There was a really good show on PBS a while back that explored the question in detail. That’s my source. If I’m wrong, I misunderstood what they said.

For example (though it be a poor one, maybe it will help me explain), I am both German and Scots Irish. Those are my primary bloodlines. There is some Indian and Swiss in there, but that’s a long ways back. I have no problem saying that I am German and Scots Irish, and I don’t think folks would start calling me a German all the time just because I said that I was, especially when it is known that I am both German and Scots Irish. They would probably say that I was German and Scots Irish. Because we are still so fixated on black/white polarization in this country, however, a person who is both black and white is instantly identified as black, period.

Whether he publicly identifies himself as black is his choice (maybe I was getting a glass of water everytime he identified himself as black, but ok). The public, however, always identifies him as black, no problem, it comes so naturally. I don’t think the media was checking to make sure he identified himself as such before saying he was a black senator.

Of course, he grew up in a time where he probably felt significantly more discrimination than kids today. I believe there will be less and less over time. Part of that change will hopefully be that someone who is biracial won’t simply be identified as black, because I think that some people define biracials as black only, as though they want to say that the person no longer belongs with their European folks. This is a continuation of the disregard that Rhein described in his post early on.

Also, I have no data to back this up, but I believe that you are wrong about the “practically every person” bit. There are lots of black Americans with Indian or European blood somewhere wayyyy back there, just as there are plenty of white Americans with Indian blood, but I don’t think it’s the majority that you make it out to be.

Um, because he identifies himself as black?

Back up and read the thread again, Shane. Practically every person who identifies as black is actually multi-racial. Would you choose to define away “blackness” as a result of that?

QB – No, but someone who is clearly biracial is defined by all as black, everytime. Why? That’s the question. Seems like an extension of the logic that Rhein described in his post. Still have a ways to go, I think.

NG – If you don’t like the discussion, don’t add your goddamn stupid comments.

Michelle – Thankyou. Very well put, and that is part of my point. He should be defined by his great character, not always as “a black”.

So you want to claim that nobody is actually black?

If you didn’t, I’ll spell it out for you: Young black guy running for President = Yippee – ki – yi – yay!

Young white guy running for President, Mommy from Kansas, Daddy from Africa = Ho – hum…