Obama, the white president

[Rapscallion]

I figured that title would grab your attention. I've been thinking about the massive amount of coverage about Obama being the first black president of the USA.

His father was Kenyan, his mother Caucasian. Based on that, isn't there just as much grounds for defining him as white as there is as black?

Discuss.

Rapscallion

[The Shadow]

His father was Kenyan, his mother Caucasian. Based on that, isn't there just as much grounds for defining him as white as there is as black?

I'm not sure but legally speaking there might not be. I seem to recall there was a time in the U.S when anyone with even some black ancestry in their family was legally considered black. Mulattos certainly were. Apparently it didn't matter how fair your skin was or what your hair was like, you were legally black. Granted, I think this has its origins in the days when laws about racial miscegnation were on the books and interracial marrige was illegal so I don't know if it's still around today -- and arguably irrelevant even if it is.

[Bloodsoul]

Well, then, wouldn't that just make Obama grey?

[MadMike]

We saw a comedian on the cruise ship, who briefly went into a discussion about politics, and how some people didn't like the idea of us having a black president. He went on to point out that Obama is half white, so "just vote for the half you like."

[Soapydog]

Bi-racial is the way I see it. Well, America is so hung up on black v white, it's no wonder he's considered "black". Speaking as a 'white' American with black relatives.

[Sylvia727]

I forget the numbers, but down to a certain percentage one is legally considered both. One of my friends can check "white", "black", "Hispanic", and "Native American" on any official form. She doesn't describe herself as any one race, but as mulatto (or "all of the above" if she's feeling silly). However, if she wanted to, I believe she could check only one and describe herself as that.

I suppose, since white is the predominant race in the USA and has been since her founding, that it's considered a "neutral". There's nothing special about being white; not that I think like this,but I believe that's where most people come from. Besides, when he's shown on a magazine cover with a black wife and two black daughters, who's really going to consider degrees of tone, and who's going to just fill in the blanks?

[Rapscallion]

The main reason I started this thread is because of how he's from a 50/50 mix, yet he's always described as being black. What I more despair about now is that his colour is noticed.

Rapscallion

[Slytovhand]

Ah Raps.. this one falls quite nicely into the discussion about him getting elected in the first place, any by whom and why they voted for him. Would he have had as many votes if he was 'white'?? I think not (but that's for the other thread...)


Ah, can't wait for the day when we have our first non-human World President

[BlaqueKatt]

What I more despair about now is that his colour is noticed.

I feel the same and voiced that opinion in another thread on here and was told by almost everyone I was wrong.

I feel if the only way he's remembered in history is by his skin color and not his actions-he will be in my opinion a failure as president.

[Greenday]

Why do people consider him black? Because he looks black. Pretty simple really.

[Rapscallion]

He has the same credentials for being called white - one of his parents is (I assume she still lives) white.

Rapscallion

[Greenday]

But he LOOKS black. Appearance is all that matters to people.

[anriana]

But he LOOKS black. Appearance is all that matters to people.

He looks like a very typical black/white biracial person to me.

[Greenday]

All I know is, he doesn't look 100% white, and to a lot of people, that means he's not white at all.

[AdminAssistant]

He has the same credentials for being called white - one of his parents is (I assume she still lives) white.

His (white) mother died some years ago from cancer.