I think many of you have missed the point and taken this article way too seriously. Reading the humour in the article it’s obviously meant to be tongue-in-cheek. At least partly.

The article is funny, but also quite true. Yes many of the 10 reasons can be seen as stereotypes, but isn’t that a big part of what racial/cultural identity is about? Much of racial identity is about the things you do, the lifestyle you live, and the way people and society will perceive you and treat you.

The important thing to consider is that the term “black” is a socio-political term. Think of how the term has been used throughout American (and European) history.

Think how 7/8ths white Homer Plessy was discriminated against as black. Think how half white Booker T Washington was seen as black by white people that were enraged at his invitation to the White House.

Think about how the term “black” is still used today, especially when it was an issue during the election campaign.

This isn’t about SEMANTIC reality, it’s about social, political, and historical reality.

Ultimately it’s a SILLY debate.

The Silly Debate Over Whether Obama is Black or Mixed-Race

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/earl-ofari-hutchinson/the-silly-debate-over-whe_b_107120.html

We need to grow up seriously. Please, let be the last time you do an article like this Casey. I believe that you have a lot of talent and use your talent more wiesly and not waste your time with a subject like this.

~Revolution

Unlike Mr. Al Sharpton or Jessee Jackson, he cant make the comment of cotton field. And he has used the Malcolm X doctrine, Use the negative into a postive. And of course, use the goods of each our past leaders.

why does it take him marrying Michelle to make him truly black?? Many black men marry women of other races and their blackness is never questioned.

So because I have a white name it makes me less black…you see where Im getting at? truly irritating.

His voice??…I sound white. so I guess Im less black.

And the last and greatest is well he can play basketball…give me a break lol.

Give me top 10 things he’s gonna do for the country as a whole..

I understand that the author probably wanted to contradict Marie Arana. Too many people have been trying to take this away from the Black community by pulling out the term “bi-racial”. But like I said, the two aren’t mutually exclusive. President Obama is a bi-racial Black man.

Also some of the points used here are incredibly weak. I have a Black girlfriend, a deep voice, I attend a mostly Black church (Southern Baptist) and because I drive a Chevy Impala with tints I get profiled by the cops too. But I don’t think anyone would consider me Black.

I just recently wrote a blog addressing the issues that suddenly came about once Obama was elected, and this was 1 of the topics I addressed….Obama was categorized as “black” up until the polls came in, where all of a sudden he’s “biracial.” He is what he is regardless. Here is an exert from my blog “We the People”…Why is Obama being called black when he’s actually mixed. I thought we moved away from the “one drop rule” in this country…right? Since when, he moment the polls showed that McCain was blown out the water? Get real! Just like Tiger Woods was deemed “black” until he won the PGA tournament where he suddenly became “Cablinasian”, BARACK OBAMA was “black” until he made history by becoming the 1st African American Pres. Elect, oops my bad, he’s bi-racial! Is it that hard to give credit when it’s due? African Americans have had to fight to prove themselves worthy since we gained rights. And have done a pretty damn good job, if I have to say so myself! At the moment of creation, a label of race is given…unfortunately, because of enslavement, anyone bi-racial with one drop of Jew or African, has been given the scarlet letter of minority! A minority which now includes Hispanic’s. On every application in our life we’ve had to choose between the two, only allowing ourselves to pick the obvious. I wonder what his birth certificate says? A certificate that certifies his existence in this world, has to say one of the 2. When he was born “other” was not an option. And because of the pigment of his skin, regardless of his white mother, he was more than likely categorized under the African American race. Since we’re talking about the one-drop rule, and it’s non-existence, then help me out with a few people. Halle Berry: classified “black”…reality: white mother/black father, Mariah Carey: classified “black”….reality: Irish-American mother/African-American Venezuelan father; the “one-drop rule” still applies to them!….you may continue reading by checking out my page on BP…this is how I feel about it.

Point is why is everyone in America trying to prove either or when he’s not arguing the issue at all? There are far more important things to worry about.

You go BOY!!

Let your HATERS be your motivator

2. While marrying a black Woman / Man may educate you and invoke a deep sympathy and sense of meaning about black culture… it doesn’t make you black.

3. If George W. Bush considered himself black, would this apply (inflammatory to make a point) ?

4. What does this say about blacks who don’t have what you describe as a “black voice”

5. Your point here holds some merit

6. Is a black child who aspires and dedicates all of his time to playing the piano or to becoming a scientist not “black enough” for you?

7. Going to a certain church makes you belong to a certain race? Please.

8. Semi-valid point… the Black community absolutely does embrace Barack Obama as a black man in the overwhelming majority.

9. Very weak.

10. So because “the police would racially profile him” means he’s black? please…

I realize this top 10 reason balogna is trying to be humorous (I hope)… but it really slights the struggle that biracial Americans face in today’s society. It actually comes off as blatantly racist, and I’m very suprised to even see it here.

Obama chose to be recognized as Black for political reasons, and not just for the election. He’s a smart man, and decided to “choose his race” a long time ago.

The author of the top 10 list points out… biracial people aren’t part of a mainstream culture, so they are urged to “choose” a heritage to align with. Usually the obvious choice will be what they look most like.

This practice is wrong and must be stopped if we’re ever going to get past racial divisiveness in this country. Barack took the easy way out. Biracial individuals have a strong heritage called American heritage, one that we all are going to have to recognize before this country can come together and truly mend the inequities of the past and the present.