What Exactly Is "Black Enough"?

Nancy Giles Ponders The Question Everyone Seems To Be Asking

(CBS)  Sunday Morning commentator Nancy Giles wonders what it means to be "black enough." Is blackness defined by how you talk or by where you grew up? Or by other people's stereotypes?

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Is presidential candidate Barack Obama "black enough?" And does he appeal to white voters because he's only half "black?" And does his B.A. from Columbia and his Harvard law degree somehow make him "too white?"

And since his father was African and Barack Obama grew up with his white mother in Hawaii and Indonesia before moving back to the States, does that mean that he can't relate to the authentic African-American experience, and that black Americans would do better to vote for someone who truly relates to our unique history, like Hillary Clinton or Rudy Giuliani?

What does "not black enough" mean, anyway? Are you more black if you grew up in an all-black neighborhood, and less black if you grew up around a mix of cultures? Is hair part of the equation? If it's natural, does that make you more black? Then where does that leave Al Sharpton, or most of the black girl singers on the planet?

Is blackness measured in percentages, so that any white person in one's gene pool dilutes one's purity? So if you're half-black, you're mulatto; one-quarter black: a quadroon, one-eighth black: an octoroon? Do we really want to go back to that time in our history? And what about our natural talents at music, rhythm and athletics? I'm tall, but I've never been good at basketball. Where do I fit in?

Who knows? I've been told for years I don't sound black. Kids in school said I talked white. I've always been black and I've always talked like this. What they really meant was that I didn't sound like the stereotype that they were used to. But if sounding black means speaking one specific way, would Martin Luther King have been accused of sounding white? Would his speech have been more authentic if he "axed" us to march on Washington in 1963 to hear his famous "I Be Havin' A Dream" speech?

In his keynote speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, Barack Obama spoke about the struggles of family life in the inner-city. "Children can't achieve unless we raise their expectations and turn off the television sets and eradicate the slander that says a black youth with a book is acting white," he said.

"Acting white"? It's time to stop the "divide and conquer" speak and acknowledge that we can come from different places and still share something unique. "Black enough?" Black enough for what?

[michellem99-2009]

I guess I am lucky to not be able to see the skin colour of a person as really it don't matter or should not today. I am white. The fact is we bleed same colour blood. I am not sure who I will vote for. Race/gender won't play a part in it. This is the first time I will be able to follow race to the White House on-line. The platform is the issue.Who is best to lead this nation.

[poguet]

I would agree that color doesn't matter. As a 6th grade teacher with a cultural mix of students, I try to help students be very accepting and tolerant of others. They know that color is not supposed to matter. Once they leave me though, factors in the community often undo the progress I have made with them.
The bigger division that I see is socioeconomic. I have several black students who are low performers, but just as many white students. The common factor is that they are poor. Many are from families where mom works odd hours and isn't home to help them with homework. Also, many of these parents didn't finish high school. Now, we are teaching 8th grade math to 6th graders and many of these parents don't know how to help when they are home.
No matter how hard we work to close the racial and socioeconomic gaps, our government has decided in its infinite wisdom to single out students that fit in these categories. Our funding and performance are determined on how these particular students do on state tests. While I want all of my students to do well, I have a problem with the way they are profiled. Students they are identified by race, economic status, and/or special needs. They are further identified as those who have a chance at passing the test and those who do not. This is an atrocity to our education system, but what other choice do we have when public schools are being taken over by the government because these identified groups didn't pass?

[vulcan1956]

he has my vote

[jjreding-2009]

What really worries me is that people will vote colour or gender, rather than issues in this coming election. It doesn't matter if Barack Obama is black, white or pink, and it doesn't matter if Hillary Clinton is female, male or transgendered - what MATTERS is that one or the other (or some other candidate) will be the one who will be able to start our country's long slog back to respectability in the world. People pay way too much attention to minority status.

[cmp271]

Thank you Barak Obama, maybe now the english language has a chance to survive in the "hood." Blacks keep themselves down by not speaking right,maybe now they will realize, I need to speak right so I can also get ahead!!!

[mpapmm]

Hurray Nancy!! I could jump up and kiss you!!!

I was so happy to hear your comments!! Is Derek Jeter black enough to play baseball? Is Halle Berry black enough to win an Oscar? Is Mariah Carrey black enough to sell millions of records? All of them are of mixed heritage. What's the big deal??? Why can't we all be Americans first, then embrace our heritage be it Italian, Asian, African, Brazilian second? Or the mix as it is more likely to be these days. Why does color have to matter?

[clemenhagen1]

"After all, Republicans only gave you the freedom to be just like every American. But that's not enough I guess."

Nice try Jebby, but this doesn't fly with anyone who knows anything about recent history. Does anybody really want to argue that George W. Bush gives a *** about the issues of minorities? Really? In the wake of Katrina? Right. And please spare me the "Republicans gave you freedom" line. Neither party - no party, can make that claim. People of all political persuasions, religious affiliations, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and regional upbringings fought and died for this country. Democratic presidents led this country through the major 20th Century wars (Wilson, Roosevelt, Truman, Kennedy, Johnson, etc.). Save your historical oversimplifications for arguing Reagan deserves a coin or a spot on Mt. Rushmore. Or perhaps put your thoughts on a bumper sticker that fits with the rest of the todays right-wing sound byte politics.

[vancouverboo]

Since he has 100% of the black vote in hig bag, regardless - it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know what racist blacks are at the polls - the man can direct all his attention to getting the white vote, saying all those things the whites want to hear.
The rest the pack has to pander to the black in hopes of getting some of their votes - futile dream that is - and risk charges of speaking with a forked tongue.
What a joke.
The only thing we can know for certain is that they are all lying, trying to figure out what we want to hear, and that when it's over, whoever wins, it will be a Rich Peoples President.

[jebby_one]

well, the first criteria for being black enough is be a Democrat. Then you have to praises the Democrats about how much they have given to the Black people and thank them over and over. Then you have to point out how still they haven't given quite enough and they have to give more.
Then you have to forget about how the Democrats facilitated slavery and when they could no longer own slaves they replaced slavery with separate but not equal laws that institutionalized black people as 3rd class citizens.


Then you have to point at Republicans and call them racist and Nazis.

After all, Republicans only gave you the freedom to be just like every American. But that's not enough I guess.

[kaliveotin]

Is the author being rascist when she implies that whites are impure?

[bluestardad]

When will the focus be on a persons content of their character instead of their race? I HOPE THIS PHRASE IS FAMILIAR! People make money by keeping Race in the forefront of the news. Would the Legislative Black Caucus have a job if everyone were called Americans that lived here? It is OK to remember a fault from time to time as to never let it happen again, but to make a living from dredging up past wrongs is a disservice to all those who actually endured the hardship. I myself will not accept the hate, guilt, or be held accountable for the transgressions of people who claimed to be wronged by people before my Grandfather was born. Do not push your opinions on the rest of us. If you want to that is on you but do not expect me or millions of others to accept your guilt trip. Make your way in life based on your abilities if you can, not clinging to the sorrows of hundreds of years past in hopes of explaining your own weaknesses, failures, and shortcomings! Put your shoulder to the wheel, register for selective service and earn Equal Rights and a place as a Citizen of the United States make America a better place to live. Quit looking for some special treatment based on your Gender, Race, or Religious belief! Take responsibilities for your own actions and choices quit trying to blame your problems on how others were treated!

[kaliveotin]

Your article question, "black enough?", is quite lame being badly dated. The question with Barak Hussein Obama should be, "American enough?" or how bout "Christian enough", or best of all "experienced enough?". These are questions that concern american voters. I'm sure that whether a voter is black, white or other, and whether or not a candidates color matters or doesn't, Obama is black enough. I mean really, for the questioner, how black does one have to be? ? ? Are there blacks or other americans who believe that Tiger Woods isn't black enough? How bout Haley Berry is she black enough. Bill Clinton was black enough, Bobby Kennedy was black enough. Heck, even Lindon Johnson was black enough. We need older journalists and younger editors.

[karlimhof]

The BUSH WAR is illegal

the resumption of hostilities was only a matter of time since Bush was elected with his neocon sidekicks....

blame barbara bush for iraq......
Posted by lars008

[y130512]

BlueStarDad: I don't like whiners either, but if whiners who blame others for their shortcomings are your gripe, then you should also address whites - especially white males - who cry "reverse discrimination" every time they are not selected for jobs.
1) The phrase 'reverse discrimination' is utterly absurd because if they have been discriminated against, they need only call it 'discrimination'.
2) Affirmative Action laws became necessary to counter preexistent laws - yes, WRITTEN laws - that prohibited blacks and women from participation in their rights to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness".
3) I'm so tired of whites announcing that a competitor who won a coveted position is less qualified than themselves, without any challenge to verify their claims. Since transcripts, job evaluations, or any information that would confirm such a claim is not available for public record, it's more likely that they're just making statements they know they'll never have to prove.
4) No company or organization is going to hire unqualified people to fill numbers. That would be suicide for their business!
5) The institution of slavery has been abolished; but the visceral hatred toward blacks that made it possible continues to breath,thrive and reproduce, thus invalidating your 'sins of my forefathers' argument.
6) Whites who feel they can't prosper unless others are cut from the game, are the real losers.

[agramma]

Nancy - Good topic! I am retired(old), white and try to vote for the candidate that has the most positive take on issues for America. I have spent all my life wondering why black just has to be an issue in anything. Look, we have black and white children unsheltered and starving in America! We have black and white people struggling to survive in America! We are at war many miles away. Black and White soldiers are dying or being maimed. Health Care costs are eating white and black people alive. Our Health Care Insurance system sucks. These are issues I want a resolution on. Do we have any politicos who notice these things?

With all the important things we have falling apart in America, what the hell is color? Why is color such a big choice to ponder? I wonder: do newspeople have to be Republican to work? Do the Democrats really have the right idea and the newspeople are just working at undermining the Democrats so the Repubs don't lose elections? What's the deal? It seems like we take two steps forward and two back. Will we never fix America?

I think you just sound like Nancy, and I think you are just fine. I would think you are just fine if you had a black accent, whatever that is. It doesn't matter. You have a great talent in what you do and I respect that.

[agramma]

Nancy - Good topic! I am retired(old), white and try to vote for the candidate that has the most positive take on issues for America. I have spent all my life wondering why black just has to be an issue in anything. Look, we have black and white children unsheltered and starving in America! We have black and white people struggling to survive in America! We are at war many miles away. Black and White soldiers are dying or being maimed. Health Care costs are eating white and black people alive. Our Health Care Insurance system sucks. These are issues I want a resolution on. Do we have any politicos who notice these things?

With all the important things we have falling apart in America, what the hell is color? Why is color such a big choice to ponder? I wonder: do newspeople have to be Republican to work? Do the Democrats really have the right idea and the newspeople are just working at undermining the Democrats so the Repubs don't lose elections? What's the deal? It seems like we take two steps forward and two back. Will we never fix America?

I think you just sound like Nancy, and I think you are just fine. I would think you are just fine if you had a black accent, whatever that is. It doesn't matter. You have a great talent in what you do and I respect that.

[agramma]

Nancy - Good topic! I am retired(old), white and try to vote for the candidate that has the most positive take on issues for America. I have spent all my life wondering why black just has to be an issue in anything. Look, we have black and white children unsheltered and starving in America! We have black and white people struggling to survive in America! We are at war many miles away. Black and White soldiers are dying or being maimed. Health Care costs are eating white and black people alive. Our Health Care Insurance system sucks. These are issues I want a resolution on. Do we have any politicos who notice these things?

With all the important things we have falling apart in America, what the hell is color? Why is color such a big choice to ponder? I wonder: do newspeople have to be Republican to work? Do the Democrats really have the right idea and the newspeople are just working at undermining the Democrats so the Repubs don't lose elections? What's the deal? It seems like we take two steps forward and two back. Will we never fix America?

I think you just sound like Nancy, and I think you are just fine. I would think you are just fine if you had a black accent, whatever that is. It doesn't matter. You have a great talent in what you do and I respect that.

[agramma]

Nancy - Good topic! I am retired(old), white and try to vote for the candidate that has the most positive take on issues for America. I have spent all my life wondering why black just has to be an issue in anything. Look, we have black and white children unsheltered and starving in America! We have black and white people struggling to survive in America! We are at war many miles away. Black and White soldiers are dying or being maimed. Health Care costs are eating white and black people alive. Our Health Care Insurance system sucks. These are issues I want a resolution on. Do we have any politicos who notice these things?

With all the important things we have falling apart in America, what the hell is color? Why is color such a big choice to ponder? I wonder: do newspeople have to be Republican to work? Do the Democrats really have the right idea and the newspeople are just working at undermining the Democrats so the Repubs don't lose elections? What's the deal? It seems like we take two steps forward and two back. Will we never fix America?

I think you just sound like Nancy, and I think you are just fine. I would think you are just fine if you had a black accent, whatever that is. It doesn't matter. You have a great talent in what you do and I respect that.

[agramma]

Nancy - Good topic! I am retired(old), white and try to vote for the candidate that has the most positive take on issues for America. I have spent all my life wondering why black just has to be an issue in anything. Look, we have black and white children unsheltered and starving in America! We have black and white people struggling to survive in America! We are at war many miles away. Black and White soldiers are dying or being maimed. Health Care costs are eating white and black people alive. Our Health Care Insurance system sucks. These are issues I want a resolution on. Do we have any politicos who notice these things?

With all the important things we have falling apart in America, what the hell is color? Why is color such a big choice to ponder? I wonder: do newspeople have to be Republican to work? Do the Democrats really have the right idea and the newspeople are just working at undermining the Democrats so the Repubs don't lose elections? What's the deal? It seems like we take two steps forward and two back. Will we never fix America?

I think you just sound like Nancy, and I think you are just fine. I would think you are just fine if you had a southern drawl. It doesn't matter. You have a great talent in what you do and I respect that.

[agramma]

Nancy - Good topic! I am retired(old), white and try to vote for the candidate that has the most positive take on issues for America. I have spent all my life wondering why black just has to be an issue in anything. Look, we have black and white children unsheltered and starving in America! We have black and white people struggling to survive in America! We are at war many miles away. Black and White soldiers are dying or being maimed. Health Care costs are eating white and black people alive. Our Health Care Insurance system sucks. These are issues I want a resolution on. Do we have any politicos who notice these things?

With all the important things we have falling apart in America, what the hell is color? Why is color such a big choice to ponder? I wonder: do newspeople have to be Republican to work? Do the Democrats really have the right idea and the newspeople are just working at undermining the Democrats so the Repubs don't lose elections? What's the deal? It seems like we take two steps forward and two back. Will we never fix America?