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Comment by username90 | Hacker News Reader

As a non American I don't know how you label things, but can this guy even be considered black? He looks like a regular person from southern Europe.

https://news.yale.edu/sites/default/files/styles/horizontal_...

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"... can this guy even be considered black? He looks like a regular person ..."

This subtly dehumanizing idea that certain races are normal while others are irregular is the root of many problems.

My point was, if they really wanted someone who have experienced discrimination against blacks why pick a mostly white African American who most would consider white if they weren't told otherwise?

Outside of the US, most people's experience with black people is with first-generation African migrants, or their second generation children. There are exceptions of course, but it largely holds true.

The US, however, has had a large black population for many generations now. Over time, many have mixed with other races in the US (as with every race there really) and consequentially you may have people that are 1/4 black genetically but who hold strongly to their identity as a black person. Often this has stemmed from racism i.e. if someone's child is a quarter black, they're seen/treated as black by other races and therefore it's the identity they form for themselves.

Shaun King, a prominent black activist, is an example of someone who on sight many outside the US (and many inside the US, from what I've seen), would absolutely not consider a black man, but genetically he apparently is and it's central to his identity.

Photo: https://cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/150819225407-black-li...

This strongly conflicts with my perception. I live and grew up in Europe and, to me, he looks like a black person. I really don't think people would ordinarily perceive him as white. Plus, he worked for the head of the NAACP at one point, and is a friendly, supportive and encouraging guy.

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