If a person is Bi-racial can they be white?

Question

Its been shown, that I person that is only half black can say they are black, and be accepted as Black. What happens when a half black/half white person says they are white. Well white people accept that?

Answer 1

It depends upon the norms of the particular area, the personalities / beliefs / opinions of people, and so on. History shows that, believe it or not, there were a number of bi-racial people in early America who were declared white. As far as what *I'VE* observed is concerned- Where I live, there are several bi-racials whom identify themselves as white. On the other hand there are many whom identify themselves as black. It's been that way here for as long as I can remember- It has always seemed that almost half consider themselves to be white; almost half consider themselves to be black; and a very small number of them acknowledge both and consider themselves as such (both / bi-racial). Of course, that probably has to do with the fact that, around here, people are generally of the very strong belief that we must all make the choice between one or the other- You're either one or the other. That's it. And the people who don't make the choice are viewed as odd balls by both "sides". [Bunch of stupid sh*ts around here. We're going to relocate in the future.]

Anywhooo... This discussion makes me think of how ridiculous people are towards bi-racials. Many bi-racials identify with one or the other, depending upon their influences and which culture/s they lean towards and feel comfortable with. And what does society do? We pester the sh*t out of them. Black people harp on them if they identify themselves as white. And white people harp on them if they identify themselves as black. Each group accuses them of ignoring their heritage, kissing azz, and blah blah blah. It's as though people are fighting to add to their population, like they have to meet some sort of quota. And it's all bull sh*t. Black and white are just labels. They're just social/cultural identifications. Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeen are we going to leave each other alone, allow us to be ourselves, and accept everyone for who they/we are?!?!?!

Answer 2

It's a well known fact that if a person is bi-racial that they are rarely seen as being white. In order for that to happen, they have to have dominant white traits showing, and black generally is the dominant gent.

There's already a lot of blacks with mixed heritage, and they aren't seen as white especially if their skin is too dark.

It's never been documented that a large number of bi-racial children were seen as white. Yes there were some during slavery times seen as white and treated as whites..but how rare this was. Most of the time in slavery a person was seen as black if the mother was blacks..(of course black men weren't having intercourse with white women then, so this was so white men could rape the black women and suffer no consequences of offspring)

I kind of feel that bi-racial children have to really be accepting of themselves...and not worry about who else accepts them.

Answer 3

I agree with Gloryus.
Over here in England we have a lot of Bi-racial/Black & White people. And of course Whites don't view bi-racial people as White (that is to be expected) but to some degree Blacks don't consider Bi-racial people as Black either. If you're mixed race then you're mixed race. Not Black and not White. Bi-racial people are just that. Both, two races, not one. The one drop rule doesn't really apply in England.

But due to the history of Black people it is understandable why it's a definate no no to deny your Black heritage and to call yourself White as if you are ashamed of being Black. And with White people...let's face it, they have never been very accepting of other races. Also most of the time when a Black & White couple have a child the child generally has more noticeable Black features than White features.

Answer 4

There are plenty of bi-racial people who passed themselves off as white. That is how many of them escaped to the north during slavery. These same half black people went on to marry white people and lived their lives as white men and women. This means that many whites who think they are completely white are actually of African American heritage.

One recent case I noticed is Victoria Rowell from the Young and the Restless. Victoria is bi-racial and looks black. Her daughter Maya father is white and she looks white. She could easily pass for white if she chose to. (I attached a link to a photo of them).

Carol Channing admitted that she's half black a few years ago, but lived in Hollywood most of her life as a white woman. If she went to her grave without revealing that secret, no one would have guessed that she was bi-racial. She kept silent for all these years because she knew it would kill her career if white americans knew the truth.

Answer 5

Being half black and half white, I'm very proud of telling people, when asked, that I'm a halfie.

Moving on, I feel that your environment or the way you were raised may have a lot to do with what heritage you most identify with. For example, my sisters and I were raised in an all-white community and attended an all-white school. Nowadays, when we go to visit our mixed cousins who were raised in a diverse community and attended a diverse school, we're called "white". I thusly assume they say this because our actions are so contrasted with theirs . . . language choice, mannerisms and other factors. Naturally, my sisters and I identify more with the white side of us and our cousins more identify with the black side of them, all based on environment---it's all what we're accustomed to.

By no means am I saying that I'm better than my cousins or they're better than me . . . all I'm saying is that your identity will probably be more closely related to the way you were raised.

Answer 6

Sure! But it depends on which gene takes over the gene pool. Some biracials (half black and half white) may look light brown, dark brown, black or even white. I know a guy who is half black half white and he looks completely white. You wouldn't even notice that he was half black.

Answer 7

They call themselves black because of the One Drop Rule. A person who is black/white is mulatto. A mulatto may have roots in both those worlds but they are a new world of their own. The mulatto world. A mulatto can probably say they are white if they look white [some have passed before] and some can say they are black if they look black, but they are mulattoes.

Answer 8

I think a biracial person is NEITHER white nor black alone. They are nothing else but half white and half black. People who go about calling themselves black when they are half white are insecure and half some issue with self acceptance. Conforming to the ridiculously stupid 'one drop rule' doesnt help matters either.
My aunt is married to a white guy and they have two kids who are biracial- not white, not black but of BOTH races.

edit: I only speak the truth, so to those who are busy dishing out the thumbsdown, you must not like the truth! The truth does set you free, ya know lol

Answer 9

It depends. When I tell white people I am half white,(Spanish-European), they believe me because I exhibit those features. One of my only mixed black features is my olive skin and my hair.

I guess it really depends. I've met some biracial people in my Diversity Club at school and I didn't believe them when they said that they were biracial. They either looked really black, or really white.

It depends on how those traits exhibit themselves really. Biracial people will always have troubles because it's hard for people to accept them as both. We will always be pulled to one side or another.

Answer 10

According to my biracial friend and also historically in this country biracial children gained full acceptance among Blacks, unlike from the white side of the family. I think that is changing. However, they always will need to qualify that they still understand that half of them is Black. Because our issues with race in this country make it necessary to let Black ppl know that you are NOT EVER trying to pull some white supremecy BS. That's just the fact - they will take your black card and call you Bryant Gumble.