Racial identity in my opinion is classified by how you look, feel and where you fit in. Is it right to acknowledge one race over another just because of their appearance? Is it acceptable for society to label you and classify your race based on the color of your skin? It is discrimination in societies form.
Your identity is important and you should not be pressured by society to pick and choose how you want to be identified.
I just think it’s very important for mixed people to acknowledge who they are. Or you end up with a lot of very confused people like Halle Berry and Paula Patton. Tries to be black but not quite there. Even worst they pass it on to their white looking children, trying to pass them for black. Setting them up for some big time confusion.
I can buy that Halle Berry looks black, but not really Paula.
“Is it acceptable for society to label you and classify your race based on the color of your skin?”
Excellent question. Different parts of society use racial classifications for different reasons.
Sociologists and anthropologists use ‘race’ as one component of their research – hopefully to improve ‘race’ relations.
Biologists classify all life into taxonomic groups based partially on phenotype in an attempt to understand all life by organizing and defining it.
Politicians use the ethnic concept of ‘race’ to pander to groups that are more likely to vote for them.
Civil rights activists use the social construct notion of ‘race’ to document discrimination in school, work and housing.
Schools classify children by the social construct version of ‘race’ to enforce the No Child Left Behind Law – hopefully raising the academic bar for all ‘races’.
Lawyers use the social construct idea of ‘race’ to prosecute hate crimes.
Wow, well stated! You really broke down societies play on race and classification. (:
I absolutely agree with you. Yet, sometimes I think there is a misuse of society classifying races. I feel like it further separates us. It’s almost like mentally we are separated. It is going to remain like that until we get to the point where we all are mixed and just the human race. It is really something to think about.
Amen sister. Many of us feel frustrated filling out the ‘race’ check boxes. I previously thought the ‘racial’ data was reinforcing the false notion of ‘race’ and that government had an agenda to segregate us. Now I can see both sides. In the past the ‘racial’ classifications were about segregation – but now lawyers use this ‘racial’ data to win law suites against companies and individuals. The NAACP is big on keeping the ‘racial’ check boxes for the purpose of documenting racism. Also, researchers have found that teachers suspend Black and Hispanic Latino Mexica from school for the same infraction where a White or Asian kid is not suspended. Before the No Child Left Behind ‘racial’ data there wasn’t the same type of documented research to prove this discrimination was real – and a serious issue. The justice departments also show serious discrimination by way of ‘racial’ data. Data is a double edged sword – it can be used for good or bad. We always hope our society uses it for good. History shows that doesn’t always happen though.
“Racial identity in my opinion is classified by how you look, feel and where you fit in.”
Yes. And also by how we act and dress – which is called ‘performing race’.
For example, people can be ‘white’ – regardless of phenotype by acting ‘white’ – which means by acting / dressing how most Europeans act and dress. And the same goes for acting and dressing like any ethnicity / culture. One can be that culture / ‘race’ by acting, dressing, speaking like that group. People born into or adopted into another culture, become that culture. Since biological ‘race’ is an abstract – ‘race’ has been transmuted into an amalgamation of culture and ethnicity.
I can understand your point. I believe that is where acting “white” and acting “black” comes it. It all depends on your environment and exposure to culture.
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There is obviously a bundle to identify about this. I feel you made some nice points in features also.
Thanks so much for your support and time
Identity and classification are two different things.
Since race is a social construct, how you identity is irrelevant from a sociological perspective. In other words, ‘identity’ is who YOU think you are and ‘race’ is who WE think you are. Everyone has a right to identify how they wish. However, we cannot choose (by ourselves) how we are perceived or classified.
As a consequence, many individuals use what is known as a ‘self-reflected appraisal’ for choosing an identity. In other words, they identify based on how they think others see them.
I definitely understand your point. Thank you for distinguishing the difference between identity and race. I can see where opinions form when it comes to personal identity.
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Thank you for taking time out to read my blog post.
Also- where does this graphic come from?
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