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Are Biracial People Black? My Thought on Paula Patton's Comment
Paula Patton, during an interview in the March issue of Women’s Health Magazine, said the following
“I find [the term biracial] offensive. It’s a way for people to separate themselves from African Americans… a way of saying ‘I’m better than that.’ I’m black because that’s the way the world sees me. People aren’t calling Barack Obama biracial. Most people think there’s a black president.”
Which terms Patton is offended by and approves of isn’t really important (I’d be more offended by words like mongrel, mutt, or half-breed instead of biracial, but that’s a personal preference). Instead, what is important ins that she points out that the term biracial is a way for people to separate themselves from African Americans. This is true. But people who are biracial are not African American. Nor are they White. Or Asian. Or Latino. Or whatever other race they’re mixed with. They are biracial. Biracial is an identity all it’s own.
Yet it seems that Patton doesn’t want to accept her biracial identity at all. She wants to identify herself solely as Black, and not consider the White side of her family. While biracial children in America often do generally associate with their Black culture and heritage more quickly than they do the White (I mention white because Patton is mixed with Black and White, but there could be any number of other races an individual could be mixed with), it’s important to understand that there is a duality to their culture. They, in part, must identify with both races.
When Patton say that she identifies herself as Black “because that’s the way the world sees me,” we see the idea that race is nothing more than a social construction very clearly. It shows us how we quickly separate and classify people into groups and categories. When we classify and categorize, the job of separating and then reducing or elevating particular groups within a society is made easier, the dominant group can move the pieces around the board, do what they like, and remain in charge.
The problem is this — there’s no definitive way to categorize a white American experience or a black American experience. We can’t say, “You’re black because you do _______.” Nor can we say, “You must be white because you grew up _______.” Whenever we might try to, there will always be an exception — either a person of that race who hasn’t had that experience, or a person of another race who has had that experience — thus nullifying the idea altogether. We can’t define Black as the ghetto and White as the suburbs, as some traditionally would; there are Black people in the suburbs and White people in the ghettos.
We have a skewed way of socially defining “White” and “Black” behaviors that are based off nothing more than outdated, inaccurate stereotypes — many of which are based in the concept of White Supremacy. For example, when we use phrases like, “He or she sounds White (or Black),” what are we really saying? Obviously we’re referring to their dialect, word choice, and sentence structure. But if we say that someone “sounds White” what we mean to say is that they sound articulate and well spoken. We have also unintentionally implied that Black people must never be well spoken and articulate (which obviously is not the case). Again, when we say that someone “sounds Black” we’re referencing that they may be using slang terminology and often times shortened and choppy sentence structure, indicating the idea that Blacks are not well spoken, whereas Whites are.
And all this means what? It means that, no matter how hard we try, we cannot categorize or classify, with an degree of effectiveness, the varying races and cultures in America. And as more and more biracial children are both, and more and more adults have interracial marriages, the lines between Black and White in America gradually become a little less clear. And for the better. We are too different, too diverse, too good, to be relegated into only one category. We must throw away our classification boxes and enjoy life together, as member of the one true race — human beings.
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This video clip also gives some insight into the minds of biracial people and some of the things they deal with. I spent all yesterday processing this and it played a large role in deciding to write this article.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXkPdC_a-ME]
18 Comments to “Are Biracial People Black? My Thought on Paula Patton's Comment”
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I tend to disagree with your statement, "The problem is this — there’s no definitive way to categorize a white American experience or a black American experience." There are, indeed, some experiences that will be case specific to black Americans, and not white Americans, and I can assume the same could be said about the reverse. The difference, I believe is that, we, as black Americans have been conditioned to experience some of these instances based on history.
It is well known history about the "one drop" rule amongst black Americans. The repeal of this law is somewhat recent (the '60's). While unconstitutional, this has been a struggle within the black community, as there are people in my own family who could "pass", and "passing" has been used in order to advance in life. While I cannot say that I know her meaning of her words, I do feel that her self-identification is based on how society has historically categorized black Americans. It's a definite reality that she's identified as Robin Thicke's black wife, and not Robin Thicke's biracial wife. I take the second part of her statement to refer to those who choose to "pass" rather then properly identify themselves as black Americans, not ALL biracial people. I don't see her statement as a denial of her biracial heritage, but more of a statement that she identifies with her black side more, because she looks like a black woman, and has potentially been treated as such.
Last I saw, applications don't have a biracial box to check, which makes it necessary to pick a side with which a person identifies with more. My cousin/godson is biracial, and while many of his friends are filipino like his mother, he knows the importance of knowing his black side as well. In all, I don't have a problem with how anyone self-identifies, but I think it naive to not remember that society has and will continue to play a role in this based on what one looks like.
Have you read Bliss Broyard’s book “One Drop?” It’s the story of her father Anatole Broyard’s “passing” while being a noted New York Times book critic. it deals with these ideas of identity on a number of levels.
http://bit.ly/1o0qZf
I’m always struck by those two thoughts expressed by black or biracial people when defending why they’re black: “It’s a way for people to separate themselves from African Americans… a way of saying ‘I’m better than that.’ and this: “I’m black because that’s the way the world sees me”.
These comments reek of insecurity and assumption. It would be interesting though to hear the white dad/mom’s thoughts on his/her child/ren identifying with one sole race.
I love this Stu! I have been bothered by this my whole life!! I’m not bi-racial although a lot of people think I am. I’m lighter, have lighter eyes, and tend to speak properly so people ASSUME that I’m partially white! But that’s not what I wanted to comment on. I have always wondered why–just as you do–biracial people who are half Black are automatically Black? Someone on Facebook has a young child who’s teacher said, “We have our first brown president,” when Obama was elected. I thought that statement was perfectly fine, but of course everyone was upset and thought the teacher was a racist. Just because someone has color doesn’t mean they’re Black! I have a friend who can’t get over certain Indian people who very dark skinned. She says, “They’re not Black!?” I’m like…uhhh….no! I love to see people who are Korean and Black. I was gonna say Asian, but quite frankly all the people I know how are Asian and Black are Korean and Black. Anyway, I love how the Korean parent teaches them about their culture–at least with the ones I know. True, in everyday life they identify more with the Black side, but still are knowledgeable of the Korean side. That’s what should make being biracial cool! You a different, unique experience that should make you different. I like how you said that biracial is it’s own identity–and it should be! But, here in America it seems like your either Black or white, rich or poor, smart or dumb, cool or lame! Why are we always forced to pick sides of things? I am probably one of the most “non-Black” Black people you’d ever meet, and it has nothing to do with the way I talk! However, why must I choose to be something just so I can fit in a box?? I am Uniquely Awesome dang it!! LOL, I am not made for boxes. Great post again, Stuart!
love love LOVE this… i am offended when people tell me- ‘you look mixed’ [which i am not. i am 100% ethiopian, born there and all] so i think thats where paula comes from when she says that she is black – like- black is beautiful!!
“They, in part, must identify with both races.”
This sentence is indicative of the tone this entire post takes, and it is one that points to your own failure to recognize your white male privilege. To say that biracial people “must” idenitfy with both races, to tell others how the “must” identify themselves, particularly coming from someone who identifies as a part of the dominant culture, is patronizing at best. In doing this, you fit neatly into the white supremacist structure that you took care to denounce in this post. You are not faced with the issue of racial identification that biracial people have, so it is not your place to say how they “must” identify. You have the advantage of viewing race and racial identification through the prism of a white male, which means you don’t have to address the the ideas of blackness and navigate those ideas in a society that seeks to define it for you. You are a part of the dominant culture, the one that writes the definitions and sets the standards by which everyone else is expected to abide. What Paula Patton has done is chosen to identify as she sees fit, and now you are telling her she is wrong. Can you see how that is troubling? Your and other white people’s participation in discussions of race are welcome, but a failure to recognize your privilege hinders progress.
I appreciate the comment. Help me understand something: Do you believe that people of mixed heritage should only identify with whichever race they choose instead of both (or all three or four)? If so, how and why would they choose which one to identify with?
In the end, we all get to decide who we are. It’s just that some folks may not agree. As for me, I hope my daughters embrace everything about them.
another controversial post…lol
"aint white enuff 4 white or black enuff for black/ overcompensate now you dont really know HOW to act/"
Her (Paula Patton) idea is in line with the idea that Americans are systematically, psychologically, economically and perspectively racist. The existance of white privilege, unfortunately, makes biracial (which USUALLY means black and white…at least in America) people black. It is no secret that the American economy leans in favor of white males, so to not be that is a tough road to trod. We live in a society where definition(or individualism) is based on what youre not, THEN who you are…for example: mixed people, first, ARENT white, THEN, ARE black so they are catergorized as black…why? black people accept them because black people come in a multitude of shades due to GENERATIONS of melanin deterioration from race mixing…again an example: there are fair black people who are products of two "black" parents, yet there are VERY FEW cases of DARK white people born of 2 "white" parents…VERRRRRRRRRRRY few…lol
The plight of a mixed person is tough mainly because of the level of displacement one feels due to the MANY forms of racism that exist in both black and white American values and communities. Light skinned people (women especially) are WHOLLY objectified and exoticized in our culture (American culture) BECAUSE of the displacement. Dating a mixed person is seen as cool because theyre lighter than "niggas" and darker than "crackers" so its considered a lesser evil…lol its like having Marinol…its not quite Marijuana but its not quite perscription drugs either.
Claiming to be black when one is biracial isnt the denial of the white heritage but the acceptance of GLOBAL racism. Its the understanding that society judges whether you like it or not. And the hubris to continue holding that truth knowing that you cannot be defined by it's standards. Barak Obama…he KNOWS he's not JUST black, BUT he's the first Black president and DOESNT deny nor correct it…why??? because he's black…if Barak Hussein Obama, president of the primarily coccasian USA, was Bernard Henry O'Malley president of the primarily coccasian United Tire Sales and Oil Change he wouldnt be a brown president, he'd be a nigga that knew how to fix cars…lol his privileged position makes people want to disidentify him as black because of the harsh tratment of black people in this country…which is why him being president is SO controversial…
so i say to those who turn away from the foul truth of racism and try to be "other" or "mixed" good luck to ya black ass!!! sincerely.
and to the black people mixed with races other than white…good luck to ya black ass!!! sincerely. cuz itd no secret that most other PURE raced people, meaning WHOLLY one race (asian/mexican/indian etc…) LIVING in America would rather their child date a ANYTHING but a nigga…BANG!!!
Actually the most in America bi-racial or mixed is most commonly Asian and White that is the highest population of "mixed" race in the U.S.
I actually found Paula’s comments to be quite progressive and honest. Many biracial people do use the label as a way of distancing themselves from the social implications of being labeled black-many of those implications are detremental (just being honest). Her experience is not indicative of every biracial experience, but it is still one of several biracial experiences. We already know that race is not scientific, so no, she does NOT have to identify with her mother’s race or her father’s race. By saying that she identifies with the race she is treated as (black), she is basically confirming that race is a social reality, not a scientific reality. She is black people when people see her and judge her, they do so through a racialized lens. She does not live her mother’s whiteness. So she is not white. If that is troubling to a white or black person, they should not IR mix. Saying that she is not white is not a denial of mother’s heritage (or at least not the GOOD part of her mother’s family and heritage). It’s a denial of a social system. There is no “White country”. No “White language”. No “White culture”. There is a social reality of Whiteness, and she feels it does not a apply to her. I am willing to bet Jennifer Beils (of the L Word) identifies more as White, even though her father is Black. I don’t blame her.
A lot of White people have joined in the “biracial or black” debate, and it’s intriguing because when their ancestors wanted Black to mean “one drop”, that’s what it was. Now that so many white women have “Black-ish” children, but still want to preserve Whiteness (again-not a language, culture, or country) for their mixed children, they have accepted and demanded racial ambiguity-basically saying “I know my kids won’t be white, but don’t treat them like blacks”. Biracial scholars have discussed this movement-it really started in the 1980′s. Most biracial activist groups were started and speared by White women. That tells you a lot about the motive behind the change in racial identification. It is NOT about accuracy, representation, or family respect. It does not make White people seem more progressive to push for “bi-racialness”. It’s actually a part of the same scientific racial paradigm that justified the One Drop Rule. BOTH suggest that you inherit race, when we all know that you LIVE race and experience racism. Some people of interracial parentage look and are socialized as White. Some people as Black. Some in-between. I think Paula did a brave thing and not clumping herself with the new-wave pressure to be ambiguous, as long as she realizes that her biracial experience is not shared by everyone. And it is everyone’s right to choose as she did. My only wish is that they are consistent with whatever they choose, and don’t attempt to manipulate that choice for perceived benefits-though this is unlikely. I’ve heard plenty say-especially those who are Latino or Black mixed, that they are White EXCEPT when they apply for jobs or college. BTW, Latino is not a race. Some of them are completely European and completely white in their country.
“While biracial children in America often do generally associate with their Black culture and heritage more quickly than they do the White…” Do you have a reference for this?
I dont think it’s about any reference. Actually us Black people (and I will not say Afro American because I’m not), have different kind of skin tone, you can be 100% Black but be very light skinned or very dark. When someone is mixed Black and White we think she’s more asociated to her black heritage because of her skin…She looks black! You can tell she have some Afro heritage because of her skin tone, because you can never say she’s white.
But it is a mistake that we all do! Mixed ppl are not Black or White or Asians or anything else….They are Mixed ppl!
I have to agree with the comments from Gloria and Mychal. “Biracial” people have the damn right to identify anyway they choose to. And we need to get over it. Only the “biracial” individual can make that decision, and if they have the sense enough to realize their experience with racism will often be because they are deemed “Black”, then what can you do?
Every time I hear a White lady claim they feel rejected because their half Black child decides to identify as Black, I have to bit my tongue so I won’t tell them to Shut The F*%k UP! When I see Black ladies worried their childs wavy hair will make them target of hate from Blacks(Yes a Black broad actually said this to me!) I give them a look equivalent to Shut The F*%k Up. These women can never experience what their child is going through unless they themselves are half Black/White/Asian whatever. What they should concern themselves with is raising children who are strong, caring, and informed to make positive decisions.
And one more thing please. I highly suspect that the big fuss about Paula is because she is beautiful. Many Whites have a hard time believing a “full Black” could be beautiful. If a less attractive biracial woman such as Tomeka”Tiny” Cottle(google her if you don’t know her) or Kimberly Locke (still looking like she did back in the day) were stating the same thing there would not be such an uproar. Btw I’m from Tennesse and back in the day Kimberly Locke was not cute at all.
Ok,my turn.If your born in America you are a American.Stop putting a line on humans.A good friend of mine is from Africa.HE IS A TRUE African American.His skin is a lighter band aide. Im tired of BET making fun of my race.Movies like white man can't jump.What will happen if I made a movie Black man can't swim???Im a true raggae fan for over thirty years.The music is about humans are all one.Bob Marley is half band aid shade.President O Bamma
is a American.I will get a lawsuit on Certain people making jokes about me.United negro college fund should be human college Fund.It is reverse discrimination to the fullest. Every race suffers.My family suffers from alcoholism. I have so they say Irish in me..I also have kinky hair.I might have AFRICAN IN ME?What would Bob Marley do.?Thanks for letting me put my feelings on this.
Actually all of us have the "right" to identify however we see fit. If your "Black" and identify as white so be it.
My family has been racially mixed on both sides going back at least five generations. Although we encompass a spectrum of skin colors (the proverbial coal to cream), hair textures (kinky to pin straight), and other physical features (a Roman nose, full lips, a flat bottom), my ancestors were all subject to the one drop rule. I was in college when white people started trying to make me biracial "One of your parents is White, right?" they'd ask. "Nope." Perplexed, the questioner would persist, "A grandparent?" I'd shake my head. It would continue in this fashion unless I changed the subject or gave them the stink eye. I was confused because I hardly thought how I looked justified this line of reasoning. My mom (1/4 Cuban, 1/8 Native American) said that my being beautiful and successful was less cognitively dissonant for people when they could set it in the context of the being partly White. Today, my daughter (who has a white father) is routinely mistaken for everything (Ethiopian, Mexican, East Indian, Polynesian) except what she really is (black, Cuban, Native American, Irish, Jewish, Russian, and Polish) –unless she's with me. However, it is incredibly important to her father that she is identified (and identifies) as biracial. It is an obsession for him. He definitely sees any chance she'll identify as Black as a rejection of him. We're divorced so I guess he's anxious about that anyway. It would be ridiculous to call this little brown girl White so he's settled for biracial. He writes that she is biracial on forms where it isn't an option to check more than one box. It's uncomfortable to watch. Her butter pecan skin fits comfortably into the middle of my family's range of color and if her long, curly hair is less kinky than mine, it's not the bone-straight texture of her half-black/half Native American great-grandmother. It seems bizarre to insist that she specify being neither Black nor White, but something else when her black cousins sport red hair and slanted eyes or her Jewish cousin have afros. What is the advantage to the individual of one label over the other? Especially when being adamant about one's status as "neither/nor" seems to automatically cut one off from membership in possible communities. I've cautioned my daughter's father to not confuse her by making it an issue when she could care less. But the Obama thing is fueling his hysteria.