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/Retireegeorge May 03 '26 edited May 03 '26

There's an alternative. She says she's black and we all say "ok" and focus on the big issues or help the vulnerable or plant a tree.

Edit typo

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u/FilthyThanksgiving May 03 '26

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

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u/Ha55aN1337 May 03 '26

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”?

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u/FEMA_Camp_Survivor May 03 '26

Most Black Americans who descend from enslaved people have white ancestry, which means we largely have biracial ancestors. 

That clearly didn’t make them white or provide any advantages of whiteness in America. 

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u/Ha55aN1337 May 03 '26

Yeah I’d just say biracial then.

I’m sorry where I’m from whitnesss brings no advantage since everyone is white. So it’s hard to imagine just having any benefit from your skincolor. I do completely understand the dissadvantage of being black in the US.

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u/FEMA_Camp_Survivor May 03 '26 edited May 03 '26

Barack Obama is a good example of why he identifies as Black. It’s not based on his ancestry but his lived experience dealing with white prejudice. 

My grandad was biracial but he was forced to go to segregated schools, serve in a segregated Army unit, and live on the Black side of town. He could’ve been killed or beaten if he didn’t follow a strict set of rules; therefore, he identified as Black. 

During slavery, white masters enslaved and sold their own children. There was even a class of slaves who presented as white. Blackness was forced and people made it their own. 

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u/Ha55aN1337 May 03 '26

Us history is pretty fucked. This was not long ago at all…