Turning to the Democratic side of the Presidential race, we have the Barack Obama phenomenon.
I found it interesting that many American Blacks do not consider him as their own, saying he is “not black enough”. What does that mean?
Well Obama is not a descendant from African American slaves like most if not all American Blacks are. His father is from Africa (Kenya, I think) while his mother is a white woman from Kansas.
Ostensibly, he is a 50/50 mixture which makes him neither white nor black but a variation of both. In the old days we used to call such people “mulattoes” but I don’t think there is a specific word for them today even though there are many more of them in today’s America.
Tiger Woods is American Black / Asian but all regard him as black. The fact is that it does not matter what you call yourself, its all about the way you look and if you look white you will be taken as white and if black.. I do remember movies where children of mixed parents could pass for white, so I guess it can work either way.
Unfortunately, in our society, it matters how you look and color is a big factor. I think we have come a long way and many white Americans were and are prepared to vote for a black person for president. People point to Colin Powell as someone that could have won the presidency if he would have run. I have to point out that Colin was from Jamaican ancestry not African American slave ancestry even though his forebearers were probably all slaves too.
Does it matter what type of black you are to the American public? I think it does.
Do you think Jessie Jackson or Al Sharpton ever had a chance? I think not.
American blacks realize that African blacks do not hold American blacks in high regard. They consider them lower class. I know this from personal experience with blacks from Africa.
American blacks, according to the latest poll, are supporting Hilary Clinton, just like they supported ole’ Bill. They knew they could count on them to dish out the money while Barack may be less of a socialist and more middle class, working stock type like Chicago, where he lives.
Shaping up to be quite an interesting race on both sides of the aisle.
I found it interesting that many American Blacks do not consider him as their own, saying he is “not black enough”. What does that mean?
Well Obama is not a descendant from African American slaves like most if not all American Blacks are. His father is from Africa (Kenya, I think) while his mother is a white woman from Kansas.
Ostensibly, he is a 50/50 mixture which makes him neither white nor black but a variation of both. In the old days we used to call such people “mulattoes” but I don’t think there is a specific word for them today even though there are many more of them in today’s America.
Tiger Woods is American Black / Asian but all regard him as black. The fact is that it does not matter what you call yourself, its all about the way you look and if you look white you will be taken as white and if black.. I do remember movies where children of mixed parents could pass for white, so I guess it can work either way.
Unfortunately, in our society, it matters how you look and color is a big factor. I think we have come a long way and many white Americans were and are prepared to vote for a black person for president. People point to Colin Powell as someone that could have won the presidency if he would have run. I have to point out that Colin was from Jamaican ancestry not African American slave ancestry even though his forebearers were probably all slaves too.
Does it matter what type of black you are to the American public? I think it does.
Do you think Jessie Jackson or Al Sharpton ever had a chance? I think not.
American blacks realize that African blacks do not hold American blacks in high regard. They consider them lower class. I know this from personal experience with blacks from Africa.
American blacks, according to the latest poll, are supporting Hilary Clinton, just like they supported ole’ Bill. They knew they could count on them to dish out the money while Barack may be less of a socialist and more middle class, working stock type like Chicago, where he lives.
Shaping up to be quite an interesting race on both sides of the aisle.
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