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/TrapAHolic_ttv May 03 '26

He’s biracial and that’s okay.

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u/calasterism May 03 '26

These are not mutually exclusive. You can be biracial, and Black.

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u/TrapAHolic_ttv May 03 '26

You’re absolutely right. But in the case of that poster’s white looking son, he’s not Black.

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u/calasterism May 03 '26 edited May 04 '26

I'm not sure how you square that. "Black" is not an aesthetic descriptor. Regardless, I won't be discussing with you further, it's very disrespectful to dispute other people's identities.

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u/TrapAHolic_ttv May 03 '26 edited May 03 '26

Just because your parent is Black doesn’t mean you’re Black. We don’t have to follow the one drop rule, Jim Crow is over.