As we await the results of the 2010 Census it's tempting to think that our growing comfort with categorizing people as multiracial has erased racism and the fear of interracial relations. But
in a recent interview with Ebony Magazine, Halle Berry says that we're neither as mixed nor as happy as we'd like to think.
In the interview Berry addressed her ugly custody battle with Gabriel Aubry over their 2-year-old daughter, Nahla. Allegations are circulating about the couple's different racial philosophies, including the use of racial slurs, and their anxiety over Nahla's racial categorization in the press. Berry told Ebony that "I feel like [Nahla is] black" because of the one drop rule. In other words, Berry sees herself and her daughter as black because they are of partial African American ancestry. Other sources say that Aubry sees Nahla as white and that he thinks Berry should demand a retraction whenever Nahla is identified otherwise.
Read more here
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Each person is entitled to believe what they want when it comes to their ethnicity. However, society (especially Hollywood) views anyone with a drop of Black as Black. I don't really care what one identifies with as long as you are not degrading one culture for another. If Halle Berry was to say that her daughter is White, people would be absolutely outraged.
ReplyDeleteI'm intrigued by the fact that Mr. Aubry considers his daughter white.I think that Halle Berry was correct when she stated that alot of how you perceive yourself comes from how the world perceives you. When Nahla shows up with her black mom, noone on earth is going to call her white.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Halle Berry when she says that she consider her daughter as black because of how the world will perceive her. When Nahla is older and was to say she is White, many would become outraged because the world is going to perceive her as black. I can understand her father wants her to be considered White, but he has to realize that they are already in the spotlight and confusing his daughter about what race she is, is not a good look. He has to accept the fact that his daughter is multiracial and in this world if black is within that multiracial then that person is considered black.
ReplyDeleteIn a perfect society, parents fight for custodial rights over a child's welfare and overall well-being; on the other hand, in our society an imperfect society, parents fight for custodial rights over racial issues. This only proves that race is very much so still significant. In the past and some may argue even in the present, race was used to deny access to power and a form of degradation. Presently, there are laws and acts against discrimination, so why is it so important to put a child through public controversy over race. Personally, I believe that race is physical, not cultural. I believe that it's impossible to act "black" or act "white". Is there truly a difference in black and white culture? I believe to base race on cultural aspects instead of physical characteristics and genetics is stereotypical. Therefore, I believe that this whole custody battle is pointless and is definitely not in the best interest of the child.
ReplyDelete