This is a question everyone wants to answer for me. But the funny part is—they are not in anyway able to make that decision.
I mean how weird is that? Well, not weird at all, actually.
It’s only human nature for people to decide what you are and how you should go about your business.
Just worry about yourself and you will be just fine.
See, society tells me because of the color of my skin and my “dominant gene,” that I am a black man.
I am not Barack Obama; I am not ok with calling myself a black man.
Because I am not.
Interesting fact: Barack Obama used to consider himself a mixed man before he became leader of the free world. Bad memory? Yes this was when he was just a senator for the state of Illinois.
Back to this blog…
My father is black and mother is white. This I cannot argue. I also cannot argue the fact that my BLACK father was never in my life.
Andre LáVal Fuller I takes care of his stepchildren more than he takes care of his own.
So why should I do him the honor of considering myself as a black man. NEVER!
That is why my mom is on my heart, literally.
That is ok because if it were different, it would feel weird.
Sad—I know.
But he is not the only reason I do not consider myself a black man.
I do not consider myself a black man because the rest of society wants me to walk, talk and act like one.
This for me is unacceptable.
The real problem is, I am used to people calling me black. From my peers to strangers, I seem to have black man stamped on my forehead.
Here is some food for thought.
When I criticize white people, the black man says I am another one of them (black man) just trying to stick it to the “man.” However, when I criticize black people, I am the man with white in him.
Often times getting the comment, “How dare you ever criticize black people when you have a white mother?”
So while I am a black man to the white people, and a black man (sometimes) to black people.
I won’t pick sides….
Dear Barack Obama and the rest of society:
I am a mixed man. My mother is white and my father is black.
Last time I checked, I have the best of both worlds.
Sincerely,
Andre LáVal Fuller II
