Racial issues in DCPS for mixed race kids

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread has reinforced my stereotypes against so called "biracial" people and their parents. They think they are the only ones with blue or green eyes, their hair is much curlier than my DC unless they are are 2nd generation biracial - even if 2nd generation it is no comparison to mine or anyone in my extended family and many times not my sons'; they think they are the only ones that are told that they are acting white; they don't realize they are talked about by some white people behind their back. Only they experience low expectation AA students and are concerned that it may only rub off on them. They never seem to experience the low expectation white kids that we experience.

We should just bring back the terms quadroon, octoroon, mulatto, etc. since this is how they describe themselves. "I'm one half white and my DC is 3/4 white" - quadroon. "I'm 1/8th white" - octoroon. 1/16th - quintroon. 3/4 AA or the child of a biracial parent and a fully black parent - Sambo Suggest you watch Louis Gates - Finding Your Roots television show - especially the segment on Ben Jealous. At least he didn't try and deny his AA mom's white heritage which all of you seem to do when you define yourself as half or 1/4 AA. He ended up being less than 13% AA even though only one parent was white and the other was not "biracial." Newsflash- the half AA that you are is not all AA and may not even be 50% AA. AA's are not pure blood African but you are so busy latching on to the white parent that you can see that you denegrate your AA parent's racial heritage (maybe to try and project an air of superiority.) I will print this thread and show it to my son that thought all of his cousins are white and is always termed as "exotic" by white females. I will show this to my cousins who are mistaken for white and are subjected to racist conversations by their hair stylists. I will show this to their sons that are told they are biracial because their Mom is white even though she is not and not biracial.

This is one of the most racist threads I have read on DCUM and the racism is coming from the "biracial" people and parents of "biracials." You are the ones who are confused; the rest of us are comfortable with who we are and don't have the time or inclination to find out our percentages since practically noone has a "fully black" parent anymore.

Are you angry that you don't "get" to identify as biracial because you don't have parents that are members of two different races? Being part something (having multiracial ancestors from 2 or more generations back) is NOT the same thing as being part of something (being the child of an interracial union). You can "look biracial," but if your parents are not different races, your experience is still not the same as the child of an interracial union. It may be similar in some respects, but it's not the same. Stop trying to erase others' experiences and identity. Being biracial is not a prize...it is just a fact. Ask yourself why you're so against biracial people claiming their full identity? Why is that so threatening to you? Here's some advice: Worry about yourself and your own children. I don't need you to be "concerned" about my children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^ the poster is not crazy she is talking about skin color and how light skinned blacks can be mistaken for white. Not surprisingly these black people who could easily pass for white, and don't for many historical reasons, hear quite a bit more racism than racially ambiguous biracial people.

Then she needs to form a support group with other "blacks" who look "white" to handle the unique brand of racism they encounter. Her experience has nothing to do with biracial people who identify as (**gasp**) biracial. Why does she/others care so much about what biracial people are doing?!? Does a biracial person's self-identification pay your bills? Put food on your table? Sign your paycheck? No one has answered that question yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^ the poster is not crazy she is talking about skin color and how light skinned blacks can be mistaken for white. Not surprisingly these black people who could easily pass for white, and don't for many historical reasons, hear quite a bit more racism than racially ambiguous biracial people.

She still needs a therapist. Her resentment at her existence hasn't a damn thing to do with biracial kids and their experiences. What is reflects is that there's a lot of pain in the AA community. We get that. That experience has no bearing or is not more significant or valid than the biracial experience. What should be happening here is people in her situation should have more empathy and be more compassionate toward biracial kids. Their self-esteem hinges on being accepted just as they are- biracial. They should find solace in the AA community, not hatred and resentment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread has reinforced my stereotypes against so called "biracial" people and their parents. They think they are the only ones with blue or green eyes, their hair is much curlier than my DC unless they are are 2nd generation biracial - even if 2nd generation it is no comparison to mine or anyone in my extended family and many times not my sons'; they think they are the only ones that are told that they are acting white; they don't realize they are talked about by some white people behind their back. Only they experience low expectation AA students and are concerned that it may only rub off on them. They never seem to experience the low expectation white kids that we experience.

We should just bring back the terms quadroon, octoroon, mulatto, etc. since this is how they describe themselves. "I'm one half white and my DC is 3/4 white" - quadroon. "I'm 1/8th white" - octoroon. 1/16th - quintroon. 3/4 AA or the child of a biracial parent and a fully black parent - Sambo Suggest you watch Louis Gates - Finding Your Roots television show - especially the segment on Ben Jealous. At least he didn't try and deny his AA mom's white heritage which all of you seem to do when you define yourself as half or 1/4 AA. He ended up being less than 13% AA even though only one parent was white and the other was not "biracial." Newsflash- the half AA that you are is not all AA and may not even be 50% AA. AA's are not pure blood African but you are so busy latching on to the white parent that you can see that you denegrate your AA parent's racial heritage (maybe to try and project an air of superiority.) I will print this thread and show it to my son that thought all of his cousins are white and is always termed as "exotic" by white females. I will show this to my cousins who are mistaken for white and are subjected to racist conversations by their hair stylists. I will show this to their sons that are told they are biracial because their Mom is white even though she is not and not biracial.

This is one of the most racist threads I have read on DCUM and the racism is coming from the "biracial" people and parents of "biracials." You are the ones who are confused; the rest of us are comfortable with who we are and don't have the time or inclination to find out our percentages since practically noone has a "fully black" parent anymore.

Are you angry that you don't "get" to identify as biracial because you don't have parents that are members of two different races? Being part something (having multiracial ancestors from 2 or more generations back) is NOT the same thing as being part of something (being the child of an interracial union). You can "look biracial," but if your parents are not different races, your experience is still not the same as the child of an interracial union. It may be similar in some respects, but it's not the same. Stop trying to erase others' experiences and identity. Being biracial is not a prize...it is just a fact. Ask yourself why you're so against biracial people claiming their full identity? Why is that so threatening to you? Here's some advice: Worry about yourself and your own children. I don't need you to be "concerned" about my children.

I agree with most of what you said, but I take issue with what appeared to be attempt to minimize the experiences of multigenerational biracials. I come from a culture completely diluted from decades of race-mixing. I have bright red hair and green eyes, but my skin is a deep olive. Every day I'm confronted by this. Believe me, I'm biracial and have the wounds to prove it. That story is mine as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread has reinforced my stereotypes against so called "biracial" people and their parents. They think they are the only ones with blue or green eyes, their hair is much curlier than my DC unless they are are 2nd generation biracial - even if 2nd generation it is no comparison to mine or anyone in my extended family and many times not my sons'; they think they are the only ones that are told that they are acting white; they don't realize they are talked about by some white people behind their back. Only they experience low expectation AA students and are concerned that it may only rub off on them. They never seem to experience the low expectation white kids that we experience.

We should just bring back the terms quadroon, octoroon, mulatto, etc. since this is how they describe themselves. "I'm one half white and my DC is 3/4 white" - quadroon. "I'm 1/8th white" - octoroon. 1/16th - quintroon. 3/4 AA or the child of a biracial parent and a fully black parent - Sambo Suggest you watch Louis Gates - Finding Your Roots television show - especially the segment on Ben Jealous. At least he didn't try and deny his AA mom's white heritage which all of you seem to do when you define yourself as half or 1/4 AA. He ended up being less than 13% AA even though only one parent was white and the other was not "biracial." Newsflash- the half AA that you are is not all AA and may not even be 50% AA. AA's are not pure blood African but you are so busy latching on to the white parent that you can see that you denegrate your AA parent's racial heritage (maybe to try and project an air of superiority.) I will print this thread and show it to my son that thought all of his cousins are white and is always termed as "exotic" by white females. I will show this to my cousins who are mistaken for white and are subjected to racist conversations by their hair stylists. I will show this to their sons that are told they are biracial because their Mom is white even though she is not and not biracial.

This is one of the most racist threads I have read on DCUM and the racism is coming from the "biracial" people and parents of "biracials." You are the ones who are confused; the rest of us are comfortable with who we are and don't have the time or inclination to find out our percentages since practically noone has a "fully black" parent anymore.

if you're family looks as white as you claim you should get a DNA test. I can guarantee you you're probabky multiracial. Phenotypic "white" variations don't just show up in black people by magic. It comes europe. That's white.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread has reinforced my stereotypes against so called "biracial" people and their parents. They think they are the only ones with blue or green eyes, their hair is much curlier than my DC unless they are are 2nd generation biracial - even if 2nd generation it is no comparison to mine or anyone in my extended family and many times not my sons'; they think they are the only ones that are told that they are acting white; they don't realize they are talked about by some white people behind their back. Only they experience low expectation AA students and are concerned that it may only rub off on them. They never seem to experience the low expectation white kids that we experience.

We should just bring back the terms quadroon, octoroon, mulatto, etc. since this is how they describe themselves. "I'm one half white and my DC is 3/4 white" - quadroon. "I'm 1/8th white" - octoroon. 1/16th - quintroon. 3/4 AA or the child of a biracial parent and a fully black parent - Sambo Suggest you watch Louis Gates - Finding Your Roots television show - especially the segment on Ben Jealous. At least he didn't try and deny his AA mom's white heritage which all of you seem to do when you define yourself as half or 1/4 AA. He ended up being less than 13% AA even though only one parent was white and the other was not "biracial." Newsflash- the half AA that you are is not all AA and may not even be 50% AA. AA's are not pure blood African but you are so busy latching on to the white parent that you can see that you denegrate your AA parent's racial heritage (maybe to try and project an air of superiority.) I will print this thread and show it to my son that thought all of his cousins are white and is always termed as "exotic" by white females. I will show this to my cousins who are mistaken for white and are subjected to racist conversations by their hair stylists. I will show this to their sons that are told they are biracial because their Mom is white even though she is not and not biracial.

This is one of the most racist threads I have read on DCUM and the racism is coming from the "biracial" people and parents of "biracials." You are the ones who are confused; the rest of us are comfortable with who we are and don't have the time or inclination to find out our percentages since practically noone has a "fully black" parent anymore.

Are you angry that you don't "get" to identify as biracial because you don't have parents that are members of two different races? Being part something (having multiracial ancestors from 2 or more generations back) is NOT the same thing as being part of something (being the child of an interracial union). You can "look biracial," but if your parents are not different races, your experience is still not the same as the child of an interracial union. It may be similar in some respects, but it's not the same. Stop trying to erase others' experiences and identity. Being biracial is not a prize...it is just a fact. Ask yourself why you're so against biracial people claiming their full identity? Why is that so threatening to you? Here's some advice: Worry about yourself and your own children. I don't need you to be "concerned" about my children.

+1

The fact that PP starts the whole post off referring to "so called "biracial" people" tells you PP comes to this whole subject having decided that's not a valid self-identifiction. PP's a lost cause. Screw you -- we can decide for ourselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This whole thread has psychiatric problems.

I'm actually impressed at how many people seem to be discussing this from a place of empathy and understanding. Race is complicated. People don't need pyschiatric help just because they're grappling with that. Sure, there seem to be a couple trolls, but most of what's being said here makes a lot of sense. If you don't get it, maybe you don't want to. Your loss.

[Anonymous]

Wow. I just read this whole thread. I am biracial, grew up in DC, went to DCPS. I fully believe that everyone should get to choose how they identify,and not have it dictated by society or their parents. I often think how slow progress in this area is. I'll share my experience because it's more on the positive side than some of the other pp's. Not that I want to negate their experiences though - but as one pp said it's not all the tragic mulatto. I've always self-identified as black, because I look more black than anything else and it was just simpler than constantly having to defend the biracial identification. My mother, who is white, was always quick to reassure me that I should identify however was most comfortable to me and that she did not feel like I was slighting my heritage by not claiming a biracial status. For the OP, I think the problem she describes is one that all parents of black and Latino children face - especially if they are attending school among children from a lower SES. I didn't have the miserable school experience of some of the other biracial posters, but to the extent that I had difficulties, it was because I was smart and articulate and was from a higher SES. Those were the reasons I "acted white" - along with a few other fully black students. Everyone knew I was biracial, but that didn't seem to be an issue. I went to school with many other biracial students - seems everyone had their own way of identifying and trying to fit in. The ones that looked less black and tended to identify more as biracial also tended to hang out more with the white kids, so the black kids more or less left them alone. These are just my observations from more than 20 years ago - I'd like to think things are better now, and it's easier for biracial kids to navigate socially, but sounds like maybe not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

They could check Green, of Martian origin - wouldn't make a damn bit of difference to the average teacher reliant on stereotypes who looks at em and sees "special needs student" or the average citizen reliant on stereotypes who looks at em and sees "thug" or the average cop reliant on stereotypes who looks at em and sees "suspect". Damn shame.

pretty much what I told my kids...when the cops focus on them for walking in their upper class neighborhood after dusk, I doubt they are saying "Look at those hispanic kids "

Exactly that's why its pertinent for the next generation to avoid feeding into this bullshit and forcing racial statuses and the accompanying stereotypes onto their peers. Parents of biracial children, tell your kids to avoid saying "that white girl" or "that black boy" based on your perceptions and encourage them to refer to kids according to how they identify themselves. Hopefully in about 20 years as a result we'll have more adults who refrain from racial profiling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow. I just read this whole thread. I am biracial, grew up in DC, went to DCPS. I fully believe that everyone should get to choose how they identify,and not have it dictated by society or their parents. I often think how slow progress in this area is. I'll share my experience because it's more on the positive side than some of the other pp's. Not that I want to negate their experiences though - but as one pp said it's not all the tragic mulatto. I've always self-identified as black, because I look more black than anything else and it was just simpler than constantly having to defend the biracial identification. My mother, who is white, was always quick to reassure me that I should identify however was most comfortable to me and that she did not feel like I was slighting my heritage by not claiming a biracial status. For the OP, I think the problem she describes is one that all parents of black and Latino children face - especially if they are attending school among children from a lower SES. I didn't have the miserable school experience of some of the other biracial posters, but to the extent that I had difficulties, it was because I was smart and articulate and was from a higher SES. Those were the reasons I "acted white" - along with a few other fully black students. Everyone knew I was biracial, but that didn't seem to be an issue. I went to school with many other biracial students - seems everyone had their own way of identifying and trying to fit in. The ones that looked less black and tended to identify more as biracial also tended to hang out more with the white kids, so the black kids more or less left them alone. These are just my observations from more than 20 years ago - I'd like to think things are better now, and it's easier for biracial kids to navigate socially, but sounds like maybe not.

Thank you for this post- a voice of reason in this charged thread. I'm biracial, but look white. This is why when asked I identify as biracial and I don't correct others when they assume I'm white. I feel more comfortable in my skin by being able to be accurate about who I am. I understand, respect and empathize with what makes you comfortable. I would be even more comfortable if I was allowed to be anonymous. I want to be left alone, but my appearance makes that impossible. So, I think I've earned the right to acknowledge that I'm biracial. And I want my children to be left alone to do the same. We just want to validated. That's all. In that regard we all really want the same thing but go about it differently.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It would be child abuse for me to raise my white looking blue-eyed blonde daughter as black. I only have this suggested to me by old school AAs who dislike white people. They actually change their tune once they see the kid. She's platinum blonde and very blue-eyed. Once they see her picture, they give a strange side-eye look amazed and then say, yeah, I understand why you wouldn't.

Regarding self-selecting for myself- I look very biracial- I only get flack from AAs when I tell them I am not black, but biracial. They invariably tell me that I'm black because at some point in my life I will be called the N word. That is the dumbest bull I've ever heard. But, it's a pervasive talking point because I hear it all of the time.
Oddly enough I have never been called the N word except when AAs are warning me it's coming. They are the problem!

There is so much truth in your post. As a biracial person who grew up in DC, my experiences with AAs in DCPS were horrific. I agree that they cause more havoc and Hell for biracial children. If I was the OP, I would avoid DCPS unless it was the JKLMM schools. Placing a biracial child especially one who doesn't identify as being AA in a predominately AA school in DC can be Hell on earth.

+1

Misery loves company. It's not that I can't understand why some AA kids are so eager to recruit the biracial kids to their "team" as it were whilst taking the (probably rarely presented in their lives) opportunity to make themselves feel superior by putting the biracial kids down as less-than, but it's just not fun being on the receiving end of that. Kids (and some adults!) are fond of the blow-your-candle-out-to-make-mine-brighter mode of interaction. It sucks.

My friend (Carolyn Battle Cochrane) did a documentary years ago called, "Biracial Not Black Damn It." It is talks about some of the things biracial children endure from all races. However, it really digs deeper into the problems that biracial and multiracial people endure from the AA community. Actually every year in Los Angeles I attend a Mixed Roots Literary Film Festival http://www.mxroots.org in which those of us from the multiracial community discuss our experiences through film, books, workshops. People often times assume it is the white side of the family or white people who mistreat biracial children. Society ignores racist AAs and how they mistreat biracial people. For DC to claim it's a progressive city is laughable. The fact that we even have to have a discussion on which school that a biracial child should attend in DC proves that DC has a long way to go. Some AAs in DC still have southern mentalities and are quite provincial. So, it's no secret that some harbor resentment towards biracial people.

This has nothing to do with southern black people in DC. Really? It's the arrogance of some biracial people (my nieces are biracial) who want to be anything but black. Dear Lord, call me anything, but please, please don't say I'm black. Anything, but black. Like that is the WORST possible thing that could happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread has reinforced my stereotypes against so called "biracial" people and their parents. They think they are the only ones with blue or green eyes, their hair is much curlier than my DC unless they are are 2nd generation biracial - even if 2nd generation it is no comparison to mine or anyone in my extended family and many times not my sons'; they think they are the only ones that are told that they are acting white; they don't realize they are talked about by some white people behind their back. Only they experience low expectation AA students and are concerned that it may only rub off on them. They never seem to experience the low expectation white kids that we experience.

We should just bring back the terms quadroon, octoroon, mulatto, etc. since this is how they describe themselves. "I'm one half white and my DC is 3/4 white" - quadroon. "I'm 1/8th white" - octoroon. 1/16th - quintroon. 3/4 AA or the child of a biracial parent and a fully black parent - Sambo Suggest you watch Louis Gates - Finding Your Roots television show - especially the segment on Ben Jealous. At least he didn't try and deny his AA mom's white heritage which all of you seem to do when you define yourself as half or 1/4 AA. He ended up being less than 13% AA even though only one parent was white and the other was not "biracial." Newsflash- the half AA that you are is not all AA and may not even be 50% AA. AA's are not pure blood African but you are so busy latching on to the white parent that you can see that you denegrate your AA parent's racial heritage (maybe to try and project an air of superiority.) I will print this thread and show it to my son that thought all of his cousins are white and is always termed as "exotic" by white females. I will show this to my cousins who are mistaken for white and are subjected to racist conversations by their hair stylists. I will show this to their sons that are told they are biracial because their Mom is white even though she is not and not biracial.

This is one of the most racist threads I have read on DCUM and the racism is coming from the "biracial" people and parents of "biracials." You are the ones who are confused; the rest of us are comfortable with who we are and don't have the time or inclination to find out our percentages since practically noone has a "fully black" parent anymore.

Wow. You must really feel threatened by sel-identifying biracials. Your lengthy ranting post demonstrates that. Do yourself (and the rest of us) a favor- don't worry about what biracials are up to. Let them do their thing. Also, be mindful. Racists people come in many colors. Take a look at yourself in the mirror. I do this too. We all have it in us and should commit to doing better. It's for our kids' sake.

I thought the post was right on. I didn't think it was racist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It would be child abuse for me to raise my white looking blue-eyed blonde daughter as black. I only have this suggested to me by old school AAs who dislike white people. They actually change their tune once they see the kid. She's platinum blonde and very blue-eyed. Once they see her picture, they give a strange side-eye look amazed and then say, yeah, I understand why you wouldn't.

Regarding self-selecting for myself- I look very biracial- I only get flack from AAs when I tell them I am not black, but biracial. They invariably tell me that I'm black because at some point in my life I will be called the N word. That is the dumbest bull I've ever heard. But, it's a pervasive talking point because I hear it all of the time.
Oddly enough I have never been called the N word except when AAs are warning me it's coming. They are the problem!

There is so much truth in your post. As a biracial person who grew up in DC, my experiences with AAs in DCPS were horrific. I agree that they cause more havoc and Hell for biracial children. If I was the OP, I would avoid DCPS unless it was the JKLMM schools. Placing a biracial child especially one who doesn't identify as being AA in a predominately AA school in DC can be Hell on earth.

+1

Misery loves company. It's not that I can't understand why some AA kids are so eager to recruit the biracial kids to their "team" as it were whilst taking the (probably rarely presented in their lives) opportunity to make themselves feel superior by putting the biracial kids down as less-than, but it's just not fun being on the receiving end of that. Kids (and some adults!) are fond of the blow-your-candle-out-to-make-mine-brighter mode of interaction. It sucks.

My friend (Carolyn Battle Cochrane) did a documentary years ago called, "Biracial Not Black Damn It." It is talks about some of the things biracial children endure from all races. However, it really digs deeper into the problems that biracial and multiracial people endure from the AA community. Actually every year in Los Angeles I attend a Mixed Roots Literary Film Festival http://www.mxroots.org in which those of us from the multiracial community discuss our experiences through film, books, workshops. People often times assume it is the white side of the family or white people who mistreat biracial children. Society ignores racist AAs and how they mistreat biracial people. For DC to claim it's a progressive city is laughable. The fact that we even have to have a discussion on which school that a biracial child should attend in DC proves that DC has a long way to go. Some AAs in DC still have southern mentalities and are quite provincial. So, it's no secret that some harbor resentment towards biracial people.

This has nothing to do with southern black people in DC. Really? It's the arrogance of some biracial people (my nieces are biracial) who want to be anything but black. Dear Lord, call me anything, but please, please don't say I'm black. Anything, but black. Like that is the WORST possible thing that could happen.

Arrogance? Maybe you're projecting your own insecurities. Also, just as a practical matter, it's really hard to be a bully without backup. Biracial people don't tend to roam around in crews (rarely are there that many of us in one place!) bullying AA-identifiying kids or telling them being black is bad. I doubt your nieces are actually saying anything along the lines you suggest to AA kids who likely have more strength in numbers. I'm guessing it's you -- an ADULT from a different generation -- who is weirdly threatened about how your sibling's kids identify.

[Anonymous]

What does the term "biracial" mean? Someone who has a parent or grandparent that are from a different race?

My grandmother and grandfather were both mixed race, thus my mother looks "very mixed" (almost passes for white).

I'm constantly asked "what are you?" I always answer "black."

A PP said something about biracial means it goes back 2 generations? I'm confused. These classifications are becoming more and more frustrating to me as I get older.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What does the term "biracial" mean? Someone who has a parent or grandparent that are from a different race?

My grandmother and grandfather were both mixed race, thus my mother looks "very mixed" (almost passes for white).

I'm constantly asked "what are you?" I always answer "black."

A PP said something about biracial means it goes back 2 generations? I'm confused. These classifications are becoming more and more frustrating to me as I get older.

I think it's pretty clear from context that most people describing themselves as bi-racial on this thread have one white parent and one black parent. Though some posters have specified different mixes. And just b/c a couple people have pointed it out (though it's hardly news!) the "black" parent might somewhere along the line have multiracial heritage but that person still usually identifies as black/AA. I don't think it's that confusing!