Why Did the Washington Post Call Me African American?

[@nytn]

The WAPO article online:www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/07/03/what-african-american-is-fourth-july-reflections-race-racism-america/ 👕 NYTN Merch: www.nytonashville.com ☕Send me a coffee!: ko-fi.com/nytn13#linkModal 📱 Connect on Patreon: www.patreon.com/NYTN

[@paradisepriest1320]

Danielle -- don't let this stress you. In the end, human beings are 99.99999999 (to infinity) the same. That was proven by the Human Genome Project, way back in the late 1990s. If you saw some of my cousins, you would be shocked. They "look" white - like you! (Whatever that is supposed to mean). Some of them are so "white" that you would never be able to guess that they have even one drop of African in them. My late aunt, Tante Fifi looked like a German woman. Her sister, Tante Ti Ta, looked like a very light skin Black woman. Both were born in Haiti to the same parents. The reality is that everyone, no matter how non-African they "look" are all descendants of Africans. We are all from the same stuff no matter what people want to believe. What I am waiting to see is the SHOCK of Spanish People when they realize that "Iberian Peninsula" = Mixed Black. ** Spain is about 16 miles from Northern Africa -- The Moors. The Spanish and The Moors have been interbreeding for thousands of years. BTW -- Look up the Alhambra Palace to see what The Moors (and Spanish) created.

[@jorgeo4483]

I haven't seen the video because the series bores me, but in part it has to do with being a left-wing newspaper, therefore with low self-esteem and lack of Christian values, another part because the USA is a traditionally racist country and its victims are also racists like we have had the pleasure of tasting in this same forum. Everyone likes to have someone underneath them, and I mean everyone. Another reason is the lack of an adequate dictionary like Spanish, which I have also been able to verify here, but hey, in a language whose slang dictionary already has more entries than the Oxford one and that few people speak correctly, it is difficult to avoid. You are mulatto, not black. Mulata in Spanish is a compliment. If you call it to a Cuban or a Brazilian girl, they start making faces to you and moving their hips. "Oye cómo va... mi ritmo... bueno pa gozar... mulata!" (Carlos Santana)

[@robertmarley8852]

She does not look white Maybe latina To be honest she looks like she's half and half A hybrid

[@RedddyReddbone]

@@nytn I love that you 5th Great Grandfather won his freedom. Nöel Coindet v. Benjamin Metoyer because he deserved it 3 months earlier. But thank God he got it and justice was served. 🙏🏽😇

[@philamoureux675]

You're a Gumbo, and mighty Hip one at that.

[@danajackson332]

This is how the one drop rule works. They decide for you.

[@thephantomcomics]

Yea just read that in few history books. Even if you look white as white. You were black if your grandmother or father was.

[@lighttrappedinfleshandbones]

Exactly, until you tell them the Moors ruled Europe for 800 years and conquered Northern Italy & Portugal.😂

[@victory7763]

It's because people hear the term "only" when they hear the word black for some reason. But when Jason Mamoa talks about being Polynesian, no one assumes he's saying he's "only" Polynesian, same with other mixed people who don't have black in them, but with people who are mixed with black, they take the term to mean "pure African" and that's simply not how the term has been used in America for 100s of years

[@lisasprovidence4572]

I get a sense from listening to you that being labeled "African American" made you immediately feel isolated, limited and boxed in like many other Black/ African American People. In a way your "freedom/ independence/ rights/ privilege" to identify as your authentic self was taken away without your permission which is characteristic of the experience of so many African/ Black Americans . If blacks were treated and respected as equal to caucasians I'm guessing a lot of mixed people wouldn't have any issue with being labelled/identified as "black."

[@claystevenson1821]

Amen

[@spunstricken9065]

@@lisasprovidence4572 I don’t think this is her position at all. She has been raised in a particular Culture within her family. This is her experience. She feels and is Italian. I am 20% Chech. I have ZERO idea what it means to be Chech. I’m also 13% Scottish. I would feel disingenuous walking around like some person in Brigadoon. Let’s also not pretend that there she wouldn’t face a barrage of hate from Black women about how she isn’t Black. I know about this being 25% Black myself. People need to just let others be who they are. It’s no one else’s business.

[@intellectualnapalm_fba]

@@lisasprovidence4572 As a biracial man (black and white - and I’m actually 53% white and 43% black)…. NO ONE would bat an eye if I call myself black. EVERYONE would bat their eye if I chose the opposite. I am 100% considered a black man. I 100% consider myself a black man. I would have it no other way. Am i part of the “problem” or did the “problem” impose itself on me?

[@lisasprovidence4572]

@@spunstricken9065 Agreed ... that's why I mentioned the organization took away her right for her to express her authentic self. Mixed people know these feelings all too well.

[@spunstricken9065]

@ Thank you for the clarification. Still, many of us don’t want to be classified by others. I don’t want to be classified as Black, because I feel no need to deny my Caucasian heritage. This lady has lived her life as an Italian in that ethnicity. There is no reason for her to be Black. She already has an identity that she is comfortable with, even while she acknowledges and seeks out her racial diversity. Personally, I want to have the freedom to be Biracial. That is what I am. I am a scientist by education. I majored in molecular genetics. Identifying with one side is illogical to me, as I have always known about both sides. I have genes from two races, my mother actually shows much more racial diversity than my genetic profile. I am rather boring by comparison. She is the mixed race side. I saw my maternal grandmother deal with this and I strongly identify with her perspective. Her father was Native American. Her mother was mixed race. She insisted on identifying herself, even though the consensus named the family White at times of Mulatto at others. She didn’t deny her White if Black ancestry, but identified as Native. Her husband was labelled a Mulatto on his birth certificate, White by the census and Mexican on his death certificate. He was actually also part Jewish and Malagasy, as well as Dutch and Scottish. They just wanted to be who they were. It is others that make a big deal of it. It is more important what is in our hearts and how we show up for one another, than who our people are it what we look like. 💗🙏🏽💗

[@MinervasGirl]

Sounds like you had your first black experience. You begin to see things differently. The more you have the more they can change you. Continue sharing. It's really appreciated.

[@Galidorquest]

If she grew up in a Blk neighborhood and had a Blk step-parent, then she'd probably identify as Blk and have a Blk husband. She would've had a different life, a different attitude, different accent, and she'd probably get dreadlocks. There are plenty of Ambiguous mixed people who consider themselves Blk based on their upbringing, like Mariah Carey. If you're ambiguous, you get to choose your identity based on your upbringing and/or appearance.

[@JohnMinehan-lx9ts]

Kind of a Kingsblood Royale experience (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingsblood_Royal)? Most people of West Indian heritage have Irish, Scots or Welsh blood. I think (as someone of Scots and Irish heritage) that people are more accepting of that now. A lot of Irish Families in NewYork have Black heritage as many black families have Irish heritage, as with Gov Patterson. We are all human. Human History and Genetics prove that every human being is a cousin, if not necessarily a close one. All fights are family feudes.

[@JGlass-os5th]

I have mixed heritage (including Creole) but am predominantly of African descent. I am EXTREMELY PROUD to be the descendant of people who epitomize endurance,strength, and intelligence PERIOD.

[@Delited2bme]

Thank you. I saw the title of the video and gave it the Black girl side eye. I'm here watching.

[@allanluis3696]

almost ALL African Americans have 'mixed' heritage. Look at DNA results of AA, they have between 10-20% non African DNA on average. Some have much higher, of course.

[@renitagriffin6998]

Period

[@allanluis3696]

almost all AA have 'mixed' heritage. Look at DNA results, on avg they have 10-20% non Afro DNA. Obviously Creoles tend to have higher percentages.

[@memcrew1]

Creole is just a mixed person.

[@beauxcarroll8348]

I am 92% European and 8% African. Oddly enough I have African ancestry on both sides of my family. I only found out because of the Navy tests for blood disorders. I was called to a room with 34 other men and they were all black. I have G6PD deficiency or I would have had to wait another 30 years to find out. On a side note my family always insisted we have native American ancestors. This seems to be common among both white and black people. Both would rather come from natives than the other.

[@robertmarley8852]

Wrong Black folks are American Indians

[@terryparker1694]

@@robertmarley8852 LOL No.

[@raulrambome]

😂😂😂😂😂​@@robertmarley8852

[@coquireport]

@@robertmarley8852 Not true

[@alireid5874]

Many natives with darker skin where classified as Black. Many were also enslaved. This is well documented in Virginia if you look up Walter Plecker and the Racial Integrity Act, but I'm sure similar things were happening all over.

[@hellothere4724]

Not complicated for me. My white ancestors never came looking for my family. My Family of African descent mentored me, loved me and accepted me.

[@HEEBEEJEEBEE9123]

👍 to you from me; notice you didn't get a ❤️ from her. B1 💪

[@dpeasehead]

@hellothere4724: Thanks for posting this. This is the most accurate description of the black American experience when it comes to so called white (and Indian) ancestors. Why would I want to identify with people who have never treated me as family let alone as a full citizen of the US? It is not black Americans' mission, calling, or job to engage in one sided love affairs with hostile or indifferent groups in order to "heal" America or to "save" western civilization or humanity from itself.

[@joeyscribbles9803]

Yeah like I said in America hypodescent rules and your non white ancestry is what makes you are what you are

[@joeyscribbles9803]

And all black americans are of admixxed origins many of us came from mixxed ancestors

[@roseiswine8294]

@@dpeasehead I agree!

[@CTJM_Middleton]

It's because of the one drop rule. Everyone around me considers me black, even without asking me what my heritage is. Everyone who knows me, knows I'm not fully black, but that's still how I'm viewed.

[@thomasbarca9297]

I have an ancestor who is AfroCanadian I would be considered black in the US but I’m a mixed human being with European, Aboriginal Australian and African heritage I’m proud of all my ancestors equally their struggles make me proud to see they came through and had a full and rich life

[@4th_Disciple]

White Americans used "Black" synonymous with "tainted"

[@dev_apostle]

if you read Isabella Wilkerson's Caste, even the Nazis really couldn't understand the one-drop rule in WWII. They thought it was a step too far.

[@davidsaroea5530]

Ignorant people

[@rooseveltd.odomjr.9747]

According to my genetic DNA testing from 2015, my roots are “unwanted Melungeon heritage” hailing from Robeson County in southeast North Carolina. However, I have learned that so many very light-skinned Melungeon relatives chose to “pass for white” in the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries to escape from hardship to look for a better life. The funny thing is that I told them that the “One-Drop Rule” did not exist in law until the legislation created and passed a eugenics law called the “Racial Integration Act of 1924” law to replace the outdated 17th-century eugenics law called the “Pocahontas Clause” and then added the One Drop Rule policy until on April 12, 1967, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Racial Integrity Act of 1924 law (43 years span). 🤔🤔🤔 I wrote in 2015: everybody, ... I received my AncestryDNA testing results yesterday, and here is my DNA list: Africa: Cameroon/Congo Benin/Togo Ivory Coast/Ghana Nigeria Senegal Mali Africa Southeastern Bantu Africa North Africa South-Central Hunter-Gatherers America: Native American Asia: Aisa South (India) Europe: Ireland Scandinavia (Norway and Sweden) Europe West (France and Germany) Finland/Northwest Russia Great Britain Europe East European Jewish Italy/Greece

[@intellectualnapalm_fba]

The construct was created without our consent and it is applied without our consent. You can choose to opt out, but it’s difficult for me to understand anyone who wants to redefine such a divisive system of description. If anything let’s just tear it down and start anew. As a biracial man (black and white - and I’m actually 53% white and 43% black)…. NO ONE would bat an eye if I call myself black. EVERYONE would bat their eye if I chose the opposite. I am 100% considered a black man. I 100% consider myself a black man. I would have it no other way. Am i part of the “problem” or did the “problem” impose itself on me?

[@markhyman5825]

You are 100%.. you. It's their problem if they want to put you in some racial box.

[@MaryLou913]

@@intellectualnapalm_fba Great points!

[@dpeasehead]

@@markhyman5825 "Racial boxes" have been historically imposed by force. Unless you can "pass" as white, you don't get to opt out as a visibly black person on most places on planet earth..I was actually alive when jim crow was still legal and during the many decades of fighting against jim crow, apartheid and colonialism. I think that people like yourself see the world in very simplistic terms but only when it come to anti black racism. No one ever offer Jewish people the same kind of non solutions to anti-semitism such as not talking about it or disappearing unpleasant history and unpleasant current social realities.

[@jujutrini8412]

You are just living in the reality of your society. You could try to change it if you want to but you could also just deal with it as is.

[@shadowess1961]

@@jujutrini8412 Wow.

[@giorgiodifrancesco4590]

American labelling people. It's an obsession.

[@nata7536]

We got it from Europeans lol

[@giorgiodifrancesco4590]

@@nata7536 You don't know Europe of now. The problem is the culture, not the skin, if you like labelling.

[@dr.migueltorrezedd8651]

It's not just America. Europe and Australia do it too.

[@LIL-MAN_theOG]

yes and no...those labels also tie you to a culture...thing is, many dont want to accept the cultures they are tied to. And due to the racism in this country, this is why many people wont accept being of black or hispanic ethnicities, etc.

[@dpeasehead]

@@giorgiodifrancesco4590 There far too many nazi emulators and similar people running around modern Europe to buy that..

[@johnholmes4943]

The thing that is missing is that if you were alive 50, 60, 70 years ago, all of the success you now have would have been stripped from you, just like that. This is how fragile, harmful and subjective race in America can be if you find yourself on the wrong side of the color line.

[@bobfaam5215]

Nope . Not really. Afr:ican Am:ericans have m:ilked the rac:e ca:rd more for their be:nefit.

[@fredrika27]

Not necessarily. Check out the story of Johnny Cash who said he was Native American AND married to a biracial Black woman whom Johnny was forced to divorce for his career.. However, his daughter Roseanne found out differently. No wonder the man drank and took drugs all the time! He was made to feel like he was inferior by those around him or as it was printed for his great great pawpaw, "unfit for gentile society."

[@chilisaucecritic]

yep, 60 years ago in the south the most harmful thing a person could say about a white person was "I think he/she has a touch of the tar brush" which basically meant that person looked white but had some trait that was more common among blacks suggesting distant black ancestry(like thicker than average lips or frizzy hair etc etc, and once that rumor got started it could ruin any opportunities you may have had otherwise.

[@moehawk2243]

It still can with one false accusation

[@Roberta-q1q]

​@@chilisaucecritic took me years to figure out "the woodpile" might refer to someone's dismantled family tree. Used to associate the image of someone hiding in a woodpile with an eavesdropping opportunity, like in _Fellowship of the Ring_ , when Samwise Gamgee crouched below Bag End's window to listen to Gandalf and Frodo.

[@tracycrum3788]

Welcome to the TRIBE! Being deprived of a choice by the powers that be is the most BLACK/AFRICAN AMERICAN experience there is.

[@marceloamador92024]

What ? No, your American first and african second= American of african descent.

[@calicoesblue4703]

@@marceloamador92024 No, we are African Americans. We are African People. You call yourself whatever you want but you don't speak for us. We are Black people

[@joschelei262]

@@marceloamador92024 Their constitution says otherwise. 😏

[@marceloamador92024]

@@joschelei262 wrong.

[@joschelei262]

@marceloamador92024 Even the right to vote for "black people"expires in the U.S.

[@visionaerie]

Welcome to the one drop rule 2024, without trying to be too snarky. welcome to the club. Don't worry you'll get used to it.

[@nytn]

funny to see it playing out this publicly

[@theprimitivista]

She's not suddenly black, nor are people going to see her as black and treat her like a black woman. Stop trying to give away my identity because you are fixated on including women who look like her into blackness in order to give you your own semblance of proximity to whiteness vicariously through her inclusion into your race.

[@kevingillard5474]

​@@nytnWhether or not they mean to, they have marginalized you and put into , to their eyes, presumption of you're opinion(s) as self serving and not to be as trusted as a W person's who'd be auto presumed neutral

[@throckwoddle]

@@kevingillard5474 From the WaPo article it seems that it was either bundle her story into an article about the African American struggle for equality, or not publish it at all. Danielle's story mentioned five people, two of whom were freed, and one of whom successfully "passed" as white. The fourth and fifth were Danielle and her daughter. It seems to me that her article rightfully belonged under the Douglass headline, for those three. Her ancestral story demonstrates two ways that the African American found freedom and eventual equality in this country. Not just for themselves, but for their children, and for their eventually white descendants.

[@raulrambome]

@@visionaerie 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@mfl000]

Congratulations on getting your story in the Washington Post. I don't think it's that surprising that WAPO would assume that someone who writes about African American ancestry is African American, yes they should have asked but we live in this culture where we live with the myth of racial purity and segregation. Like you said, it's a lot more nuanced in reality.

[@rtgp2.0]

Yea it's clearly bs 😂

[@MaryLou913]

Great take. ❤

[@jamdawgutube]

But her ancestry is African so what's the point? Why are we acting like it's a big deal or a bad thing to have black ancestry?!!!

[@rtgp2.0]

@@jamdawgutube everyone is related at some point....

[@MrBazBake]

For black folks it's not that serious. We don't throw out the parts of us that are in you if you add other parts. You just get more parts. White supremacy has been historically eager to erase minority identities while making whiteness exclusive, a denial of history and place as well as a denial of access to upward mobility. Black folks, and Pan-African diaspora movements, have combated this with solidarity similar to how Jewish and Native American people have to resist racial and cultural extermination. Part of that solidarity is making space for mixed-race people by using black as "black AND ______" instead of the white supremacist "Black. PERIOD. When black people say, "black," it's never the end of the sentence, especially in the US where most black folks are already mixed-race in the first place.

[@Kon10-f4e]

That's a compliment. If your African American, you're considered awesome in a lot of parts of the world.

[@homodeus8713]

It’s because you’re American. Time African and Black Americans started appreciating and loving their country.

[@Bloombaby99]

​@@homodeus8713 Excuse you? I'm black and I appreciate my country very much. Do you say the same thing to white people cause they have their share of complaints about America, too?

[@shadowess1961]

@@homodeus8713 Please stop telling Black people how they should feel. It's giving slave owner.

[@michaelporter1552]

@@homodeus8713Like a battered wife should love her husband? You should NEVER tell anyone what they should do and how they should feel until you have walked in their shoes.

[@wisdommasterreviews4712]

BLACK AMERICANS DONT LIKE THAT TERM!They are Foundational Black Americans!

[@bethel1242]

Liv & Steven Tyler just discovered there African ancestry. The 1% Law is STILL in effect Danielle. This is the reality of being powerless to labeling.

[@norrisc7163]

That was found out years ago on Television

[@eileenbrown3197]

Slash's mother was Black too!

[@Shng275]

​@@eileenbrown3197 Everyone knew Slash was half-Black. Neither Steven or Liv knew of their Black heritage. Which is funny in hindsight. They have full lips that are often associated with Black ppl.😂

[@coreylevine8095]

Country singer Clint Black found out he have Black American in him also

[@TruthIsLikeTheSun]

You are so kind. The law doesn't exist, but the RACIST people who created it still do. The more some things change, the more some things stay the same, like racism.

[@LTPoet]

I think the sad part is that people shout mixed because it gives them a closer proximity to whiteness. The truth is that there are so many people who are ashamed to be associated with blackness.

[@carinitolafountain5978]

They say mix because they are mixed. Steph Curry standing next to Michael Jordan, and both calling themselves "Black Men" is laughable. Take Steph Curry to Africa and ask them what race this guy is and they'd say "White". He would call himself "mixed". But he's not black.

[@LTPoet]

@carinitolafountain5978 There are light-skinned black people. There have always been light-skinned black people. From the San people of South Africa to lighter-skinned Ethiopians. If you take Steph Curry to Africa, they would likely just say that he's American and not half-caste. Most African Americans(unfortunately)have dna admixtures with at least 15-25% of European dna. That doesn't make us mixed-race. Mixed-race was not even taken seriously until white women(many not wanting their kids to be labeled as black) started pushing for the term to be used. It all comes down to folks not wanting to be treated like "regular " black people. All over the world, dark skin is shunned, and not just among blacks.

[@Trendsetic]

I appreciate your candor and can fully appreciate your situation. Racial Objectification. I'm a mixed race black man who is more white presenting to some. When I was 16, I told a newspaper covering me that I identified as Black, when I went to Europe to study, the reporter called my European father to "confirm" my race. And they published what he said over what I told them. I wanted to swim home and correct them in person. Well. I'm working on a documentary about my aunt Rosetta, and her 1957 cold case. A beautiful Black woman who happened to be mixed Black, European and Native. I'll be posting about that. I'm trying to prove that we are related to Jimmy Carter's family, strong evidence that suggests that. We are all connected. For many the one-drop rule still applies.

[@JohnMinehan-lx9ts]

My $00.02: take pride in all the things that make you who you are.

[@SPM-tv]

You officially have your black card! Welcome to the family ❤

[@nytn]

According to Jeff Bezos anyway :D

[@bendavis1458]

Is she confused or upset of being African American or what?

[@bornfromforeign]

Afro Italian American

[@SPM-tv]

@@bendavis1458 its a label she never used to describe herself. My wife had a similar experience being African/Indian she never really knew what box to check she always put her nationality first, which is something I wish America would do.

[@nagone11]

@@bornfromforeign I've known quite a few...shout out my boys R. Nunn and J. Amato...never forget the famous Franco Harris!

[@gethappy]

I commented many months ago that white society determines race and you responded negatively- I am glad you had this experience.

[@SmallBobby]

😂

[@krissmith9952]

Actually God said it's 1 Race , the human race, Caucasian evil created this demonic division~ Memento Mor!~

[@Grimloxz]

Yeah, I saw it on a few occasions...

[@MaryLou913]

“Hypodescent is the practice of automatically assigning a person of mixed racial ancestry to a lower-ranking racial group. The term comes from the words "hypo-" meaning less or inferior, and "descent" meaning to be derived from. Hypodescent is a concept in anthropology that has been used in societies where some races are considered superior or dominant, and others are considered inferior or subordinate. The opposite of hypodescent is hyperdescent, which is when children are assigned to the dominant or superior race. Hypodescent has been used in the United States to classify people with African American ancestry as Black. For example, in the 1660s, Virginia passed laws that defined the children of female slaves as slaves, regardless of the father's race. This led to the "one-drop rule", which classified anyone with African American ancestry as Black. The principle of hypodescent was used to maximize the number of slaves and minimize the number of citizens with legal protections and economic benefits. It was also used to facilitate the enslavement of children born to slave women and white men.” I’m super mad the comment I kinda worked hard on probably got posted to some commercial or the next video that played. 😩 Whatever! Hypodescent is a concept I learned about in college Anthropology.

[@Myopinionmattersthemost]

What in the world is a lower ranking racial group? If you are attempting to type that Black people, people of African ancestry are a lower ranking racial group.

[@hildaovalle1455]

Hi, I was familiar with just about everything that you wrote, but I didn’t know the term “ hypodescent” which is kind of self explanatory . Thanks…. I always like to read the comments because I learn a lot from doing so.

[@aussar01]

How can a person who is octoroon, quadroon or a Mulatto be classed as Black when genetically they mainly or half mixed with white people?? This is a blatant lie the person with this mixes are not BLACK

[@crystalsparkman1815]

First of all why are calling being Black a lower race!!!! I’m offended by this statement. Also why is she or anyone else so ashamed to be called Black I can see it in her!!! True she is multi racial , if this is what she wants to be called.

[@mission9195]

Hypodescent-- super problematic term!

[@KA-hr3cn]

The one drop rule is a helluva drug that this society can't seem to kick.

[@beaujac311]

It won't get kicked until the US confronts its racism head-on.

[@dpeasehead]

The so called "one drop rule" isn't any worse than what other racialized societies have concocted to justify their racial hierarchy..Latin American style racism doesn't work any better for black people in Latin America or wherever Latin Americans go either.

[@beaujac311]

@@dpeasehead Actually I think the one drop rule did work in our favor. In these other countries they had all of these different color lines of which they could pit each group against each other. One family with the same mother and father could have various children in different color caste. That did not happen here with the one drop rule. If you were not white you were other no matter how light or dark you were.

[@Galidorquest]

@@dpeasehead Latinos generally don't care about race as much people in the US or they wouldn't have so many mixed people. When you see a Latino, you often can't tell what race they are. Latin countries & communities are very different from the US.

[@dpeasehead]

@@beaujac311 And the racial hierarchy: white on top, irregardless of talent or morality, and black on the bottom, is the same in nearly all of those nations which claim to be better at dealing with racism because of those color lines that they have erected in place of the American "one drop rule." Where are all of the black generals, diplomats, pilots, doctors, presidents, CEOs, etc. in those white and mestizo dominated Latin American nations? Where is the black middle class? Most of Latin America is about 100 years behind when it comes to treating black people as full humans and has NO societal mechanisms to enable change or improvement. But plenty of anti-black sentiment and bias geared to maintain the status quo.

[@nagone11]

Every time I tune in I always see an excellent video. That "One drop rule" was applied, regardless how ridiculous it is. Race is a very subjective political/sociological/societal thing here. Underneath it all is an American caste system that is applied here, and when you break it down and show the very subjectivity of this, people's lack of comfort become very evident. The institutions will do all it can to maintain it..if it can. Always great insights NYTN.

[@beaujac311]

nagone11:. But some of you try to explain it away as if it never existed and had an influence on how people were seen and treated. It's almost like you are saying that history never existed.

[@nagone11]

@@beaujac311 What?? I don't follow what you're sayin..

[@beaujac311]

@@nagone11 What I'm saying is that was the standard for so long for a lot of black people. There are black people who could pass for white who would fight you if you told them they were not black. They've been black all of their life. I constantly see younger black people telling other black people you are not black. I"m 62 years old and as a child at a family reunion I see some people who I thought were white. I asked my mother why are these white people here and she says their not white that's cousin so and so. Some black people will now try and tell you that a person isn't black if they don't "look black". To me it is kind of like the brown bag test in reverse.

[@aussar01]

The American that has been stolen to represent the castle system was originally used to describe the real American as the Copper Coloured race that was found in the Americas written in the 1828 Websters dictionary..

[@mickey10jb80]

​@@beaujac311 i totally agree. I sometimes feel that from this channel but im not sure if thats her intention

[@jiladawilliams2503]

It’s so strange that my brother was listed as black on his birth certificate but on his death certificate he was listed as white!

[@keymusabe7207]

It’s not “strange “, called ⚪️🤫 supremacy

[@torhansen8570]

I found this video very compelling. I am of Norwegian/Swedish and Finnish descent, but discovered much to my own surprise a few years ago through a new interest in genealogy that we also have a very large Sámi component in our family. It's something that has not been talked about or discussed at all. There is a cultural context here that merits its own discussion, but I won't take it here. I just wanted to say that I have had to confront my own feeling of identity. It is still somewhat of an uphill battle for many reasons, but we will eventually get to a point of.. equilibrium I hope. Thank you for your video.

[@lizh6578]

Warner Oland an actor who played Charlie Chan in the movies was of Sami origin. He was the only actor who did not have to have makeup to play the Chinese character. I find the Sami people fascinating. They toss out the idea of categorizing people by race. They are not of Asia, but bear a resemblance. Meanwhile there are the Xhosa people of South Africa who are not Asian, but also resemble Asians. Time to get rid of the idea of race.

[@thumbstruck]

Me too. A famous fiddler on the border of Sweden and Norway, "Lapp Nils" from 150 years ago was Sami. His tunes are still played.

[@kitefan1]

I sometimes follow the blog of a fellow who is of Native American descent. Back in the day he and a girlfriend went to visit the Sami people and they all thought it was interesting that he and his GF looked like they would fit right with the Sami.

[@saidapagan6056]

I have been writing about this.

[@saidapagan6056]

About the Sámi.

[@DewayneOh6]

It's not common for someone who does not identify as African American to enthusiastically tell the story of a Black American ancestor who was enslaved (unless they did something extraordinary). Not sure if you had a KZbin channel or website at the time you submitted the article but if staff from the Washington Post saw you, they would easily assume that you identified as Black. Yes, they should have checked, but given the context of the situation, like you said they didn't think about it. Additionally, you didn't realize that people would make this assumption. If people come across your KZbin videos where you're highlighting one of your Black Ancestors, they will likely also assume that you identify as Black. Only until they've watched enough of your videos will they realize that you identify as Italian American? It's not common for White Americans to claim and be proud of their African ancestry if they have it, so if they come across you and your love for your people, they definitely assume that you're Black

[@nytn]

You are right that I didn’t know how it would be perceived, I was just excited to share! I did not have youtube back then

[@yahainHotPink]

I love that you're sharing this. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼❤

[@nytn]

Thank you! I think a lot of people will understand this.

[@senorfedora9630]

You look Mediterranean, most people in the world would never consider you black.

[@evamyers5457]

Who told you that white supremacist consider the world white or black and no middle

[@amybethea6187]

I have a white mother and a black father. My DNA comes up 57% European, 37% African, 6% Asian ... No one cares to ask how I identify. I am proud to be who I am and proud of my heritage. I hate how the world categorizes you and that is that. It is so divisive and wrong.

[@godisiam9614]

Awesome mindset but how do u identify? B4 racial identity was removed from government driver license, what racial category did u select?

[@amybethea6187]

@@godisiam9614 Over the years, I have put everything on my form: African American, Mixed Race, or Other. One time I was at a doctor's appointment because I sprained my knee and for the race section of the new patient form I crossed out the whole menu with a big X, and wrote: Human next to it. The nurse and doctor reviewed my form, laughed, and told me I was right.

[@AmericanObserver-kq7ye]

@@amybethea6187 I'm African American with some Native American. I haven't gotten a DNA test, because I don't want European White DNA. To me, you appear to be a (very) light-skinned African American or Puerto Rican (Black). All the Black people I know and biracial Blacks love being Black. Especially if they have a Black mother Like the Maury's.

[@TingTong2568]

@@AmericanObserver-kq7ye i can smell how high of a paranoia you're going through fearing of having white European DNA. I know it'll be tough and it will make you live in your basement crying for the rest of your life. It's better if you dont take the test.

[@ORTEZW]

I think, when a person is the child of a biracial relationship, you are proud you are proud of your heritage, and probably celebrate them both, but you are usually anchored in one culture or side more than the other in your life, and possibly how it is documented, different official documents, Race is actually a construct, before the invention of race, people identified with lineage, And race in America can be a totally different animal than anywhere else. People say, people of color, as a black man, and other black people do not accept that, p.o.c, it's not a lineage I can identify with, but the African side of my lineage and proudly. It is good that you know your heritage, but what part of your heritage do you identify with are anchored in, I would think that is who you are and rightfully so, seems to me I think, more from your mother's side, my wife was German, My daughter is aware of my heritage and history as a black man, but she mostly grew up in Germany,her younger years, she identifies as black, but also sees herself as German.( Yes that's would be nationality, but also a lineage, ) but it works for her. An that's fine, you are whoever you have anchored yourself to be within the heritage and culture you descend from, Be it Hispanic or black, Just my thoughts,

[@sunspots6077]

I don't care what you are called you are so cool!

[@nytn]

you seriously made my day

[@inwiththenew]

I remember you originally considered yourself as white when you thought you were full Italian, but to be honest you don't look full white... Maybe hispanic or mixed.

[@hildaovalle1455]

She was going by the more recent USA assignment of Italians as whites. At one time, in the USA, Italians were not considered WHITE of course because many , who came from southern Italy, had dark skin, etc. The fact is that when you come from southern European countries, we cannot be surprised of our African genes. I have 6% Northern African, probably because I’m part from the Canary Islands and I’m very fair, etc. The Spanish people populating these islands, mixed with the Guanches who have been traced to Northern Africa. A lot of our DNA is lost through the generations but, Sub-African genetics are still found in the DNA of some southern Europeans. I say, more power for it. African genes make us beautiful.

[@hanng1242]

@@hildaovalle1455 You know, Dennis Hopper's character in "True Romance" had something to say about that. 😜

[@herseyberry4655]

@@hildaovalle1455 The Moors ruled Spain and Portugal for centuries in the Middle ages.

[@S3bot]

Full white? That would make white a purity or what? Many Mediterranean people look a bit tan. Egyptian whites are mixed heavily with Bantus, Dinkas & Nubians. Spaniards and Portuguese look that way. Rafa Nadal is a good example.

[@AmericanObserver-kq7ye]

@inwiththenew, Yep. She looks Hispanic and like some biracial Black women. Her hair and facial structure says that she has Black genes.

[@Sanjovalentine]

Imposter syndrome and being mixed are almost inseparable based on our One-Drop Rule, Black & White Western thinking on race. You are who you are! You come from many beautiful cultures and should have no shame in identifying with ALL of it!

[@nytn]

thank you for this, it really spoke to me

[@apextroll]

It is not western, it is uniquely American. Other societies have their own rules.

[@RepentImmediately]

😂 speak for yourself

[@brooklyn5755]

Wow that’s crazy and rude of them! On the side note, thanks for sharing this with us.

[@RadicalTrivia]

I hear Paul Mooney's voice echoing in my head...

[@_Plumtree_]

I'm not sure what the setup is that introduces the part you wrote (the story's paywalled, so I can't read it all). However, the sub-headline "Readers reflect on race and racism" sounds accurate to me, and not like the Post was saying you personally are African-American; you were telling the amazing story of your ancestor. I'm glad you got to the conclusion you did about the bigger picture. Race in America is dense and complex and painful!

[@nytn]

ahhh I didnt know it was paywalled!! Ill find a work around. The back and forth with the editor gets to the meat of the issue (I explain in the video)

[@Premium_YouTuber]

​@@nytn❤

[@bihsaidwhatnow2392]

In the words of the prophet James Brown, "Say It Loud - I'm BLACK AND I'M PROUD!"❤🖤💚

[@homodeus8713]

She says she’s not black and she’s not proud. The cats out of the bag and she wants to shove it back. How could she do all that research and not know that the one drop rule is alive and well. It has the light skinned girls traumatised and melting down on Tiktok by being vile to darker skinned girls.

[@friedchicken4735]

Cept she's not black

[@bihsaidwhatnow2392]

@@friedchicken4735 She may not "identify" as BLACK . . . . . but America's rule does. Therefore, may she EMBRACE the GOODNESS of the GREATNESS and the GREATNESS in the GOODNESS of being BLACK!!🥰❤🖤💚 and 💚💛❤🥰

[@RepentImmediately]

​​@@bihsaidwhatnow2392don't get mad then when women who look like her become the standard of what the world thinks black women should look like. And don't get mad when most black men prefer to date women who look like her, or lighter.

[@kaykreatesbeautyartist]

In all my 32 years I’ve never heard “it”. My Jamaican coworker told me the other day “ I am pretty for a dark skin girl, I wonder how you would look light skin “ . I was in such shock 😳. I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. I would expect that from a Louisiana Native or a light skinned Louisiana native. But my coworker who is my same color. It really makes me feel uncomfortable because now I feel like I cannot trust her. It’s been little things here and there and now I’m like is it because I’m brown, our other coworker is light skin. And lately I have consistently overheard my Jamaican coworker blaming things on me . I will not be there long, crazy part it’s the best job I have had so far. It’s not MY last stop though. 👌🏾 thank you for this channel it is highly appreciated

[@michaelrochester48]

I’m finding a lot of slave ancestors in my Sicilian ancestry once you get into the 1500s. One marriage record was for a woman with the last name Tagliavia that name is usually a name associated with Sicilian nobility, but immediately after her name was “scava” or slave… I’m starting to understand why a significant part of my Ancestry shows North African

[@jcortese3300]

I've found the same thing -- remember that Rome extended into north Africa as well. Two thousand years ago, my ethnicity would have been !00% Roman instead of the patchwork of nations that now ring the eastern side of the Mediterranean Sea.

[@bihsaidwhatnow2392]

You mean "enslaved" . . . . . . .

[@hildaovalle1455]

That was the reality of Italy, Spain and Portugal and others, ,previous to the 1500s. Africans have been part of the history and the genetic of these countries without a doubt. The difference is that they didn’t discriminate in the same way. Once the black traits disappeared, you became part of the majority race, which is exactly what happens when you continue to admix, an admixture that creates beautiful people……in my opinion.

[@mickjen]

The North African and Levant blood is brown, not black. I’m a quarter Sicilian and the Berbers were brown indigenous, and other nations were Arab. Honestly, I say “mixed olive ethnicity” at this point, because my half-Polish side is rooted in the Balkans and WASP standards called Poles non-white, and even the Italians made Sicilians leave from the island, or travel in steerage. On government forms, I select Other, non-Hispanic and write in “multi-ethnic”. But they have been taking stem cells from babies born in US hospitals since the 70s, so they already damn well know what a melting pot America is and whom is owed reparations.

[@gmalcolms]

Sicily was conquered by Arabs and Berbers from North Africa in the 10th c. and they ruled over the island, and settled there in large numbers, for 200 years. That is why all Sicilians, myself included, show North African heritage. It wasn't due to slavery. In the 16th c. there was an influx of sub-Saharan slaves into Sicily, but their DNA is very distinct from that of North Africans. Slavery in Sicily was not racialized as in the US and in earlier periods there were many slaves from Eastern Europe as well.

[@davidmolina7543]

You are so perspicacious and honestly raw. Continue speaking truth to power sometimes it is utterly uncomfortable and painful, but also liberating.😎

[@nytn]

perspicacious! YOU MADE MY DAY. what a great word :)

[@buckocean7616]

@@nytn Not gonna lie. I had to look it up. It's the perfect word and an apt assessment. 🎯

[@Percept2024]

@@nytn I agree . They call English a " Germanic " language , but a very large percentage of English words have Latin or Greek roots.

[@aussar01]

​@@Percept2024English is a mongrel language which steals words from other languages ie Alcohol from Arabic

[@JohnSmith-ct1nb]

I have seen your videos come up on my stream a few times and I must tell you this. Welcome to the United States of America, I know it’s kind of trendy to say I am part this part that and the other. Some black people ( I said some) weren’t brought here because they were Fulani, Igbo, Ashanti or Wolof they were brought here because they were black. Like brother Malcolm said. I am glad that you are proud of your mixed heritage but at the same time I can’t help but feel it’s part of the same mental disorder that plagues Africa today. I am older than you so I have seen a couple of cycles of this where our people divide themselves into sub tribes right here in America. FBA’s, ADOS, redbones, Creoles and Soulanis are just the latest cycle of names we use while searching for an identity in a Eurocentric society where proximity to whiteness is rewarded and taken away at their whim. I myself they can change what on my birth certificate as many times as they like, just as they did my great grandfather ( mulatto one year something in another ten years). Me I have and will always identify as black, simply a Black American with all the advantages and disadvantages it comes with.

[@niyab8148]

Greatly said. That was something I said to another in the comments that "WE" are almost truly the only set of people who have been reidentified/reclassified over and aver again. BUT the more I keep digging the more I find out and I see WHY they make it there business to HIDE us or the truth! I often get confused b/c the pushback we get in society and even our friends & family. They often refer to us as the "third race" but if you have not looked into this check out Mr. Plecker from the 1920's He began classifying and reclassiffying the Indians to just "COLORED." Here is a little snippet of that truth: EROSION OF NATIVE AMERICAN IDENTITY: Plecker’s reclassification efforts led to the denial of legal recognition for Native American groups, many of whom were forced to identify as "colored." This was devastating for Native American communities in Virginia, who found their cultural identities being erased, OFTEN leading to GENERATIONAL CONFUSION about HERITAGE and ANCESTRY.

[@JCSAXON]

It’s great that you found positivity through relative experience. Please don’t feel embarrassed! I’m sensitive about representation as well & have experienced quirks with articles in small publications. You definitely should have been asked, considerately but I understand the conflicting excitement of being chosen for feature ❤

[@markpeter4304]

Sometimes its not how you self identity, but how the world view you. The question now is how did that make you feel. Did you embrace it or did it make you angry or annoyed. Your deep feelings reveal how you really feel about your African ancestry.

[@nytn]

Neither angry or annoyed, but imposter syndrome!

[@caspersbestfriend]

@@nytn I bet. Someone trying to speak for you sometimes is annoying in and of itself, especially when they misspeak.

[@yahainHotPink]

Self identity is most important. The world is not who has the right to identify people.

[@RedddyReddbone]

No she does not identify as African American. If you even have followed her ever, you know that her grandmother passed as white. She never claimed to be African American until she took the test. They did not know they were African Americans, so they won't living as African Americans. I don't understand some people, and how they don't understand that. I'm biracial myself but I choose to identify as black. We all don't identify as black, she does not even have that much black ancestry. So she felt like she would be an imposter, and they made her seem like that. When they put her down as an African American. She didn't tell them to do that they decided on that themselves at the Washington Post. You're trying to make this comment, like she doesn't accept being black and that she really feels this way. That's what I'm getting by, reading your comment but I don't see it is that. I don't see any of her information coming across as that. Maybe you should go to her patron account like I did. It's only $1.25 a month you'll get better information cuz you'll get it all. You can't get all the information over here without her being demonetized That's my suggestion for you.

[@apextroll]

I know where you are going with this, but it is dismissive of her multi-heritage.

[@BlueGirl-wo1xv]

It is the presumptive, American way, to tell you what you are. Thankfully, you are a self-aware, conscientious woman who took the time to consider your own thoughts. For certain, more important than anything else, you are a child of God. God bless! ❤

[@AnneDowson-vp8lg]

Presumptive American, yes! This brought back a memory which I'd almost forgotten. Many years ago, I met an American priest and when I told him my great grandfather had died in America by falling from a skyscraper he was building in Kansas City, he assumed that he must have been Irish and told me must stick up for the Irish against the British. This was during the period known as 'the Troubles' in Northern Ireland. Only afterwards did I realise that the man who died in Kansas was English, not Irish and I've since learned that he didn't fall from a skyscraper but fell into the machinery of a corn mill in rural Kansas. For years I resented Father Chuck's presumption. This seems to be a particularly American trait, or am I being Presumptive. People should stop thinking they know everything about other people after just one brief encounter.

[@denisegoring9511]

A good one! Being part of the human African race should never be a bad thing especially since all human life started in Africa although society has done us a grave injustice! My granddaughter favors you…her Dad is considered white and her Mom is a Black American so we teach her to proud of her ancestral melanated ancestors from Africa because society will always bring what they think is great about White ancestors! You are doing a great thing in breaking down the racial barriers!

[@patriciaryan1716]

I love this channel. Only one like it and you are so cool. Brave, genuine, and faithful, and make no appologies. Rightfully. Also love the viewers and comments❤. I feel the love here and understanding! I feel like watching your videos this year has opened up my heart for understanding, love and seeing people one person and thier story at a time. Thank you. We all have worth and all have a story. So did the people of the past. And its given it a voice. Made things so personal and challeneged the cut and dry the books teach in a few pages. God bless you and keep you. - neighbor from NC

[@SuperAnimelover100]

Well said !! :)

[@patriciaryan1716]

❤​@@SuperAnimelover100

[@diegomattia4806]

Well done on your article, Danielle, and thank you for the insight.

[@cmerritth]

In 1985, when i was stationed in italy, i had an italian girl-friend from Prato, a small city out side of Florence, she looked almost identical to you, her skin tone, her hair and facial feature. I guess she would be classified as black here in the USA.

[@raulrambome]

Something is very wrong with that notion. Just saying

[@QuitoBrazil]

​@@raulrambomeplease do elaborate

[@giorgiodifrancesco4590]

Then she was American, not Italian.

[@cmerritth]

@study the early Ellis island history how italian emigrates was classified.

[@giorgiodifrancesco4590]

@@cmerritth Bla, bla, bla. If it makes you feel good, that's fine.

[@jarredf30]

As a Louisiana creole who is white passing or racially ambiguous at best,this is the story of my life. Throughout my life it sometimes seemed like everyone else but me wanted to decide what I am and put me in a box. I never understood, and still don't really,why that was so important to people. It really makes lots of people uncomfortable if you don't look like,act,or conform to their expectations. However,what I do know is I'm not here to conform to anyones rules or expectations when it comes to identity. Those that have a problem with that then that's their issue to work out and not mine. And I offer the same to others. Identify how you want and it's not my place to tell anyone else who they are or aren't. Maybe one day the WP will learn to do the same for others.

[@BearingMySeoul]

It's wild tho how black people can sense black dna in a heartbeat. Even without her sharing, I would have strongly (and rightly, lol) assumed she had black ancestry. The thing is, ancestry doesn't determine your CULTURE. Mariah Carey is culturally (American) black, white-passing, with Afro-Latino dna. Hopefully, as the world moves forward, people will understand that culture, dna, and appearance don't always go together!

[@KTKacer]

It felt dishonest sort of (maybe)( to you since you weren't raised in that way. IIDK, but I think I know what you mean, even tho I'm Brit, Irish, Scott, Norwegian/Swede & a sliver of Welsh & North American Indian. It would be if they called me "Indigenous American", when I was barely aware of that 3% growing up. If that makes sense. Whatever genetic background you have, you are beautiful. If I had to guess (and I'm likely a poor guesser) I'd think you were probably mostly Italian-American but wouldn't be shocked by Irish, African American or Indigenous American 'bits' in the mix, or even something "Middle-Eastern"? maybe? Anyway, 1st vid of yours I've seen. Good video, sorry this happened. Hope you get to an ok place w/it.

[@marceloamador92024]

African-American is a derogatory term , labeling people as second class citizens. 1.People confuse United states citizen with American. 2. Only the Anglos/white are inclusively called american. Example black african- american, mexican mexican - american but any anglo of european descent is american it should be european-american. Even Anthony owens used African-Amaerican 🤔

[@joklavary-ks1sl]

In someway, you have become like your grandmother, a person who you have never met because you know who you are, but you know what’s best to identify as today’s just like Yesterdays😢like grandma 👵🏾

[@LTPoet]

Welcome to the black community, sis. Good to see you.

[@Xelanderthomas]

I hope you get over the embarrassment. You have an amazing message, and you are an asset to society. Your strive for honesty is important

[@secretplace5103]

Blackness is a state of mind that she definitely doesn't have.

[@dondeestaCarter]

A decription of what's inside said mind, I would add...

[@ericgray3596]

By the way, i admire your presentations immensely!

[@TheEr910]

I'm glad you published that article and shared with us. Frederick Douglas was misquoted. He said, "What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July?" People from America, Africa, Asia and Europe were enslaved here.

[@bihsaidwhatnow2392]

However, let's be absolutely clear about it from Frederick Douglas' speech . . . .ONLY African's were enslaved by LAW, and by such LAW, were deemed NON-HUMAN, 3/5th of a human being AND were not considered "citizens" until challenged by LAW. ONLY African's who were enslaved, CHILDREN were automatically ENSLAVED. To which "American", "Asian", or "European" person enslaved in America experienced what the human beings from Africa experienced while enslaved? I'll wait for a truthful, historical answer.

[@ronniejohnson196]

@@bihsaidwhatnow2392 Indentured-servants(contract-labor) vs hereditary enslavement(generational-bondage), was the fundamental difference between Africans' and All Others, who came to the Americas; But, only after laws were codified to make anyone with African descent, to be deemed as slaves into perpetuity.

[@carrgip]

​@ronniejohnson196 That's wrong as hell.. Indians were the first slaves here.. The Irish and Dutch were indentured servants until they fought with some Indians to free themselves.. This story about slavery was over exaggerated.. I got books that date to 1760 and lower to prove it.. I got my genealogy on both sides to also prove it, and I can show my line to 1780 on one side and 1670 on another side.. Was there slavery? Yes! But nothing like how the people said it was in the 1990s.. How does a historians word in the 1960 supersede a historians word in the 1700s? 🤔

[@bihsaidwhatnow2392]

@@ronniejohnson196 And so we are saying the same thing --- besides confirming what I said, was there a point made that I missed or needed correction??? I see @carrgip has a problem with your assessment. . .you might want to educate that font on the reality of enslavement.

[@ronniejohnson196]

@@carrgip "and All Others, who came to the Americas", referred to just that, and Not to Native-Americans' who Were Here Already. Peace...

[@faithlesshound5621]

This is the most American thing I have seen today. Your five times great grandfather was a black slave? That means you are an African-American. Americans who claim to be "Scottish" or "Irish" may do so on grounds equally tenuous. You have 128 people in the category of "5th-great grandparent," so 1/128 of your heredity came from each one of them, but that's the one you focus on. If your ancestors did not travel far, many of those 128 could be the same person.

[@superwhootyshaker]

She sounds like she's ashamed of her native Black american heritage. Many creoles idenfies as BLACK and are proud of it. But this is not your case.

[@qworky902]

I don't know why you think she's ashamed. I identify with her. I have mixed ancestry, and feel like I would be faking it if I told someone I was black - it makes me nervous being seen as trying to get some special privilege that way. My dna is 38 percent subsaharan african and and people confuse it all the time. My boss thought I was from India until long after I was hired. I haven't lived the 'black experience' I see black leaders mentioning, and can't fake knowledge of things I feel like I'm 'supposed to know' if I say I'm black. I also never noticed anyone (in person) judging me or anyone for their racial or ethnic background. I had to give my race for some form, and the guy asked me for my race, and I said I didn't have one, and I saw he wrote in "white" without my permission. Then, a guy interviewed me and I gave the same answer 'i dont have one', and he obviously didn't find it good enough because he then asked about my parents' races. But what is the point? He also asked about pronouns and other things that seem completely removed from daily life of going to work, going shopping, hanging out with friends, volunteer work, ideals, etc. Yes, you might be able to see in my face that my great grandparent lived in Italy- but what has his ethnic and racial descent really got to do - with me? No I'm not ashamed of black ancestry - I just don't care. I really do not care. I'm not proud of something like skin color - is that a reason to be proud. I wore a green shirt today - I'm supposed to be proud of green?? I feel like black people are forcing race as an issue, and white people are doing the same because the liberals among the white people secretly see African descent as inferior and say, "oh poor so and so, I need to sweep in and help them".

[@Kydzy]

I love this video and your vulnerable transparency☺️

[@robertmarley8852]

It's disheartening when someone tries to put you in a box

[@RepentImmediately]

Not if you think for yourself and realize that people are irrelevant.

[@tzone777221]

Thank you for your authenticity.

[@ericmckay3047]

You should know better than most about the "one-drop" rule.

[@nytn]

back in 2020 I had no idea! Im learning fast and furious over here LOL

[@bihsaidwhatnow2392]

@@nytn Are you disappointed? As long as I've been rockin' with your channel (since day one), I'm thinking you would be PROUD to belong to such magnificent body of people and would embrace the beauty, the strength, and the fierceness that comes with the title, "African-American / Black" ❤🖤💚

[@nytn]

Im extremely proud of my ancestry!

[@omggiiirl2077]

As long as you stand with us, defend us, do no harm to us, and love us, and when times become precarious and dangerous you close ranks and have solidarity with us, then yes you are Black. But you must most importantly see yourself as Black and feel the connection! I'm Half Black, and I see myself as Black. Mixed heritage but Black. Especially since this last election. We ain't got allies or friends, not even the indigenous have our backs. We just have us. And you will one day understand that being Black is a blessing, but outsiders make it hard. And those outsiders will put you with us. Also consider that even though you didn't grow up as a Black mixed ancestry person, your ancestors are your ancestors, your genetic connections are what they are. This is the call of tge universe for you to explore your Blackness. Explore it. Make the connection. Don't feel shy. And I'll go a step further. This us also the same experience "fully" Black people in the diaspora have with their Afrucan tribal affiliations! Many people feel this way about connecting with igbo culture, or Akan culture, because we were intentionally separated from our cultures about 500 years ago. But those are still our ancestors, those are still our cultures we had a history before America. Just as much as you are indigenous you are European and African. More than one thing can be true at one time. That why I claim my IGBO heritage with pride! You ARE a Black American. And a woman of African ancestry. Now if you started creating chaos in our community, and causing harm then we will have a problem with you. Such as our problems with the likes of Candace Owen's, or Clarence Thomas, or Omarosa. Those are glaring examples of Black people who used their influence to damage the Black community. Even people like ice Cube I would consider to be detrimental to our community. But you you have the blood connection, and you here to be with us, girl welcome, you just light skinned. Come on in, get you a plate, sit on down, its a blessing to be Black!

[@herseyberry4655]

Ice Cube and a whole lot them showed us what sellouts they really are this election.

[@regina7795]

Love it

[@NiviWord]

Black means not just in color but in your overall attitude, manners and thinkings. Most blacks have victim mentality and as Candace says are thus not accountable for their evil actions in their thinkings and attitudes. But there is a powerful group of blacks who although less in number are responsible, take accountability for their actions and talk with integrity without pointing fingers at anyone. So, they consider themselves to be just Americans because America stands for empowerment, justice and work hard culture which they relate to more than the black community people in general. Black people are so sensitive in their attitude towards those people whoever finds faults with them. A very difficult people who needs to humble themselves a lot.

[@debmc369]

How can you even know what Blacks Americans think and feel ?? According to your page you are in India. ​@@NiviWord

[@NiviWord]

@debmc369 The world is a small place compared to the past and the American media is everywhere so its easy to understand people . Moreover, India has a huge population of its diaspora there and so Indians are interested in things of the US. Finally, even people of Indian origin are in politics there like Vivek Ramasamy so America doesn't belong to any one people, culture and ethnic group!

[@mightylaser0000]

It really brings it home how persuasive the idea of race is they took one look at you and decided who you were.

[@stevenwayneart]

Growing up Creole, I never identified as African American, but often had that label put on me by others. Thanks to decades of Jim Crow indoctrination, Americans have a compulsion for categorizing people in narrow-minded racial boxes, but what's worse is the shame and gaslighting you often face for correcting them: like claiming you're delusional, self-hating, or "uppity" for identifying as Creole instead of black (or white). Most Creoles aren't ashamed of our African heritage, we just embrace all of our ancestry equally.

[@BeFruitfulMomma]

I never thought of it this way.

[@chotsanipwhitt4744]

Must be wonderful to have a choice. To not be black. To be valued, to be seen, to be all that is beautiful in America. Creole … that’s so much easier, acceptable, just generally better than black. To take the “easy” parts of African ancestry food, music, while leaving behind the hardships of African Ancestry- Jim Crow….. this is the American way.

[@stevenwayneart]

@@chotsanipwhitt4744 What choice? Having other people, white and black, always dictating what you're allowed to be and resenting you for one reason or another (like you seem to be doing now)? If you think Creoles never had any hardships, then you don't know Creole history. What's wonderful is embracing what God made you and not looking for validation from others, or letting them determine your identity and value... which was my whole point.

[@MaryLou913]

@@stevenwayneart We’re all free to choose how we want to be identified, whether true or not. It’s not how the social construct of ‘race’ works. When you look like other Black people they will label you as ‘Black.’ Keep in mind all African Americans, if their family has been here since before the Civil War are also African and European, all, 100%. With that said, I’ve never seen the difference in being Creole, Mulatto or African American. All are Euro-Africans with varying percentages. Given, under French and Spanish rule, Mixed race individuals were given more freedoms, today holding on to the ethnicity seems to be a way for those who are light skin to still assert their superiority and to disassociate themselves from other Negros, especially given many Creoles marry other Creoles, therefore keeping their lineage light skin in a desperate attempt to make sure any privilege is still accessible. That’s on the one hand, on the other, food, dress, language, religion, customs, music, etc are what constitutes an ethnicity. Creoles have developed their own unique culture based on the communities they’ve interacted with and descended from. I guess when I think of ‘creole’ I think of the brown paper bag test.

[@stevenwayneart]

@@MaryLou913 If there's no difference in being Creole, Mulatto or African American, then there's no difference in being African American and Latino, since most Latinos (like Puerto Ricans, Brazilians and even Mexicans) have varying percentages of African ancestry too. Yet Black people in America have always distinguished themselves from Latinos, and even take offense to certain Latinos calling themselves Black (ask Jennifer Lopez). The irony is that Creole and Latino are essentially the same thing. Most Latinos are "mixed race" people with European, African and Native American ancestry who originated in Colonial Latin America and speak a Latin language, which is exactly what Louisiana Creoles are (French is also a Latin language, and Colonial Louisiana, which was once ruled by Spain, was part of Latin America before the USA even existed). So why do Black people recognize Latinos as distinct ethnic groups who are free to take pride in their ethnicities and cultures, but with Creoles, we're just "light-skinned African Americans who think they're better than the average Negro"? That's exactly the kind of shaming and gaslighting I'm talking about.

[@dr.arikgreenberg25]

As always, you are awesome. Great video!

[@MademoiselleCréoleRosa]

Now I identify as significantly Black, but not predominantly. Since finding out a year ago that I’m not predominantly Black like I always thought. Now I identify as all of me. When I fill out paperwork, there’s no word that says Creole listed. So, I check Black and Latin. 66% of me is Black (Afro - American and Haitian), and Latin mixture of French from France, French Créole, Canadian French (Cajun), Spanish (Spain) immigrants, Spanish Criollo, Sicilian, Native American Choctaw in which the tribe is Native to Mexico first and foremost and migrated to East of the Mississippi River 2,000 to 9,000 years ago depending on which historian ya ask. So that’s my little few drops of Mexican indigenous ethnically speaking. I’m also Irish bc come to find out my mom’s biological father’s White side was Irish. His Creole side was Spanish immigrant and Spanish Criollo, French immigrants and French Créole, and Black / Afro - American. Then I’m also German and Dutch. I identify myself as all of it. Lol!!! I identify as multi generationally mixed Louisiana Creole of Color. On paper, I mark Black and Latin. Since that is majority of me. And since there’s no Creole word to mark. I’m also just absolutely not marking other. If the form only allows one thing to be checked then I check Black. Bc even though I’m not predominantly Black … Black / African derived is the largest single percentage of me at 33%. I’m also exactly 33% Latin, but that’s a mixture of French, Spanish, and Sicilian. I don’t know why Spanish derived people got the monopoly on the word Latin. Latin literally means from any part of Latin Europe and Hispanic means derived from Spain. We all know inhabitants of and descendants of former Spanish colonies are a mix of Hispanic and Indigenous blood and commonly have different variations of sub Saharan African blood too although not always. We all know that the Latin ethnic groups of Europe all tend to have a little North African and or Arab and or EurAsian / Mediterranean Middle Eastern mixed in them. Although not always. Anyway, I identify as all of me. I identify as Louisiana Creole of Color and multi generationally mixed and I will list everything on any given day of the week. On paper, I’m Black and Latin. Or Black if that’s all they let me mark. I’m going with Science. Lol! My experience growing up was 100% Afro - American only but with a few sprinkles of Creole culture mixed in. I was raised up in predominantly White neighborhoods since the age of seven years old. So … in a sense … my upbringing was also surrounded by White American culture. I was also used to being the only Black girl in my neighborhood friend group. I had Black friends from school though. They didn’t live in my neighborhoods though. I was used to being the only Black girl in my gymnastics class. I was also one of only four Black girls on the dance team. I was just used to being surrounded by White people all the time. 😂😂😂 Even my first husband always used to tell me like hmph! You think like them White folks! 😂🤦🏽‍♀️😂 Anyway, since finding out I’m way more mixed than I thought I was a year ago … when I did my Ancestry dna … I’ve identified myself as mixed. Period. Lol!

[@herseyberry4655]

You forgot that many people in Europe are dependents of the Moors especially Spaniards and Portuguese.

[@BeFruitfulMomma]

I had similar shocking results (I'm 40% Black, which includes Louisana Creole). I literally cried because I literally had debates for years throughout childhood and college that I was 100% Black. Those Ancestry and 23 & Me results brought confusion and frustration. I still identifying as Black even though I am technically a mutt. 😂😢

[@Zariel_999]

@@BeFruitfulMomma those DNA tests are not accurate. they only test a tiny sliver of your DNA. don't let that erase your whole identity. (also, you should probably delete your DNA data from 23&me before they sell the company to some foreign entity.

[@dpeasehead]

@@BeFruitfulMomma Most "black" people in the Americas are "mixed" with whites and with some others unless they are recent voluntary immigrants from Africa. I have zero interest in acknowledging kinship with assorted non black ancestors who disowned my kind generations or centuries ago and have stood in opposition to black people living full lives as human beings in the US, Brazil, Cuba, and on and on and on..Unless black people have direct personal relationships with these so called ancestors including things such as inheritance rights, I don't understand why I or any other black people want to engage in one-sided embraces and in one sided love affairs with them..

[@snail1720]

Latins or Latinos are no Europeans that speak Latin Romance languages, not Italians and not Sicilians, Spanish, or French. Rumanians also speak a romance language and they are not considered Latinos because it would be absurd. Latinos are politically and culturally only defining Spanish speaking South American, Central American and North American, and the Spanish speaking islands of the Caribbean. Haitians are not considered Latinos.

[@kennethrussell1158]

I friend of my wife and I who enjoy your channel said " You are officially invited to all the BBQ's", jokingly.

[@Manormouse-04]

Race, in America, is not a question of how one identifies, it is how one is classified. There are only three categories. They are White, non white, and black.

[@modgirl2001]

Thanks for being so open about your feelings and vulnerabilities on your channel. You have shared so much of yourself. My background is simple- I'm Asian Indian as far back as we can tell. My son is half Indian, one quarter Italian and one quarter Irish. My ex is of Italian and Irish heritage. Just from a historical perspective, the US is the only country as far as I know that instituted the one drop rule to propagate slavery. Acknowledgement of half white offspring would have drastically reduced the number of people coopted into slavery. It was awful, unconscionable and evil. It is the original sin of the United States. The subject of race ( total social construct) is divisive. Too many people have come out of the wood work proudly declaring themselves racist. Its despicable and destructive. That's why your work is so important Danielle. Keep up the excellent work. Thank you!

[@DM-xt3rl]

Say what you like but whenever people “protest” being called and/or identified as being black it reeks of shame. Would you feel the same way if someone asked you if you identify as “white”. Would you have the same oh I don’t want to be miss identified as white response. I get when people want to claim “all” of their heritage but the fact of the matter is there are so many individuals with varying shades of skin that are of “mixed” race heritage it isn’t even funny. So proudly proclaiming “mixed race” isn’t the flex that a lot of lighter hued individuals think. It is very common.

[@Karsielatee]

So they’re really out here just calling anyone African American? SMH 🤦🏿‍♂️

[@marceloamador92024]

Its American of African descent,

[@Karsielatee]

@ No it’s not

[@stephaniek4298]

Us curly haired people worry so much about our hair being "crazy." You have good layers, so it has a nice shape. I'm just as prone to be self-conscious of my curls being crazy. It seems like shiny, controlled hair is the most envied look.

[@alireid5874]

Curly hair is enchanting. Lively, unrepresented, a symphony. ❤

[@carlburch4450]

Now you know what that type of disrespect on a daily basis feels

[@bko2173]

I don't wish to be identified as African American. This is a label that Jesse Jackson came up w/, which I find ironic, since he, himself is of indigenous ancestry. There are Indians in Virginia that were forced to identify as African or negro, simply b/c they were black. This does not consider the fact that all black people are not African Americans or even African. The Australian aborigines identify as black, but not African.. Fijians are black, but not African. Even if you accept the "out of Africa " theory, you need to consider that people who had ancestors who migrated out of Africa thousands of years ago, they have since undergone an ethnogenesis and now have a different culture and language.. Black Americans of African heritage have also undergone an erhnogenesis., w/ a different culture and language.. You are correct. The African American label is not for all blacks. You still have black blood.Nothing wrong w/ admitting to having black blood. It does not cancel out things like indigeneity, Islamic or Jewish heritage..

I am a very light complected 'Black" in America with hazel eyes and fine curly hair and has been considered 100% Black !!! So therefore I am!, also both of my parents are Black. 100% 'Black".

[@moonbay2399]

Unfortunately, you were raised with a secret. As the truth comes to light, things are naturally going to change. You have a new identity: you are Indigenous, Afro, Anglo, and Latino, and that is beautiful. Sometimes, we have to set aside what we were taught while growing up, especially when it was kept secret, and embrace the truth as adult

[@bihsaidwhatnow2392]

"Embrace the truth" . . . . . and EMBRACE the beauty of being BLACK!!! It is when we stop putting "levels" on human beings we will experience the greatness of being human beings.

[@carlamoore1548]

Yes!!!!! Acknowledge that your Great Grandparents told a bold lie. Lying didn't change they're DNA!!!! They are still BLACK and you are BLACK too. Don't dress it up any longer. Don't continue to carry the lie.

[@moonbay2399]

🤔 I never said to embrace the black; I told her to embrace being mixed. Being mixed is a beautiful thing since I am mixed race myself. Are you?

[@bihsaidwhatnow2392]

@@moonbay2399 Yet, I said, "Embrace the TRUTH". . . .as one who knows the TRUTH, there is beauty in being BLACK. I'm mixed with truth and love from the soil of East Africa. . . .and I stand 10 toes down on it being the BEST thing about being BLACK.

[@moonbay2399]

In the native prophecies that I learned from my elders on the reservation, it is said that the Creator made different races: black, white, red, and yellow. Black people are considered the keepers of the water, sent to learn about it. White people are the keepers of fire, tasked with understanding fire. Red people were sent to learn about the Earth and its teachings, while yellow people were sent to learn about the wind. There is a time when all four directions are meant to come together and share their teachings. I believe that mixed-race individuals are here to act as a bridge of understanding, allowing us to learn these teachings and create a better Earth-a better life for both humanity and nature. This is why I believe that rainbow people have a strong and powerful purpose, and we are just beginning to realize it.

[@sharrocks10011]

Your ability to “be honest” will help folks the most. Crazy story, but o so believable!

[@candace2117]

I think Frederick Douglass’ Letter was “What to the Slave is the 4th of July”, not African American. African-American was not a term that existed when Douglass wrote his letter, which was about the hypocrisy of celebrating Freedom when the country still allowed the ownership of Slaves. Sounds like the WAPO was posing a different question based on their article’s title, which seemed to play on the words of Douglass’ original essay.

[@nytn]

You are right!! I misspoke there

[@kadamawe1able]

its amazing how much we can learn about others and ourselves when we just LISTEN with a open mind.

[@picture-perfect]

You say your grandmother was creole and Hispanic, none of which means she wasn't black. Creole means she was at least half black. The word Hispanic pertains more to culture than race. In other words you can be 100% pure black and also be Hispanic. It sounds to me that you maybe racially mixed (not sure what with) but the one drop rule would play a big part in you being considered black. Europeans have reinforced that for hundreds of years so, with all due respect, your nuances doesn't really matter to anyone else but yourself. Many people of mixed race (half black/half white) see themselves as black through choice, like Barack Obama. When I first saw you I thought you were either black (mixed) or Italian. You're the sort of person who people might ask where your family is from, but it should not have been a surprise to you that the Washington Post considered you to be a black woman based on the fact that your 5th great grandfather was an African slave. Don't ever feel that you haven't got the right to be proud of your African heritage.

[@Ann-ub4mf]

They invented the labeling of people, congratulations on your article. 😊

[@jimmyalfonda3536]

Died 1995. Born 2024. Welcome back one drop rule.

[@raulrambome]

@@jimmyalfonda3536 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@bihsaidwhatnow2392]

Never died. . . . .just REINCARNATED!!!. . . . .In my Kendrick Lamar's voice ❤🖤💚!!!

[@Galidorquest]

What do you mean it died in 1995?...

[@crystala.4589]

Welcome ❤ we love you and your genuineness.

[@nytn]

Im thankful for you!

[@RogerFrancois-gj7ko]

Welcome to the black family! I watched you all the times.

[@purpleblueblackify]

kzbin.infoDGwzWHASLec?si=p55lpaE22Utt2zJJ

[@Thecallmemisterajp]

Interesting that you posted this today, considering that just yesterday there was a little debate on IG re: whether you can choose how you identify racially (done really in the context of trans rights and in a way that kind of invalidated both). In that context, a perspective like yours is interesting, as particularly with respect to the nuance you identify and the feeling you may have of having that choice of self identification (no matter how small) taken away from you. Good video and I definitely appreciate you sharing your perspective.

[@nytn]

Ohhh I am not on IG anymore so out of the loop. Thats cool to hear

[@arsnotorious]

😅😅😅... brown with curly hair... They don't realize how many cultures can share that look.😅 But if your advocating a cultural story... saying lineage. Your obviously associating with that side of our cultures.😊

[@jeremyshopper1630]

You are one of us now and forever more; welcome to our side, Justice Warrior.

[@exoexo0494]

❤ Is it bad to be black? Can’t listen to this now … will later

[@brandisyounge3561]

@exoexo0494 Bad my friend, very bad, especially when you're racially ambiguous.

[@stephanienwadieiiamhybasia]

“You got it “! Welcome to our world 🌎. I am “Creole “ and have been called many things. From negro to colored , Afro American. African in America, a woman of “The People “.( in my mind😊). I am a child of TMH who wants to be treated as an “equal “.

[@Lorenzo-r3s]

I refer to her as AMERICAN because trying to put someone in a race box, especially her is kinda pointless.

[@dpeasehead]

American, Italian, Chinese, etc. are all “boxes” with restricted worldviews but for some reason only “blackness” is called a box and considered to be a negative and a limitation..Maybe more people on this and other similar threads should think about why they think some “boxes” are better than others when history and current events say otherwise.

[@Lorenzo-r3s]

@dpeasehead I don't know why you said what you said but she's of more than one race so what is the problem?

[@RepentImmediately]

​@@dpeaseheadmaybe because black people are always crying about how being black is such a setback

[@ThisThingCalledLove]

"This is not a special thing happening to me. " Exactly

[@haricapra6886]

Don't be embarrassed. You didn't misrepresent yourself. That's that dumbass legacy media... Not on you, not at all. But I get it, so thanks for sharing!

[@nytn]

Legacy media needs to go away

[@neonphotons5093]

I think a lot of comments are jumping to negative conclusions and missing the mark. If I were labeled wholesale as an ethnic group I'm descended from but don't have lived experience as, it would be uncomfortable for me as well. Even if recent ancestors/family had that experience. It wouldn't mean I'm not a proud descendant. Keep up the great work, Danielle!

[@Suddenmindfulness]

The FBA’s are flocking to this comment section causing all types of chaos. 😭

[@Galidorquest]

*ADOS

[@raulrambome]

😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@ashh1371]

Where I’m from (central Appalachian mountains) everyone under the age of 50 would consider you Melungeon. Even the white folks all have at least 1 black ancestor from the last 5-6 generations.

[@mikeman2137]

They coined that term AA in 1988. No one was asked if that was what we wanted to be called. We have a movement now to call "black" people of today descendants of freedmen - Foundational Black Americans. We are an ethnicity not a race that devrive from our ethnogenesis in the U.S.A. Its a culture/ ethnicity so that doesn't fit you if you were raised as a white American even if you have common ancestry.

[@kitefan1]

African America is much older than that. I heard it when Afro or Natural first got popular as a hairstyle. There are records as far back as the "late 18th and early 19th centuries". Apparently Aframerican was used in the pre Civil rights era Negro Press publications.

[@beautifulgirl1375]

One drop rule. Be glad you haven’t had to spend a lifetime defying people’s eagerness to limit you.

[@jimcrawford3221]

Call me whatever you want as long as you call me for supper! 🙂

[@TheRealNewBlackMusic]

Hey you're afro American know it or not like it or not. congratulations , welcome to the fam!😃