Why is Obama labeled "black?"

[lilithu]

Speaky English?

Oh, hilarious.

First of all - I didn't say I was UPSET - that's way too strong a word. I find it CURIOUS that society in general considers him "black."

As for that crazy talk about wanting to be sure he's categorized as only HALF BLACK because (and I quote you) "because we still think of white as superior to black in this country" - wow, speak for yourself. I don't feel that way at all.

And finally - why do you keep trying to make it appear as if I said that my issue is with Barack Obama's categorization of himself? I have never heard him say or insinuate that he identifies more with either his African or European ancestry. Let me try to say this one more time in the hopes that you will get it - My issue is with OTHER PEOPLE (not the multiracial person themselves) who can only acknowledge one racial identity in a person that they KNOW is multiracial.

Let me try to say this one more time in the hopes that you will get it: If Obama identifies as black, then it makes no sense for you to criticize others for identifying him as black.

And as I already pointed out, the vast majority of people identified as black in this country are of mixed descent. Why do you keep wondering why people don't acknowledge Obama's mixed heritage without questioning why we don't acknowledge it in general?? Clearly, the term "black" in this country does not mean 100% African descent, so there is no discrepancy in calling Obama black. Especially since he himself identifies as black.

sheesh!

 

[Kathryn]

Your meaning is very clear to me, Buttons. And your wit is in top form!

It amazes me sometimes how people who really do think they are open minded or enlightened are so hell bent on their own agenda that they can't see how judgmental they really are.

 

[Kathryn]

Obama doesn't identify himself only as black.

Wow, you are just determined to miss my point entirely. But that's ok. Your intentions are clear.

 

[Kathryn]

By the way, I'm done with this for the night. I'm taking my white *** to bed.

 

[lilithu]

You didn't post a question, you just took my post, edited it to make your point so you could claim you're better than me, and then left it. Is this another "question"?

If so, I'll go ahead and tell you what's up Since you actually care about my friend versus making me look bad to prove that you're awesome.

You've really got a serious hangup about how you appear to others. I don't care one way or the other about how you look. Seriously. :areyoucra What I care about is the issue. I would think that anyone who's even taken a cursory glance at this thread would understand that. I edited your post to make a point. Yes. And then you ignored the point, to instead say something cutesy, which I will fully admit that I find annoying, and that's my own hangup.

She says that she's "black" sometimes - jokingly, and she'll say that she's "white" - jokingly. She doesn't really care either way. Even if she does say that, "I'm really white deep down" all she's talking about is how she doesnt' act "black" whatsoever, or really have a clue of what it's like to be "black." It really doesn't matter to her, or to me. She does think that she's more culturally attuned to things that are stereotypically "white" because of her parenting.

It's fine that she identifies as white. Why wouldn't she, if she was raised white. But if she acknowledges that there is a difference between being black and being white, then she acknowledges that skin color does matter. THAT is my point.

 

[lilithu]

Obama doesn't identify himself only as black.

So? Society doesn't identify him only as black either.

Your intentions are clear.

As are yours.

 

[Buttons*]

You've really got a serious hangup about how you appear to others. I don't care one way or the other about how you look. Seriously. :areyoucra What I care about is the issue. I would think that anyone who's even taken a cursory glance at this thread would understand that. I edited your post to make a point. Yes. And then you ignored the point, to instead say something cutesy, which I will fully admit that I find annoying, and that's my own hangup.

I really don't. I just think you have a superiority complex because you think you understand other people's problems better than anyone else could. You appear to me as though you're always trying to prove yourself about something, and that people who don't get you are inferior. It's almost as though you martyr youself on every civil rights point so you can stay angry at others who aren't as aware. Maybe that's the wrong impression to get. I'm sorry if I took you the wrong way. I think that while you could have made a point by simply stating, "Well, would you like to clarify?" or "I see that these two statements don't go together, this is why." you blatantly scoffed and put yourself "above" the issue. You didn't ask me a question, so I didn't give you an answer. I find your air of superiority just as annoying as you find my "cutesy"-ness.

It's fine that she identifies as white. Why wouldn't she, if she was raised white. But if she acknowledges that there is a difference between being black and being white, then she acknowledges that skin color does matter. THAT is my point.

Well, your point is wrong. I'm sorry to say it. Because I know you think you're right. It's going to be hard, because you will never accept any other opinion than your own.

Your point is that because she jokes about being either race at any given time, that she identifies that there is a difference in race, and thus, color does matter? It's a fallacious argument. She identifies as herself. Not as any color. You refuse to see that.

 

[lilithu]

She identifies as herself. Not as any color. You refuse to see that.

Pardon me, I must have been confused by: "Deep down, I'm just white, really."

 

[YmirGF]

Pardon me, I must have been confused by: "Deep down, I'm just white, really."

*sigh* Pssst. One word, Lilly. Context!

 

[Buttons*]

Pardon me, I must have been confused by: "Deep down, I'm just white, really."

You must have cherry picked

 

[Ozzie]

Obama is "black" because he deviates from the norm. Obama could never have a Valentino tan and appear "brown".

 

[Trey of Diamonds]

I suggest that you do a little studying of what it means to be "white" in this country - who was considered "white" and when. And then, if you still want to discuss it, fine. Until then, we're not even speaking the same language. But I can't force you to do anything. :areyoucra

I have, but it is pretty obvious that you haven't. To you, all European's are white, I suppose because we all look alike and the government census lumps us all into one category. But the "White" you find so offensive is predominately the White Anglo Saxon Protestants. The very first immigration law restricting entrance into the United States was against Catholics and Eastern Europeans. While these people look white, they were not considered the right kind of people to be American's and have been discriminated against since the 1700s. Even today they are still considered the enemy to both the KKK and the Neo-Nazis.

But to you we're all the same, the great white hoard who treated people of color so horribly. Take a few history classes and read a few books before telling me what I need to study. :sarcastic

 

[Trey of Diamonds]

How do you know I have no problem calling them "black?" As a matter of fact, I DO have a problem with that - I do not like that term for precisely the reasons you stated - as well as other reasons.

I much prefer African American - or better yet, no differentiation at all.


Peeps is peeps.

I think what is at issue here is the right to call ourselves what we are comfortable with. Personally I think African-American is a mouthful and a pain to type every time. But if that is what folks like to be called I'm not going to tell them they can't. Nor should people tell the older generations of African Americans that they can't call themselves Black or Colored or People of Color. It is what they grew up with and what they are comfortable with. If Obama is comfortable calling himself Black, thats all I need to know.

 

[The Voice of Reason]

I'm curious - because he's of mixed racial heritage, as are my children, and yet people insist on calling him BLACK.

I never said that this is OBAMA'S fault or that he intentionally perpetuates this. I think it's ironic that SOCIETY tends to label him as "black" when everyone knows he's only HALF "black."

Seems very backwards to me.

I'll ask the question again - why does it matter?

Who cares if he is labeled "Black" or "Half black"? Who cares if the label is "half white"?

Does the label make him a better President? Does the label make him a lesser President?

In my opinion, the only thing the label reveals is the mindset of the person wielding it.

 

[PureX]

I think what is at issue here is the right to call ourselves what we are comfortable with. Personally I think African-American is a mouthful and a pain to type every time. But if that is what folks like to be called I'm not going to tell them they can't. Nor should people tell the older generations of African Americans that they can't call themselves Black or Colored or People of Color. It is what they grew up with and what they are comfortable with. If Obama is comfortable calling himself Black, thats all I need to know.

It might be because I'm a little older, and so are most of my African American friends and acquaintances, but I still call them "black" and they have assured me that they are perfectly comfortable with that. And I really don't believe that Barrack Obama is in any way insulted by being called "black". He was raised to believe he could do anything he set his mind to do, and he has certainly proven that to be so. So I can't see how being called a black man could possibly disparage him in any way.

I think black men and women all over the world should be feeling proud right now, not only because of the accomplishments of folks like Barrack Obama, but because it's now finally undeniably apparent that having darker colored skin does not render anyone incapable of greatness. When I think of a list of modern heros, I find as many black skinned people on that list as any other.

 

[Kathryn]

I'll ask the question again - why does it matter?

Well, I won't answer it again because that would be redundant.

In my opinion, the only thing the label reveals is the mindset of the person wielding it.

Well, yes, that's exactly my point - is it too subtle for you?

 

[The Voice of Reason]

... He was raised to believe he could do anything he set his mind to do, and he has certainly proven that to be so.

... and that is the only thing that matters.

 

[Kathryn]

Nor should people tell the older generations of African Americans that they can't call themselves Black or Colored or People of Color. It is what they grew up with and what they are comfortable with. If Obama is comfortable calling himself Black, thats all I need to know.

I totally agree with you - my issue isn't what people call THEMSELVES - it's what people call each other.

And I'm not on a rampage about "black" vs "African American." My observation is that I think it's backwards for us to insist on forcing people of mixed racial heritage into one ethnic group.

I will be glad when race doesn't HAVE to be identified - when society no longer feels the compulsion to insist on categorizing people by the color of their skin.

 

[Kathryn]

I think black men and women all over the world should be feeling proud right now, not only because of the accomplishments of folks like Barrack Obama, but because it's now finally undeniably apparent that having darker colored skin does not render anyone incapable of greatness. When I think of a list of modern heros, I find as many black skinned people on that list as any other.

Actually I agreed with your entire post, PureX but especially this part.

Whether I agree with Obama's political agenda or not, I am VERY pleased that he has broken the "race barrier."

I will be even more pleased when race becomes a non-issue. That's my main point.

 

[Kathryn]

So? Society doesn't identify him only as black either.

Wait a minute - where did you say you live? Planet Earth, right? And you honestly think that society doesn't identify Barack Obama as black?

As are yours.

Really? And what would you say my intentions are? I'd really like to hear your paraphrase because you are totally missing my point in every one of your responses.