Bi-racial or mixed race...?

[bliss_eternal]

Which term do you prefer or feel is most appropriate? Do you find either time offensive? If so (or if not), why?

Here's a thread that got into this issue some what. I've waited patiently for it to reach the archives so I could share it here:P
I was actually surprised by some of the comments that were posted, as well as the lack of awareness of the issue.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2510456&mesg_id=2510511

(Click view all to see the context in which this discussion came up).

Have a great weekend!
bliss :hi:

[Generic Brad]

1. I prefer "people"

Forget nationalities, ethnicities, accents, races, etc. We're all just people. I feel that emphasizing our differences leads to stereotypes and divisions. My preference is to focus on our commonalities.

I get disgusted with people who are incapable of referencing my wife and children without bringing up race. Whenever I hear comments like "Bob and his black wife", or "Josie and her Chinese husband", or "Tim and his little African children" my hackles get raised. Same race and same nationality couples do not get labeled in a similar manner.

[bliss_eternal]

2. Excellent response, Generic Brad...!

Color me impressed!

Sadly, our nation can't seem to get past color, race, and putting people in "little boxes." (sigh) I hate it.
I try to do my part in terms of NOT describing people this way, and refusing (in some cases) to identify myself based on race, color, etc. At the same time, defending the rights of those to be identified however they choose to be.

But honestly, sometimes I feel I'm fighting a battle all by myself. :( That just sucks.

:hi: Hope to see more of you here!

[Brewman_Jax]

3. Since race is still important in the US

I'd just as soon say "not-white" and be done with it.

I found the article by Robert Jensen, another anti-racism author in the same style as Tim Wise, where he descibes "white" as default in this article found at http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/%7Erjensen/freelance/whitepeoplesburden.htm

[bliss_eternal]

4. I really like this response...

"non-white." When I'm feeling particularly defiant, and I go to a new doctor or other professional--I tend to check other or nothing at all. Just being contrary I guess. :P

[Karenina]

5. Hey, Bliss!

Did I ever tell you the story about my little "Mr. Spock?" (I call him WD - wired differently). We were in the grocery store, he was about 6 and a woman approached remarking to me, "He's just so cute! Is he mixed?" Don't ask me where his response came from, I never had an issue with it and disclaim ALL RESPONSIBILITY. Kid unit BRISTLED, turned to her and said "My dear woman. I am not a breed of dog. I am a BI-RACIAL CHILD."

[bliss_eternal]

6. I can't believe I'm only now seeing this...!

Bravo to your little one!

:applause:

:rofl: He sounds nothing short of brilliant!

[IronLionZion]

7. Race is a fictional idea, culture is real

people can be multi-cultural. If you have any doubts as to the existence of race, try describing to me the physical characteristics of a Hispanic and why a black Dominican is Hispanic and a black Haitian is not. While you're doing that I can show you several "white" people who are darker than Colin and Michael Powell, who are "black".

There really is only one race, the human race. But of course there are different cultures, traditions, attitudes, values, etc. based on how we were raised, not on the color of our skin. In my experience with online dating, I have experienced a hell of a lot more negative racism from ethnic women, particularly of my own race (East Indian), than from white women. The ethnic women I've encountered seem to think that the "ideal man" is a white man and I'll admit there was a time when I felt that way about white women.

My current girlfriend is Hmong (southeast asian nomadic group that doesn't have their own country) and we've been together 2 months. It's going very well but we'll see what happens now that I will probably have to move 1100 miles away for work.

[bliss_eternal]

8. Oh, I hope...

....your relationship doesn't suffer, IronLionZion. Do keep us posted. :hi:

[KitchenWitch]

9. I always choose other and write in Human

[PunkinPi]

10. Me too, KW. :)

[JustAnotherGen]

11. Neither

I prefer multi-racial. Black/White/Native Seriously.

Why it's important? Medical Forms. They've just put on the news that black women are more susceptible to one of the worst types of breast cancer. I want that mammogram now - kwim? I also learned that certain European Ethnic groups are more susceptible to Celiac Disease. Maaan - when I went to to the tummy doctor and she saw my multi-races - and dug deeper . . . she went right to seeing how flat my insides were.

It doesn't matter and I don't place it anywhere. . . except for medical forms. There's no shame in telling a physician who is trying to heal you want your ethnic background is if it helps them to diagnose you.

[jmm]

12. I agree

I work for a lab and we frequently run into problems because the ethnicity of a patient isn't documented correctly. Most importantly like you referred to it can cause problems for our accounts when they're trying to determine what tests to order but also it can lead to billing problems. Even if necessary tests are being ordered for you if your health care provider doesn't provide you ethnicity for certain test then there's an excellent chance your insurance will refuse to pay for it because they can't justify that it's necessary.

[BklynChick]

13. my daughter prefers biracial