Racial issues in DCPS for mixed race kids

[Anonymous]

I thought this thread was going off the tracks, but I think it's actually reflective of how one's experience will be in DCPS: A few people will try to fit you to their view of the world (see troll above), but most people are pretty open minded and willing to accept you for who you are (sometimes after an initial foot-in-the-mouth moment).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find this to be a very intriguing thread, which has brought to the forefront something very difficult for everyone- a changing of the status quo. People with biracial ancestry- 1st generation, 2nd generation, "light-skinned blacks with green eyes, etc"... are finding themselves comfortable in this era to challenge racial stereotypes of the past. And this is uncomfortable. I'm a first generation biracial (1/2 MGM and half white- technically 1/4 AA) and I can tell you that the MGMs on my mom's side who look white never felt comfortable calling themselves black. They very much wanted to assert the DNA that gave them blue/green eyes, which was European, but pressure from the black community forced them into the closet. I have a great-aunt who's in her 90s and she has told us stories of prejudice she endured by AAs in her community. Certainly, not all AAs are guilty of oppressing biracials, but there are many. This thread is the first that I've read pulling the veil of secrecy and shame off of this evil behavior. This discussion where this is discussed is upsetting to many because it's uncomfortable and AAs have been given a pass for the behavior. Whatever the case, I keep drawing the conclusion that what is important here is that people need to define themselves. Whites, AAs and biracials don't get to choose for others. That right is inherent in the individual. Period.

Sorry, but the bolded really gave me pause! Based on your aunt's age, and the horribly racist, segregted time she lived in, it sounds like what you're saying is she could have and WANTED to assert her European heritage, translation: "pass" (a hugely fraught term with all kinds of personal/political implications) as white and other black people resented her for it. I can really symapthize with the black people in this position!!! I remember an Oprah episode about how family membes who were out in the world "passing" often wanted nothing to do with their black-looking relatives for fear of being outed themselves. (The show was about family reunions.) Not to say your aunt did this, but just to point out that for a 90-year old, yeah, there would have been some really understandable tension b/w a white-looking MGM wanted to "assert" that and other blacks back then. I can understand where all sides were coming from...

Wow! Racist alert! You are the very person biracials have to fear. People who hate biracials that acknowledge their European ancestry. Not sure why. Jealousy, maybe. Self-hatred maybe! Whatever the case, hope you're not a parent. My aunt wanted to be acknowledged as biracial. Not white. However, she would have been slaughtered by the black community if she had done so. And as far as people resenting her for making her choices about her race, that says more about them and you. Biracial people don't owe you a damn thing. They have the right to exist in their skin exactly as they are- African AND European. You're unhappy with your skin. That's your problem. How about you get some integrity and dignity about yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find this to be a very intriguing thread, which has brought to the forefront something very difficult for everyone- a changing of the status quo. People with biracial ancestry- 1st generation, 2nd generation, "light-skinned blacks with green eyes, etc"... are finding themselves comfortable in this era to challenge racial stereotypes of the past. And this is uncomfortable. I'm a first generation biracial (1/2 MGM and half white- technically 1/4 AA) and I can tell you that the MGMs on my mom's side who look white never felt comfortable calling themselves black. They very much wanted to assert the DNA that gave them blue/green eyes, which was European, but pressure from the black community forced them into the closet. I have a great-aunt who's in her 90s and she has told us stories of prejudice she endured by AAs in her community. Certainly, not all AAs are guilty of oppressing biracials, but there are many. This thread is the first that I've read pulling the veil of secrecy and shame off of this evil behavior. This discussion where this is discussed is upsetting to many because it's uncomfortable and AAs have been given a pass for the behavior. Whatever the case, I keep drawing the conclusion that what is important here is that people need to define themselves. Whites, AAs and biracials don't get to choose for others. That right is inherent in the individual. Period.

Totally agree with your overall assessment that self-identification is something every bi-racial person should be afforded. Telling people who they are and what box they belong in isn't cool. I would like to unravel one aspect, however, regarding the "evil behavior" of AA's oppressing bi-racials. That's fear - plain and simple. In our racially caste-based society AA's have had a permanent place at the bottom of the ladder from day one and for hundreds of years it was culturally commonplace for blacks to be exploited and excluded by whites. The fear of seeing yet another select group given permission to exploit them and exclude them and degrade them and dehumanize them; the fear of yet another sect of society granted authority to discriminate against them and put them down and keep them down was frightening to say the least and while I don't deny that the fearful response to this new threat by some AA's - essentially saying, "Oh no...you ain't better than us, you're black too and you're staying down here with us.", was not the most appropriate or considerate way to cope with things but I don't see it as entirely evil in the deliberate sense.
Course I'm not bi-racial so I may be biased in my assessment, lol.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find this to be a very intriguing thread, which has brought to the forefront something very difficult for everyone- a changing of the status quo. People with biracial ancestry- 1st generation, 2nd generation, "light-skinned blacks with green eyes, etc"... are finding themselves comfortable in this era to challenge racial stereotypes of the past. And this is uncomfortable. I'm a first generation biracial (1/2 MGM and half white- technically 1/4 AA) and I can tell you that the MGMs on my mom's side who look white never felt comfortable calling themselves black. They very much wanted to assert the DNA that gave them blue/green eyes, which was European, but pressure from the black community forced them into the closet. I have a great-aunt who's in her 90s and she has told us stories of prejudice she endured by AAs in her community. Certainly, not all AAs are guilty of oppressing biracials, but there are many. This thread is the first that I've read pulling the veil of secrecy and shame off of this evil behavior. This discussion where this is discussed is upsetting to many because it's uncomfortable and AAs have been given a pass for the behavior. Whatever the case, I keep drawing the conclusion that what is important here is that people need to define themselves. Whites, AAs and biracials don't get to choose for others. That right is inherent in the individual. Period.

Totally agree with your overall assessment that self-identification is something every bi-racial person should be afforded. Telling people who they are and what box they belong in isn't cool. I would like to unravel one aspect, however, regarding the "evil behavior" of AA's oppressing bi-racials. That's fear - plain and simple. In our racially caste-based society AA's have had a permanent place at the bottom of the ladder from day one and for hundreds of years it was culturally commonplace for blacks to be exploited and excluded by whites. The fear of seeing yet another select group given permission to exploit them and exclude them and degrade them and dehumanize them; the fear of yet another sect of society granted authority to discriminate against them and put them down and keep them down was frightening to say the least and while I don't deny that the fearful response to this new threat by some AA's - essentially saying, "Oh no...you ain't better than us, you're black too and you're staying down here with us.", was not the most appropriate or considerate way to cope with things but I don't see it as entirely evil in the deliberate sense.
Course I'm not bi-racial so I may be biased in my assessment, lol.

Like X 1 million. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find this to be a very intriguing thread, which has brought to the forefront something very difficult for everyone- a changing of the status quo. People with biracial ancestry- 1st generation, 2nd generation, "light-skinned blacks with green eyes, etc"... are finding themselves comfortable in this era to challenge racial stereotypes of the past. And this is uncomfortable. I'm a first generation biracial (1/2 MGM and half white- technically 1/4 AA) and I can tell you that the MGMs on my mom's side who look white never felt comfortable calling themselves black. They very much wanted to assert the DNA that gave them blue/green eyes, which was European, but pressure from the black community forced them into the closet. I have a great-aunt who's in her 90s and she has told us stories of prejudice she endured by AAs in her community. Certainly, not all AAs are guilty of oppressing biracials, but there are many. This thread is the first that I've read pulling the veil of secrecy and shame off of this evil behavior. This discussion where this is discussed is upsetting to many because it's uncomfortable and AAs have been given a pass for the behavior. Whatever the case, I keep drawing the conclusion that what is important here is that people need to define themselves. Whites, AAs and biracials don't get to choose for others. That right is inherent in the individual. Period.

Sorry, but the bolded really gave me pause! Based on your aunt's age, and the horribly racist, segregted time she lived in, it sounds like what you're saying is she could have and WANTED to assert her European heritage, translation: "pass" (a hugely fraught term with all kinds of personal/political implications) as white and other black people resented her for it. I can really symapthize with the black people in this position!!! I remember an Oprah episode about how family membes who were out in the world "passing" often wanted nothing to do with their black-looking relatives for fear of being outed themselves. (The show was about family reunions.) Not to say your aunt did this, but just to point out that for a 90-year old, yeah, there would have been some really understandable tension b/w a white-looking MGM wanted to "assert" that and other blacks back then. I can understand where all sides were coming from...

Wow! Racist alert! You are the very person biracials have to fear. People who hate biracials that acknowledge their European ancestry. Not sure why. Jealousy, maybe. Self-hatred maybe! Whatever the case, hope you're not a parent. My aunt wanted to be acknowledged as biracial. Not white. However, she would have been slaughtered by the black community if she had done so. And as far as people resenting her for making her choices about her race, that says more about them and you. Biracial people don't owe you a damn thing. They have the right to exist in their skin exactly as they are- African AND European. You're unhappy with your skin. That's your problem. How about you get some integrity and dignity about yourself.

Calm down. I think it's funny you think I'm out to get you. I'm biracial (half black/half white), identify as such, and have posted a bunch of stuff in this thread that is completely along the lines of your post. You probably even agreed with it. But seriously, take a deep breath and try to understand what I'm saying. Your aunt is 90! Meaning she was there when the civil rights movement was really really important and people were literally dying because they were black. At that time, I can understand the impulse of the black community toward solidarity. Whether your aunt wanted to call herself "biracial" or "white" or whatever -- at that time, it would have seemed like a partially significant rejection of a community that was in crisis mode. Particularly against the background of the whole cultural issue of people who DID want to "pass" and deny blackness entirely for a variety of (understandable, given the times!) reasons, one important one of which was access to political/social rights that were denied to blacks. Look, maybe you're on edge because there have been a couple trolls in this thread, but I'm really not out to get you! I'm just saying, think about it from all sides.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find this to be a very intriguing thread, which has brought to the forefront something very difficult for everyone- a changing of the status quo. People with biracial ancestry- 1st generation, 2nd generation, "light-skinned blacks with green eyes, etc"... are finding themselves comfortable in this era to challenge racial stereotypes of the past. And this is uncomfortable. I'm a first generation biracial (1/2 MGM and half white- technically 1/4 AA) and I can tell you that the MGMs on my mom's side who look white never felt comfortable calling themselves black. They very much wanted to assert the DNA that gave them blue/green eyes, which was European, but pressure from the black community forced them into the closet. I have a great-aunt who's in her 90s and she has told us stories of prejudice she endured by AAs in her community. Certainly, not all AAs are guilty of oppressing biracials, but there are many. This thread is the first that I've read pulling the veil of secrecy and shame off of this evil behavior. This discussion where this is discussed is upsetting to many because it's uncomfortable and AAs have been given a pass for the behavior. Whatever the case, I keep drawing the conclusion that what is important here is that people need to define themselves. Whites, AAs and biracials don't get to choose for others. That right is inherent in the individual. Period.

Sorry, but the bolded really gave me pause! Based on your aunt's age, and the horribly racist, segregted time she lived in, it sounds like what you're saying is she could have and WANTED to assert her European heritage, translation: "pass" (a hugely fraught term with all kinds of personal/political implications) as white and other black people resented her for it. I can really symapthize with the black people in this position!!! I remember an Oprah episode about how family membes who were out in the world "passing" often wanted nothing to do with their black-looking relatives for fear of being outed themselves. (The show was about family reunions.) Not to say your aunt did this, but just to point out that for a 90-year old, yeah, there would have been some really understandable tension b/w a white-looking MGM wanted to "assert" that and other blacks back then. I can understand where all sides were coming from...

Wow! Racist alert! You are the very person biracials have to fear. People who hate biracials that acknowledge their European ancestry. Not sure why. Jealousy, maybe. Self-hatred maybe! Whatever the case, hope you're not a parent. My aunt wanted to be acknowledged as biracial. Not white. However, she would have been slaughtered by the black community if she had done so. And as far as people resenting her for making her choices about her race, that says more about them and you. Biracial people don't owe you a damn thing. They have the right to exist in their skin exactly as they are- African AND European. You're unhappy with your skin. That's your problem. How about you get some integrity and dignity about yourself.

PP you seem so angry and bitter towards blacks you don't seem to have read what was written. The poster even ended her statement that she sees both sides of the issue, and you accuse her of being unhappy with her skin and lacking integrity and dignity? You've done nothing but project negativity. Maybe some self-reflection would be a good idea for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find this to be a very intriguing thread, which has brought to the forefront something very difficult for everyone- a changing of the status quo. People with biracial ancestry- 1st generation, 2nd generation, "light-skinned blacks with green eyes, etc"... are finding themselves comfortable in this era to challenge racial stereotypes of the past. And this is uncomfortable. I'm a first generation biracial (1/2 MGM and half white- technically 1/4 AA) and I can tell you that the MGMs on my mom's side who look white never felt comfortable calling themselves black. They very much wanted to assert the DNA that gave them blue/green eyes, which was European, but pressure from the black community forced them into the closet. I have a great-aunt who's in her 90s and she has told us stories of prejudice she endured by AAs in her community. Certainly, not all AAs are guilty of oppressing biracials, but there are many. This thread is the first that I've read pulling the veil of secrecy and shame off of this evil behavior. This discussion where this is discussed is upsetting to many because it's uncomfortable and AAs have been given a pass for the behavior. Whatever the case, I keep drawing the conclusion that what is important here is that people need to define themselves. Whites, AAs and biracials don't get to choose for others. That right is inherent in the individual. Period.

Sorry, but the bolded really gave me pause! Based on your aunt's age, and the horribly racist, segregted time she lived in, it sounds like what you're saying is she could have and WANTED to assert her European heritage, translation: "pass" (a hugely fraught term with all kinds of personal/political implications) as white and other black people resented her for it. I can really symapthize with the black people in this position!!! I remember an Oprah episode about how family membes who were out in the world "passing" often wanted nothing to do with their black-looking relatives for fear of being outed themselves. (The show was about family reunions.) Not to say your aunt did this, but just to point out that for a 90-year old, yeah, there would have been some really understandable tension b/w a white-looking MGM wanted to "assert" that and other blacks back then. I can understand where all sides were coming from...

you lost me with the sympathizing with the haters bit. Why would anyone resent someone else for their thoughts about their own race? Sounds like jealousy and envy to me. Sad. People wo are confident in themselves. Don't have time for that silliness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find this to be a very intriguing thread, which has brought to the forefront something very difficult for everyone- a changing of the status quo. People with biracial ancestry- 1st generation, 2nd generation, "light-skinned blacks with green eyes, etc"... are finding themselves comfortable in this era to challenge racial stereotypes of the past. And this is uncomfortable. I'm a first generation biracial (1/2 MGM and half white- technically 1/4 AA) and I can tell you that the MGMs on my mom's side who look white never felt comfortable calling themselves black. They very much wanted to assert the DNA that gave them blue/green eyes, which was European, but pressure from the black community forced them into the closet. I have a great-aunt who's in her 90s and she has told us stories of prejudice she endured by AAs in her community. Certainly, not all AAs are guilty of oppressing biracials, but there are many. This thread is the first that I've read pulling the veil of secrecy and shame off of this evil behavior. This discussion where this is discussed is upsetting to many because it's uncomfortable and AAs have been given a pass for the behavior. Whatever the case, I keep drawing the conclusion that what is important here is that people need to define themselves. Whites, AAs and biracials don't get to choose for others. That right is inherent in the individual. Period.

Sorry, but the bolded really gave me pause! Based on your aunt's age, and the horribly racist, segregted time she lived in, it sounds like what you're saying is she could have and WANTED to assert her European heritage, translation: "pass" (a hugely fraught term with all kinds of personal/political implications) as white and other black people resented her for it. I can really symapthize with the black people in this position!!! I remember an Oprah episode about how family membes who were out in the world "passing" often wanted nothing to do with their black-looking relatives for fear of being outed themselves. (The show was about family reunions.) Not to say your aunt did this, but just to point out that for a 90-year old, yeah, there would have been some really understandable tension b/w a white-looking MGM wanted to "assert" that and other blacks back then. I can understand where all sides were coming from...

Wow! Racist alert! You are the very person biracials have to fear. People who hate biracials that acknowledge their European ancestry. Not sure why. Jealousy, maybe. Self-hatred maybe! Whatever the case, hope you're not a parent. My aunt wanted to be acknowledged as biracial. Not white. However, she would have been slaughtered by the black community if she had done so. And as far as people resenting her for making her choices about her race, that says more about them and you. Biracial people don't owe you a damn thing. They have the right to exist in their skin exactly as they are- African AND European. You're unhappy with your skin. That's your problem. How about you get some integrity and dignity about yourself.

Calm down. I think it's funny you think I'm out to get you. I'm biracial (half black/half white), identify as such, and have posted a bunch of stuff in this thread that is completely along the lines of your post. You probably even agreed with it. But seriously, take a deep breath and try to understand what I'm saying. Your aunt is 90! Meaning she was there when the civil rights movement was really really important and people were literally dying because they were black. At that time, I can understand the impulse of the black community toward solidarity. Whether your aunt wanted to call herself "biracial" or "white" or whatever -- at that time, it would have seemed like a partially significant rejection of a community that was in crisis mode. Particularly against the background of the whole cultural issue of people who DID want to "pass" and deny blackness entirely for a variety of (understandable, given the times!) reasons, one important one of which was access to political/social rights that were denied to blacks. Look, maybe you're on edge because there have been a couple trolls in this thread, but I'm really not out to get you! I'm just saying, think about it from all sides.

I think you need to take a step back and a deep breath and try to be empathetic to biracial people from all eras. They've faced oppression you haven't. Perhaps instead of judging them you should try to be a bigger person and support their right to identify as they see themselves, regardless of the prevailing racial paradigms on the time. A 90 year old has every right to assert biracial because that is who she is and you don't get to decide for her. Simple. I urge you to stop being so obtuse and do some self reflection a bit. Perhaps you're the troll you've mentioned. Good day!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find this to be a very intriguing thread, which has brought to the forefront something very difficult for everyone- a changing of the status quo. People with biracial ancestry- 1st generation, 2nd generation, "light-skinned blacks with green eyes, etc"... are finding themselves comfortable in this era to challenge racial stereotypes of the past. And this is uncomfortable. I'm a first generation biracial (1/2 MGM and half white- technically 1/4 AA) and I can tell you that the MGMs on my mom's side who look white never felt comfortable calling themselves black. They very much wanted to assert the DNA that gave them blue/green eyes, which was European, but pressure from the black community forced them into the closet. I have a great-aunt who's in her 90s and she has told us stories of prejudice she endured by AAs in her community. Certainly, not all AAs are guilty of oppressing biracials, but there are many. This thread is the first that I've read pulling the veil of secrecy and shame off of this evil behavior. This discussion where this is discussed is upsetting to many because it's uncomfortable and AAs have been given a pass for the behavior. Whatever the case, I keep drawing the conclusion that what is important here is that people need to define themselves. Whites, AAs and biracials don't get to choose for others. That right is inherent in the individual. Period.

Sorry, but the bolded really gave me pause! Based on your aunt's age, and the horribly racist, segregted time she lived in, it sounds like what you're saying is she could have and WANTED to assert her European heritage, translation: "pass" (a hugely fraught term with all kinds of personal/political implications) as white and other black people resented her for it. I can really symapthize with the black people in this position!!! I remember an Oprah episode about how family membes who were out in the world "passing" often wanted nothing to do with their black-looking relatives for fear of being outed themselves. (The show was about family reunions.) Not to say your aunt did this, but just to point out that for a 90-year old, yeah, there would have been some really understandable tension b/w a white-looking MGM wanted to "assert" that and other blacks back then. I can understand where all sides were coming from...

Wow! Racist alert! You are the very person biracials have to fear. People who hate biracials that acknowledge their European ancestry. Not sure why. Jealousy, maybe. Self-hatred maybe! Whatever the case, hope you're not a parent. My aunt wanted to be acknowledged as biracial. Not white. However, she would have been slaughtered by the black community if she had done so. And as far as people resenting her for making her choices about her race, that says more about them and you. Biracial people don't owe you a damn thing. They have the right to exist in their skin exactly as they are- African AND European. You're unhappy with your skin. That's your problem. How about you get some integrity and dignity about yourself.

Calm down. I think it's funny you think I'm out to get you. I'm biracial (half black/half white), identify as such, and have posted a bunch of stuff in this thread that is completely along the lines of your post. You probably even agreed with it. But seriously, take a deep breath and try to understand what I'm saying. Your aunt is 90! Meaning she was there when the civil rights movement was really really important and people were literally dying because they were black. At that time, I can understand the impulse of the black community toward solidarity. Whether your aunt wanted to call herself "biracial" or "white" or whatever -- at that time, it would have seemed like a partially significant rejection of a community that was in crisis mode. Particularly against the background of the whole cultural issue of people who DID want to "pass" and deny blackness entirely for a variety of (understandable, given the times!) reasons, one important one of which was access to political/social rights that were denied to blacks. Look, maybe you're on edge because there have been a couple trolls in this thread, but I'm really not out to get you! I'm just saying, think about it from all sides.

I think you need to take a step back and a deep breath and try to be empathetic to biracial people from all eras. They've faced oppression you haven't. Perhaps instead of judging them you should try to be a bigger person and support their right to identify as they see themselves, regardless of the prevailing racial paradigms on the time. A 90 year old has every right to assert biracial because that is who she is and you don't get to decide for her. Simple. I urge you to stop being so obtuse and do some self reflection a bit. Perhaps you're the troll you've mentioned. Good day!

Yeah, I do empathize biracials from that era. Did you not read the part of my post where I said it would be understandable for the times for someone to want to pass? I get it. I'm not judging people for those choices. I'm saying the countervailing reaction they might have gotten from self-identifying AAs is also understandable. I'm definitely not the troll, but believe whatever you want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find this to be a very intriguing thread, which has brought to the forefront something very difficult for everyone- a changing of the status quo. People with biracial ancestry- 1st generation, 2nd generation, "light-skinned blacks with green eyes, etc"... are finding themselves comfortable in this era to challenge racial stereotypes of the past. And this is uncomfortable. I'm a first generation biracial (1/2 MGM and half white- technically 1/4 AA) and I can tell you that the MGMs on my mom's side who look white never felt comfortable calling themselves black. They very much wanted to assert the DNA that gave them blue/green eyes, which was European, but pressure from the black community forced them into the closet. I have a great-aunt who's in her 90s and she has told us stories of prejudice she endured by AAs in her community. Certainly, not all AAs are guilty of oppressing biracials, but there are many. This thread is the first that I've read pulling the veil of secrecy and shame off of this evil behavior. This discussion where this is discussed is upsetting to many because it's uncomfortable and AAs have been given a pass for the behavior. Whatever the case, I keep drawing the conclusion that what is important here is that people need to define themselves. Whites, AAs and biracials don't get to choose for others. That right is inherent in the individual. Period.

Sorry, but the bolded really gave me pause! Based on your aunt's age, and the horribly racist, segregted time she lived in, it sounds like what you're saying is she could have and WANTED to assert her European heritage, translation: "pass" (a hugely fraught term with all kinds of personal/political implications) as white and other black people resented her for it. I can really symapthize with the black people in this position!!! I remember an Oprah episode about how family membes who were out in the world "passing" often wanted nothing to do with their black-looking relatives for fear of being outed themselves. (The show was about family reunions.) Not to say your aunt did this, but just to point out that for a 90-year old, yeah, there would have been some really understandable tension b/w a white-looking MGM wanted to "assert" that and other blacks back then. I can understand where all sides were coming from...

you lost me with the sympathizing with the haters bit. Why would anyone resent someone else for their thoughts about their own race? Sounds like jealousy and envy to me. Sad. People wo are confident in themselves. Don't have time for that silliness.

Why? Well, when someone's thoughts about your own race may make (or are perceived to make) it less likely that you will stand in solidarity with a cause that was hugely important at the time. There are certainly elements of jealousy and envy to it ("This person has options I don't") but it was also a matter of political principles at that time. It's not a matter of being "confident" in yourselves when you're living in segregation and Jim Crow and fighting for basic human and civil rights. I'm talking about a particular era in time, people.

[Anonymous]

This is why I would not recommend raising a biracial child in the area. Too much baggage. Really, biracials just want to be left alone. This thread illustrates that may not be possible. Sad for 2015.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is why I would not recommend raising a biracial child in the area. Too much baggage. Really, biracials just want to be left alone. This thread illustrates that may not be possible. Sad for 2015.

There is baggage everywhere. Actually, I think this is one of the best places to raise a biracial child because of the great diversity in the area, the large AA community. You will be able to find a niche that works for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is why I would not recommend raising a biracial child in the area. Too much baggage. Really, biracials just want to be left alone. This thread illustrates that may not be possible. Sad for 2015.

So, where is this utopia where I should raise my biracial children? I grew up in Los Angeles (the U.S.' unofficial biracial Mecca), and all of the issues discussed on this thread were present in LA. There is no perfect place to raise a biracial child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find this to be a very intriguing thread, which has brought to the forefront something very difficult for everyone- a changing of the status quo. People with biracial ancestry- 1st generation, 2nd generation, "light-skinned blacks with green eyes, etc"... are finding themselves comfortable in this era to challenge racial stereotypes of the past. And this is uncomfortable. I'm a first generation biracial (1/2 MGM and half white- technically 1/4 AA) and I can tell you that the MGMs on my mom's side who look white never felt comfortable calling themselves black. They very much wanted to assert the DNA that gave them blue/green eyes, which was European, but pressure from the black community forced them into the closet. I have a great-aunt who's in her 90s and she has told us stories of prejudice she endured by AAs in her community. Certainly, not all AAs are guilty of oppressing biracials, but there are many. This thread is the first that I've read pulling the veil of secrecy and shame off of this evil behavior. This discussion where this is discussed is upsetting to many because it's uncomfortable and AAs have been given a pass for the behavior. Whatever the case, I keep drawing the conclusion that what is important here is that people need to define themselves. Whites, AAs and biracials don't get to choose for others. That right is inherent in the individual. Period.

Sorry, but the bolded really gave me pause! Based on your aunt's age, and the horribly racist, segregted time she lived in, it sounds like what you're saying is she could have and WANTED to assert her European heritage, translation: "pass" (a hugely fraught term with all kinds of personal/political implications) as white and other black people resented her for it. I can really symapthize with the black people in this position!!! I remember an Oprah episode about how family membes who were out in the world "passing" often wanted nothing to do with their black-looking relatives for fear of being outed themselves. (The show was about family reunions.) Not to say your aunt did this, but just to point out that for a 90-year old, yeah, there would have been some really understandable tension b/w a white-looking MGM wanted to "assert" that and other blacks back then. I can understand where all sides were coming from...

Wow! Racist alert! You are the very person biracials have to fear. People who hate biracials that acknowledge their European ancestry. Not sure why. Jealousy, maybe. Self-hatred maybe! Whatever the case, hope you're not a parent. My aunt wanted to be acknowledged as biracial. Not white. However, she would have been slaughtered by the black community if she had done so. And as far as people resenting her for making her choices about her race, that says more about them and you. Biracial people don't owe you a damn thing. They have the right to exist in their skin exactly as they are- African AND European. You're unhappy with your skin. That's your problem. How about you get some integrity and dignity about yourself.

Calm down. I think it's funny you think I'm out to get you. I'm biracial (half black/half white), identify as such, and have posted a bunch of stuff in this thread that is completely along the lines of your post. You probably even agreed with it. But seriously, take a deep breath and try to understand what I'm saying. Your aunt is 90! Meaning she was there when the civil rights movement was really really important and people were literally dying because they were black. At that time, I can understand the impulse of the black community toward solidarity. Whether your aunt wanted to call herself "biracial" or "white" or whatever -- at that time, it would have seemed like a partially significant rejection of a community that was in crisis mode. Particularly against the background of the whole cultural issue of people who DID want to "pass" and deny blackness entirely for a variety of (understandable, given the times!) reasons, one important one of which was access to political/social rights that were denied to blacks. Look, maybe you're on edge because there have been a couple trolls in this thread, but I'm really not out to get you! I'm just saying, think about it from all sides.

I think you need to take a step back and a deep breath and try to be empathetic to biracial people from all eras. They've faced oppression you haven't. Perhaps instead of judging them you should try to be a bigger person and support their right to identify as they see themselves, regardless of the prevailing racial paradigms on the time. A 90 year old has every right to assert biracial because that is who she is and you don't get to decide for her. Simple. I urge you to stop being so obtuse and do some self reflection a bit. Perhaps you're the troll you've mentioned. Good day!

PP, are YOU capable of being empathetic to black people from all eras? It goes both ways.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is why I would not recommend raising a biracial child in the area. Too much baggage. Really, biracials just want to be left alone. This thread illustrates that may not be possible. Sad for 2015.

I tend to disagree with the idea that it's not possible. The Washington DC Metropolitan Area is very diverse and in addition to there being interracial couples and bi-racial children all over, this is also one of the most transient cities in the country where people come here from all over (Afghans, Ethiopians, Indians, Cambodians, etc.) so on any given day if you walk around some of the government offices downtown there are dozens of people who you can't tell what race they are - and I think that's a good thing actually. The preoccupation with race, period, has been nothing but drama and headache for this country ever since it was first ingrained into our culture. Why? Because of the accompanying stereotypes that are associated with race. Blacks act like this and whites act like that and blacks do this and whites do that...its all bullshit. So in that regard as it relates to stupid stereotypes I think everyone just wants to be left alone and be themselves but since society is still very much preoccupied with race, bi-racials may very well be the key to finally ridding ourselves of this curse because there are no prevailing stereotypes about bi-racials. As more and more bi-racials move away from being forced to identify as "this" or "that" the more society will become accustomed to taking people as they are and not prejudging people on how they look. Good for 2065 (hopefully fifty years is enough).