So, what color IS Obama? - Page 4

The New Black · 10-07-2008, 07:58 AM

wow...forgot about this thread

Springcurl · 10-07-2008, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amneris

How he identifies or defines himself is HIS decision and HIS business - no one else's. But in general, the world sees him as a Black man, not this "biracial" business, so I don't think it is that crazy to call himself Black. And not all people of mixed race are conflicted or have issues - that's rather insulting to assume.

That's exactly what I was going to say. He can identify himself as HE wants to, not as other people think he should.

sarasara · 10-07-2008, 11:17 AM

Am I the only one who finds this strange? I know we have our own ridiculous problems in the ME, but I've never seen people actually discuss what color a president or political candidate is...Or what color his mother is....

wavezncurlz · 10-07-2008, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarasara

Am I the only one who finds this strange? I know we have our own ridiculous problems in the ME, but I've never seen people actually discuss what color a president or political candidate is...Or what color his mother is....

It is weird. And it is who we are in the US. Unfortunately, we have a lot of "stuff" to deal with around race and culture.

gemini · 10-07-2008, 12:02 PM

Every time I read the title of this thread I think..."REALLY? Is this a real question?"

I don't even know what kind of answer to give.

I understand rainshower's point. I am mixed but I don't think it's obvious to most people, white OR black. Taken at face value, I realize most people see me as "just" black--they don't see or know that this is literally half of the equation. So while I have heavy influence of both sides/halves of my background to shape my mind/personality, I also have a knowledge of how I am perceived by most other people based on appearance alone. If I had to pick one of the other, I would say I'm black because that is I am viewed by most of society (and race is pretty much a label made by society). If I came out and claimed to be white, even if I am just as much white* as black, I know people of all races would look at me as if I had three heads. Do I look white? No. Do I look black? Yes. Is it really that simple? Of course not!

Did that make any sense? Probably not.

*(okay, Italian, which is another ethnic-race debate all on its own)

lacunaCoils · 10-07-2008, 03:55 PM

I see Obama as being in the human race as well as everyone else on this earth. I don't look at people and start judging them by their skin color and if I can relate or accept them because of it. I think in this day and age, there are too many variables involved other than race that make a person become who they are.

Amandacurls · 10-07-2008, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lacunaCoils

I see Obama as being in the human race as well as everyone else on this earth. I don't look at people and start judging them by their skin color and if I can relate or accept them because of it. I think in this day and age, there are too many variables involved other than race that make a person become who they are.

Great post!

Myradella3 · 01-20-2009, 02:29 AM

bumping

Myradella3 · 01-24-2010, 07:27 PM

bumping again...and will everytime the OP insists that Obama's color isn't an issue "for her".

anonymous_29030 · 01-24-2010, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gemini

Every time I read the title of this thread I think..."REALLY? Is this a real question?"

I don't even know what kind of answer to give.

I understand rainshower's point. I am mixed but I don't think it's obvious to most people, white OR black. Taken at face value, I realize most people see me as "just" black--they don't see or know that this is literally half of the equation. So while I have heavy influence of both sides/halves of my background to shape my mind/personality, I also have a knowledge of how I am perceived by most other people based on appearance alone. If I had to pick one of the other, I would say I'm black because that is I am viewed by most of society (and race is pretty much a label made by society). If I came out and claimed to be white, even if I am just as much white* as black, I know people of all races would look at me as if I had three heads. Do I look white? No. Do I look black? Yes. Is it really that simple? Of course not!

Did that make any sense? Probably not.

*(okay, Italian, which is another ethnic-race debate all on its own)

Yes, that made a lot of sense.

Cali Chik · 01-24-2010, 11:20 PM

Race is merely a social construction that we have all been conditioned to believe exists. So much so that we live our lives by it and teach it to our children.

And as far as I'm concerned, if he feels he's black then so be it.

susancnw · 01-25-2010, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myradella3

Quote:

Originally Posted by susancnw

Didn't know that...I've not filled out the race or ethnic part since it became optional. Don't see why it matters in most situations.

So if it doesn't matter, why has it been 'bothering' you for some time which race he says he is?

Why mention if he's taupe or beige or gray (as one poster on another board said) at all?

What color was Reagan and did that enter into any political discussions in 1976 or 1980?

I asked because different terms were being all over the place. African American, black, biracial, etc. He often brought up his white mother and grandmother in the campaign (which has been neverending), so I wanted a answer on what to use. I was honestly curious. Apparently that is not allowed.

Nallia · 01-25-2010, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eilonwy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amandacurls

I wonder why that logic towards African American's isn't applied to every ethnicity?

It's because of "one drop" laws that said that if you were "one drop" Black, you were legally (and socially) Black.

Black people often think that I'm biracial Black/White. In contrast, other people consistently believe that I'm Latina, Middle Eastern, or Mediterranean--never biracial or of Black African heritage. (I get a lot of comments about my ethnicity from people who are either sure that they know what my ancestry is, or think that I look "exotic.") It's interesting to read people's thoughts on being identified by others as biracial.

I would think of the young man with the 'fro in that photo as biracial Black/White, rather than either Black or White.

I know this is a really old post, but this happens to me too, with one difference. Black people almost never realize that I am part Black and they are almost always surprised when I tell them. Greek, Puerto Rican, or Middle Eastern are the most common guesses I hear. I suppose it doesn't help that I have an obviously Greek name as well, though there is no Greek in me at all. lol

frau · 01-25-2010, 02:45 PM

barack obama doesn't look any more or less white than the non-biracial celebs i posted above him.
barack obama doesn't look any more or less black than the non-biracial celebes i posted above him.
black americans are a multi-racial group that took on the name "black" in the 70's a form of affirmation.
it does not mean that black americans have not mixed with white people in past generations.
the question should not be, "why do blacks consider obama black" but "why don't whites consider him white" or even more important "when will racial categories cease to exist."

@sarasa,
people in the united states would be just as surprised at lebanon's obsession with knowing and categorizing people by their religion.

mandatoryfun · 01-25-2010, 02:51 PM

frau, who is the third guy down? he has such pretty eyes...smitten!

frau · 01-25-2010, 02:54 PM

^^that's terrence howard. he was in the movies; crash, hustle and flow, ray and iron man.

Springcurl · 01-25-2010, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frau

Quote:

Originally Posted by mandatoryfun

frau, who is the third guy down? he has such pretty eyes...smitten!

^^that's terrence howard. he was in the movies; crash, hustle and flow, ray and iron man.

Just make sure to use baby wipes if you date him.

(google it)

Trenell · 01-25-2010, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Springcurl

Quote:

Originally Posted by frau

Quote:

Originally Posted by mandatoryfun

frau, who is the third guy down? he has such pretty eyes...smitten!

^^that's terrence howard. he was in the movies; crash, hustle and flow, ray and iron man.

Just make sure to use baby wipes if you date him.

(google it)

everytime I see Ol Slickback I think of wipes

frau · 01-25-2010, 03:13 PM

blame springcurl for completely derailing this thread:

Quote:

The new issue of Elle has an interview with Oscar-nominated actor Terrence Howard. Mr. Howard, of Hustle & Flow and Crash fame, is attractive, that goes without saying. But his thoughts and opinions? Not so much! Some snippets from Elle:

"I like women who look like me. Generally, you're attracted to women who look like you, because the most beautiful thing in nature is your own reflection."

On his relationship philosophy:

"If a relationship is built on sexuality, it won't last long. Now I'm completely chaste through a relationship unless I get married. I don't believe in premarital sex. It enabled me to date three or four women at the same time, because as long as I wasn't having sex with them, I could always just walk away. There were some [past girlfriends] who pushed for sex, and sometimes they won. Afterward, I would feel unclean, like I'd compromised my own values. So I would have to let them go because they didn't help me to be a stronger person."

On his deal-breaker:

"Toilet paper - and no baby wipes - in the bathroom. If they're using dry paper, they aren't washing all of themselves. It's just unclean. So if I go in a woman's house and see the toilet paper there, I'll explain this. And if she doesn't make the adjustment to baby wipes, I'll know she's not completely clean."

On his divorce:

"I was in love with her, but she was not in love with me. I can't be upset because she doesn't find me the most beautiful thing on the planet."

Jezebel's own Anna Holmes was once fortunate enough to interview Mr. Howard for InStyle, and came away with the impression that he hates women. (That part didn't make it into her article!) For one, says Anna, during the interview, Mr. Howard was going through his closet and showing her his favorite clothes — when her arm brushed his. Mr. Howard flinched and said he didn't like "being touched". Other gems? When railing against how 'far" women's fashion has gone — "We've lost modesty" — Mr. Howard told Anna that seeing women dressed provocatively creates a response in him that he can't respond to in a 'natural' way. (Meaning that rape is illegal?). "He then made a comment that women who expose their 'titties' to the public have no right to get angry if people — maybe him? — make remarks about it," she continues. "He said something like 'What's worse, someone exposing themselves or someone commenting on it? Who committed the first sin?'"

mandatoryfun · 01-25-2010, 03:15 PM

LOL, that is hilarious. Not so funny: I googled him and found out that he allegedly assaulted his ex-wife.

Bummer. He has really nice eyes!