The Cincinnati Beacon - Open Letter to Noam Chomsky: The linguistics of racial labels - “multiracial” v. “African-American” - Cincinnati blog, Cincinnati news, Cincinnati politics

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Open Letter to Noam Chomsky: The linguistics of racial labels - “multiracial” v. “African-American”

Professor Noam Chomsky:

In a recent speech, you referred to Barack Obama as an “African-American.” Since you are a linguist, I wanted to ask some questions about that decision—and if, upon reflection, you might agree that the term “multiracial” would not only be more accurate, but also more useful as a linguistic social construct.

I believe the habit of labeling as “black” people who are only partially black is a residual of the outdated and racist “one drop rule.” As you know, this concept originally appeared to discourage intermingling of the races—scaring white people into thinking their genes will become degenerate as a result of miscegeny.

Since that time—perhaps as a result of what Henry Louis Gates, Jr. calls “signifyin” (an African lingusitic construct wherein concepts can be transformed into their opposite)—African-American culture has capitalized on the fear mongering one drop rule and transformed it into “evidence” of the superior quality of black genes. Naturally, that concept is just as incorrect as the one drop rule in the first place.

It is no surprise, however, that Barack Obama would occasionally refer to himself as a black male. To do otherwise would merely complicate his political campaign—a campaign where he tried to neutralize the issue of race as much as possible. Besides, Obama grew in a world that did not really recognize the validity of multiracial identity. The option only became available on the last census forms, for just one example.

Everyone knows that Obama’s mother is white, and therefore everyone knows that Obama is multiracial. (I use that term instead of “biracial” as it can more broadly encompass a wider spectrum of racial mixtures.)

By referring to an obviously multiracial person as “African-American,” aren’t you perpetuating an outdated system of racial classification? As a linguist, would you agree it more appropriate to use the label “multiracial” when referring to someone who is multiracial?

Thank you in advance for your response, and I am eager to study your reply.

Respectfully,

[The Dean of Cincinnati]
Co-Publisher, The Cincinnati Beacon

UPDATE! Noam Chomsky responds…

Unless there’s a reason not to, I refer to people as they choose to be referred to—since these labels have no clear meaning anyway. We’re all multiracial, to the extent that race means anything. Obama refers to himself as African-American. I’m not sure what he means by it: maybe that his father was African and his mother American.
Linguistics has nothing to say about the matter.
Noam Chomsky

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Axinar says:
30 Nov 2008 at 07:22 pm | #

You know what ...

The Jews developed a solution to this problem thousands of years ago.

It’s called “conversion” (well, in the more conservative movements of Judaism).

I think the solution to this one is that we get Nikki X, Denmark Vesey, and Barack Obama to convert YOU to being Black and then the problem will be solved ...

.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) says:
30 Nov 2008 at 07:32 pm | #

I do not wish to be black, but you may from now on refer to me as a secular Appalachian Jew—just because I feel like being called whatever I wish, regardless as to its accuracy.

cincysuz says:
30 Nov 2008 at 09:04 pm | #

Are you a secular Appalachian Jew? If you are, when labels are necessary, we can all call you that. Nobody would have a problem with that. Though it won’t apply to your children as Jewish law dictates says the mother has to be Jewish for the child to be Jewish. So again, you’ve been slighted.

Is this a serious statement: “Besides, Obama grew up in a world that did not really recognize the validity of multiracial identity.” Obama grew up in Hawaii. A state where there is no majority. Only minorities. There are more than two dozen names for the majority mixed-ethnic identities. Should Obama have chosen to call himself multi-ethnic, he would have been right in line with the rest of the population.

Is this going to be your life’s work now to send letters to everyone that refers to Obama as Black? I can keep feeding you examples like Chomsky and you can keep writing, though it seems like a waste of time.

anon says:
30 Nov 2008 at 10:41 pm | #

Dean - Good idea to write to Prof. Chomsky and thanks for sharing your letter!

JFD says:
01 Dec 2008 at 12:53 am | #

[From #2:quote]I do not wish to be black, but you may from now on refer to me as a secular Appalachian Jew—just because I feel like being called whatever I wish, regardless as to its accuracy.

I will now refer to you as a secular Appalachian Jew; among other more accurate representations. Thank You, for your permission.

.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) says:
01 Dec 2008 at 07:24 am | #