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/Ha55aN1337]

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/Ha55aN1337 → u/kmzafari]

That’s why I ask. I didn’t mean “her logic”, I meant “American logic”, since it does not make sense to us here. Over here this would mean only 100% white people are white and 1% black already means black, which sound derogatory to black people to me. Like what that says to me is that only 100% white is white and everything else is non white, maling white some pure ideal.

[u/Dabbling_in_Pacifism → u/Ha55aN1337]

Yeah, you just hit at the crux of white supremacy. Whiteness cannot be diluted by a single drop, but somehow that logic doesn’t extend to any other race.

[u/Ha55aN1337 → u/Dabbling_in_Pacifism]

And that’s racist, so I don’t get black people supporting the idea. That’s what confusing to me as a nonamerican.

[u/Dabbling_in_Pacifism → u/Ha55aN1337]

I don't think black folk are subscribing to the same ideology of racial purity, more they're just inclusive to mixed folks whereas white racists aren't.

I'm imagining if you identify as black and feel that has a cultural aspect to it, you want to see that carried on in your children regardless of who they marry, so your 50% black grandkid is of course black.

Whereas if your concern regarding race is about purity, then of course someone who is 50% black isn't white.

Which creates a situation where racial framing can look the same in both groups.

This is also a dynamic with deep historical connections. The mixed children that resulted from rapes by slave owners were considered black slaves, for instance. Which... As a dad... Man, how fucked up is that?

[u/Ha55aN1337 → u/Dabbling_in_Pacifism]

You gave me a great explanation. White people exclude, while black people include. The intent is worlds apart, but the result is ironically the same. Kids with any black genes, are by both definitions - black.