General Discussion

caraher

(6,363 posts)

15. it's the old "one drop of blood" thing

Mon Jul 30, 2012, 03:52 PM

Jul 2012

Since, in biological terms, race is "folk taxonomy" and not really scientific, in principle you can construct any social rules you like regarding what it means to "really" be white (or black). Some historical social rules potentially in play are ones that say you belong to the lowest group in your society's racial pecking order to which some blood ancestor "clearly" belonged and that even "one drop" of ancestry from the group qualifies to put you in the "lower" category.

Of course, we were all treated to plenty of critiques to the effect that Obama himself was not "really" black (or "black enough," whatever that could possibly mean).

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Obama's mom was not really "white" [View all] fried eggs Jul 2012 OP

Nobody is jberryhill Jul 2012 #1

Not in this country, no. Fawke Em Jul 2012 #2

Not anywhere, really. Race is a social construct. It has no biological meaning. antigone382 Jul 2012 #8

Love that last point: there's more variation WITHIN a "racial" group than there is BETWEEN them. patrice Jul 2012 #38

Yep. What you said. Taverner Jul 2012 #39

Which is Why Any Study Equating "Intelligence" and "Race" Is Pure Bullshit Yavin4 Jul 2012 #40

And the genetic material that accounts for "race" is a minute fraction of a person's whole genome. n patrice Jul 2012 #44

Not sure of other countries, so I simply posted that I know there is Fawke Em Jul 2012 #62

In a very general sense you can, but intermarriage is not at all a new thing. antigone382 Jul 2012 #64

Seriously. Matariki Jul 2012 #20

I smell a Mormon plot... joeybee12 Jul 2012 #3

The timing IS odd fried eggs Jul 2012 #5

Ancestry.com is not associated with the LDS church. enlightenment Jul 2012 #21

You're wrong thelordofhell Jul 2012 #27

really? arely staircase Jul 2012 #41

It is not associated with the LDS church. enlightenment Jul 2012 #43

Yes they are Marrah_G Jul 2012 #31

Oh yes it is. It has LDS handprints all over it. notadmblnd Jul 2012 #37

But...wait a minute...that would mean... Iggo Jul 2012 #4

Nnnnnnnnnope cherokeeprogressive Jul 2012 #10

But we already knew that! Iggo Jul 2012 #19

Isn't this more important to the black community who see a difference between blacks who are dkf Jul 2012 #22

No it isn't. SunsetDreams Jul 2012 #26

Is it? Do you have some evidence of this? JoePhilly Jul 2012 #29

This proves he is really is an american... movonne Jul 2012 #55

who cares spanone Jul 2012 #6

I don't get it JonLP24 Jul 2012 #7

it's the old "one drop of blood" thing caraher Jul 2012 #15

But this applies to all white Virginians CJCRANE Jul 2012 #42

You're just figuring this out? hedgehog Jul 2012 #51

My paternal grandmother had a lot of Irish in her. Brigid Jul 2012 #58

Wouldn't everyone have african ancestors if you go back far enough? 4th law of robotics Jul 2012 #9

+1 Blue_Tires Jul 2012 #23

Logical point, but irrelevant in modern discussion of race Scootaloo Jul 2012 #50

Actually, yes... MrMickeysMom Jul 2012 #52

Maybe they should wait for definitive proof before spouting off? shraby Jul 2012 #11

Interesting, although "lacking definitive proof". Avalux Jul 2012 #12

how come I always get fundie vibes from Ancestry.com? snooper2 Jul 2012 #13

I believe they are owned by the Mormons rox63 Jul 2012 #17

that explains it, mormons are a version of fundie.. snooper2 Jul 2012 #25

Don't try selling that notion to either fundies or mormons rox63 Jul 2012 #63

we have a different definition of fundie-- snooper2 Jul 2012 #66

"We are all of us mongrels cali Jul 2012 #14

Stupid of Ancestry.com to research it and to publish it. Makes it look like they're sinkingfeeling Jul 2012 #16

Ancestry.com = Mormons. Avalux Jul 2012 #24

ancestry.com is a publicly traded company. Mormons own familysearch. n/t grasswire Jul 2012 #34

It's a misfire because it implies that all Virginians are related to John Punch CJCRANE Jul 2012 #36

We are all migrants of Africa at some point. Lone_Star_Dem Jul 2012 #18

My guess is every single one of us Blue_In_AK Jul 2012 #28

Please change headline to reflect actual headline. Thanks. Kalidurga Jul 2012 #30

That only applies to LBN forum Marrah_G Jul 2012 #35

Ok thanks, Kalidurga Jul 2012 #59

I see this as a promotion for Ancestry.com Enrique Jul 2012 #32

This implies that every white person with Virginian ancestry CJCRANE Jul 2012 #33

I'm from Virginia (Portsmouth) CatWoman Jul 2012 #45

We're all mixed together... CJCRANE Jul 2012 #47

that was my point CatWoman Jul 2012 #49

Who cares? patrice Jul 2012 #46

Ever notice how that "not really white" thing is only ever used in reference to a Marr Jul 2012 #48

No. Igel Jul 2012 #60

4 centuries ago ?? she is related to ~8192 people KurtNYC Jul 2012 #53

Also assuming their records are correct. gkhouston Jul 2012 #57

It's not impossible but the chances for this being correct are very very slim struggle4progress Jul 2012 #54

Who the fuck cares? Zoeisright Jul 2012 #56

IMPEEEAAAACCHH! Atman Jul 2012 #61

Are you invoking the "One Drop Rule?" slackmaster Jul 2012 #65