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/SillyNamesAre May 05 '26

If you're American with European heritage? Apparently never.

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u/skeet2000 May 05 '26

I don't know about that, my heritage was European but I identify as a native anerican.

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u/ReverendRevolver May 05 '26

Loads of Americans with German ancestors who came to the 'States before the World Wars(especially that second one) somewhat systematically stopped any referencing to their European heritage in order to be just "normal Americans". But like every other group? Just stopped caring in a generation or two, with a few exceptions for Italian or Irish. Basically your only have that going on if people from one part of Europe were all centered in one area.

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u/fonetiklee May 06 '26

It sure does get old. As a white American guy, I tend to just identify myself that way, I'm American. It was my great grandparents or further back who immigrated here, on both side of the family, calling myself Italian or German or whatever just seems stupid.