How To Decide If You're Black

An interesting article is highlighted in the sidebar to the right, which I am providing the link to right here. A very interesting, short read about how the writer is tired of people who wish Obama were identified as Mixed or "bi-racial" instead of black. He details in his piece the criteria he uses to determine if a person is black.

In a nutshell, though you should read the piece, he thinks if you are perceived as black then you are black. A very simplistic notion, but nevertheless, one that many people use.

Let me say again, as I have before on that argument, the only problem with that is that it would also mean it is o.k. to call yourself anything you want if you look a certain way, say Mariah Carey, can say she's white since she looks white for the most part. And that thinking is also problematic because it means others will decide for us who we are and why in the world would anybody give up that kind of power to strangers?

I don't get it. But read his piece here.

A Very Good Week So Far

This has been a great week for me as a writer. First I must say I am proud to announce that I was selected by Shirl Whitfield to receive the "Shades of Black and White Award," which was created in honor of her outstanding blog of the same name. It is given, I am told "to deserving bloggers who are comitted to bridge the gap of racism due to their passionate writing, their excellent communication skills, their courage to "put it out there" and because they truly care about the only race that matters, the human race."

I am deeply honored. One request for those who receive the award is to pass it on, so I will be doing that in the next week. I definitely know there are many deserving writers out there.

I also wanted to pass on that I made my debut today as a new featured writer for TheLoop21.com, an online community, a place for conversation, about the progress of people of color. I will be writing twice weekly, Tuesdays and Thursdays, a blog called Hollywood and Vine:The Intersection of Entertainment and Black Culture. My first piece is called "Tyler Perry As The Chosen One." Check it out.

Thanks for reading this and caring about the issues of what most call "race."

A Real ‘Inter-Racial” Relationship

I went and saw the new Star Trek movie last weekend with the family. We all loved it. Even the kids who don’t really know Star Trek. My wife and I of course were raised watching Star Trek so it was wonderful to see this updated version of the story.

But the best part of the story was the new relationship that was portrayed of Uhura, played by the beautiful Zoe Saldana, and the young Spock, played by that guy from Heroes, whose name I cannot recall. The fact that this was a relationship that none of the original series ever hinted at, it was surprising and a bit of a stretch since die-hards know Spock as having absolutely no, or certainly very little emotion. So a love relationship seems not likely. But nonetheless it was a nice addition to the story. And the best part about it was that their affair certainly showcased a real “interracial” relationship for all to see and enjoy.

So I loved it and salute the film’s writers and makers for doing it and allowing a beautiful black female to get such an important romantic relationship on the silver screen. Though it just occurred to me that this is not Zoe Saldana’s first time playing a character involved in an interracial or inter-ethnic relationship. She also starred opposite Ashton Kutcher in the comedy remake a few years ago of “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner?” So maybe she has an affinity for these relationships and situations. If so, good for her.

So if you haven’t seen it, you should. It is fun on many levels and this special relationship, which does not spoil any of the story with my telling you this since it is alluded to in the trailers and whatnot, makes it even more interesting. I think when we do think on a galactic scale, our petty cultural differences become really small.

Seal and Heidi Klum in Us Magazine

I haven't read the article yet myself, but apparently Heidi Klum talks a bit about her Mixed family in the latest issue of US Magazine. And she and her hubby, Seal, are on the cover of the issue. That's nice. I'm sure there are quite a few people not happy to see that cover staring at them in store checkout lines - the Supermodel and her black husband, superstar singer. I of course love that it is there for all to see and deal with. It is a new world people.

Standing Up To Your Own Family's Racism

If you don't already read the blog, "Shades of Black and White," I strongly encourage you to do so. The writer is really good and she is so honest and unflinching in what she shares. This particular posting, which I link below, is incredible. As you will see it is about what she has experienced and dealt with since her parents have shunned her and her family, including their own grandchild, because she dared to marry a black man.

I have recounted before here how my wife and I share a somewhat similar experience, though not quite as drastic. My wife grew up with a Mom who regularly used the "N word" and who made it clear that blacks were considered less than Mexicans (or Mexican-Americans), which she is. Somehow my wife was able to grow up with that and still find a way to fall in love with whomever she chose, which happened to be me, a black man. I totally tip my hat to her and anyone who can overcome that kind of upbringing to make this kind of choice. What strength.

I was a bit luckier. I grew up mostly around only blacks, but my family did not openly exhibit any racism. I don't recall ever hearing anything that was negatively directed at whites or others. And frankly, thinking back, now I think how strange and wonderful that was of my parents, particularly considering I grew up in a small town in Southeast Texas in the 60's and 70's. So I was very lucky. And to this day, no one in my family has ever said anything about my choice nor have they treated Dianna any differently than anyone else from what I can see.

Now I don't say this to say my family was better, only to make the point that I am really amazed at people like Shirl and my wife, Dianna, who can deal with what they did growing up and be so amazing as adults in going against their parents. I wonder if I could be so strong were I to have that kind of situation as a child. Most people simply accept and become their parents when they grow up. It is just the way the world is.

So kudos to these two particular women, and anybody else who stands up to their families and racism. I am in total awe and truly do thank you for having that kind of courage.

Here is the link to Shirl's posting.

An Apology For Being Racist

If you haven't read this article that I found on Yahoo you really should read it. It's the story of an old white gentleman who though he was notorious for hating blacks when he was younger, and even viciously beat a few in his life during the Civil Rights Movement, now is going about apologizing to everyone he can find who he wronged.

It is an interesting read and makes you think a lot about the root of hatred. One of the more interesting things I found in the piece though was the fact that even during the height of his hatred, he would bring his young wife to a "black speakeasy" to show off his dance moves to her. How odd. To hate blacks so much and yet have no problem going into a black club and dancing with them. O.k. that confuses me a bit. But I guess it is about the fact that as long as blacks are in their own place they are o.k. It is when they wanted to integrate that he had to beat them down.

As far as the apology to blacks, frankly I accept it. I understand it is sort of a death-bed apology but still the public nature of what he is doing can be a great lesson for a lot of people so I think it is a good thing.

Check out the article here.

A Lack Of Ethnic Concern

I was doing my thing at the mall last night here in Burbank while waiting for Dianna, sitting on a bench just watching the flow of people go by. People watching is one of my favorite things to do. People are so interesting - styles, sizes, personalities, etc.

As I remarked once before, I am just thrilled to see the cultural diversity that passes by here. I heard numerous languages as I sat there - Russian, Armenian, English, Spanish, and some I could not place. Reminded me that in my daughter's nearby elementary school, there are over 50 languages spoken in the homes of the students.

But again what I noticed equally was the absolute lack of any seeming concern about ethnic or racial differences. This is especially evident obviously in all the teens strolling through. Even when they were not hanging together, the groups seemed to flow as if all this diversity was normal, as it is to them I guess. How wonderful. And of course there were a few mixed teen couples thrown in. And again, no one seemed to care.

Thank God for this generation. I am not silly enough to think there is no racial or ethnic animosity among any of this younger generation. But I can tell they are mostly coming from a place that is eons beyond where most of us adults started from.

Did my heart good watching the scene.