I was wondering today, is Obama black? If so, how, and why? It may sound silly, but I think it is a legitimate question. More importantly, whatever you think the answer is has an effect on how you perceive him.
Race is a tricky subject. People have always tried to distinguish each other based on various features. From bearded to bald, male to female, etc. It eventually evolved in to a "useful" classification system. One could easily distinguish an Asian from an African. In America, it became tied to inherent genetic characteristics -- race allegedly determined how smart one could possibly be, or explain what kind of mannerisms a person had. If these things weren't always accurate then the person was said to be "hiding" their true character.
In America, the majority thought used to that a person of Jewish descent, no matter what their skin color or dress, could be easily picked out of a lineup. Race pays no attention to individual characteristics or differences, which is the problem. Obviously, you couldn't then, and you can't now, decipher who is Jewish by glancing at them. So what use did it serve to classify people with a classification that only they knew?
Division. Historically, race has always been used to divide peoples, usually in a negative way. The word "Caucasian" comes from the Caucus region of Russia, home to the Caucasus Mountains. This is one of the worlds largest and most recognizable mountain ranges. The name gives an implication of power and prestige, essentially the same way the term "master race" expresses superiority. From Day 1 these racial terminologies were meant to divide. So what makes you Caucasian if you're not from Russia? Skin color. That's why it is synonymous with "White."
Then what defines one as "Black?" President Barack Obama has a black father, a white mother, and was born in Hawaii (or according to crazies, someplace in Kenya). If he comes from a mixed background, he is no more black than he is white, right? In the same way there's no such thing as Asian, White, or Texas blood, his race has no genetic definition. His body isn't coursing with blood of African heritage. So why do we call him black?
The only race he, or any of us, truly belong to, is the human race. Calling him black allows various prejudices to enter our minds. Some people will automatically assume that they know things about him, such as what kind of family he comes from, what kinds of food he likes, or even his dancing ability. Put bluntly, it is unfair to arbitrarily put the "black" in front of every title he possesses (black president, black Harvard graduate, black American, etc.)
Biologically, there is no such thing as Black. Culturally, unless Black has a formal definition that expresses common characteristics and shared experiences, it is academically incorrect to call him that. Physically, he is brown, not black.
So is Barack Obama this thing called Black? As with all social constructs, we defined, and continue to delineate, what race means; and until we as a nation and world are ready to put color behind us, and judge individuals based on their merits, we will be one step farther from solidarity.
ps This link from PBS is an easily accessible, interactive tool to learn a little more about race (quickly):
http://www.pbs.org/race/001_WhatIsRace/001_00-home.htm
