Quincy Jones' daughter Rashida says she has suffered and endured racism throughout her life all because she's biracial. The 32-year-old (who stars in Fox's Unhitched sitcom--Sunday nights at 9:30) star's father is black and her mother, actress Peggy Lipton is a white Jewish woman. And Jones claims her looks--particularly her skin complexion and hair texture--alienated her from black and white social groups while she attended Harvard University, where she was turned away from pledging an all-black sorority. She says, "I definitely learned my lesson. I'm back to that place were I'm like, 'You know what? I'm black, I'm white, I'm Jewish, I'm Irish, I'm Portuguese, I'm Welsh, what the f*ck ever.' To me it's so inconsequential. People still say things to me like, 'Oh my god, you're black? I would've never guessed that.' And I just think, I can't help your ignorance. There are bi-racial people who look like me or who look like Alicia Keys or who look like Halle Berry. I'm so proud to be so many things."BLOGGER'S NOTE: Speaking of which, why do certain biracial people consider themselves black, but then turn around and claim to be bi-racial? In my own personal opinion, a bi-racial person (who has one black parent) should consider themselves just that: bi-racial. As far as I'm concerned, walking around stating that you're a black person because one of your parents happens to be black means you're alienating your other parent's racial background/heritage. Therefore and thus and such, needless to say, I don't believe in that 'one drop of Black blood' rule. I have never seen a bi-racial black person...and I'm pretty sure I know why: it's because a bi-racial black person doesn't exist. How blatantly disrespectful is it to visit or spend time with your white parent's family and tell them you consider yourself to be a black person all because your father is black? Please.
Bottom line? If you're a child of a black parent and a white parent, you are not black, you are not white...you are point blank bi-racial...which means you should represent and celebrate both races from which you were made. Or take Rashida's route and be proud of your multi-ethnic background. That's the business...and that's also my two cents plus three pennies.
Thank you, kindly.
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13 comments:
I totally understand where you're coming from. Some people only feel the need a certain part of their race when it benefits them.
My heart weeps for her... NEXT!!
Okay,riddle me this. What should black people call themselves? About 90% of the black race should consider themselves bi-racial since due to slavery we have been so diluted. My family is mixed with white and Indian on both sides but unfortunately in this country there really is no grey area just black or white.
I agree that bi-racial people should consider themselves at such, for it was both races who made them who they are. Plus, it's disingenuous & disrespectful to one side of the family if a person only gives credit to or acknowledges one half of his ancestry. Barack Obama is a prime example. He was raised by a white mother & white grandparents, yet he only identifies with the race of his father, who was not even involved in his life. Nevertheless, he may become our first “black president.” It’s my belief that race relations would be better served if he were to identify himself as the biracial person he is. As for Quincy Jones, a recent DNA test showed him to be 34% white, which would make Rashida 33% black. I am glad to see her embracing her varied ancestries. Go Vols!
O.K. here it is. We are all off on this one. First off, so-called "Bi-racial" people should not identify themselves as "Bi-racial" but Bi-ethnic because it continues the notion of racism in the minds of this country's people who they have taught to be this way by the usage of this word and the thinking elicited from its usage. This country and the policies it has established about those of African descent are horrendous and has produced a population of racially paranoid human beings (of any hue) When someone has more than one ethnic ancestry within their bloodline then they're multi-ethnic or now with the usage of the euphemism "multicultural" which in my opinion is used for political reasons to create a black out or obfuscate the fact that they have African ancestry which anyone of color is going to have; Indians (Red dot & Feather)Asians, Mexicans, Puerto Ricans etc. even those of European descent because they're albinos. Which is a mutation in the gene that produces color of which "white" people have very little of. Albinos occur in every living species. I've even seen an albino roach ( no kidding )and they also exist in every ethnic group because its a genetic occurrence. In the case of the white people we have today they came from Africans then migrated from that region due to Africa's excessive sun and heat. From them mating with women and men of color along the way, they transferred some melanin and pigmentation onto their offspring who became the Europeans we see today who can now withstand the rigors and excesses of sun and heat exposure. So genetically, everyone was once an African now just looking different due to environmental adaptations and certain genetic mutations based on these adaptations. 18th & 19 century scientist knew this but reinforced racism into their studies and knowledge because of their belief in the inferiority of Black skinned African people. They also created the system of race and its notions about our human differences and built entire ideologies around its concepts and theories. As for Quincy Jones' daughter, had her parents educated her on these issues about herself, telling her that just because she was rich didn't mean that she would be protected from America's and its people's both black and white but mostly from many accounts historically,white's dangerous, violent and sometimes lethal belief and usage of racism and the advantage they have gained because of its creation. Now as a result she has become a victim but not the best of survivors of a system created that showed her America's continued unwillingness to accept inter-racial, should be, inter-ethnic relationships and as she has discovered up to now,the products from such unions.
Whatever, to all of you; especially YOU Anthony. I'm Triracial (Daddy of a CHerokee Ma and Afro-Cuban daddy, Ma mostly white but a little CHoctaw) I don't look white but I also become "that white bitch" when some sistas see me with a decent looking black man; and every day I'm asked what race I am in Public here in Philly by everyone at least once-well, this is what I am. I am a Muslim. I am 100% female. I am a record producer. I am a musician. I am a creative dynamo. I am about to be dirty rich and filthy famous one day, but I'm still broke shortly. I am funny as a motherf-er. I have a high enough IQ to be a Mensa member if I wanted to. I am GORGEOUS-basically, I am not defining myself by things that can change depending on whether I'm in the USA, Cuba, or S. Africa. Your heart weeps for her? Yeah, I think it's more jealousy for all of you. Just work on your own selves, and since none of you are Allah, leave her alone, stop hating, and SHUT UP!!
As a biracial myself, I struggled with this for years. My mom says Im black and society will only see me that way. But my white friends say Im NOT black and my black friends say Im NOT white. Its so confusing. I mostly just want to fit in somewhere. I have been an outcast my whole life and it really takes a toll on a person. At 28, I still suffer from this. I dont think biracials do this to alienate their white parents. Its just easier, especially if they look black. Also, a lot of Afican Americans become extremely upset when you say your biracial and think we label ourselves this way bc we want to seperate ourselves from the race. Not true. I feel we should identify ourselves with what we relate too. I say I am biracial bc I relate to both sides. Its sad to see so many ppl caught up in race and who should label who. There are more important issues to talk about such as our economy, politics, and education.
i have always wondered when a bi-racial child is born who decides what is put on the birth cirtificate. as far as i know i think it has to be either or not sure though. can anyone let me know.
Speaking from experience, the government still operates by a one drop rule. If there is a black parent, the child will be registered as black.
It's not up to you or me to tell someone else what to call themselves.
My mother had a Chinese grandfather.
There is probably some Native American and caucasian in the woodpile too. So what? She was black, her children are black. Where exactly do you propose to draw the line? What a silly argument.
I guess it is to hard to just call us all American. Racisim is need to keep us a chasing our tails. While the gov get rich. #willielenchisstillatwork
Maybe some of u need to check urges facts and look into urges history books. Most people who r mixed with black and whit do consider themselves black. But let me go further because this country was built on racism it was put in the constitution if u had 1/3 of black blood in u then u r considered black. Now this is in the constitution that our urges racists forefathers wrote. So don't get angry when people actually heed to what's in the United States constitution.
Look up the one drop rule its from the United States constitution.
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