Yeah, I forgot to put in the disclaimer “Yes, the OP understands that race is a social construct having no valid scientific taxonomic significance and is looking for discussion framed within such social construct as it is sociologically observed in the present day United States” in 50 point font in red in bold.
Silly me. When will I learn?
You can file the Obamas under “broader discussion” if you like. Barack Obama, being biracial, in some ways probably experienced society coming of age in ways different from both his white peers and his black peers but, when faced with systemic racism as it is applied in society a biracial person who looks black is not going to get any mileage out of protesting “But I’m only half black!”
The general thinking is that if society sees you as black, then you’re black- despite the rich tapestry of nuance that you may enjoy with people who know you personally as an individual. When you sees reds and blues in your rearview mirror: if you look black, you’re black. When you’re in a job interview: if you look black, you’re black. When you’re applying for a bank loan: if you look black, you’re black.
So, yes, under the “broader discussion” the Obamas count. Under the narrower view, they do not.
But, like I said in the OP, I’m all for broadening the discussion. But now that I’ve added the disclaimer missing from the OP can we stop pretending that we don’t have established common vocabulary to discuss this?
Ted and Heidi Cruz, I’d file under broader discussion since he’s got European stock on his father’s side (Spanish Grandfather, though born in Cuba) as well as his mother’s side. He’s pretty white.
Jeb and Columba Bush, I’d say, do count.
Since I, as the OP, am welcoming varying definitions on the terms as well as welcoming disagreement on the examples, the mods can feel free to move this out of GQ if they deem so fit. I still think it’s a GQ kind of question and I raise no objection to responses that challenge or reshape the subject matter.
