What is White?
Okay this is something I've been wondering for a while.For myself, I am Black. Plain and simple. I think it's the easiest way to identify me at first glance. A small child would say Brown. It refers to the color of my skin. it makes sense.
Now here in the States people say African American. Truth is I am American born, but both of my parents are Guyanese and didn't move to the States till they were both adults. Visually we are all what we call Red boned. You know folks with skin the color of toasted almond or Toffee. It just means we are a mixture.
Okay all that being said, I just say I'm not African- American, just say I'm Black. It's simple and easy until you wish to know more.
Where am I going with this?
It has been my experience that people who I would call "White" based on just the visual of the paler skin (paler than mine), more angular features, the mostly straight hair, etc., don't always consider themselves "white". I've had people who are Greek say "oh I'm not white". Or people from other places say it to me, and then I say, looking at them, ummmmmmmmmmm okay?
Now this is where I scratch my head. I completely understand cultural and family pride of being from various countries. Anyone with a European background, I was taught was White.
So I put this question out there. What is being White to you?
before you answer I just want to say this.
I learned a lot from my children. When my kids were small and they described people just based on the visual, they would say brown , beige, and pink. That just always made me smile.
And I never correct them. there's nothing to correct.
Okay so again, what is White?
It would be interesting to see the responses in an international setting.
Comments (31)
Both my dauthers have a white mother I dont see them as black or white,Going to the cricket club on a Sunday afternoon thay are all kinds of people there we play cricket have tea and make fun.
Yes we are all human and that's what it's all about.That's what I teach my kids.
But I also am not naive as to how things are in the world. Especially here in the US.
Which prompted the question.
Again thanks for the responses and getting it.
Studies carried out by scientists from the Institute of Forensic Genetics at the University of Copenhagen have concluded that all blue-eyed people share a common ancestor, someone who lived 6,000 to 10,000 years ago near the area by the Black sea.
All of the subjects that participated in the study had the exact same genetic "mutations" in specific chromosomes of the eye with very little variation on the genes, indicating that the "mutation" responsible for blue-eyes first arose and spread relatively recently
Those one who statared calling people yellow, red, black
because of their supriority convictions.
For example who the hell came with the idea of "The Third World?"
we live in just one world, one planet called, Earth.
And there's only one race; "Human Race", that is.
got together then the snow turns white.
When I born, I black,
When I grow up, I black,
When I go in sun, I black,
When I cold, I black,
When I scared, I black,
When I sick, I black,
And when I die, I still black.
You white folks….
When you born, you pink,
When you grow up, you white,
When you go in sun, you red,
When you cold, you blue,
When you scared, you yellow,
When you sick, you green,
When you bruised, you purple,
And when you die, you gray!
So who you calling colored?
(unknown author)
Yep,WHOM indeed!
Heard that one in the Islands many years ago!
very funny
There is always good in bad, and bad in good .
Bruce Lee
My colour its paler then yours .in Italy its called ( misto ) more often related to a cappuccino colour and I been called by my friends black. In France its called ( metisse ) and more often related to a toffee colour . As, as white colour I related it always as the colour of sugar. ( we also have brown sugars ).
Excellent blog
He asked me what I saw when I looked at him.I replied back to him that I saw a man.
I don't see myself as being White I see myself as being a human being.I held a piece of something white in color and noticed it didn't match my skin color.
If I spoke about the arts all the time, would it bother you as well, cause I have been a performer?
I speak on things that affect me and based on who and what I am. It would be silly of me to speak on something that doesn't relate to me.
That all being said, it's good to hear others thoughts.
Well most of the time.
People should be proud of who they are. Tall , short, thin, thick, dark, pale, long haired, bald.
At the core of it all one should be the person they can be.
Lindsey, you are missing the point of the blog. But that's all well and good.
The world is more than a box of 24 crayola crayons.
Along time ago my great aunt explained why people have various skin colours...the places of our ancestors' origins dealing with the climate...simple explaination for a seven year old who has never seen a "black" person before...she just wanted us not to be rude and stare...white (to me) is a simple identification but clearly people want others to know more about them...so instead I ask them what their heritage is...