Just Curious.....

I told some of my Black friends about the Texas policy and they cracked up! I mean, the children way on down the line could be, like, 1/16 White and still be listed as White on their birth certificates! Bella is 1/2 Black, 1/4 Polish, 1/8 Italian, and 1/8 German. She has quite the temper and personality, let me tell you! We know nothing about her birth father other than his "check this box" race, so he could be mixed with other races, too, but we just don't know. Her birth mother is White. I also agree that classifying women like halle Berry as "Black" is a disservice to Black women everywhere. That's like saying all White women should look like Barbie. Sheesh! As for the whole AA thing, I agree that "Black" is a much more realistic term. I mean, I don't go around calling myself a "European-American." I'm White. Since the civil rights movement began, it has always been the intellectual Left who determines what Black individuals are called. It has evolved so much over the past fifty years, no wonder we're all so confused. I totally realize that Black people in this coiuntry have been searching for an identity and that's why the terms have changed, but most of my Black friends far prefer "Black" and "Mixed." So, I tend to go with what they are comfortable with. What will Bella call herself? That will be her choice. I can only provide her with support and the knowledge that she is an individual made up of many parts. Bella will be seen by society at large as Black. I know that. But as long as I acknowledge and instruct her on the other parts of her heritage, it'll be all right. I even gave her an African middle name so that should she choose to explore her "Blackness" once she gets older, she'll know that Mommy loved her enough to acknowledge her heritage. Sorry to ramble, but this is a topic I've thought a lot about. Sarah

ok, now you have be thinking. i never know how to fill out race questions for my son who has a white bmom and a black bdad and a single white mom. i usually choose other. the whole tx way of classifying things has me thinking. if there is no father (as in our case) do they classify by the bfather. which really does not seem right. that way of "classifying" race does not allow for adopted children.

Silly question ... just when does a child's race get "assigned" to him or her? I'm looking at my birth certificate and it doesn't have a space for race... what other form are you talking about?

"Silly question ... just when does a child's race get "assigned" to him or her? I'm looking at my birth certificate and it doesn't have a space for race... what other form are you talking about?" DianeS My birth certificate does indicate my race. My birth certificate was issued in Texas. Perhaps every state is different. ~ Sharon

dpen: you said I may be AA...wouldn't that be cool. Well Honey it ain't all its cracked up to be....LOL>>>Missy M

Missy, I think in relationship to your question in regards to Halle Berry . . . I once remember watching an interview with her on TV where she said that when she and her sister were young girls her mother (who is CC) put them both in front of the mirror and asked them what they see. They said they saw "two little brown girls". Her mother responded "That's right . . . and the way you see yourselves is what's truly important and will set the tone for how others see you." It was at that point where she said she identified more with being AA and felt more comfortable in that culture. She describes herself as being an AA woman and is proud of it. When she won the academy award and accepted it as a Black woman, it made many of us proud too! Just my 2 cents.

Now that I know about that quote, what she does makes MUCH more sense! Sarah

I'm an 18 year old male from,wait for it....Singapore.Yep,all the way frm Singapore.I was looking up the whole multi-racial issue (being multi-racial myself). i see some of you were really surprised when u read the post on texas's race policy.It works the same way where i come from. U might be bi-racial,muliti-racial..or part alien. But whatever it is, ur race will be similar to your bdad's. The four main race grps in s'pore r chinese(majority) and the minorities(malays,indian,eurasians,Cc). I'm listed as indian...Now here's the interesting bit. My great grandad was a merchant frm the then muslim area of old India(modern day Pakistan).When he got to singapore, he was considered an Indian(altho he's more middle-eastern than Indian. Frm then on his descendants were all considered Indian which blows me away cos he married a brilliant,kind Dutch woman(my grt grandma) and had bi-racial children who were eurasians by birth but not on paper. This bothers me at times as i find it very hard to consider myself an Indian.I can pass off as a tanned Cc.I look middle-eastern. I'm not Hindu and i have olive skin.I feel Pakistani but since i've been deemed s not being multi-racial,i feel i've been denied my true cultural identity. I've lived 18 yrs of my life feeling this way.I hope they can regulate the process of categorizing a child's race as this is truly impt as they need to know who they really r. Race is another word for skin colour. It shld not be just abt how ppl see us,but rather how we see ourselves.=)

I think some people classify themselves ina manner that's easiest. My husband is 1/2 Eskimo, 1/2 CC, he refers to himself as Eskimo so as to not have to get into a long conversation about his heritage. You can't tell if he's Asian or Hispanic honestly. Our daughter is 1/4 Eskimo but also refers to herself as Eskimo rather then CC. For her it's a cultural pride issue. But it's also easier then breaking down the family lineage.

Hi there! I just read the BEST book as it relates to being a parent of a Biracial or Multiracial child or for an interracial family. I also think that Biracial or Multiracial individuals will appreciate it as well. It addresses both biological and adoptive families equally. It's called (forgive the quotation marks) "Does Anybody Look Like Me?: Raising Multiracial Children." by Nakazawa. I HIGHLY recommend it!!!

Another problem that needs to be addressed, is social workers not disclosing the biracial/multiracial make up of your children (either foster or adopt). Nowadays, there is so much emphasis on how to provide/educate your AA children with their cultural background. But, to lump multiracial children into the AA racial category is a dis-service to their other ethnic backgrounds. We have adopted 6 children and only one is AA. The others all are 2 or 3 ethnicities that we learned about (from the children themselves!) after adopting them.

Can I jump in. I am new to this board--but I have been a lurker. I am African American, but I guess I am actually bi-racial as my father is Asian. I have Black features, though some people can see my Asian traits as well. I have always considered myself to be Black ( although i don't deny my Asian heritage, Asians often are surprised and shocked to think I could be part Asian and in general , not always, but in general, have not been accepting). I do have many friends that are the same--black with mixed heritage and I don't know anyone that does not feel a closer connection to the Black community than to the other side of their heritage. Here is the issue with some of the arguments I have heard. Most Black people in America are a mix of backgrounds. look at Vanessa Williams ( with two black parents) or Lena Horne ( also two black parents. Do we really think Vanessa is black but Halle Barry is not. Believe me when Halle was not famous and walked into a store and had a store clerk follow her around---to see if she was going to steal---that was because she was identified as being Black. I have a dear friend who is green-eyed with curly blondish hair and freckles. I have brown skin and curly hair. Is my friend "black" and I am not? I have been very proud and pleased that the Black community has been so accepting of the wide variations in color and heritage that make up the community. I have always felt accepted by the Black community and I have never had anyone tell me that they did not think I was Black because of my Asian heritage. Some people may comment on my "good hair" or my Asian eyes, but they see me as part of the Black community and that is how I see myself too. I do understand the other side however, as my husband is European and we have a son. We talk about culture not race. we don't live in America ( where race is such a big issue) and i don't know how he will see himself when he grows up. He may feel differently and I am open to that. I hope race won't be such a factor in his life as it was in mine. Hope springs eternal--

Hi there! PLEASE read this fabulous book: "Does Anybody Else Look Like Me?" by Donna Nakazawa. It's about raising multiracial, biracial, or interracial families. It's AWESOME!!!!!!! Sarah

Hi Lexie, Though this is a revived old thread, I enjoyed reading about your experience. Would you share where you live? We have often considered and would have the opportunity (if pursued) to live abroad at some point. We are a multicultural (and multiracial) family in the US. I am Irish American, and my husband is from Thailand; our daughter is African American. We have traveled extensively and know that race is not the issue abroad that it is here at home. Of course, many Americans move to Bangkok or southern Thailand. My choice would be outside of Amsterdam or Paris. :D Hope to see you around here more.

Hi- We live in Singapore. its very diverse. Have visited Bangkok a lot. Would love to live there if I get the chance. We have lived in Hong Kong and Tokyo as well. Probably the next stop will be in Europe since that is where my husbands's family lives. Thanks for welcome-- Lexie