[Michele M.]

Another follow-up question to the above: Is racial identity necessary? I know that I am Caucasian/White, for example, based on criteria established, but I certainly don’t ‘identify’ in any way by that. I identify with certain cultural characteristics of the Irish or the Swiss, perhaps, but they are one of but many groups that are considered ‘white.’ I gain more identity from my religion, from the part of the country that I am from, from my hobbies/activities and from my career choice. I understand that some would argue that this is ‘white privilege,’ but isn’t identification based on individual characteristics preferable? Or are there those who cling to racial identities for a reason?

User Detail :  

Name : Michele M., Gender : F, Religion : Catholic, Age : 31, City : San Francisco, State : CA, Country : United States, Occupation : EEO Programs Manager, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, 

[Michele M.]

‘They.’ ‘White People are, do, think…’ The statements and the thoughts behind them deny the existence of individual perceptions, individual experiences and individual oppressions. Any time a generalized statement is made about a group of people based on their race, it is inherently racist. In this case, many of the statements above demonstrate racism against Caucasians. To assume that ‘white people’ know nothing about oppression individually or historically is to ignore historic realities and is ultimately no more helpful or no more accurate than those who would deny that the Holocaust occurred. The reality is that we do not have ‘White Day’ celebrations because most ‘white people’ do not identify with being white. They may identify with being Irish and go to the St. Patrick’s Day celebration, etc. For the same reason, I would guess, we don’t have ‘Asian Day’ celebrations. We have more specific commemorations of individual achievements or events, like the Cherry Blossom festival (Japanese) or the Chinese New Year’s parade. African Americans mostly are avoiding labeling events ‘black events,’ and rightly so, for Juneteenth or Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday celebrations are more specific and thus more accurate than a simple race identifiation. As for ‘Black History month’ and ‘Women’s History Month’ etc., I think they are regretful, for while they appear to celebrate, they in fact recognize the perception that certain groups are excluded from ‘mainstream’ history.

User Detail :  

Name : Michele M., Gender : F, Religion : Catholic, Age : 31, City : San Francisco, State : CA, Country : United States, Occupation : EEO Programs Manager, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, 

[Michele M.]

As a follow-up question to the original, I am curious about Caucasian women who have raised interracial children by African-American/black men. Has the race question negatively affected your relationships with your children? In San Francisco, race seems defining for many African Americans. My curiosity was fueled recently by a problem faced by an African-American female friend who reported that her three children, all in their early 20s, are very angry at her and her (also black) husband for not ‘raising them more black.’ I wonder, were I to have children in the future with my boyfriend, who is black, whether this would be a barrier or an issue. I know that parental influence is key, but societal influences also create challenges, and I am curious how you met them.

User Detail :  

Name : Michele M., Gender : F, Religion : Catholic, Age : 31, City : San Francisco, State : CA, Country : United States, Occupation : EEO Programs Manager, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, 

[Author]

Posts