# Is Shaun King (Daily Kos writer & Black Lives Matter activist) really white? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [August 19, 2015, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271 "2015-08-19T16:39:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Human\_Action](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@Human\_Action](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Human_Action)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2015, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/141 "2015-08-20T23:18:18Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > Whose fault it is makes no difference, to the question at hand. (Not that I would agree with you in any event, but even if I did …) I disagree; if you want the situation to improve, you need to have some idea what’s causing it to go wrong on the first place. I mean, scolding black people has been tried for how many decades now? And with what result? ---
**Author:** ![Ibn\_Warraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2015, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/142 "2015-08-20T23:45:08Z")
Shaun King has put out a statement in the Daily Kos. I encourage all to read it. [http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/08/20/1413881/-Race-love-hate-and-me-A-distinctly-American-story?showAll=yes](http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/08/20/1413881/-Race-love-hate-and-me-A-distinctly-American-story?showAll=yes) Here’s a brief part of it. > [@](#): > > My mother is a senior citizen. I refuse to speak in detail about the nature of my mother’s past, or her sexual partners, and I am gravely embarrassed to even be saying this now, **but I have been told for most of my life that the white man on my birth certificate is not my biological father and that my actual biological father is a light-skinned black man. My mother and I have discussed her affair. She was a young woman in a bad relationship and I have no judgment**. This has been my lived reality for nearly 30 of my 35 years on earth. I am not ashamed of it, or of who I am—never that—but I was advised by my pastor nearly 20 years ago that this was not a mess of my doing and it was not my responsibility to fix it. All of my siblings and I have different parents. And yeah, the picture of him as a sophomore in High School certainly seems consistent with someone of mixed ancestry. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2015, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/143 "2015-08-21T00:08:44Z")
> [@Ibn\_Warraq](#): > > Shaun King has put out a statement in the Daily Kos. I encourage all to read it. > > [http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/08/20/1413881/-Race-love-hate-and-me-A-distinctly-American-story?showAll=yes](http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/08/20/1413881/-Race-love-hate-and-me-A-distinctly-American-story?showAll=yes) Well then as I pointed out he has a [very quick way to make $25K](http://dailycaller.com/2015/08/20/black-conservative-group-offers-25k-for-proof-that-shaun-king-is-black/) for #BlackLivesMatter. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2015, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/144 "2015-08-21T00:15:00Z")
“Hey, Mom, what’s the name of that dude you had an affair with? I need to talk to him and have him publicly confirm that he had sex with you, maybe take a DNA test, to raise $25K for my cause.” That doesn’t exactly sound “quick” to me. ETA: I suppose it could be quick, depending on what kind of man the bio father is and all the publicity this is getting, but still. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2015, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/145 "2015-08-21T00:17:08Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Well then as I pointed out he has a [very quick way to make $25K](http://dailycaller.com/2015/08/20/black-conservative-group-offers-25k-for-proof-that-shaun-king-is-black/) for #BlackLivesMatter. That is, quite bluntly, obscene. Even for the 'Caller. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2015, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/146 "2015-08-21T00:17:40Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > “Hey, Mom, what’s the name of that dude you had an affair with? I need to talk to him and have him publicly confirm that he had sex with you, maybe take a DNA test, to raise $25K for my cause.” > > That doesn’t exactly sound “quick” to me. It’s “ **or** cooperate with a DNA test”. So he either produces the black father or cooperates with a DNA test - and it’s $25K for the cause. Guess we will see how committed to the cause he is. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2015, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/147 "2015-08-21T00:18:55Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Well then as I pointed out he has a [very quick way to make $25K](http://dailycaller.com/2015/08/20/black-conservative-group-offers-25k-for-proof-that-shaun-king-is-black/) for #BlackLivesMatter. Out of curiosity, what are the chances that those guys would ever actually cough up the 25k? They gave him 24 hours. What proof do you think he could offer, beyond the multiple character witnesses linked to in his blog post, in 24 hours? I mean, I can smell a dishonest troll offer like that from a mile away. Can you not smell it? ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2015, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/148 "2015-08-21T00:20:23Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > What proof do you think he could offer, beyond the multiple character witnesses linked to in his blog post, in 24 hours? A buccal swab. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2015, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/149 "2015-08-21T00:21:33Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Out of curiosity, what are the chances that those guys would ever actually cough up the 25k? They gave him 24 hours. What proof do you think he could offer, beyond the multiple character witnesses linked to in his blog post, in 24 hours? > > I mean, I can smell a dishonest troll offer like that from a mile away. Can you not smell it? He could [spit in a test tube](http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/24/magazine/proving-my-blackness.html). If I could bring in $25K to my favorite charity by spitting in a test tube to prove I am a Jew (well at least genetically), I’d do it in a second. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2015, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/150 "2015-08-21T00:30:34Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > He could [spit in a test tube](http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/24/magazine/proving-my-blackness.html). If I could bring in $25K to my favorite charity by spitting in a test tube to prove I am a Jew (well at least genetically), I’d do it in a second. Even if you were asked to do by a neo-Nazi, Holocaust-denying hate group? Would it be worth it to allow them the satisfaction of trumpeting their ability to buy your acquiescence? Of allowing them to make an issue out of your ethnic identity, and to define you by your DNA? ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2015, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/151 "2015-08-21T00:30:44Z")
I myself would be a little leery about just giving away my DNA to a blog that advances causes diametrically opposed to mine. In any case, what’s the challenge supposed to prove? All it’d demonstrate is whether King’s mother told him the truth about his parentage. It has no relevance to what the Caller really wants to attack, which is his general credibility, especially towards police action against minorities. ETA: The “funniest” (in a twisted way) result would be if the tests showed he was half-Caucasian, half-Hispanic or Native American. Then EVERYONE could be confused. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2015, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/152 "2015-08-21T00:32:56Z")
> [@SpoilerVirgin](#): > > Even if you were asked to do by a neo-Nazi, Holocaust-denying hate group? First, is that what you are comparing “Black Conservatives PAC” to? If so, that’s stupid. But anyway, for the sake of your argument - ESPECIALLY so. I’d love to take their $25K for my Jewish charity, yes. ---
**Author:** ![Andiethewestie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba9def/32.png) [@Andiethewestie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andiethewestie)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2015, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/153 "2015-08-21T00:35:51Z")
Shaun King confirmed his heritage, and damn it none of the bastards on the right deserve it. The filthy pricks who think they can play gotcha with a person’s family history is the worst kind of low life sludge I’ve ever come across. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2015, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/154 "2015-08-21T00:37:38Z")
Seriously. What the fuck is wrong with you people? ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2015, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/155 "2015-08-21T00:43:15Z")
> [@Richard\_Parker](#): > > Seriously. What the fuck is wrong with you people? Yes, really! Someone is black if they say they are! I mean, it didn’t work out that well for Dolezal, but then she didn’t have the quick wits to explain it all by her mom’s promiscuity. If she was that quickwitted, she’d still be the NAACP leader that she was. ---
**Author:** ![Andiethewestie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba9def/32.png) [@Andiethewestie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andiethewestie)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2015, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/156 "2015-08-21T00:45:10Z")
Jesus Christ, this has been going on for a couple of weeks, and the guy didn’t want to expose his mother but the right fucking kkk assholes just wouldn’t let up. He should of told anyone who questioned him to go fuck themselves. Or maybe get a gun and shoot the fuckers in the balls. But they don’t have any. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2015, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/157 "2015-08-21T00:46:13Z")
And here I was thinking we were past the era of the racial witch hunt. Thanks, right-wingers. You’re doing a great job of mending fences. ---
**Author:** ![Ibn\_Warraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2015, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/158 "2015-08-21T00:47:20Z")
> [@Andiethewestie](#): > > Shaun King confirmed his heritage, and damn it none of the bastards on the right deserve it. The filthy pricks who think they can play gotcha with a person’s family history is the worst kind of low life sludge I’ve ever come across. Considering how many on the Right, including the leading candidate for the Republican nomination haven’t been satisfied that Obama was born in America, you can’t really be surprised. ---
**Author:** ![Andiethewestie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba9def/32.png) [@Andiethewestie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andiethewestie)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2015, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/159 "2015-08-21T00:52:16Z")
> [@Ibn\_Warraq](#): > > Considering how many on the Right, including the leading candidate for the Republican nomination haven’t been satisfied that Obama was born in America, you can’t really be surprised. Some people need to get their shit together or the country will implode. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2015, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/160 "2015-08-21T00:52:26Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > First, is that what you are comparing “Black Conservatives PAC” to? If so, that’s stupid. But anyway, for the sake of your argument - ESPECIALLY so. I’d love to take their $25K for my Jewish charity, yes. Well, as a Jewish woman I completely disagree. I can’t go into it further without Godwinizing and hijacking the thread, but as others have said, Shaun King has explained his heritage, and he has no responsibility to prove it to a group that is trying to discredit him and his movement, even (maybe especially) if they offer to pay him. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271.md?page=9)