White or Black?

[BluesClues]

So, I just had this thought (inspired by a post in another thread). Why is Obama considered a Black man and not a White man? I mean, he is half white and black. Is he black because of the color of his skin? If so, then if he was lighter, would he be considered white even though he is mixed? Yes his father is from Africa, but wasn't Obama born in Hawaii? I know that in way earlier years (like slavery days), if you were half black, you are automatically black. Does this same concept apply?

Discuss?

[btstone]

thats just americans and how we catagorize ppl. it is not right all the time but it is what it is. how many half black/white ppl do you know that we always just say they are black. its usually accepted that way

[punkr6]

Obama calls himself black...

[BluesClues]

Obama calls himself black...

I understand that, but the question is WHY?

[EL42]

unfortunately in most cases,whatever race mixed with black is still deemed black. the real problem is,why does the black side of the equation always have to be the antagonist? one of the first people i met when i moved to GA. was dude "jon". "jon" is mixed this mom is black and his dad is japanese(asian decent). white and asian people never really gave him a hard time. but they would refer to him as simply black (because of darker colour and curly hair). black people on the other hand would always pick at him. the closest thing to accepting him they would do, is saying "why you trying to act white?" me and "jon" still talk to this day,i'm one of a few black people who aren't family he still speaks to because of stuff like that.

[EL42]

besides there are so many variations of black that sometimes it's easier to tell someone you're black. instead of i'm 20% this 20% this and 60% that.

[Kevykev]

This thread was actually already answered within number of post.

Whatever comes next is just "filler."

[BluesClues]

unfortunately in most cases,whatever race mixed with black is still deemed black. the real problem is,why does the black side of the equation always have to be the antagonist? one of the first people i met when i moved to GA. was dude "jon". "jon" is mixed this mom is black and his dad is japanese(asian decent). white and asian people never really gave him a hard time. but they would refer to him as simply black (because of darker colour and curly hair). black people on the other hand would always pick at him. the closest thing to accepting him they would do, is saying "why you trying to act white?" me and "jon" still talk to this day,i'm one of a few black people who aren't family he still speaks to because of stuff like that.

Is this is my point? Obama receives so much racism because he is a "black" man. But he is also white. Would they treat him the same if he was lighter?

[BluesClues]

This thread was actually already answered within number of post.

Whatever comes next is just "filler."

Not everyone has the same views and opinions. There maybe someone who feels differently. This is more of a rhetorical question, because we will never know the answer.

[tony]

Socially black is dominant. You'll never see someone who is mixed say they are white, this is due to a number of things, including appearance, social experiences, etc. Obama has said it himself that he has dealt with prejudices that other blacks experience but he recognizes that he was raised by his white grandparents as well. Ultimately its his decision what he is classified as, and I think he has shown that by his religious affiliations, his wife is black, the people he tends to surround himself with. He could have totally assimilated and avoided the black part of his heritage (See Clarence Thomas) but he chose not to. Pretty simple stuff.

[Kevykev]

So are the Genes tony. lol

Not everyone has the same views and opinions. There maybe someone who feels differently. This is more of a rhetorical question, because we will never know the answer.

I hear you on that.

[David88vert]

Actually, mixed children usually follow the father's ethnicity. This has occured for a long time in America.
While Obama is black by the standard, I personally would consider him mixed. Considering how he has behaved, race shouldn't be an issue, he is just a normal American (who I happen to disagree with politcally on most agendas).

[vinayak]

Yes his father is from Africa, but wasn't Obama born in Hawaii?

Wouldn't we all like to know.

[browningboy7]

but wasn't Obama born in Hawaii?

We don't even know if he's really an American citizen much less where the hell he was born.

[TSiFTW]

Doesn't matter what color he is. You can't fix stupid./

[BluesClues]

So what is seems to me is that the old rule still follows: if you are mixed with black you are automatically black. The fact that his skin is darker, it has made it easier for him to categorize himself as black

[SUBY_RUE]

I think obama is a idiot, just like bush and the douche befor him. jmho though...

[vinayak]

I think obama is a idiot, just like bush and the douche befor him. jmho though...

Winner

[SmackedInATL]

I have some white in my family...I think my Mom's Dad was half white, but she didn't know him and neither did I. So I could be considered mixed but I'm glad to claim I'm black. I think Obama is glad to claim he is black too.

[BluesClues]

I have some white in my family...I think my Mom's Dad was half white, but she didn't know him and neither did I. So I could be considered mixed but I'm glad to claim I'm black. I think Obama is glad to claim he is black too.

I am also mixed myself (dad is mixed with white, don't know for sure because dad died at two and don't know anyone on that side of my family) and I claim black because that's all I know. So of course it makes more sense for me.

[SmackedInATL]

I am also mixed myself (dad is mixed with white, don't know for sure because dad died at two and don't know anyone on that side of my family) and I claim black because that's all I know. So of course it makes more sense for me.

Well then sounds like we are in the same boat. LOL. Black is beautiful baby.

[BluesClues]

Well then sounds like we are in the same boat. LOL. Black is beautiful baby.

Indeed it is

[Total_Blender]

Winner

I think you mean weiner. I fixed your midwestern accent for you.




Don't tell me you're a birther too.

[EL42]

Is this is my point? Obama receives so much racism because he is a "black" man. But he is also white. Would they treat him the same if he was lighter?

same treatment,"jon" is lite skinned. you're darker than him and both of you would still be considered "black" oh and obama too

[qwick]

Slash the lead guitarist from Guns-n-Roses is mixed, His father is white and mother is black, but he has mainly white features so he is considered white. Beyonce is mixed, her father is black and mother is French and Cherokee Indian mix, but beyonce she has mainly black features so she is considered black. Same goes for obama, even tho he is mixed he has mainly black features so he is considered black. What ever race is most dominant in your features is what race you claim.

[SmackedInATL]

Slash the lead guitarist from Guns-n-Roses is mixed, His father is white and mother is black, but he has mainly white features so he is considered white. Beyonce is mixed, her father is black and mother is French and Cherokee Indian mix, but beyonce she has mainly black features so she is considered black. Same goes for obama, even tho he is mixed he has mainly black features so he is considered black. What ever race is most dominant in your features is what race you claim.

Well put.

[BluesClues]

Slash the lead guitarist from Guns-n-Roses is mixed, His father is white and mother is black, but he has mainly white features so he is considered white. Beyonce is mixed, her father is black and mother is French and Cherokee Indian mix, but beyonce she has mainly black features so she is considered black. Same goes for obama, even tho he is mixed he has mainly black features so he is considered black. What ever race is most dominant in your features is what race you claim.

That is actually a really good answer!

[btstone]

Is this is my point? Obama receives so much racism because he is a "black" man. But he is also white. Would they treat him the same if he was lighter?

if he was still the same dumb ass he is now, then yes. he would still be heckled

[David88vert]

http://factcheck.org/elections-2008/...n_the_usa.html

http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama...ertificate.asp

[quickdodge®]

Actually, mixed children usually follow the father's ethnicity.

Not always, dude. My oldest daughter is damn completely black. You'd never know I was her Dad if you saw us together. Later, QD.

[Dr.G35]

Doesn't matter what color he is. You can't fix stupid./

[bdydrpdmazda]

why does every fucking thing have to be about race? The prez calls himself black, he speaks of himself that way and the OP still feels the need to post an argument about it. Obviously the man wants to be looked at as black and not white or he wouldnt call himself black.

[BluesClues]

^^^ I used him as example basically, but he is not the only person I've wondered about. But I've read some pretty good answers here. So, I'm cool


Oh and what does OP mean?

[green91]

If Obama called himself white, he would lose the minority vote that helped him into the presidency and also would most like offend African Americans because as a dark skinned man, if he called himself white it would come across as being shameful or disapproving.

[BluesClues]

If Obama called himself white, he would lose the minority vote that helped him into the presidency and also would most like offend African Americans because as a dark skinned man, if he called himself white it would come across as being shameful or disapproving.

I don't think the minority vote helped him win. Actually more white people voted for him than blacks

[David88vert]

Not always, dude. My oldest daughter is damn completely black. You'd never know I was her Dad if you saw us together. Later, QD.

I wasn't referring to looks, merely data, such as census records, birth certificates, etc.

You are correct that it is "not always". But it is common, not just in the US, but other continents as well.

My daughter looks Chinese, and doesn't look anything like me.

Here is some background on census data.
Ethnic options: choosing identities in America - By Mary C. Waters
Page 26 - The Labels Given To Children
http://books.google.com/books?id=u0g...age&q=&f=false

[bdydrpdmazda]

I don't think the minority vote helped him win. Actually more white people voted for him than blacks

the minority vote totally helped him win, even if more whites did vote for him than minorities, there is no telling how many minorities that did vote for him wouldnt have voted at all if it hadnt been for him being the first black candidate to actually stand a chance in the presidential running. I dont know how many black candidates their have been but Ive never heard of any other than Obama so if their were any others they must not have really stood a chance of winning or we would have been taught about them in school.

[BluesClues]

the minority vote totally helped him win, even if more whites did vote for him than minorities, there is no telling how many minorities that did vote for him wouldnt have voted at all if it hadnt been for him being the first black candidate to actually stand a chance in the presidential running. I dont know how many black candidates their have been but Ive never heard of any other than Obama so if their were any others they must not have really stood a chance of winning or we would have been taught about them in school.

Jesse Jackson has run before and yet we are not told about that in school. I found out from watching tv lol. Obviously, because he was not sucessful.
But I will agree that the minority vote helped, but I'm sure that is not why he claimed Black and not White. That is something that is claimed from birth. So that means his mother has been claiming him as black since birth, unless as he got older he decided to claim black for his own reasons. but we will never know.

[quickdodge®]

I wasn't referring to looks, merely data, such as census records, birth certificates, etc.

You are correct that it is "not always". But it is common, not just in the US, but other continents as well.

My daughter looks Chinese, and doesn't look anything like me.

She does identify herself more with black folks and does note herself as African American on legal documents where mixed isn't an option.

My oldest son fairs more towards his Japanese Mom than me as well. Hmmm, lolol.

Jesse Jackson has run before and yet we are not told about that in school.

I was never taught who any of the losing candidates were throughout school so you not learning about Jackson running for President has nothing to do with race. Later, QD.

[BluesClues]

She does identify herself more with black folks and does note herself as African American on legal documents where mixed isn't an option.

My oldest son fairs more towards his Japanese Mom than me as well. Hmmm, lolol.



I was never taught who any of the losing candidates were throughout school so you not learning about Jackson running for President has nothing to do with race. Later, QD.

Maybe your genes are a little weak compared to theirs lol

But I was commenting back on him mentioning that he doesn't remember any other black people running for president. I was agreeing that the school system does not mention it at all (more than likely because he was not successful)