Young and Mixed in America: Which Box To Check?

The growing population of multi-racial people.

Being of mixed race heritage in American has its positives and negatives, it can be a blessing and a curse all at once. One would have to be from another planet not to acknowledge that part of President Obama’s problems stem from the fact that he’s considered African American. It’s further proof that even though his mother is white, anytime one has black blood coursing through their veins they are considered black by society, regardless of their appearance.

I’m considered black because my mother and father are deemed black, although my dad’s mom is biracial. I never had the chance to meet my grandmother's mother – my great grandmother, who was a white woman- with my great grandfather being a black man. It was shocking to say the least upon seeing her photos and learning a part of my hidden heritage. Then it all made sense as to why my grandmother (my dad's mom) had pale skin and long flowing hair.

Upon filling out applications and census forms, which box does one choose? I've been blessed to have two bright and wonderful biracial children that mean the world to me. I was disturbed when my 10-year old son came home and told me he was filling out a form, then he asked the teacher which box should I check for my race? The teacher told him to check black. My wife always checks both boxes when filling out forms for our children. It bothered me to the point that I wanted to know who this teacher was. It turned out that the teacher was herself, black. My only recourse was to get the principal on the phone to at least have some kind of dialogue about the matter.

America is changing to the point where we need to examine things so simple as application and census forms, because the dirty little secret of 'if you check both they’ll just put it down as you’re white’ will persist. In 2012, why this hasn’t been changed nationwide is appalling. America is really a melting pot with different cultures, but in the future there will be a whole class of light brown people identifying with mixed raced heritages with no end in sight. It’s safe to say that the elephant in the room which is race will continue to be watercooler conversation for years to come.

Read more: http://socyberty.com/ethnicity/young-and-mixed-in-america-which-box-to-check/#ixzz1oCmxvnx7