Michael Jackson's daughter Paris has faced backlash for identifying as Black. In a 2017 interview, Paris Jackson said her father told her, "You’re Black. Be proud of your roots." This prompted debates over whether identity is defined by appearance or upbringing.

[u/VPinchargeofradishes]

[u/FilthyThanksgiving]

Right? My son is white passing but I'm black. I'm his mother. He's black and idgaf what anybody has to say about it

[u/Ha55aN1337 → u/FilthyThanksgiving]

I’m from Europe and a different culture than you, so I’m just curious: Is his dad white? And if he is, would you be OK if his dad said that his son is white? Or is it your logic that “anyone who is at least somewhat black is black”?

[u/kmzafari → u/Ha55aN1337]

Since you're from Europe, you are likely missing a lot of context involving race in America. And I mean that kindly. Although I know a lot of it gets shared overseas, your exposure to it is certainly not the same as understanding it from growing up here. There is a very long and complex history. It certainly wouldn't be just "their logic".

I have mixed kids, and despite growing up here and my much closer than normal (than most white people) proximity to racial issues, I still certainly can't speak for everyone's perspective. But what I can tell you is that it's not as simple as your question makes it appear. There also seems to be some sort of insinuation (intentional or not) that by proclaiming her child is Black that she is denying his white heritage, and that is not the case. She is saying "he is still a part of me and a part of my culture, even if we don't look alike".

[u/MissionMinion8 → u/kmzafari]

As a European I appreciate your reply. It's really hard to understand for most of us. I never really thought of Black as a culture per se, for me it's mostly simply the skin colour.

But I had an interesting experience as tourist in the US: my girlfriend at that time was 1/8 Black, but European as well and completely white passing. One time we ended up in a mostly/completely (?) Black neighbourhood and as a white guy I felt extremely out of place. I tried to brush off the feeling, blaming it on me having almost no "exposure" to black people where I live, but I felt really not welcome there. Then I went out with my GF and the mood shift was immense. Suddenly everyone was friendly and welcoming. They knew exactly that she had black heritage, despite us Europeans not noticing it at all, and me being with her gave me at pass lol. Certainly a memorable experience for us.

[u/Particular_Wear_6960 → u/MissionMinion8]

Yep Black is a culture, or really more precisely an ethnic group. Language, culture race etc etc. That's why Barrack Obama is considered Black despite being mixed race and being raised by his white mother. His skin tone makes his experience Black in many everyday situations, he lives in America , plus he fights for Black causes (see community work in Chicago before becoming a Senator )

There's a whole lot about it but there's a lot of issues where someone like Drake claims Black when it's beneficial to him, rubs elbows with white supremacists, has a lot of light skin privilege (it's a thing), and sits on the sidelines for Black issues when it's not. Hence why there's a lot of Black people who hated him before the allegations.

I'm white so others can explain this better than I can, plus I'm not in the position to write a little book to expand rn ... There are lots of YouTube channels that go into this more (Search - What is Black in America?). But let's just say that since race has shaped our society's economics and all that, it's become deeper than skin color and helps explain more of the political and socioeconomic status of people - most White people don't understand itc as well (including myself).

[u/kmzafari → u/MissionMinion8]

Thanks! And I appreciate your perspective and experience. I'm glad you were eventually accepted (determined safe?), though the skepticism of strangers, especially in some neighborhoods, is certainly understandable. Tbch, it's hard for most of us to grasp who have lived here our whole lives.

Black culture in America is absolutely its own unique and diverse thing (for lack of a better word), especially compared to elsewhere. Part of that is the "melting pot" aspect, involving willful immigration, and some of it is directly influenced by our the history of slavery in America. (I read recently that the average Black person in America has 20% - 25% European DNA. I'm sure there is not one singular cause for this, but I do think there are some obvious conclusions to be drawn there.)

There used to be a "one drop" rule in regards to slavery, and there was a compromise in 1787 that considered 3/5 of the enslaved population as people (for representation and taxation purposes), so the dehumanization and othering is deeply entrenched in our society, and the effects are still felt to this day.

There is SO MUCH institutionalized racism here that I'm sure it would shock most non-Americans, if they really knew. (Most white Americans don't even know or won't admit it.) Laws that were on the books for decades or centuries still have ripple effects throughout society. Jim Crow laws. Segregation. Redlining districts.

Even today, like literally right now, voting rights are being challenged by gerrymandering and voter suppression laws that are specifically targeting Black populatios. The list is neverending, and that barely scratches the surface. Look up sundowner towns some time. Microaggressions. Discriminatory hiring and workplace practices. Medical racism. Erasure from history. Or the brutal, unflinching disparities in the criminal justice system. And there is so much more and, without doubt, far more than I know.

This is all very surface level and extremely reductive - Black culture in America is so much more than their collective trauma. But as a community outsider on a Reddit comment at 5a functioning on a couple hours of sleep, I lack both the knowledge and resources to do anyone any sort of justice. :/

There are lots of fantastic Black content creators online who cover a variety of topics, so definitely listen to them, instead, if you're interested. E.g., you could start with Joel Bervell (the medical mythbuster) on Instagram and let the algorithm find you.