Tired of The Tragic Mulatto Cop-Out

February 4th, 2011 - By TheEditor

In the January 29 issue of the New York Times, I was met with the news that the biracial and multiracial classes are still as confused about their identify as they’ve always been. The self-indulgent 2.0 version of “Imitation of Life” reared its ugly head for the gazillionth time in a four page spread where mixed race kids (again) lamented their victimhood and difficulty belonging.

In this article, one young man who was half Ghanaian and half Scottish bemoaned how his grandmother on his Scottish side dressed him in kilts and his grandmother on his Ghanaian side dressed him in dashikis. Tragic. I’m sure the introduction to two very rich cultures by adoring grandparents was internalized unfavorably by the already befuddled and blended creature.   The poor young lad probably headed off to therapy the very next week.

For too long, African Americans have allowed biracial and multiracial members of our community far too much latitude. This is due in large part to biracial tales of woe and other tragic mulatto-isms. Enough already. A cloud does not put out the sun and adding white to color just creates lighter color. If you have a black mother and a white father, then you are of course, less black than your mother, but you’re not white.  You are a watered down version of black. Feel better now?

In these tragic mulatto debates, the topic that is all too often skimmed over is the goal of starting biracial clubs like the ones mentioned in the NYT piece.  Why do they have an unyielding desire to isolate themselves from the broader African American spectrum? It seems that even mixed race people know that they aren’t quite white (enough),so they trot on over to the middle and settle for biracial and multiracial clubs in an effort to further distance themselves from their darker brothers and sisters. This is the only conclusion I can reach since I know first-hand that having lighter skin isn’t enough of an encumbrance to require a support group (and I doubt curlier hair is either).

Tags:

, , , , , , ,
More from StyleBlazer
More from MommyNoire

Comment Disclaimer

Comments that contain profane or derogatory language, video links or exceed 200 words will require approval by a moderator before appearing in the comment section. XOXO-MN

← Older Comments

  • Pingback: Devil, Get Thee Behind Me: the Production of Stockholm Syndrome in the Biracial and Lightskinned | uncle tom @ the prom

  • Pingback: Why I am no longer Black. (or, black racism is getting me angry) - Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Conservatives, Liberals, Third Parties, Left-Wing, Right-Wing, Congress, President - Page 110 - City-Data Forum

  • Pingback: Introducing the “Bloguement” (Conservative vs Liberal) « Conservative Calmversation

  • http://www.facebook.com/tmceachin1 Talitha McEachin

    Wow! Very well written & superb. I actually agree with the writer. All of the moaning & groaning needs to cease.

  • Jen

    This article makes me sad. People like talking to people who have similar experiences and interests to them. That is why there are sci-fi clubs and literary clubs and Asian clubs and French conversation clubs. You don’t need to be in pain to have the right to start a club.

    People who have one black parent and one white parent are just as white as they are black. They are not “watered-down” black, nor are they darkened-up white. Both ideas reek of the notorious “one-drop rule” of Jim Crow south and deny the worth of parents and heritage. People are people, and they cannot be shoehorned into constricting and obsolete archetypes just because it’s easier for others.

  • tai

    This article makes no sense and it makes you sound ignorant. Please, next time actually think about what you are writing before you post it online.

  • Ware939

    As a bi racial man my mother being white and my father black I have had trouble fitting in in either culture and have chosen to just be proud of my culture which is niether black or white,we are americas forgotten and no one really knows who we are most of us dont even know who we are due to that very sad fact most of us have had to pick sides and are still unhappy with our lives.

  • Metalheadmulatto

    What about Mulatto sovereignty: Why on earth wouldn’t a Mulatto just naturally want to only associate with, breed with, and become a collective force with the all mighty Negro? Of course the Negro supersedes the Mulatto in looks, mannerisms, and a general overall well being. Of course, why would us café au lait, light brown, sharply featured cretins want to only mix with ourselves? Gosh, I don’t know. But it seems to me that on all the list servs and comm. Boards Mulattos only want to mix with each other. Hmm, is that a crime? Especially when we live in a 98% homogenous racial society. I didn’t know that only wanting to mix with a similar phenotype equated to wanting to be white. However, I have come to realize that it’s almost every negroids defense when Mulattos, especially Mulattas, don’t want anything to do with them. Many say “mixed up Mulattos”. No more than any monoracial persons. It looks to me that the writer is a MGM and extremely mixed up. To the writer; One question? How does it feel to be the uncle tom/mes to the ugliest, uneducated, unintelligent, hedonistic seeking race in the world?

  • metalheadmulatto

    Hmm, interesting analogy isn’t it? And let’s see why would obvious “confused” and “deranged” Mulattos want anything more than to be black. Seriously? Well let’s look at the extremely high crime rate, or no wait, the extremely high illegitimacy rates, or hmmm, the overall presentation of self by many a “homeboy” or “homegirl”. But I digress, let’s look at science; the average person with predominately African heritage is running, on average, a 70 i.q. For those of you that don’t know where that falls on the grid of intelligence, it is moderate mental retardation. Well as indicated prior I could go on and on about how monoracial “blacks” can’t seem to get their act together, but then everyone on the planet knows this so in essence, it’s a moot point.

  • Metalheadmulatto

    Gawd I love these types of articles….After reading this article and, quite frankly, trying to keep a straight face, I came to the realization that these are actually the thoughts or musings of a real person, and this was not taken from one of the many substandard “African-American” comedy shows. The author (I use that term lightly) stated “Why do they have an unyielding desire to isolate themselves from the broader African American spectrum?” and then goes on to pursue one of the most farcical arguments this side of the Millennium: Oh, it must be because Mulattos want to be WHITE.

  • Mixed & PROUD!!!

    If that is the case of what you're saying with the black community having issues, then why are biracials to just say that they are only black then? Wouldn't that fuel the fire that much more? With what you're saying, it seems as though biracials wouldn't be anymore accepted into the black community, no more than the white, then? So on that basis, how does it benefit them to claim solely black race?

    Then you have blacks like the author, who resent it when we don't claim ourselves to be solely black! So on that basis, seems like we're damned if we do and we're damned if we don't! …There's no way we can ever win with that argument!!

    …This is why we should be free to identify as how we see fit without any comments from the 'African American peanut gallery'…because they are the ones who are crying and whining the loudest! I don't hear anything from the whites on this issue–All of the whites I've met accept me as mixed, because that is what I am…some don't even realize I'm part black, unless I tell them! …And don't tell me that they wouldn't accept me, cause they already do…so what the ignorant Ass Wipes gonna say about that one??? …I love it when black folks try to speak for white folks!!! lol :) …And I ain't tryin' to be white either….I'm Hispanic of mixed race AND PROUD OF IT…Ain't no shame in my game!!! …I'm mixed and beautiful….not some boring monoracial…

    If blacks can yell at the top of their mountain tops "I'm black and I'm proud" then I can damn sure yell out the same "I'm Mixed and I'm Proud!!!" …I wouldn't want it any other way!!! :) I probably pissed off some folks…but guess what? …I DON'T GIVE A F****!!!! lol :)

  • Sparkle

    I know there's so much focus on being mixed or black because there is still the overwhelming fact that black people are still getting their asses kicked, all over the world (as Mr. Fishburne said in School Daze). It's natural for anyone not to completely identity with a group of people that can't seem to get to that ever-mythical even playing field, esp. when they have a physical difference that would allow them to take advantage of ethnic duality/plurality. But, the braver thing would be and is to stand up and add to the number Africans and African Americans, and show these idiots that white ain't necessarily right, and we as a people will not be coaxed into passing any more!

  • Aida

    I read that article, and I liked it actually. Many of those individuals WERE NOT mulatto. This is wrong in so many ways:

    "For too long, African Americans have allowed biracial and multiracial members of our community far too much latitude. This is due in large part to biracial tales of woe and other tragic mulatto-isms. Enough already."

    Technically, the same could be said for African Americans who complain about being disadvantaged, lack of opportunities, discrimination, etc..couldn't it? Everybody from every racial and ethnic group complains! Everybody has their own personal struggle, and they are all valid in their own ways

    "In these tragic mulatto debates, the topic that is all too often skimmed over is the goal of starting biracial clubs like the ones mentioned in the NYT piece. Why do they have an unyielding desire to isolate themselves from the broader African American spectrum?"

    Likewise, same could be said of Black networks, law groups, organizations, student groups, leadership councils, the negro caucus, NAACP and countless others..why feel the need to separate yourself from America, in general? The same reason mixed people do, because your heritage, culture, background and life experience may be different, for fellowship, to be with ppl like yourself..I thought that would be common sense. Your argument here is not at all valid. And the skin color thing and mention of curly hair is so irrelevant, clearly that is something you take issue with personally, because multicultural or mixed doesn't at all mean light skinned, or curly hair, mixed ppl come in countless shades with countless hair textures

    "For as long as I can remember, checking the “multiracial” box has been the opt-out button for black people, providing biracials with a quick escape hatch once they no longer wish to be burdened with the baggage of blackness."

    Most forms STILL dont have a "two or more races" box and still require you to check only one, so this is also wrong

    "Yet we’ve all been complicit in allowing the biracial group to run away under the guise of freedom. But if those wishing to separate themselves weren’t so busy chasing whiteness and white culture.."

    This too is WRONG, ugh, mixed race, biracial, multiracial, multicultural, whichever way you swing it DOES NOT MEAN YOU ARE MIXED WITH WHITE! You could be Latin/Hispanic, Asian, Pacific-Islander, Eskimo and countless other races, mulatto is traditionally considered mixed with white and that is ONE segment of multiculturalism, which is what the NYT article is about, clearly this is another personal issue..if youre writing about that article, write about that, if this is personal, be honest, and say so!

    "Yet we’ve all been complicit in allowing the biracial group to run away under the guise of freedom."

    And who are we to decide how someone should identify? So arrogant

  • winoceros

    See, most of America could care less what color Obama is. They vote for him or not because of party, or issues. Only shallow, insipid people vote for him due to race. That's what disgusts when one sees a 95% plus black Obama vote. Really? Skin color? That's what matters to them?

    Whites don't "claim" people as white. Only blacks seem occupied with the codification of their melatonin and hair genes. They only reason whites ever cared was the surprised white daddy with a black mailman upon seeing his newborn for the first time.

    Get over it. If you envy blacks with white background because they seem "preferred" you have only yourself to blame. Stop qualifying them as "better" and they won't be.

  • http://nntr.us michigan

    the writer is 100% correct, historically the emergence of mixed race/biracial people recognized as a group has ALWAYS benefitted whites and has been detrimental to blacks in the society. whites use "buffer" groups whenever possible, and now that european whites cannot "restock" themselves in majority numbers, they are acknowledged and the mixed race always support the white society over the black one. the one emerging now in the US is no different, even worse because they are so completely self absorbed and ignorant of the role they play historically. the opposite of tragic mulatto, they thing think they are the golden children. the emergence of a multiracial identity means nothing more that whites preserving their elite status.

← Older Comments