I identify myself as mulatta. I took it back. I feel being called biracial is fine on a general “don’t know your race” kinda thing, for instance when people use “latino/a” when you don’t know if that person is puerto rican, mexican, columbian, or cuban. or when people use “asian” if they don’t know if said person is korean, japanese, chinese, or tawainese. However, just like my asian and latino friends feel that asian and latino is too broad for them, I feel biracial is too broad for me. I like making the distinction between black/white biracial and other sorts of biracial because I feel I’m entitled to my own specific title just as much as anyone else.

I understand that entertainment execs would rather pigeonhole people into “types” and cater to the lowest common denominator because it’s easier. Still, we aren’t operating under the studio system anymore. Nobody forces Black people to crank out degrading, misogynistic trash. There are more Black writers, directors, actors, etc. in Hollywood than ever before. Surely, if you accept that Black people deserve the same respect as whites in their media representations, you must hold Black people accountable too for not upholding this standard.

“However, my friends on the East Coast tell me that it’s different there and that Black men are different there and that they tend to date everyone. I guess what I’m trying to say is that several people with different viewpoints can all be “right” because the experiences are different based on where you live. ”

Absolutely, that’s what I meant by one’s experiences informing one’s opinions. Although I do believe there are other factors here.

You just don’t realize how racist the US is until you travel elsewhere…

Nope. The media tends to only portray Black Americans a certain way. We are individuals who have different viewpoints and the only ones who can’t tolerate a different opinion are the uneducated - but that’s true of all races.

As far as the Black Men - Mixed Women and it being a sign of Black male insecurity, that can be true. I think it depends on where you are. If you’re in America, the West Coast seems to have the insecurity thing going. You can tell because Black men on the street won’t even look at or speak to a dark-skinned woman and people in general are very image-concious (this is most pronounce in Los Angeles, but trickles out elsewhere). This doesn’t apply to ALL Black men out here, but it happens enough to notice and comment on.

However, my friends on the East Coast tell me that it’s different there and that Black men are different there and that they tend to date everyone. I guess what I’m trying to say is that several people with different viewpoints can all be “right” because the experiences are different based on where you live.

I interpret McGrudder’s portrayal of Jazmine to be perpetuating the whole “tragic mulatto” image. Sigh.

Once again missing the entire point… *le sigh*

>my point was that I don’t care for the manner in which biracial women are portrayed in the American media, particularly by Blacks.

Oh puhleeze. Cause ALL blacks must be the ones who have so much influence over the media - wha…? See where those grand generalizations get you into trouble again? I don’t like it either, but I don’t assume that anyone on MTV speaks for me. Who do you think employs all those rappers and videographers? *hint* the people w/ the money are NOT part of “Black America.” Chris Rock has a great routine about the difference between being “rich” and being “wealthy,” and the color lines associated w/ both terms.

>Black Americans tend to encourage social/cultural homogeneity. If they want to be regarded as individuals, perhaps they should start acting (and thinking) like it.

Funny, coming from someone who openly says that they don’t socialize w/ black people. Since you don’t treat black people as individuals, how would you know what “THEY” do or don’t encourage? So again, w/ the generalizations… if you as a mixed person want to be seen as an individual and not a steretype or token, then why in hell don’t you try treating other people like that too?

Well, I’m comfortable with the people I hang around with now, and that doesn’t include black men. We are hopelessly off-topic, but my point was that I don’t care for the manner in which biracial women are portrayed in the American media, particularly by Blacks.

“I’m not going to sit here and bicker with you on that when I’m fairly certain I’ve seen your self-hating type before. One day, it’ll all become clear, my dear.”

How civil of you. Nor do I wish to discuss anything with somone who hides behind callow name-calling and assorted insults.

“I think the problem many people have (as illustrated by some of these posts) is that they believe in some monolithic “black community.” So if McGruder says it, it must be what all black people (or men) think.”

Black Americans tend to encourage social/cultural homogeneity. If they want to be regarded as individuals, perhaps they should start acting (and thinking) like it.

Back to the issue at hand,
I think the problem many people have (as illustrated by some of these posts) is that they believe in some monolithic “black community.” So if McGruder says it, it must be what all black people (or men) think.

More interesting is the belief that because he’s black, his work can’t be racist. But that’s a whole other discussion.