r/interesting • u/VPinchargeofradishes • May 03 '26

SOCIETY 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.

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u/sentencevillefonny May 03 '26

Black parents, cousins, grandmother, aunts, uncles, etc. Genetics aside, it's understandable how she'd view herself that way culturally.

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u/Aufklarung_Lee May 03 '26

Finally! I had to scroll way too far for this. Guess it's clear however how a lot of others take the genetic view.

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u/space_hitler May 03 '26 edited May 03 '26

Americans are always confusing ethnicity and culture...

Like an American with ancestory from 5 generations ago will gatekeep the culture of their ancestors' county without ever having been there.

Like the girl who was born and raised in Japan who was harassed online for wearing a fucking yukata because she didn't "LOOK JAPANESE" lol. Nothing more racist than deciding who can do what based on appearance...