Reporter Peggy Orenstein discuss the role of race, racial identity and Obama (with Obama’s speech on race bringing up much discussion in America), as well as America’s growing, bi-racial nature. I thought Orenstein’s thoughts, as a parent of a bi-racial child, had some very interesting points to make:
“Most Americans watching Barack Obama’s campaign, even those who don’t support him, appreciate the historic significance of an African-American president. But for parents like me, Obama, as the first biracial candidate, symbolizes something else too: the future of race in this country, the paradigm and paradox of its simultaneous intransigence and disappearance… More than anything, though, Hapas remind us that, while racism is real, “race” is a shifting construct. Consider: Would Obama still be seen as “black enough” if the wife by his side were white? And don’t get my husband started on why Tiger Woods — whose mother is three-quarters Asian and whose father was one-quarter Chinese and half African-American — is rarely hailed as the first Asian-American golf superstar…
During Obama’s campaign, Obama has certainly faced criticism that he was not “black enough” or too “black.” Will race matter in America in 50, 100, 150, 200 years from now as we increasingly inter-marry, assuming humanity can survive that long? Genetically, Tiger Woods is more “Asian” than he is “black” - but from the color of his skin, he is judged to be more black than “Asian.” (Of course, how Tiger Woods self-identifies himself as is his personal choice.)
In the future, will Americans truly be color blind and the concept of race, as we know it today, be foreign? Let me know your thoughts on this!
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THE_BANANA_REPUBLIC wrote:
Yes, race will matter in the future — even 200 years from now. People will continue to have certain sexual preferences that drive unhealthy inbreeding. Look at the demographics and financial tiers of mexico. Purebloods are still held in higher esteem over the mudbloods.
Posted on 23-Mar-08 at 9:18 pm | Permalink
a wrote:
Why do you have all the Asian women / white men (AsianEuro) or Asian women black men (InterracialRomance.com) ads on this website?
Your ad policy is implying that Asian men are eunuchs.
Posted on 24-Mar-08 at 5:46 am | Permalink
Grace Chu wrote:
Dude… Ernie runs Google ads. Google serves contextually-based advertising based on an algorithm. It is an automatic process done by machines. No human beings are involved in the process. He has no control over what appears on this site. If you don’t like the ads, don’t click on them.
Posted on 24-Mar-08 at 6:49 am | Permalink
DJKuulA wrote:
Bi-racial dating service ads are like a Google epidemic these days. I see them EVERYWHERE.
If you visit any Asian-themed websites at all, you’ll end up on the bi-racial dating ads target list. Your choice to ignore ‘em, use ‘em, or drive yourself crazy over ‘em.
PS Hi Jackie!
Posted on 24-Mar-08 at 10:23 am | Permalink
Kevin wrote:
If you’re an Obama fan, and a Hapa (best of both worlds), come visit our site (White Folks for Obama) for a Hapa Obama bumper sticker! http://www.whitefolksforobama.org
Posted on 03-Apr-08 at 12:45 pm | Permalink