So what are ya?! - Page 5

maria_i · 07-17-2006, 08:18 AM

My nationalty? I am Mexican, born and living in Mexico City.

My race? I have no idea -as most people here- and don´t really care.

ZzZoe · 07-17-2006, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GabbyC

ZZZoe Wrote:

Quote:

BTW, I know some really light skinned black friends with euro features but to me you don't fit in that category. You have medium brown skin and pretty obvious African features.

That's exactly what I thought when I looked at her album. I had my girlfriend look with me to verify I don't need glasses

But I suppose we could be wrong?

I guess things are very different in Michigan.

CGE · 07-17-2006, 08:32 AM

Why is everyone picking on subbrock?

My membership to the pasties was officially revoked this year as I have been tanning!

ZzZoe · 07-17-2006, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CGE

Why is everyone picking on subbrock?

Who's picking on her?

spiderlashes5000 · 07-17-2006, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curlilocs

This thread reminds me of the book Who is Black by F. James Davis. This book touches on the so-called "one-drop rule" that implies one doesn't even have to be 1/2 black to be considered "black"by definition. It's an interesting read for anyone whose interested.

I own a copy of this book. Yes, it's an interesting read!

CurlyMari · 07-17-2006, 08:49 AM

Latina, 100% Puerto Rican

spiderlashes5000 · 07-17-2006, 08:54 AM

Yes, growing up I heard the "you'll be seen as Black by everyone else," too. Actually, turns out, they were wrong; I'm actually not seen as Black by everyone else.

But either way, I identify as Black (African American, more specifically) because that's the group I'm most comfortable with and best relate to and have the most interest in. But if you want to get technical, I'm also Irish and Black/White biracial. I usually don't find it necessary to go into that level of detail (unless I'm in a conversation on the topic of race/ethnicity/culture) because Black is the primary group in which I claim membership. (But when I was younger, it was the *only* group in which I claimed membership. My views have changed slightly as I've gotten older.)

Meghuney · 07-17-2006, 08:58 AM

Okay..help me with this, and you know I'm not being snarky in any way, girl.

How is it that you aren't seen "as Black" as everyone else? Are you referring to the "well, you're not REALLY Black" comments that seem to ALWAYS come into play if you don't fit the *idea* of what Black folks should be like?

If they see you as Black - they see you as Black..regardless of whether they see you as "not as Black". But if you are referring to what I just mentioned, I totally get it.

ZzZoe · 07-17-2006, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meghuney

Okay..help me with this, and you know I'm not being snarky in any way, girl.

How is it that you aren't seen "as Black" as everyone else? Are you referring to the "well, you're not REALLY Black" comments that seem to ALWAYS come into play if you don't fit the *idea* of what Black folks should be like?

If they see you as Black - they see you as Black..regardless of whether they see you as "not as Black". But if you are referring to what I just mentioned, I totally get it.

Good point. From my experience, folks that are likely to say stuff like that will say it to anyone regardless of how they look.

Here's the real deal, they just have a negative view of blacks in general and when they encounter a nice and intelligent and attractive black person, she or he cannot possibly be representative of all blacks so therefore "you are not like other blacks" ...."you don't look typically black"...."you're different" is their first thought/comment.

It has nothing to do with the reality of your genetics or how you look and I wouldn't take it as a compliment if I was on the recieving end of such comments.

spiderlashes5000 · 07-17-2006, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meghuney

Okay..help me with this, and you know I'm not being snarky in any way, girl.

How is it that you aren't seen "as Black" as everyone else? Are you referring to the "well, you're not REALLY Black" comments that seem to ALWAYS come into play if you don't fit the *idea* of what Black folks should be like?

If they see you as Black - they see you as Black..regardless of whether they see you as "not as Black". But if you are referring to what I just mentioned, I totally get it.

Who, me? I tell some people that I'm Black and they say, "Really??? I thought you were Italian/Pakastani/Greek/Puerto Rican/Arab," etc. Or I'll tell them I'm Black and they say, "yeah and what else?" And other people see the Black without any problem, and may even be surprised to find out one of my parents is White.

I was once in a comedy club with my BF at the time who was dark skinned. And the comic on stage pointed to us and called us "Jungle Fever." We were like, huh? Yeah, I remember being mistaken quite a few times for a "White girl" when I was with dark skinned Black guys. I don't get it, but it's true. My best friend (who is Black) thought I was Indian before i told her. And the guy in the next office (who is White) said he thought I was French because I have a French-sounding last name.

People perceive me all different ways.

07-17-2006, 09:09 AM

I would just like to add my two cents, which is all it is probably worth; but, perhaps spiderlashes, subbrock, and others are stating that it is possible for other's to view them as Black, White, Irish, Native American, etc; and, that not all people view them as mutally exclusive. It all just boils down to perception.

For instance, I may see spiderlashes and instantly identify with her Irish features, as, most of my family is 100% Irish and those features may be what I instanly pick up on. *shrugs* just a thought.

Lucille · 07-17-2006, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CelticMoonDance

I would just like to add my two cents, which is all it is probably worth; but, perhaps spiderlashes, subbrock, and others are stating that it is possible for other's to view them as Black, White, Irish, Native American, etc; and, that not all people view them as mutally exclusive. It all just boils down to perception.

For instance, I may see spiderlashes and instantly identify with her Irish features, as, most of my family is 100% Irish and those features may be what I instanly pick up on. *shrugs* just a thought.

I agree. I'm super-super bad at "guess the ethnicity" though. So what do I know.

Based on the photos in her album, I'd think Southern European or Latina maybe.

spiderlashes5000 · 07-17-2006, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meghuney

Okay..help me with this, and you know I'm not being snarky in any way, girl.

How is it that you aren't seen "as Black" as everyone else? Are you referring to the "well, you're not REALLY Black" comments that seem to ALWAYS come into play if you don't fit the *idea* of what Black folks should be like?

If they see you as Black - they see you as Black..regardless of whether they see you as "not as Black". But if you are referring to what I just mentioned, I totally get it.

LOL. No, I didn't say: I'm not always seen as Black as everyone else...I said: I'm not always seen as Black by everyone else.

Meghuney · 07-17-2006, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiderlashes5000

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meghuney

Okay..help me with this, and you know I'm not being snarky in any way, girl.

How is it that you aren't seen "as Black" as everyone else? Are you referring to the "well, you're not REALLY Black" comments that seem to ALWAYS come into play if you don't fit the *idea* of what Black folks should be like?

If they see you as Black - they see you as Black..regardless of whether they see you as "not as Black". But if you are referring to what I just mentioned, I totally get it.

Who, me? I tell some people that I'm Black and they say, "Really??? I thought you were Italian/Pakastani/Greek/Puerto Rican/Arab," etc. Or I'll tell them I'm Black and they say, "yeah and what else?" And other people see the Black without any problem, and may even be surprised to find out one of my parents is White.

I was once in a comedy club with my BF at the time who was dark skinned. And the comic on stage pointed to us and called us "Jungle Fever." We were like, huh? Yeah, I remember being mistaken quite a few times for a "White girl" when I was with dark skinned Black guys. I don't get it, but it's true. My best friend (who is Black) thought I was Indian before i told her. And the guy in the next office (who is White) said he thought I was French because I have a French-sounding last name.

People perceive me all different ways.

WOW. I think it really is a matter of areas and what people have been exposed to. For instance, most of my time here in the DEEEEEEEEEEEP South, people automatically *know* I am Black. However, when I have run across people who are from the North (New York area..etc.) who just happened to move here, they ask "Are you Dominican/PR/Cuban,etc?". And I'm always shocked. And each time someone has asked me that, they have been from somewhere else or they have traveled. Interesting.

SaKkeh · 07-17-2006, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Springcurl

I'm biracial.

What does that mean? Black and White, Black and Indian, black and Chinese, Black and Japanese?.

Portae · 07-17-2006, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CelticMoonDance

I would just like to add my two cents, which is all it is probably worth; but, perhaps spiderlashes, subbrock, and others are stating that it is possible for other's to view them as Black, White, Irish, Native American, etc; and, that not all people view them as mutally exclusive. It all just boils down to perception.

For instance, I may see spiderlashes and instantly identify with her Irish features, as, most of my family is 100% Irish and those features may be what I instanly pick up on. *shrugs* just a thought.

There is also a difference between stating that not everyone sees you as Black (meaning phenotypically), and using that as evidence of why you don't identify as Black (culturally).

Meghuney · 07-17-2006, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiderlashes5000

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meghuney

Okay..help me with this, and you know I'm not being snarky in any way, girl.

How is it that you aren't seen "as Black" as everyone else? Are you referring to the "well, you're not REALLY Black" comments that seem to ALWAYS come into play if you don't fit the *idea* of what Black folks should be like?

If they see you as Black - they see you as Black..regardless of whether they see you as "not as Black". But if you are referring to what I just mentioned, I totally get it.

LOL. No, I didn't say: I'm not always seen as Black as everyone else...I said: I'm not always seen as Black by everyone else.

haha! My bad!

Well, it still equals the same, really. I just found it weird about the whole "as Black" thing. To me, and this is JUST ME - you're Black or not. There is no "as Black", but again, I've often encountered people who say things like that when describing me. I don't go for it though.

07-17-2006, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZzZoe

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meghuney

Okay..help me with this, and you know I'm not being snarky in any way, girl.

How is it that you aren't seen "as Black" as everyone else? Are you referring to the "well, you're not REALLY Black" comments that seem to ALWAYS come into play if you don't fit the *idea* of what Black folks should be like?

If they see you as Black - they see you as Black..regardless of whether they see you as "not as Black". But if you are referring to what I just mentioned, I totally get it.

Good point. From my experience, folks that are likely to say stuff like that will say it to anyone regardless of how they look.

Here's the real deal, they just have a negative view of blacks in general and when they encounter a nice and intelligent and attractive black person, she or he cannot possibly be representative of all blacks so therefore "you are not like other blacks" ...."you don't look typically black"...."you're different" is their first thought/comment.

It has nothing to do with the reality of your genetics or how you look and I wouldn't take it as a compliment if I was on the recieving end of such comments.

Well, that is a jaded way to view it. I like my explanation better

:P

In reality there are people in both ends of the spectrum and some in between, I am sure.

DarkAngel · 07-17-2006, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meghuney

WOW. I think it really is a matter of areas and what people have been exposed to. For instance, most of my time here in the DEEEEEEEEEEEP South, people automatically *know* I am Black. However, when I have run across people who are from the North (New York area..etc.) who just happened to move here, they ask "Are you Dominican/PR/Cuban,etc?". And I'm always shocked. And each time someone has asked me that, they have been from somewhere else or they have traveled. Interesting.

I think that part of that comes from exposure. You are from Southern Texas, right? Most people there are used to Black, White, and the occassional Mexican. But then New Yorkers like you mentioned are used to seeing people from all over the world that don't fit quite as neatly into the Black or White box. On a related note, I know a guy from Memphis who insists that everyone is either Black or White including Asians and Hispanics. It's like arguing with a rock. +

07-17-2006, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Portae

Quote:

Originally Posted by CelticMoonDance

I would just like to add my two cents, which is all it is probably worth; but, perhaps spiderlashes, subbrock, and others are stating that it is possible for other's to view them as Black, White, Irish, Native American, etc; and, that not all people view them as mutally exclusive. It all just boils down to perception.

For instance, I may see spiderlashes and instantly identify with her Irish features, as, most of my family is 100% Irish and those features may be what I instanly pick up on. *shrugs* just a thought.

There is also a difference between stating that not everyone sees you as Black (meaning phenotypically), and using that as evidence of why you don't identify as Black (culturally).

Yes, that is definately a HUGE difference. I guess, I missed the part where someone did that; or, it went over my head.