Why do they kep calling Harold Ford black?

Question

I just saw this guy on tv. Before I saw him, all I kept hearing about was how he would be the first black Senator in the south since Reconstruction. Really. After all this time, this is as black as they can get?

And wtf? Is he even really black? If he is, then damn, the whole world must be black then.

Or is it just politically advantageous to call himself black, even though his closest black relative lived during the Polk administration?

Wow, so many typos. I meant "keep".

Before I saw this guy on tv just a few minutes ago, I figured he was black like Al Sharpton. But I think my Finnish grandmother is darker than him. I wonder if I can get extra points if I start calling myself black?

Cynical, I didn't even see black features. His hair was a little dark, and a bit curly. But that's about it. Didn't have the wide jaw structure or other bone features. He has a typical European nose, lips, and he even has blue eyes.

Answer 1

Wait a minute, wait a minute, this man who looks white is black. So you see a light skinned, blue eyed man walkiing down the street, you think he's white but corrected that he's black. Come on people that's not being real. I thought a black person is of African descent, not of white descent like this man obviously is. Let me state the obvious, this is politics as usual, using race for electoral advantage. "the first African-American senator from the south since reconstruction". pretty catch headlines huh?

Answer 2

i agree with you - harold, while he may be boyishly handsome, doesn't really look all that black. i think he looks a little bit less black than i do, and i'm half black.

however, "black" is about much more than just your skin color. i believe blackness is best described as a social construct. if you're raised as black, then you're black. and harold comes from a huge political family for whom being black is a central issue. so in that sense, harold is definitely black. it's how he identifies himself. either way, harold has my vote. =)

but i highly doubt he's just calling himself black for political reasons. and furthermore, since when is being black politically advantageous?? you and i must have very different experiences if that is true...

Answer 3

He's definitely the better looking candidate, if that's what you mean, but at 36, he is younger than most.

Yeah, they're campaigning on the race thing. It's typical.

The RNC couldv'e used better judgment with its ad, of course, but at least pulled it.

Answer 4

He is light-skinned. You should see his father who is also very light. I think perhaps he is the mixture of blacks and white slave owners years ago. If you look closely you could see his black features but I was suprised at how light-skinned he was. Even so, he is a good candidate and his skin color shouldn't matter.

Answer 5

confusion