Black Kinship 2010: TracingKinfolk with an Eraser

Recently, a friend posted a status on a major social networking site about the upcoming census. Apparently, there are several distinctions of black, negro, or African American that census takers may choose from. A fiery debate ensued on this post about how people felt this was unfair and we should not be putting emphasis on race, etc. Some were offended, some stated it would be a new way to place labels and keep us held down, and several implied that they planned to lie on the census just to rebel against the idea of classification. I, against my better judgment, commented against the grain by stating that I would like to investigate the intent behind asking this question as I see this as another type of research and that we, non-Eastern European abstracts, tend to be leery of research; however, there are direct linkages between research and how energy and monies are allocated and political and social reform.

Even though I did not receive any virtual "dap", I maintain my position. Black folks, or whatever term you identify more with, have been literally erased from American HIStory for CENTURIES! When other cultures voluntarily came over for religious convictions or the American dream and claiming the family tree we planted, our families were hanging from it! Black genealogists have a better chance of tracing the history of a horse than a descendant of a slave! At least with a horse you will find a bill of sale. wth?!!

As recently as 1965, it was common practice for hospitals to classify your race. Many Americans of Latino or Native American heritage where classified as either black or white. Last year, I had the priviledge of meeting CNN News Anchor Soledad O'Brien. She spoke, in candid humor, of the irony that her parents were not seen as married for the first seven years of marriage because their state government prohibited interracial marriage and classified her Dad as white and her Mom as black, completely ignoring the fact that she racially identified as a Latina.

No matter what your religious, political, or personal stance on race is, there is one truth I think we can agree on. Racial identity poses real life situations and implications. There is not cartoon escape to a kaleidoscope world of appreciation of all colors, shapes, and sizes. People sort, classify, and interact with others based upon perceived norms. In America, these norms are primarily based on statistics and research. American politics, goverment, and reform is largely based upon research. We hardly have enough data collected about black folks in this country to create a thesis. Data drives research. Research drives funding. Funding drives more research and interest that can translate into social, political, education and health care reform. This reform yields money, programs, education, and other resources. It is no wonder that black people in this country have been left out of history, politics, civil rights, education, jobs, health care and other resources. We have been ignored! Hence, is my dilemma: how will we address the needs of black people in this country when we continue to be ignored, erased, and have our rightful command for equality diluted as anecdotal whimperings? I don't have the answer; but I most assuredly don't think the answer is pressing the delete button on our race and heritage.