The Blackness of Obama

I recently read several articles, written by black authors, questioning Senator Obama’s blackness. The argument appears to be that since Senator Obama is not the descendant of West Africans forcibly brought to this country in chains, he doesn’t get to claim blackness. Ta-Nehisi Paul Coates wrote on February 1 that it doesn’t matter to these writers that Senator Obama actually has Black African blood running through his veins. It does not matter that he identifies with being Black. It doesn’t matter that he is married to a Black woman. It does not matter that he attends a Black church. It does not matter that he lives a culturally black experience. It does not matter that he can’t catch a cab in New York City to save his black ass. It does not matter that he is a proud and vocal champion for change in policies and practices that negatively impact Black America. None of that matters! Apparently the test for blackness now is being a descendant of West African slaves and only West African slaves.

I just want to point out two ironies:

Irony #1: Remember Tiger Woods? When he refused to label himself Black, many in Black America were visibly upset. “How dare he” was the cry heard in the Black community after community. His father is Black so that was enough to demand that he claim his blackness.

Now, we have Obama, who also has a Black father. Indeed, Obama’s father is really Black! You don’t get more authentic than Black African blood! He wants to claim his blackness but some of us are saying no!

We are upset with Tiger for not claiming his blackness, upset with Obama for claiming his. Huh?

Irony #2: Ok, now the test is whether one is a descendant of West African slaves. Excuse me? Are you sure you want that test? If that’s the test then others you have traditionally excluded, like Clarence Thomas, like Ward Connerly, like Condoleezza Rice get in.

Oh no, what we really mean is descendant of West African slaves and you think and live a certain way. Then, and only then, are you really Black.

This is so pathetic that is it laughable. And it is further proof that we don’t need anyone else tearing us down. We do a pretty good job ourselves.

I have a great idea. Black youth are drowning. Between the dangerous lifestyle practices, drop-out rates in high schools and painfully low grade proficiency levels Black youth are facing some very serious challenges that need massive and nationwide attention. Instead of pulling others down why don’t we pull these Black youth up?

Kimberly Jade Norwood, JD, is a Professor of Law & Associate Professor of African and African-American Studies at Washington University School of Law. Click here to contact Ms. Norwood.

Your comments are always welcome.