Ethnic Notions

"Since the days of slavery, skin color has been used as a tool of separation and preferential treatment within the black community. The residue of the "house" versus "field Negro" divide has long remained with us, even as we celebrated black pride in the '70s and hip-hop culture in the '80s. House slaves were usually products of a relationship between a master and a female slave, so they tended to have lighter skin. The boss's offspring would more than likely receive the special favor of doing work inside the house out of the hot sun. They'd eat better, often get taught to read and write, and enjoyed many of the liberties of non-slaves. Slaves with darker skin were usually stuck toiling in the fields. The anger over that old distinction has never quite gone away in African-American culture."  -Allison Samuels

Being a light-skinned black woman, I have had to often times feel guilty about my skin complexion. The divide is so great that often times I can't take a compliment in the presence of some darker skinned women without feeling guilty of something. I'm a woman who believes that black is beautiful, all shades of it, but I constantly hear people tell me that I'm not as stuck up as I looked or that they thought because I was light skinned, that I thought I was "all of that". On too many occasions I wished that I was a mocha or buttery smooth almond complexion so that I could be proud of being complimented without the fear of having to offend someone else.

With slavery ending over 400 years ago, one would think that people would do away with the stigmas associated with the varying degrees of black, however the discrimination is still prevalent. I blame it more on the ignorance of the very culture that I embrace and was born into--the black culture. Yea I agree that the white man may have started it on a slave farm way back yonder, but I can no longer continue to thrust the blame on Caucasian Americans when I see darker skinned women before my very eyes become role models and celebrities. I believe people on the lower level of the totem pole are still holding on to this notion as sort of a basis to continue the vicious cycle among smaller communities and cultures. For example, When I look at entertainers today I see Jennifer Hudson, "Precious", Oprah Winfrey, Gabrielle Union, Tichina Arnold and a whole slew of very dark skinned women and men in the industry and plastered all over the media. I believe that as a culture we are gravitating more and more towards the acceptance of all skin tones. Is it over with? I don't believe so, because more and more people in my neighborhood still feel a certain way about a light skinned woman being successful.

The video, Ethnic Notions, gives us a glimpse into the way society viewed the black race back in the days. They portrayed the black person as the "Mammy" the "Uncle" the "Black Sambo" etc. in the decades after slavery. That's because people were not as educated in this issues of equality. However, I feel that this great country that we live in are slowly gravitating towards letting in all shades of black. If you take a look at the Aunt Jemima logo from back in the days and the one now, you will see that they have made even that dark skinned logo more attractive. If you don't believe me, have a look for yourself.

Biracial Who? Not My President.

 

Biracial: of, relating to, or involving members of two races 
This is the term that could identify America's current President, Barack Hussein Obama, but his daughters Malia and Sasha are most definitely black. It's apparent when you watch those gorgeous little girls on television smile at us showing off their glowing, black and beautiful skin. Black however is not just skin deep. The one-drop rule is a historical term in the United States used for the social classification as Negro to all or any individual with any African ancestry; meaning any person with "one drop of Negro blood" was considered black. Therefore if black is strong enough to cloud the blood of a person born with both a white and a black parent, then why would this same rule not apply to the President's daughters who are born to a black mother and a--well BLACK father. It is in my opinion that anyone who would deem these two young ladies as anything other than black--especially biracial are trying to strip them of the very heritage that have embraced and accepted them from the beginning.

A person may argue that the one-drop rule is outdated and sort of shunned now by society. I would still say that this supports the claims that the president's daughters are black and black alone. Tiger woods who was considered half black and half white. When asked openly what race he identified with, he said that he considered himself as a white man. To identify himself as such is a choice all his own. Tiger dates women in the White race and has two sweet little babies from his now ex wife who is also a white woman. If asked what Tiger's children are, I would say that his children are white. Their parents are not of two races. Tiger is white and their mother is also white. Obama, as a matter of fact has identified himself as a black man. Much of society has also identified him as a black man. "Barack Obama, the first African American President." If Barack Obama identifies himself as a black man and Michelle Obama who has a black mother and a black father is his wife and the father of his children then why would their spawns not be black?

Race is such a big thing in the media these days. Lots of times the media seems to be concerned with what a person's DNA make up is, instead of connecting with the person. It's like they have to make a big announcement first of the person's genetic make-up before accepting or shunning them. I don't feel as race should be that important in the media, but if you are going to classify someone in a race category, it would be wise to get it right. 

 The author of the article Dear Confused White People... found on this link: http://www.jackandjillpolitics.com/2009/01/dear-confused-white-people-malia-and-sasha-obama-are-not-bi-racial/ raises valid points. Just because Barack Obama is the President of the United States does not mean that you have to strip him of his blackness in order to identify with him. He is a black man. He says so himself and people need to just respect this fact in the same regard as they accept Tiger Woods and address this man the way he has declared. I read a quote somewhere that you are who you answer to. Barack Obama answers to being called a black man. his children are a product of himself, therefore the entire first family is black. Hate it or love it, but respect it.