Bi-Racial Kids-How to identify them?

[IrieArce]

I know that I’m about a month late on this subject, and you have already read or heard about it, but I still want to discuss it.

On the cover of Ebony magazine’s March issue, is Halle Berry. She caught some unnecessary heat because of how she chooses to identify her child’s race. When asked whether she considers Nahla to be black or multiracial, she responded by stating,

“That’s something she’s [Nahla] going to have to decide. I’m not going to put a label on it.”

She goes on to say that how Nahla identifies herself will have alot to do with how society sees her, “but I believe she’s black because I’m black and I’m her mother.”

To me, Halle’s responses are right on points. Parents of multiracial kids should not push their children to pick one side or the other. That’s something they have to choose for themselves. In a perfect world they would be able to be labeled as multiracial, or black & latino, or white & asian, but our world is far from perfect. How many times have you filled out something that asked you to check off your race and all you see is Black (non hispanic), Latino, or Asian, and White…check one please? On their driver’s license it won’t read Black & Hispanic. They will have to choose between the two. This is an example of how society tries to label them.

A perfect example of this was when my daughter was born & it was time to fill out the birth certificate information. It asked for the mother’s race…Black…check mark. Then it asked for the father’s. Hispanic was on the list, then there were several subcategories like Mexican, Puerto Rican, Guatemalan, so on and so on. Nicaragua was nowhere on the list, which is my husband’s birth country. According to the birth certificate lady, all Latino countries that were not listed, were considered “White.” WTF? So, according to the state, my daughter is black & white….Hmmm…

Many military families are interracial. My question to those of you with bi-racial children is, “How do you identify your child’s race?”

P.S. Check out my blogs at BestArmyWives.com

[Minimelda]

Mar. 3, 2011 at 8:52 AM

This is an intersting topic.  I have not had to deal with it personally, but have always wondered about it.  It is my opinion that we should all just be considered Americans of a certain descent.  I know that for medical reasons they need to know your "race" as some illnesses are more typical in some races and not others, but in general, what does it really matter?  Your child will grow up knowing the cultures of both her parents and should be proud of both.  When you have to fill out forms that require you to "check one", I would check "other" and then write in her descent. If there is no option for "other" I would leave it blank and let them figure it out on their own, lol.  These days there really isnt a person that is of a pure race and that should be recognized. 

[treystiredmommy]

Mar. 3, 2011 at 11:15 AM

i dont unless asked.  and i only answer if its someone i know.  im by no means ashamed of my sons' race but i think its rude for strangers to ask

[KennsWifey]

Mar. 3, 2011 at 5:09 PM

If there is not the option to "check all that may apply", I don't check anything.  I will not choose one over the other for him.  Joshua's school has him listed at white, although I always include white/black on all of his forms.  I try not to push him to chooose...when he is old enough he will know if he identifies with one race over the other.  He is raised by me and my dh, we are both white, and his bio-father's family has never been involved in his life, so I do expect him to identify more white than black..but only because that is the environment he is in.  However, he will never pass for just "white"...he has that beautiful dark skin and big almost black eyes.  Love my bi-racial little man!