On 'Self-Definition'


When finding myself speaking with Mixed-Race people 
who (in reaction to intimidation by pressure from the
`One-Droppist' – of all "racial" combinations – that
they have encountered – rather than out of some
personal choice) feel pressured to go through life
"passing as a `mono'-racial",  I try to share with them of
some of the following conclusions I have made about life.

These conclusions are as follows:

***To have the 'courage to acknowledge' one's
Ethnicity or Family Lineage as being Mixed-Race
IS NOT the same as "separating oneself from" or
"denying any part" of one's "Mono"-Racial lineages.

***To have the 'fortitude to proclaim' that one's
Mixed-Race heritage IS NOT about focusing on anything
as petty or divisive as `visible' skin coloring, hair texture,
facial features, etc. – NOR IS IT about any measurements
of `quantum' or `percentage' of "racial" mixtures.

***To have the `strength to hold onto' one's Mixed-Race
heritage IS actually about acknowledging the struggle that
your ancestors went through (against their volition)
and their survival -- against all odds -- made in
order to pave the way for you to exist.

***A Mixed-Race person can be so via their Culture
(such as Creoles and Latinos);via their Lineage
(such as people who are of a Multi-Generational
Multiracially-Mixed -– MGM-Mixed – lineage) ;
via their Parentage (such as people who are of
First-Generational Multiracially-Mixed -– FGM-Mixed –
parentage) – and via their Ethnicity (such as Arabs and
many of the members of the group that today is generally
referred to as `African-American') ------- and that all
of these Mixed-Race types can easily describe the
`unique social, cultural, racial blending' of individuals
and events `whose presence tells of the struggle
and championing of proud and strong people'.

***Every single Mixed-Race person  -- whether they
are Mixed-Race via their Culture; Lineage; Parentage
or Ethnicity --- has just as much a right to acknowledge
the Multi-RACIAL lineages within their heritage– as
does any Mixed-Race person – no matter their appearance;
features; experiences; upbringing or choice of `identity'.

*** Every single Mixed-Race person on earth has
the God-given right to choose their own individual
`identity' with which they feel most comfortable --
as, ones' personal acknowledgement, acceptance and
embracing of a matter is often a thousand times more
empowering than if the whole world also decided
to affirm what one already knows to be true.

Just a thought.

Have a great day.

Related Links:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Generation-Mixed/message/1402
http//groups.yahoo.com/group/Generation-Mixed/message/1400

                                                                            -- M (c)