Black In America . . . Biracial and proud!

"The biracial person personifies the breaking down of racial barriers that so many fought and died for in the civil rights movement." - Grace Gibson (daughter of actress Lynn Whitfield)

Watching the CNN Special Black In America and reading the countless online comments and blogspots, I ran across this one from Grace Gibson, the biracial daughter of Emmy winning actress Lynn Whitfield.

What was interesting to me was the statement quoted above that being biracial is the "personification" of the break down of racial barriers. Hmm. that's strange? I'm pretty certain that at one time being biracial was the evidence of the degrading seperation of the black family. Massa's hands in the cookie jar so to speak. Now don't get me wrong. I have no issues with biracial people. I think it's a rather interesting life to live from two very different perspectives. . . all at the same time. However, I have not yet embraced the idea that being biracial is the "personification" of the dreams, struggles, trials and tribulations that the black race have endured to come as far as they have today. Simply put, being biracial is more significant to the person who is biracial than it is to our society.

Society has not shown the ability to decipher nor distinguish the difference between a black man and a biracial man. They are thrown into the same pot, one in the same, facing many of the same criticisms, ridicule, prejudices and barriers. Society doesn't see the blending of two races. Society's blinders do not permit them to embrace the dynamic cultural diaspora that is the union of two races. Society is far more shallow. Far more resilient to change and acceptance.

On one tangent, in some instances, whites and blacks alike shun the mixing of the races and outcast the offspring of their relationships. In other instances, fairer skinned individuals are placed on pedastals in the communities of the less powerful race of the biracial union for being blessed to look more like the majority is definitely bound to lead to greater opportunities.

Being biracial perhaps is more a reflection of inevitability. . .or at least, a personofication of the fact that we in the end are all God's creatures. To believe that it is the proof that longlasting barriers to entry and acceptance are crumbling before our eyes is farce. It is however to some the realization that despite the consistent efforts by the majority and powers that be to show we are not equal . . . the truth is, we are very much the same.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]