Folks have been going off about actor Taye Diggs recent comments regarding race & his son. While promoting his new children’s book, Taye said the following:
“I think when you [call biracial people black], you risk disrespecting half of who you are,” the black actor told The Grio about his decision regarding the 6-year-old he co-parents with his ex, Broadway star (and the voice of Elsa in Frozen) Idina Menzel, who is Caucasian. “I don’t want my son to be in a situation where he calls himself black and everybody thinks he has a black mom and a black dad, and then when they see he has a white mother, they’re like, “What’s going on? Are you ashamed?’”
Seems many folks didn’t take too kindly to Taye wanting his son to be called biracial, instead of Black. But that’s what he is people: Biracial, a mixture of his Black father & his White mother, he’s not 100% Black.
As a biracial adult, I agree 100% with Mr. Diggs. Growing up, I ALWAYS told people I was 1/2 Mexican & 1/2 White, because that’s WHO & WHAT I am. I’m not 100% White, and I’m not 100% Mexican, I’m a combination of the two. Why would I ever want to deny part of me? That’s what Taye is saying, he wants his son to be able to choose for himself whether he is Black, White or Mixed. It’s the child’s choice, and Taye doesn’t want society labeling him as Black.
I know what you’re saying, people are going to look at Taye Diggs’ son & see a Black child. It doesn’t matter what they see! Looks can be deceiving, don’t judge a book by it’s cover, etc etc.
I always tell people I’m a biracial Latina. I say that because if someone were to look at me, they might think I’m White. I don’t want people to think I’m just White, because I’m not. By saying I’m a biracial Latina, I let them know I got that Latina blood in my veins! I also make sure my kids know that they are a mixture of Black, White & Mexican.
My Mother instilled in me a love of who I am. She always encouraged me to embrace both sides of my DNA. I’m very thankful my Mother did that for me, never once growing up did I question who I was-because I knew. As a child, I was always too “white” for my Mexican friends & too “brown” for my White friends. Looking back now, it’s kinda funny! I had Mexican friends calling me “honkey” and White friends calling me Mexican! I would throw my shoulders back & puff my little chest out & set them straight, each & every time. “I’m half Mexican & half White.”
Taye Diggs is doing right by his son, whether the majority agrees with him or not. One day his son will thank him for encouraging him to embrace who he is – the same way I’m thankful to my Mother.
Taye Diggs, keep up the great work-this Biracial Mixed chick applauds you!
photo credit: Yahoo.com
