Diane Lee ~ ASA 115 ~ Week 6 Readings Blog

https://roybeaird.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/melting-pot.jpg

The readings for week 6 informs us about mixed race studies and how people are reevaluating what is understood about race and being mixed race. This week’s readings connect to the theme: New Frontiers in Mixed Race Studies because in the field of mixed race studies, there are new ways to think about mixed race in our society. Personally, being recognized as mixed race is important to me, but knowing that a mixed race identity challenges the whole concept of race is conflicting to me. I was not aware that multiracial discourse is something that people evaluate and examine. Therefore, reading McKibbin’s article, “The Current State of Multiracial Discourse” made me acknowledge that multiraciality is beyond identity. With the issues of multiracial identity, there is a need for recognition and political engagement. Also, I do not think that a color-blind attempt to the multiracial discourse is practical. Color has been used to separate Whites and Blacks for many years and I believe the idea of colorism is real. I would think that a group of individuals who are mixed race could help bring value to everyone because there is diversity within mixed race, however, colorism affects mixed race individuals as well. With my parents, who are monoracial and not white, I see how society treats them based on the color of their skin and their appearance. I have always wondered if the United States is truly a melting pot?