Do you wonder what is happening with the Trayvon Martin case?

[skeemer]

You know, I was just thinking about this case the other day and what was going on with it. Then I realized I needed to trim my toenails and I spent about 30 minutes getting those de-speared so the midnight leg slicing my wife receives weekly subsides for awhile.

[flyboy56]

Poor poor misunderstood white people... y'all have it so rough here in the oppressive US of A

Isn't Obama a White/African-American? So why do we call him the first African-American President anyways? Is it because we can all feel good knowing White America is no longer racist? And aren't there white African's? Why not call Blacks Black/African-Amercans as opposed to White/African-Americans? I'm am really confused...

[Baltimatt]

Flyboy--

I guess you've never heard of the one-drop rule. As far as being confused ...

[jtowne-swim]

Establishing that it's perfectly legal to hunt someone down and stand your ground would be a most unfortunate outcome for Zimmerman.

Yes think of all the people who will stalk him and shot him the moment he displays some agression!

[Gopher]

I assume Mr. Martin is still dead and Mr. Zimmerman is about to be tried and probably acquitted of second degree murder. Is there something else we need to be aware of?

[The Eternal White Belt]

I assume Mr. Martin is still dead and Mr. Zimmerman is about to be tried and probably acquitted of second degree murder. Is there something else we need to be aware of?

If that happens, I will probably go work from home that day...

[musicmd]

Isn't Obama a White/African-American? So why do we call him the first African-American President anyways? Is it because we can all feel good knowing White America is no longer racist? And aren't there white African's? Why not call Blacks Black/African-Amercans as opposed to White/African-Americans? I'm am really confused...

I just could not find that category on a passport application.

[musicmd]

I assume Mr. Martin is still dead and Mr. Zimmerman is about to be tried and probably acquitted of second degree murder. Is there something else we need to be aware of?

Wishful thinking.

[flyboy56]

I just could not find that category on a passport application.

Funny, neither could I.

[flyboy56]

Flyboy--

I guess you've never heard of the one-drop rule. As far as being confused ...

I guess not Baltimatt. I'm thinking you're going to explain that rule to me...

[bmore_ken]

I guess not Baltimatt. I'm thinking you're going to explain that rule to me...

Really dude?

[Baltimatt]

Flyboy--

OK. Historically in the U.S., even a small portion of African ancestry (supposedly one drop of "black blood") would disqualify someone from being white. This was both socially and legally the case. Someone could look white, but if his ancestry were known, he would be limited to accommodations for "colored" persons. Sometimes, if the ancestry were not known and the person looked mostly white, a black person could "pass" for white.

Being white (or "pure white") was very important for some reason, and there was some need for excluding people who were not fully white from enjoying the same privileges as the pure white people, living where the pure white people lived, attending school with pure white people, eating in the same public facilities with pure white people, etc.

But anyway, we have traditionally referred to mixed race (black and white) persons as black.

[flyboy56]

Flyboy--

OK. Historically in the U.S., even a small portion of African ancestry (supposedly one drop of "black blood") would disqualify someone as being white. This was both socially and legally the case. Someone could look white, but if his ancestry were known, he would be limited to accommodations for "colored" persons. Sometimes, if the ancestry were not known and the person looked mostly white, a black person could "pass" for white.

But anyway, we have traditionally referred to mixed race (black and white) persons as black.

So that is what the fuss is all about here in Puerto Rico. Thanks for enlightening me. I guess I have been ignorant of that one-drop rule because it has never been an issue I personally needed to be concerned about.

[Baltimatt]

Flyboy--

I added a paragraph while you were replying to me.

[flyboy56]

Really dude?

Well I certainly can see why you might be concerned with that rule. No offense.

[flyboy56]

Flyboy--

OK. Historically in the U.S., even a small portion of African ancestry (supposedly one drop of "black blood") would disqualify someone from being white. This was both socially and legally the case. Someone could look white, but if his ancestry were known, he would be limited to accommodations for "colored" persons. Sometimes, if the ancestry were not known and the person looked mostly white, a black person could "pass" for white.

Being white (or "pure white") was very important for some reason, and there was some need for excluding people who were not fully white from enjoying the same privileges as the pure white people, living where the pure white people lived, attending school with pure white people, eating in the same public facilities with pure white people, etc.

But anyway, we have traditionally referred to mixed race (black and white) persons as black.

Even if some day we all become a mixed race we will still discriminate due to skin lightness or darkness. I see that happening here in Puerto Rico.

[Baltimatt]

Flyboy--

That too. Did you grow up in Puerto Rico? If so, then you probably have quite a different frame of reference from a mainland American.

[flyboy56]

No Baltimatt. After serving 20 years in the Army/Coast Guard I retired here in 2001. I was stationed here back in the mid 90's with the Coast Guard. I was born into a military family. My father was still serving when I graduated from high school. But having traveled all over the world I'm sure I did develop a different frame of reference than most Americans who did not travel much.

[Wizard777]

Flyboy--

OK. Historically in the U.S., even a small portion of African ancestry (supposedly one drop of "black blood") would disqualify someone from being white. This was both socially and legally the case. Someone could look white, but if his ancestry were known, he would be limited to accommodations for "colored" persons. Sometimes, if the ancestry were not known and the person looked mostly white, a black person could "pass" for white.

Being white (or "pure white") was very important for some reason, and there was some need for excluding people who were not fully white from enjoying the same privileges as the pure white people, living where the pure white people lived, attending school with pure white people, eating in the same public facilities with pure white people, etc.

But anyway, we have traditionally referred to mixed race (black and white) persons as black.

To understand why it was considered to be important. You'll have to go from the one drop rule to pure blood doctrine. It existed for thousands of years. But today not many people are familiar with pure blood doctrine. Thank the Lord! So I'll explain it. Most simply stated the whites believed that they were the descendants of Adam and Eve. They also believed that meant they had the God given gift from heaven and straight out of the Garden of Eden pure blood of Adam and Eve flowing through their veins. It was only the pure blood descendants of Adam and Eve that would allowed to enter heaven. That also put a unique spin on the Last Judgement. You were judged first and foremost by the purity of your blood. Those with the purest blood, frequently Kings, Queens and Aristocrats, would be given the highest places in heaven. Also transgressions were only commited by the lesser bloodlines against the purer bloodlines. Basically pure bloods could do no wrong. That brings us to the other races. Pure blood doctrine also came with a creation tale. Satan saw God create Adam and Eve. So Satan used his dark arts to make a man and woman of his own out of mud. They were called mud people. They were believed to be souless shells filled with pure evil that were made to resemble man. The other races were the mud people created by Satan. This is where the one drop rule comes in. One drop of the mud peoples blood flowing through your veins was all it took to defile and destroy your bloodline condemning you and your progeny to ever lasting hellfire. It's a truly atrocious bit of primative religious belief.

[flyboy56]

As if Adam and Eve were pure. Silly people.