Halsey on being a "white-passing" black woman

[HausOfMiklaus 1,803]

7 hours ago, ZiggyZiggs said:

yall are so stupid. her fathers black mate, shes mixed, just bcuz shes light skinned doesnt give YOU the right to tell HER shes NOT black. like who tf r u lmao? I never got it when people said mixed kids have it hard, now I understand. cut her some ****ing slack and let her live her life

She has a black parent, she can call herself black if she wants to, nothing wrong with that. You cant take that away from her Just cuz shes lightskinned. get some brains. the ignorance in this thread is baffling

I'm Indian and have European ancestry, my mom is white as paper, but she'll have a few ****ing words with you if you tell her she's not Indian cuz she looks white like stop being ignorant and delusional

Exactly. Jesus Christ @ the ignorance and internalized racism revealing themselves in this thread. These kids wanting her to stay on lane of half-heritages? Uh sorry huns, race DOES NOT WORK like that.

[Raikov 183]

1 hour ago, StrawberryBlond said:

See, this is something that annoys me. Why is it that a significant portion of mixed race people identify themselves as the half of themselves that is darker? I've encountered many a black/white person define themselves as black...but I've only seen one black/white person define themselves as white. And she was a tragic case who was full of self-hatred, had racist perceptions of black people, supported the Confederate flag, etc. Why is it that someone who is half white and defines themselves as simply black causes no one to bat an eyelid? But someone who is half white who defines themselves as simply white would be accused of racism? This is a classic example of how racial relations are very different to how they used to be. It's considered better to identify as non-white. It gains you more oppression points, makes you seem different, makes you appear cooler. If the black race was so massively oppressed, why are so many half black people prepared to identify as solely black? Because they know there's upsides to that in modern society. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that racism doesn't exist or anything, I'm just saying that the full extent of the problem is a bit exaggerated at times. At this moment in time, it's a very significant time to be black. Black people are owning the music charts, are all over the news presenting their views, racism has never been a hotter topic. So it means you get a lot of attention if you identify as black right now. And some people like attention. Just sayin'.

But defining herself as black when she's not completely black is an issue. Being mixed is not a shameful thing. Being half white is not shameful. So, why are so many black/white people disowning their white half? I think it's quite offensive, really. If it was the other way around, people would be shocked and rightfully so. Paris Jackson is mixed but looks white and she's never disowned her white side, she calls herself what she is - mixed race. We're just at a time now where some people don't want to be associated with white people, even when it's in their own DNA. It's not a positive thing to be associated with right now. So, they throw facts in the trash and deny one half of them when it's clearly not the case. It's one thing if it's a black person with 2 black parents who has a white complexion (it is possible, as it is vice versa, I learned it in biology) but when someone who is biologically mixed race only claims one half of their identity, it's a whole other story.

This isn't a "recent thing". The one-drop rule (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/One-drop_rule) has been a legal thing in America for a century (and a social thing for even longer). There wasn't a "choice" to identify with your black half or as mixed race - you were legally forced into that identity. If you were white passing and wanted to be treated like a full citizen, you were denied the opportunity to ever tell anyone about your heritage because you would lose those privileges. Those cultural beliefs won't disappear in half a century any more than white supremacy will. It's naive to expect a country can "get over it" quickly and, frankly, ignorant to think Halsey identifying with her black side (because historically, that's what she would have been) is an example of reverse privilege.

And this isn't just some American thing. South Africa under apartheid prevented mixed race people from identifying with their white side and forced them into a third category. In fact, it criminalized mixed race relations. Other countries mat have different, more lenient conceptions of race, but they are not relevant to Halsey who is Anerican, born to American parents, lives in America, and is therefore subject to American conceptions of race, which have been heavily influenced by the legacy of slavery, segregation, and ultimately white superiority over other races.

[HausOfHarlow 379]

I had no idea she was mixed. This is news to me, but someone's ethnicity really shouldn't be news. I don't love or hate her more or less. 

[migamiga 12,101]

2 hours ago, StrawberryBlond said:

But defining herself as black when she's not completely black is an issue. Being mixed is not a shameful thing. Being half white is not shameful. So, why are so many black/white people disowning their white half? I think it's quite offensive, really. If it was the other way around, people would be shocked and rightfully so. Paris Jackson is mixed but looks white and she's never disowned her white side, she calls herself what she is - mixed race. We're just at a time now where some people don't want to be associated with white people, even when it's in their own DNA. It's not a positive thing to be associated with right now. So, they throw facts in the trash and deny one half of them when it's clearly not the case. It's one thing if it's a black person with 2 black parents who has a white complexion (it is possible, as it is vice versa, I learned it in biology) but when someone who is biologically mixed race only claims one half of their identity, it's a whole other story.

Ok not sure why I still got a notification from you when I blocked you. And can't believe I'm going to answer you but here I go....

First of all, that first statement is completely ridiculous. Who are you to tell someone how they should identify? She is black. She's also white. Saying she identifies as a black woman is nothing new with multiracial black women nor is it wrong. Also i don't understand why people get so upset when someone is trying to own their blackness. Why is that seen as offensive? She clearly knows she's white (as well), addressed it, but says she feels black. She probably doesn't identify with white because she has black blood- which comes with a very complicated historical background aka the one drop rule (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/jefferson/mixed/onedrop.html). Imagine if you were biracial and only one side of your ethnicity embraces you- who do you think you're gonna identify with? I don't see anywhere in this article where she says she's ashamed or disowning her whiteness. This is a quote from the article: "I’m proud to be in a biracial family, I’m proud of who I am, and I’m proud of my hair."

No need to @ me again. I'm sure you'll come back with some long-winded statement on why you disagree with me again.

[Claymore 671]

4 hours ago, StrawberryBlond said:

See, this is something that annoys me. Why is it that a significant portion of mixed race people identify themselves as the half of themselves that is darker? I've encountered many a black/white person define themselves as black...but I've only seen one black/white person define themselves as white. And she was a tragic case who was full of self-hatred, had racist perceptions of black people, supported the Confederate flag, etc. Why is it that someone who is half white and defines themselves as simply black causes no one to bat an eyelid? But someone who is half white who defines themselves as simply white would be accused of racism? This is a classic example of how racial relations are very different to how they used to be. It's considered better to identify as non-white. It gains you more oppression points, makes you seem different, makes you appear cooler. If the black race was so massively oppressed, why are so many half black people prepared to identify as solely black? Because they know there's upsides to that in modern society. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that racism doesn't exist or anything, I'm just saying that the full extent of the problem is a bit exaggerated at times. At this moment in time, it's a very significant time to be black. Black people are owning the music charts, are all over the news presenting their views, racism has never been a hotter topic. So it means you get a lot of attention if you identify as black right now. And some people like attention. Just sayin'.

But defining herself as black when she's not completely black is an issue. Being mixed is not a shameful thing. Being half white is not shameful. So, why are so many black/white people disowning their white half? I think it's quite offensive, really. If it was the other way around, people would be shocked and rightfully so. Paris Jackson is mixed but looks white and she's never disowned her white side, she calls herself what she is - mixed race. We're just at a time now where some people don't want to be associated with white people, even when it's in their own DNA. It's not a positive thing to be associated with right now. So, they throw facts in the trash and deny one half of them when it's clearly not the case. It's one thing if it's a black person with 2 black parents who has a white complexion (it is possible, as it is vice versa, I learned it in biology) but when someone who is biologically mixed race only claims one half of their identity, it's a whole other story.

Why do I always have the feeling that you're veiling your own racism whenever you post something about black issues?

[nswain1110 2,784]

To all these ignorant posters - shame on all y'all. Halsey has a black father and a white mother. She has every right to identify as black - that's HER identity, not yours to throw stones at. The people on this site - just shameful. Bout to sign myself outta here - this site's fans, if ANYTHING, should be accepting and kind, not judgemental and condemning. Mother Monster would not be proud. 

[Bette Davis 12,742]

What's the problem with her embracing her heritage and culture? She doesn't get to identity with her heritage just because she happened to get lighter skin by the roll of the genetic dice?

[courtneylove 171]

There is such thing as black privilege, too, and I'm sure she's feeling left out of that. 

[Fiona Apple 13,006]

22 hours ago, neptugne said:

Her DNA is half black but gorl on the outside you look 99% white, there ain't no "passing"

that was her point though

[Fiona Apple 13,006]

21 hours ago, babs said:

To me, it's like ok you have some black heritage in your dna, but you look white, you act white, yet you put on a black woman identity on for... idk what her intent is tbh

it's kinda like when other white people go " I'm 30% german and 15% cherokee so that means I'm..." no, you're white, and you privilege from your whiteness.

I feel quite sad that "acting white or black" is still a thing 

[Fiona Apple 13,006]

15 hours ago, StrawberryBlond said:

See, this is something that annoys me. Why is it that a significant portion of mixed race people identify themselves as the half of themselves that is darker? I've encountered many a black/white person define themselves as black...but I've only seen one black/white person define themselves as white. And she was a tragic case who was full of self-hatred, had racist perceptions of black people, supported the Confederate flag, etc. Why is it that someone who is half white and defines themselves as simply black causes no one to bat an eyelid? But someone who is half white who defines themselves as simply white would be accused of racism? This is a classic example of how racial relations are very different to how they used to be. It's considered better to identify as non-white. It gains you more oppression points, makes you seem different, makes you appear cooler. If the black race was so massively oppressed, why are so many half black people prepared to identify as solely black? Because they know there's upsides to that in modern society. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that racism doesn't exist or anything, I'm just saying that the full extent of the problem is a bit exaggerated at times. At this moment in time, it's a very significant time to be black. Black people are owning the music charts, are all over the news presenting their views, racism has never been a hotter topic. So it means you get a lot of attention if you identify as black right now. And some people like attention. Just sayin'.

But defining herself as black when she's not completely black is an issue. Being mixed is not a shameful thing. Being half white is not shameful. So, why are so many black/white people disowning their white half? I think it's quite offensive, really. If it was the other way around, people would be shocked and rightfully so. Paris Jackson is mixed but looks white and she's never disowned her white side, she calls herself what she is - mixed race. We're just at a time now where some people don't want to be associated with white people, even when it's in their own DNA. It's not a positive thing to be associated with right now. So, they throw facts in the trash and deny one half of them when it's clearly not the case. It's one thing if it's a black person with 2 black parents who has a white complexion (it is possible, as it is vice versa, I learned it in biology) but when someone who is biologically mixed race only claims one half of their identity, it's a whole other story.

Absolutely agree with everything

[Parsakaali 268]

Oh wow. this must be an american thing or something since I'm really not getting it.

She is half black, half white, so she is both, no matter what she looks like, the cultural aspects are the same.

[Miracle 14,068]

Even though she doesnt suffer the systematic oppression afroamericans people suffer in the USA, her being half black and saying it publicly makes her vulnerable. Maybe in a different way black people are vulnerable, but mixed people suffer from racism too. His father is black and she has the right to embrace her race It's not like a distant relative of her in the 1800s gave her the droplet of blackness. He's (not accurately but) 50% black 50% white. Fight me all you want, Halsey is a mess but facts are facts.

 

[Miracle 14,068]

9 hours ago, briffan2014 said:

There is such thing as black privilege, too, and I'm sure she's feeling left out of that. 

Black privilege...the things I got to hear in here.

[StrawberryBlond 14,193]

18 hours ago, Raikov said:

This isn't a "recent thing". The one-drop rule (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/One-drop_rule) has been a legal thing in America for a century (and a social thing for even longer). There wasn't a "choice" to identify with your black half or as mixed race - you were legally forced into that identity. If you were white passing and wanted to be treated like a full citizen, you were denied the opportunity to ever tell anyone about your heritage because you would lose those privileges. Those cultural beliefs won't disappear in half a century any more than white supremacy will. It's naive to expect a country can "get over it" quickly and, frankly, ignorant to think Halsey identifying with her black side (because historically, that's what she would have been) is an example of reverse privilege.

And this isn't just some American thing. South Africa under apartheid prevented mixed race people from identifying with their white side and forced them into a third category. In fact, it criminalized mixed race relations. Other countries mat have different, more lenient conceptions of race, but they are not relevant to Halsey who is Anerican, born to American parents, lives in America, and is therefore subject to American conceptions of race, which have been heavily influenced by the legacy of slavery, segregation, and ultimately white superiority over other races.

I know about all that stuff. But that was then and this is now. That stuff is no longer relevant to today's living. You no longer have to pigeonhole and limit yourself. Halsey has grown up in a time where it's ok to claim a non-white or mixed heritage. You no longer get legally treated differently for doing that.

Yes, America has different conceptions of race as opposed to my culture. Believe me, the American conceptions of race infuriate me as a British person...and only claiming one side of your mixed heritage is one of them. Although some my country's people do that as well, but not to the same extent as Americans. And I think it's high time American conceptions of race were updated and they stopped focusing on the past so much. Most other countries have moved past their racial history, why can't America? Britain made slavery illegal not that much earlier than America and yet we don't constantly bring up slavery or let it define our present or believe black people are still suffering the aftereffects of it today. So, why can't America start catching up?

17 hours ago, F AM E said:

Ok not sure why I still got a notification from you when I blocked you. And can't believe I'm going to answer you but here I go....

First of all, that first statement is completely ridiculous. Who are you to tell someone how they should identify? She is black. She's also white. Saying she identifies as a black woman is nothing new with multiracial black women nor is it wrong. Also i don't understand why people get so upset when someone is trying to own their blackness. Why is that seen as offensive? She clearly knows she's white (as well), addressed it, but says she feels black. She probably doesn't identify with white because she has black blood- which comes with a very complicated historical background aka the one drop rule (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/jefferson/mixed/onedrop.html). Imagine if you were biracial and only one side of your ethnicity embraces you- who do you think you're gonna identify with? I don't see anywhere in this article where she says she's ashamed or disowning her whiteness. This is a quote from the article: "I’m proud to be in a biracial family, I’m proud of who I am, and I’m proud of my hair."

No need to @ me again. I'm sure you'll come back with some long-winded statement on why you disagree with me again.

Oh, you blocked me. I never knew that. That tells me how much you value people providing a different opinion, then. I, on the other hand, never block because I value everyone's input, good or bad. But maybe that's just me.

I'm telling someone how to identify, racially speaking because I believe in telling facts. You are lying about your race if you claim one half of it as your sole colour. It's the definition of deception and delusion. If she is white as much as she is black, as you claim, why do I get the feeling that you wouldn't be supportive of her if she claimed herself as solely white? No, claiming one side is not exactly new but it's working differently now. In the past, they wanted to identify as white, in order to get treated right, but now they're wanting to identify as black to gain oppression points, as that gets you further in society now, where we're encouraged to be diverse and give the oppressed a fair chance. I've seen POC get more opportunities than white people with the same qualifications for this very reason. It's just we don't like to admit the reason. I have no problem with someone owning their blackness...if both their parents are black and/or they are telling the biological truth. It's offensive to only claim one half of your mixed heritage because you are showing preference for it over your other half and there should be no preference when it comes to that stuff. Just like how you don't have a favourite child/sibling/whatever, you don't favour parts of your racial heritage over the other parts. I'm asking people to embrace both sides equally. Just claiming one side is racist. Don't you want equal treatment? So claim both sides of your heritage equally. And what's this "feels black" nonsense? That's preciely what keeps us divided in society, it's what fuels stereotypes. I'm white and I don't "feel white." How I look on the outside doesn't define who I am on the inside. Well, if I were biracial, I would be annoyed at the other side of my ethnicity who didn't embrace me and demand they change. I would not want to choose what side I identify with as I believe in the best of both worlds. I would define myself purely in factual terms - biracial. I wouldn't intend to mislead anyone or lie to myself about what I am and what I am not. I especially would not identify as solely black if I looked white. That's just asking for trouble, from all sides, for all different reasons, mainly that I'd be looked at weird for claiming blackness when I look white as the driven snow, potentially leading to accusations of me claiming blackness to get oppression points. I didn't think that you would be supporting a mixed girl identifying as black when she looks completely white, regardless of what her DNA states. I thought you'd be saying that she should be ashamed of herself for identifying as black in attempts to appropriate their oppression.

A long winded statement, perhaps. But to suggest that it's not worth listening to is rude.

15 hours ago, Claymore said:

Why do I always have the feeling that you're veiling your own racism whenever you post something about black issues?

Wow, that is very hurtful. It's been very shocking for me to be accused of racism for the first time in my life these days. I've always been one of the most accepting people in regards to race. Ever since I was a child, I never looked at anyone different to me as inferior and I've carried on that wisdom today. I have always accepted, embraced and supporting different races and cultures. I believe that if you want people to be nice to you, you have to be nice back. So, even when I do treat people nicely and they don't treat me nicely back, I still try to be as civil as I can, in the hopes that they'll change their ways one day. I operate on kindness and fairness. Just because I choose to treat POC equally by challenging their theories if I find them to be inconsistent or wrong (the same way that I'd do for any white person) does not mean that I'm a subconscious racist who is blind to my own ignorance. It's very hurtful to have negative assumptions made of me just because I'm white and challenge a POC's view. I view that as equal treatment, not racism. It's an eye-opener to find out what people think about me in secret as you've never spoken to me until now. Maybe you should get to know me better before judging me so hatefully. I'm really nothing like you think I am.