United States
12 Nov 08
I don't think you can not look at him and the state of the United State and not expect race to play some part of people thoughts good or bad. But The conditioning we have been under by society have people(black people for a lack of a better word) see only race with a strong educational back ground, great speaker, a plan and focus. They saw a great black man instead of a great man with a great campaigne. But it was not there vote alone that made it happen despite what we see him as far as race. He was the best man for the job and work hard to get there.
It has alway been made clear, no matter where we travel in the world, if we are lite skin, dark skin, peachy brown ,we were always treated the same. Until this day
GO Obama!!!
2 people like this
@rsa101 (40976)
• Philippines
12 Nov 08
Very nice post indeed. America has accepted its first colored or multiracial president in the presidency. I guess we should not be concerned about it anymore. He is an American born and citizen of your country. His parents may come from Africa but her mother is an American. He grew up and served America and I think now he will lead America. Let's just accept that already and let us stop speculating what he will do in his terms as he has not even started his term yet. Let's all hope that He will make your country a great nation as it is now.
2 people like this
@jerzgirl (9384)
• United States
12 Nov 08
Thank you. Only one of Obama's parents was from Africa, Kenya to be precise. His mother was born in Kansas. I fully accept his having been elected. My comments were mainly about the persistence of racial designators even though a person is not a single race or ethnicity. I appreciate that you took the time to respond.
1 person likes this
@jerzgirl (9384)
• United States
11 Nov 08
Well, I wasn't asking whether anyone voted for him or against him - just if they think the terms used to define him are accurate, and if not, why not. Even Tiger Woods, who is Black, White, Asian and Indian, gets criticized if he doesn't exclusively self-identify as Black. I don't know why. And, he's rarely, if ever, identified as anything but Black when he's multiethnic. We are very color focused, even when we think we aren't. It's not that we don't notice color or can't notice color, but we seem to only acknowledge the one genetic ingredient.
My children are multi-ethnic and my one grandson is biracial as is one of my step grandchildren. It is a very personal thing for me.
3 people like this
@soooobored (1184)
• United States
12 Nov 08
I am so sick of all this talk about Obama's ethnicity. I'm just not that impressed, and really, who cares?
I read the article, and really, I couldn't find the point. The article was sickeningly liberal, and took 14 paragraphs to say what could have only taken three or four.
The quote that really sums up the article for me comes from James Hannaham: "It [Obama's "biracial" status] means that black and white people (not to mention other ethnicities chained to the binary idiocy of American race relations) can share his victory equally." To justify a never-ending dissection of how we should racially address the new president by saying that we can only all celebrate his victories if we can all identify with him racially.
2 people like this
@thegreatdebater (7316)
• United States
11 Nov 08
Jerz, it doesn't matter what you say about Mr. Obama. You can call him what ever you want. The rest of us American will just call him PRESIDENT OBAMA,and I am sure you won't be one of us.
2 people like this
@jerzgirl (9384)
• United States
12 Nov 08
I'm not exactly sure where you're coming from since Mr. Obama is the FIRST politician of any creed, color or party whose campaign I've actually donated money to. Why you would assume to be SURE you knew what I would think of him is beyond me. The fact that you did make that assumption tells me you have your own prejudices that you came into this discussion with when the only thing I was discussing was the fact that people assume to call him (and others) by a singular racial designator when NO ONE is of but one background and that we should move past such designators. There was no argument laid out or requested, merely an opinion on a topic that, like it or not, has been put front and center with this election. I personally am THRILLED by the results, but I'm also very aware that others are not. Therefore, I pointedly did NOT post any political commentary or opinion in my discussion. I would have rathered that others did not as well.
1 person likes this
@thegreatdebater (7316)
• United States
14 Nov 08
Jerz, The reason I said what I said is because I hear this point being made all the time, and it is usually used to attack Obama. I read your post, and I thought that you were acting like one of them, I am happy to hear you are not, and I am sorry if I offended you.
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
1 Dec 08
I don't have aproblem with Obama being black white yellow or purple. AS long as he delivers his promises its ok. The problem will be if he is able to deliver what he promised or not.
© ronaldinu 2008
@cyntrow (8523)
• United States
12 Nov 08
I have NEVER understood the notion that if a person is not pure white then they are not white at all. And how many of us are pure white, in this age? I am half Jewish and half Anglo. I've been told that jew is no longer a race unless the person speaking is a neo-nazi, but that's neither here nor there. But I've found, that only mixed race people with dark skin have to defend their heritage. Mixed race people with light complexions never have to deal with the topic. It's sad.
I don't think that Obama is the first multi racial president. There is an internet site that claims six previous presidents that were "black" and that is a perfect example of your topic. These six, from what I've read, were multi racial or bi racial.
I long for the day when race will no longer be an issue
2 people like this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
13 Nov 08
Great discussion and great article! I'm a "mutt" like you who also happens to be fair skin and green-eyed. My husband's great-grandfather was Cherokee. Most of us are a lot more multi-racial/ethnic than we probably even realize. I really don't have anything more to add to what you said because you said it so well and I happen to agree. I don't think you misunderstand King's "I Have a Dream" at all and if you do then I guess so do I. We HAVE come long way as a nation in a relatively short time since when I was a teenager there were some states where it was still illegal for inter-racial couples to marry, to name just one form of discrimination, but we won't have gone the distance until any person can be elected President or Vice President and nobody will give more than a casual mention to their race, ethnicity or gender. I'm hoping it happens in my grandkids' lives if not in mine. That's MY dream, even though I'm as "unethnic" looking as they come.
Annie
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
12 Nov 08
Technically I'm caucasian. I have Canadian, French and English in me. I'm sure there is more in me...I just don't know it all. Your right in that each person is a blend of all of those things...and so is 0bama.
I think that's alot of what has bothered me about this election is that throughout the campaign 0bama made alot of points in saying that it wasn't about race, it was about the better qualified person and yet here it is just a week or so past the election and race is all anyone is focusing on. I think alot of ppl cast the white side of his family aside and see him only as black...which I think is wrong to do. Afterall it took both sides to create him.
I also believe that Mr. King wanted equality for EVERYONE, no one race was better than any other and yet it sure seems that way right now. Maybe I'm just too sensitive or something, I just hate to see all of this turn into nothing more than a battle over which race is better.
[b]~~MY OWN PEACE WITHIN~~
**STAND STRONG AND BELIEVE IN YOURSELF**[/b]
1 person likes this
@oneidmnster (1384)
• United States
11 Nov 08
I'm pretty sure Obama uses his white side whenever it's convenient for him,just as using his black side was convenient in helping him get elected.
So far,every black person I've talked to or heard on news radio,hasn't given a reason for voting for Obama other than his being part black.In fact,one of them came up to me today when I was working on the computer and made a comment about my computer saying the Republicans won.I told him my computer said we all lost.
2 people like this
@newtondak (3946)
• United States
12 Nov 08
Being able to prove that you are a certain degree of a minority race has been used for years to qualify for special treatment. Many minority scholarships and grants for college funding require proof that you are at least 1/16th minority heritage.
On the other hand, if you are a blonde-haired, blue-eyed male with English, Irish and Scotch heritage - you don't qualify for squat in college funding!
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
12 Nov 08
Hi jerz, I think that was a fanatastic article. I have been
wondering how long it would take for the truth to come out
and be acknowledged that our President-elect is biracial and
is not ashamed to admit it! It is not he who is giving himself
the title of the first African-American President! It is
everyone but him! He is more than aware of his heritage and
seemingly proud of it! I don't understand why as Americans that
we can't embrace him in that way. What is wrong with him being
a biracial President? Does that really offend the African-American
population? Do they think that it will take something away from
his being President? I don't think so! I voted for him because
I feel he will do the best job! I would have voted for him
if he was 100% African-American. It didn't matter to me. I
voted for the man, Barack Obama! I am in a biracial relationship!
I am white and my boyfriend is Black! So do you think I have
any problem with racism? Hell no! I went to vote with my
best girlfriend. She is Black too! We were on the phone
when the results were announced. She lives across the
street from me and we were screaming with joy! I don't choose
my friends by the color of their skin, so why would I choose
my President that way?
1 person likes this
