Contemplations on Race, African Immigration, The African Holocaust, and Interracial Relationships

[bombyamom]

For those who have followed this blog since its inception (no, not the movie!), this used to be my mental space for my own explorations of race, culture, and white privilege. In light of some recent discussions, I think that it is time to dust it off again.

My fiance, Helene, is about to finish her bachelors and is taking an elective course on race

Comments

[dyvinesweetness]

So I'm curious, does Helene identify as African? Was this born from her desire to find the right term for herself or for others or... something else

[bombyamom]

I like what you said about respecting everyone's self-labeling...especially because everyone's experience is different. I was hoping that you would comment, too, since obviously I am culturally removed from the implications of the labeling decision.

[triplee]

I hear you on the various problems on all sides when dealing with an interracial relationship. When dating someone of mixed race that self-identified as mostly "black" (you know who I'm referring to), we got our fair share of crap, often more from her peers than mine. It's surreal having to put up with degrading comments and having guys hit on a girl right in front of you, assuming I'm some sort of sugar daddy. What you're seeing Harlem happened just as readily in G'burg. Granted, it wasn't the only crap we got, it's just that the "white" side of things tended to be more subtle, and frankly, built into society a bit more.

Personally, when it comes to these issues, I'm with Chris Rock on the matter: "We should just keep fucking until we're all the same color".

~EEE~