Where's My Role Model?

Imagine if you were black in the South, white in Latin America, and Colored in South Africa? The psychological transition of perceived social status and loss of a sound identity is detrimental to many American mulattoes. Being a mulatto, I have experienced the cons of not having a strong biracial identity; however labeling biracials as black in the United States affects the African-American community as well. History shows that due to racism, slave quotas, and the invention of the hypo-descendent rule, the offspring of whites and blacks were usually identified as black in the socially, dichromatic United States. Posing such an audacious claim has a major counterproductive problem in today‘s society: it presents a certain required look for achievement in the African-American community.

According to all news outlets, Barack Obama is the first black U.S. President. Halle Berry won an Oscar for her role in Monster’s Ball, and is popularly referred to as the first black woman to win the award. Lewis Hamilton is cited as the first black F1 racer. The list goes on of notable “black” achievers; however, the achievers listed are not black: they are mulatto. Hypothetically speaking, if mulattoes were black, this would dichotomize the African-American community. This pseudoscience would convey that in order to achieve, one must look a certain way, id est light skin and semi-European features. When Vanessa Williams became the first “black” Miss U.S.A, did it not convey that a certain look for African-American females was required to hold such a glorified title? This is racist against African-Americans. The labeling of mulattoes as black hurts the African-American community.

When the Colbert Report first debuted, Stephen Colbert chose his first "The WØRD" of the night as “truthiness.” It was named word of the year for 2006 by Merriam-Webster. He explains that truthiness is the quality by which someone claims to know something intuitively, instinctively, or "from the gut" without regard to evidence, logic, intellectual examination, or actual facts. Truthiness is a phenomenon that is used by most people when they label biracials as solely black. This labeling dichotomizes the African-American community and conveys certain physical attributes as prerequisites for achievement. People should promote descriptive racial identity or not impose one at all.

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written by Chameleon, October 22, 2009

Thanks for the comment Becky. Don't worry about expansion upon this issue. This was a user contribution, and Chameleon will be posting it's own extensive assessment of the One Drop Rule in coming weeks. I consider it "one" of the most important topics concerning multiracials; so don't worry, it's coming.

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written by Kelly Gajamakinvabrusj, October 22, 2009

If you know who your role models "should be" then just use that. Society being wrong on a certain thing is not new. At one time people thought jews were a mutant race of humanity and that blacks were always to be slaves. The people who deserve the change the seek only deserve it if they are willing to fight for it. It sounds like you want change, do you have the will for it?

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written by Becky Anderson, October 22, 2009

Thank you!

I was waiting for someone to post about this issue for the longest while! I think you could have expanded on this a lot more though because there is a zillion things that could be said about this. However I am glad there is a voice online about this @phenemonom@ as you say. What a lot of mulattoes like you and I are facing are the reminiscent left overs of the one drop rule. It's not a law but socially administered and since it's not a written law (thank God! people aren't that dumb) it could be changed. I for one would like it if you spoke more about this and I'm sure other readers interested in biracial and/or mulatto issues would like the same to. I'm glad you highlighted this though.
THANKS - BECKY

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written by use your brain , October 22, 2009

This is the 21st century and one dropism is the new racism. Not only especially to biracial mulatto (black/white) but also the african american people. Both are facing a discrimination at the current moment.

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written by Zack, October 23, 2009

(Scratches head)...

Yeah I always wondered how someone half black + half white = BLACK

You see in paintcolors half black + half white = GRAY

Wonder how some people explain that one...

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written by Karen Ghunt, October 23, 2009

Role models shouldn't be based on race. I'm a middle aged white person and I consider very many people of all creeds and races to be my role models. From the Dalai Lama to Thomas Jefferson and Martin Luther King...Ghandi...Mother Theresa..

Is your argument against the one drop rule or role models in essence? That's what I'm wondering...

-Karen-

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written by Priscilla, October 23, 2009

Not all news outlets refer to the people you mentioned as black. Obviously THIS ONE doesn't, or was I wrong?

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written by Dr. Wallace , October 24, 2009

And so Daimian what constructive steps do you propose be done to retegate this matter?

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written by Chameleon, October 24, 2009

Karen - It's primarily against the One Drop Rule. Maybe a better title is in order.

Priscilla - You're right.

Dr. Wallace - Doing away with the one drop rule would nearly if not completely fix the problem. The problem is assessing the ODR which has been ingrained into so many minds.

Kelly - Yes, ma'am!

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