Thursday, September 20, 2007

The Blackness or Whiteness of Steve Black

Posted by The Dean of Cincinnati

When we posted this story about Steve Black, Nate Livingston left some comments which have caused people to wonder at Steve Black’s ethnicity.  Today, Livingston has this post at his blog looking at the issue further.  This story is on the one hand absurd, but also strangely intriguing.

Anyway, Black was recently asked, directly, to state his ethnicity.  “I think I can answer your question by telling you that I am the proud son of retired Judge Robert Black and the proud cousin of Judge Tim Black,” explained Black, “and that I share their ethnicity!”

At Livingston’s blog, he writes:

If Judge Black is white, then Steve Black claims he is white.  And if it turns out that Helen Black is not white, then does that mean Steve Black is denying her ethnicity?  Or, can one person share several ethnic backgrounds?

What a tangled web we weave!

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Ergo says:
20 Sep 2007  at  06:07 pm | #

Wouldn’t it be so nice if we didn’t have to worry about such stupid issues?

Jones says:
20 Sep 2007  at  08:01 pm | #

And if it turns out that Helen Black is not white, then does that mean Steve Black is denying her ethnicity?  Or, can one person share several ethnic backgrounds?

Oh cridy, why is this such a big deal?  It’s Steve Black’s personal choice to pick his ethnic background, not yours, not the general public. He isn’t denying anything; he’s made a choice, if that’s the case.

Yes, several people I know share ethnic backgrounds. They mark their census forms, school registrations, job apps, etc., accordingly. Ethnicity isn’t solely based on color, either.  However, there are people, especially those here in Cincinnati for some reason, apply the color theme to ethnicity. Oh, wrong!!!

Gosh, what would you say if Mrs. Black was Filipina?  Navaho Indian? Inuit? Acadian? Would it still be such a big issue with you then?

says:
21 Sep 2007  at  05:47 am | #

Jones,

What makes you think I am such an absolutist in terms of how people choose to describe their ethnic background?

Hint:  whatever your answer, it must be correct.  I understand very intimately the issues you describe!

WTF? says:
22 Sep 2007  at  07:10 am | #

Check into Nate’s family tree and maybe you will understand why he is so preoccupied with race/ethnicity/skin color.