Can I identify as black even though I'm biracial?

Question

So I'm mixed race but I feel uncomfortable claiming my Caucasian heritage because I feel that's not what society sees me like. They don't look at me and think, "oh, he's half white", they just see me as a black person.

So can I identify as black even though I have more non-black ancestry?

Answer 1

Try to find someone who cares about your race.... I'll wait.

Answer 2

Sure.

Answer 3

Yes

Answer 4

Whatever floats your boat man.

Answer 5

Sure. Tradition says you're Black, even if you had 1 African ancestor, 16 generations ago. (cf Mark Twain, Pudd'nhead Wilson).

Answer 6

Is society a god? do whatever you want babe!

Answer 7

Why are u asking non mixed people this question?

Answer 8

You can identify as black even though you're biracial if you also identify as a democrat.

But if you identify as a Republican your racial identity is irrelevant.

Answer 9

Sure but I don't understand why you would want to deny half your ancestry.

Answer 10

You can identify as whatever you want to. Claim to be Black even if you aren't. Who is going to challenge you?

Answer 11

You can identify yourself however you want. But please please please, don't base your identity on how other people see you. Doing that for any part of your identity is disloyal to yourself. Only you can decide who you are, and if they can't see you for your beauty because all they can see is the shade of your skin, then they are the ones missing out.

Answer 12

"Identifying" is such bull ****. Anyone can "identify" as anything. I can "identify" as Scandinavian, even though I've never been to Europe. You are what you are.

Answer 13

Don’t worry about society. Love yourself- be/ say what makes you comfortable

Answer 14

if logic can do it, you can do it

Answer 15

Worked for Obama, didn't it?

Answer 16

I know a lot of White people who are not all White, and it doesn't matter to me. You don't need my permission how to identify yourself, and be aware that the perception or opinion of others is out of your control.

Answer 17

Yes you can.

Answer 18

Don't identify yourself superficially / based on skin color. Leave race out of it.

What are you on the inside? An artist, writer, athlete, musician, priest, doctor,

Farmer, etc who you are is what makes you want to get up in the morning and

Do all day. People know you be the work you do. Skin color should be discarded.

We are all a mix of DNA, I'm part Irish, French, German, English, Scottish and maybe Viking. As Vikings invaded all these countries and raped millions of women. I haven't

Done a DNA test yet. But most are a mix of several races or countries. Not all

Whites are alike and not all blacks are alike. There are black aborigines in Australia

And different tribes of blacks in Africa and many slaves went to Europe and mixed

With other whites. It's not a black vs white world. It's many shades of brown and

Subtle shades of white. Northern whites are more white than southern whites due

To more time spent out doors. Humans adapt to location and climates in these areas.

Answer 19

Try identifying as a human being!

Answer 20

President Obama does, why not you?

Answer 21

sure.

Answer 22

quite honestly, i don't think labels should really exist. you're a person and i am a person. nothing to actually do with race.. that's just what society is like nowadays, we all "need" labels. Its stupid, don't worry about it. Like i said, you're a person and i'm a person.

Answer 23

sure

Answer 24

Yes, you can!

Answer 25

Yes, it worked for Obama.

Answer 26

Hate to break it to you, friend, but no one gives a $hit what your 'race' is. Hell, I've been claiming a different 'race' on every form I've filled out for the last 30 years and I dare anyone to question the validity of my claim. There is only ONE race.

Answer 27

All mixed black/white people seem to call themselves black. It would be nice if one of you actually identified as white for a change.

Answer 28

"society won't let you

Answer 29

What's to stop you? Liberal identity politics have gone so far 'round the bend that a man is identifying as woman and running as such for public office. So, go ahead if you'd like . . . heck, Trump can identify as black if he wants too as well.



Labour Allows Bearded Man to Stand For Woman-Only Role Because He ‘Identifies’ as Female Once a Week

http://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/05/23/labour-allows-bearded-man-stand-woman-identifies-female-once-week/

Answer 30

Why not just identify as a human being and don't worry, in reality we are all the same race, the same species the human race. they merely use race and identity politics to divide us peasants against each other, while the ruling class remains united against us



The Lie We Live

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNVZ0ZPfE8s

Answer 31

Ofc! I'm Mexican-Colombian, yet I classify as a Colombian because I look more Colombian and gre up with more of the culture. Whatever floats your boat.

Answer 32

yes you can

Answer 33

Yes, you can...

Answer 34

i think so

Answer 35

It worked for Obama.

Answer 36

idk

Answer 37

Why not claim to be race fluid? Then you can have white privilege when it helps you, then switch to being a minority when it suites you better.

Answer 38

Why bother identifying yourself with a race in the first place? That's what Democrats love to do - group and divide people.

Answer 39

Yup you sure can! Everyone can identify as whatever they want! Just know no matter what you decide you will not satisfy everyone, but as long as one of the people satisfied is you that's all that matters.

Answer 40

Obama did.



And there's more advantage in identifying as black. So it's very pragmatic.



Note: Realistically, you don't chose your own identity (no one does). Identity emerges and evolves via a constant socialization process throughout your life.



You don't "choose" to identify as child and then change your mind and identify as an adult. These identities are a result of physical and hormonal changes to your body, combined with the way others treat you.

Answer 41

Why not, Obama did

Answer 42

Of course.



Many biracial people choose to identify as black, largely because of their appearances. Barack Obama is one. He certainly identifies as black. This is pretty common.



You get to choose. Other people do not get to choose FOR you.



However, there will be some difficult people who claim you are rejecting your white ancestry. It is therefore useful to head them off at the pass by taking some pains to talk about your white heritage often even as you are choosing to call yourself black.

Answer 43

It does not matter. Call yourself green and I will not care.

Answer 44

Yeah, sure. Why not? Do what you want.

Answer 45

Kaepernick does

Answer 46

That's your decision.

Answer 47

Sure.



Part-black is still black, at least for most people. Personally, I don't see an issue with saying that you're biracial, but would go with black if you honestly feel more black than white. In the end, if you say you're black and people ask you to clarify, I don't think they'll feel cheated if you clarify "biracial" afterwards.

Answer 48

you can identify as a fish if you like these days.. do what you want

Answer 49

Yes.

Answer 50

Race is a cultural delusion. Everyone is mixed. Phenotype and genotype, are terms you should look into. In order to embrace yourself. You will have to realize this truth. Still, all the ignorant people around you may (especially ignorant Americans) perceive you as "black." They may treat you a certain way due to that. But, that has nothing to do with who you actually are. You are a human being. Try not to perpetuate the concept of race. Race is an activity. Like a bike rider is a bicyclist, and a piano player is a pianist; a person who adheres to the concept of race, is a racist. No matter their phenotype.



I believe in you.

Answer 51

yes

Answer 52

Sure. See the U.S. census link. It's about self-identification. Pres. Obama is half white but identifies as black. He's deleted his white family who reared him.

Answer 53

I understand.



I'm a Cocker spaniel, who often pretends to be a German Shepard online, to keep the nazis from attacking me.

Answer 54

Of course. I'm surprised your parents haven't discussed this with you.

Answer 55

why does it matter to anyone but you.

Answer 56

ofc

Answer 57

You can but if i were biracial i would be happy to say im mixed because i wish i was!