Why is Barack Obama Black?

[KBLETHF]

Obama isn't black...Hes half white/and half black...In fact he was raised by whites (his grandparents) his entire life...His Dad (whos black) left soon after he was born...This country has yet to have a minority leader as president...Pls get your facts straight people!!!!!

[ObamaisHalfCaste1]

@KBLETHF Yes you,re 100% right, Obama is not Black he is Half-Caste, There is no such thing as a Mixed-Race continent so he parshly belongs to Europe since it was the Sexual Organs of a White person that 50% Created Produced and Invented him. Obama is just as much White as he is Black so to just call him Black is stupid uneducational and Invalid, We do not get to play part of God and choose 1 race for a person that is already 2 races and who already belongs to two different continents.

[ObamaisHalfCaste1]

@KBLETHF And the sooner more people understand and realise that these (Half-Caste) and (Quarter-Caste) people are not Black but Mixed-Race the more better and educated there lives will become. Obama is not Black he is Half-Caste since he was 50% Created Produced and Invented by a White European person Enough Said.

[RottenPeachState706]

good way to define this for the people that dont know about the ODR

[amazinero]

Now THAT was enlightening. Thank you for posting!

[pammypoo55]

@jjyarbo - I agree about Zinn's book. I was first exposed to him when my daughter (now 29) had a fairly progressive Middle School teacher that made it required reading for the class. I, like most Americans had been 'educated' with the typical 'everything is wonderful in America' reading material. That book was a real eye opener.

[pammypoo55]

This book A DIFFERENT MIRROR by the late Ronald Takaki is a MUST READ for anyone who wants to know and understand the PRESENT state of America. Must understand history to understand the present. A thorough, comprehensive yet easy to read history covering five hundreds years.  I found it hard to put down.

[jjyarbo]

@pammypoo55 I agree, one of the most important books anyone can read, along with Zinn's People's History... I'm thankful to have studied both of these books when I went to school in Wisconsin (of all places)...essential reading

[Seeker1898]

All people should understand that there is only one race, the human race. It's true. That's all I have to say about that issue.

[spareld]

great point

[timmunst]

Well, here we R a few weeks later & BHO's true colors R showing. He is a mess, his cabinet picks R loaded with corruption & half cant get sworn in. What did we expect? He laid down with pigs, you didnt think he was gonna come out smelling like a rose do ya? What an embarrassment! I wish he would just come clean, call off his $800K attorneys & let us see all of his sealed stuff,would be nice to know if he actually graduated from these schools who wont say yes or no...then admit he has no plan.

[junmatuzawa]

I am japanese=black, born in japan. came to america now I am just black. not by choice. i grew up ashamed to admit i was half japanese.

but im 54 years old. so glad to see things changing.

kudos to Barack and to Prof. Takaki. Maybe there is hope for the world with people like this speaking up.

[enviops]

There is no such thing as white, black...there is no such thing as race if you want a precise scientific definition. Plenty of so called white people would be quite surprised if they took a look at their ancestral branches. Race only exists subjectively and sociologically. To some degree, there's choice involved. Therefore, since Obama identifies himself as African-American, get off his dick.

[timmunst]

Obama is biracial, Black father and white mother. Calling him African American is not correct. Is Obama not proud of his white heritage? This is a slap in the face for the biracial and white race. Does the news not realize they are wrong calling him African American? Do they not realize it would be more beneficial to call Obama biracial president so this would include blacks,whites,and biracial people of America?

[Seeker1898]

I voted for Obama and I'm happy that he won the election. Racially speaking, Obama represents all races. I don't consider him one race. I'm definitely a white man myself. Does Obama look black? Somewhat yes. Is he just black? Obviously no. According to the one drop rule, which was man-made by the way, he is considered black in America. His wife and daughters are also of mixed descent. They've admitted it in public. President Obama is my President and I'm very happy and proud to say it.

[spareld]

michelle is black I don't care what you say about him but she's black both parents are black if you want to go there then you would say every black person in america are mixed

[Seeker1898]

Every person in America is probably mixed. It's common knowledge that Michelle Obama has white biological ancestry too. I know that because she's truthfully admitted to it. A person's race is really just defined to what "race" they look more like and what the particular individual "chooses" as their own race to be in my opinion. Whether Pres. Obama says he's white, black, Asian, mixed, whatever, he's still going to look like the same person he is and he'll still be the same person anyway.

[spareld]

see your trying to make white people seem like they this bigger race when it's not try if you want to get technical about it every white person has black ancestry

[blackpassenger]

your point is somewhat off. obama IS african american: his father is african and his mother is american, which makes him very african american. what obama is NOT is black. that one drop doctrine is flawed.

[spareld]

you just said it!!! his father is a african and his mother is american so why would it be disrespectful to call him african american? I think you are referring to being black! and what's wrong with being black? it's so much hatred toward us for no fucking reason what ever he calls himself is what he calls himself nobody down tiger woods neck

[timmunst]

spareld - Why is it every time someone disagrees with BHO they are labeled racist?

I am Irish, German, AND African American. But I am an AMERICAN first and foremost.

I did not vote for BHO nor do I agree with his policies. And I am not racist!

When will the Libs stop trying to play the race card?

This isn't about race it's about radical liberals trying to enlarge the Government and take away our freedoms.

[spareld]

what are you talking about? who's playing the race card? and doesn't it make you a hypocrite to state different parts of your nationality just to try to relate? stating that you didn't vote for obama doesn't make you a racist..sure I agree with that but he's my president and i'm going to stand up for him :)

[eNiReHtAc015]

Takaki is a absolute genius! Recently read his book, and loved it! Saw his lecture when he came to my college, and walked way with a thousand theory's and thoughts in my head that still remain.

[DrCherryPie]

he gave a talk at my college today

[olddawg9]

your segment misses the point, Obama's father is Kenyan, not black, and his mother is white. He is a true African American. Blacks are the descendants of slaves. You try to explain the cultural identity but you need to say this also.

[AsianWeek]

Visit Asianweek's website to view more of Professor Takaki!