Biracial Identity
Running head: BIRACIAL, MULTIRACIAL IDENTITY, WHO AM I?
Biracial, Multiracial Identity, Who am I?
Adrienne Anderson
North Carolina Central University
CON 5360.01
Dr. Kyla Kurian
June 17, 2009
Abstract
Biracial, Multiracial, What are you? Who are you? What do you have in you? It is quite difficult labeling me as a black African female; I’d imagine it is much more complex to define who you are when your heritage is comprised of many different cultures. How does one define who they are when this is the case? Does one embrace one culture and deny another? As the President of the United States does Barack Obama deny his one culture to give African Americans that point that we need for overcoming yet another hurdle of adversity? Does Tiger Woods the famous golf player embrace his own cultures or does he chose to say I’m black and I’m proud? As a biracial child whom should they embrace, whom should they deny?
What is biracial and multiracial? The term being biracial is defined as; of, relating to, or involving members of two races (biracial (2009), In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary.) Multiracial is defined in a similar façade, which is being composed of, involving, or representing various races. The mere term race in a noun form is defined as a breeding stock of animals,; family tribe, people, or nation belonging to the same stock, or a class of people unified by shared interest, habits, or characteristics. So how does one identify who they are when the true definition of race is classifying one as livestock or animal? Do we continue to dehumanize ourselves by choosing to pick a category? Quite simple yes! Society at large demands it! The government demands it! So now tell me what are you?
Introduction
Multicultural education has become a very important issue in this day and age. Diversity in the United States will become increasingly reflected in our country’s schools (Banks & Banks, 2003). According to the US Department of Education (The Condition
Biracial, Multiracial Identity, Who am I?
Adrienne Anderson
North Carolina Central University
CON 5360.01
Dr. Kyla Kurian
June 17, 2009
Abstract
Biracial, Multiracial, What are you? Who are you? What do you have in you? It is quite difficult labeling me as a black African female; I’d imagine it is much more complex to define who you are when your heritage is comprised of many different cultures. How does one define who they are when this is the case? Does one embrace one culture and deny another? As the President of the United States does Barack Obama deny his one culture to give African Americans that point that we need for overcoming yet another hurdle of adversity? Does Tiger Woods the famous golf player embrace his own cultures or does he chose to say I’m black and I’m proud? As a biracial child whom should they embrace, whom should they deny?
What is biracial and multiracial? The term being biracial is defined as; of, relating to, or involving members of two races (biracial (2009), In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary.) Multiracial is defined in a similar façade, which is being composed of, involving, or representing various races. The mere term race in a noun form is defined as a breeding stock of animals,; family tribe, people, or nation belonging to the same stock, or a class of people unified by shared interest, habits, or characteristics. So how does one identify who they are when the true definition of race is classifying one as livestock or animal? Do we continue to dehumanize ourselves by choosing to pick a category? Quite simple yes! Society at large demands it! The government demands it! So now tell me what are you?
Introduction
Multicultural education has become a very important issue in this day and age. Diversity in the United States will become increasingly reflected in our country’s schools (Banks & Banks, 2003). According to the US Department of Education (The Condition
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