I understand why some are disturbed by this.
I understand that the history of the country has stood by the idea of the one-drop rule, by the thought that if you have some black in your ancestry, you are black by default.
I also know that many people do not consider Africans to be black - that they are a separate category. Others put them all into the black category.
Race is a social construct, and yet it still has so much power in our society - even in 2012.
Check out this PBS site for more on Race - The Power of an Illusion.
I hadn't heard that Morgan Freeman said that . . . but I've always thought the same thing.
ReplyDeleteIt's crazy how racial classification has so much power over us.
DeleteThere are so many times I hear people telling stories and the only time they mention someone's appearance in a story (race-wise) is if the person is black or some other "minority". If it is a 'white' person, they don't even mention the race.
This is news to me. I remember in a meeting once when someone referred to a black man in attendance as African- American. He said in all seriousness, "I'm not African American, I'm from the Bahamas."
ReplyDeleteYea, some immigrants are sensitive about being called African-American. But, then they sometimes use the distinction to their advantage when they desire that advantage... not that being considered a 'minority' is an advantage too many times.
DeleteNOW I REALLY LIKE MORGAN FREEMAN & I KNEW AS SOON AS THIS STATEMENT OF HIS WAS PUBLISHED THAT IT WOULD SET ONCE AGAIN PEOPLE INTO A FRENZY OF RACE IDENTITY. I JUST WANT US ALL TO BE CLASSIFIED AS GOD'S PEOPLE ALL EQUAL :)) AND LOVED FOR ONE ANOTHER :))
ReplyDeleteHe seems like a great person (despite some flaws with his 'granddaughter'.
DeleteHave you seen his Wormhole show?
I think that people are just too caught up in appearances and fitting people into some sort of a category to make sure we are all considered different.
It would be great if we were all seen as equal.
No I haven't seen the Wormhole show, i just love his voice to tell you the truth it is so great when he tells a story and then there is several of his movies so I guess by saying I really like Morgan Freeman I should specify the actor LOL I think you are 100% on with fitting into categories but why? I take a person at face value not what their face looks like and I would hope for the same but sadly that is not the world we live in and even more sadly is a possibility of SOMEDAY :(
DeleteI think I will try and watch the wormhole thing now just curious.
The show is pretty interesting (though sometimes it gets a little more scientific than I need after work).
DeleteI hope (though fear it may never happen) that one day we will be in a world where everyone is judged for who they are and not the tint of their skin or the straightness/curliness/kinkiness of their hair or their ability/disability in any realms.
Someday...
It is interesting to me that others care how an individual defines him/herself. My poor nephew came home from school upset when his teacher told him he wasn't Chinese and he shouldn't make up stories..I was floored...His dad is from there! My nephew was excited to explain the New Year celebration. Great conversation as always.
ReplyDeleteThat is so horrible!!! You should have his parents talk with the principal about that.
DeleteI hope that doesn't discourage him from wanting to share his culture with people in the future!
My sister is a teacher and went up to speak with them directly. My nephew is fine, and I think took it better than the adults. If nothing, the kid taught the teacher a valuable life lesson.
DeleteGlad to hear that!
DeleteAnd hopefully the teacher learned from that.