The Tragic Mulatto Myth Debunked: Holding Tight to All of Our Roots

Again, a self-identifying statement from a multi-racial person with Black heritage—which includes his or her various racial and ethnic heritages—is not automatically evidence of his or her desire to remove Blackness. It is completely acceptable for me to make the true statement that I love my Blackness. It is less acceptable to claim the same for my White or Japanese ancestries, which not only helped to shape the curl of my hair and the slant of my eyes, but also were essential in my cultural upbringing.

Why must an individual choose one identity from two parents whom they love? The math simply does not add up. Is this thinking partially a residual effect of the Untied States’ historic one-drop rule? Furthermore, is that rule an aspect of a greater ideology that we, as people of color, wish to support in its persistence?

Thoughts are very much appreciated and welcomed.

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