Biracial Identity and Discrimination
Running head: BIRACIAL IDENTITY AND DISCRIMINATION
1
Biracial Identity and Discrimination Richard Willison West Virginia University
2 Biracial Identity and Discrimination It is generally accepted that the United States is a multicultural country made up of a multitude of ethnic backgrounds. In modern history interactions of the different ethnic backgrounds has became an acceptable social activity. These social interactions have created a multitude of interracial relationships and marriages that have been increasing yearly. These interracial relationships and
marriages have produced a growing number of biracial children. Biracial children can be defined as children that have natural parents that are of unrelated racial group. Brunsma (2005) stated that “such a cultural endorsement of interracial relationships eventually produced what has been dubbed as a biracial baby boom” (p.1130). This literature reviews focal point will concentrate on the identity problems facing biracial children from black and white descent as well as any possible discrimination that they may face by choosing their identity. When trying to understand the complex situation presented to biracial children one needs to understand the historical circumstances that come into play. Throughout history biracial people in America
have had their racial identities imposed upon them (Masuoka, 2008). Because of this biracial children were forced to accept the subordinate classification associated to their race. This classification was legally imposed by using the one-drop rule which
3 specified that biracial children to take on the identity of the nonwhite race (Brunsma 2005; Sanhez and Bonam 2009; Sosa 2009; Coleman and Carter 2007; Brunsma and Rockquemore 2001). There is a profoundly low number of studies and research that pertains to biracial children because of the drop-one rule (Chesley and Wagner, 2003). Until recent history biracial children have been
overlooked for an
1
Biracial Identity and Discrimination Richard Willison West Virginia University
2 Biracial Identity and Discrimination It is generally accepted that the United States is a multicultural country made up of a multitude of ethnic backgrounds. In modern history interactions of the different ethnic backgrounds has became an acceptable social activity. These social interactions have created a multitude of interracial relationships and marriages that have been increasing yearly. These interracial relationships and
marriages have produced a growing number of biracial children. Biracial children can be defined as children that have natural parents that are of unrelated racial group. Brunsma (2005) stated that “such a cultural endorsement of interracial relationships eventually produced what has been dubbed as a biracial baby boom” (p.1130). This literature reviews focal point will concentrate on the identity problems facing biracial children from black and white descent as well as any possible discrimination that they may face by choosing their identity. When trying to understand the complex situation presented to biracial children one needs to understand the historical circumstances that come into play. Throughout history biracial people in America
have had their racial identities imposed upon them (Masuoka, 2008). Because of this biracial children were forced to accept the subordinate classification associated to their race. This classification was legally imposed by using the one-drop rule which
3 specified that biracial children to take on the identity of the nonwhite race (Brunsma 2005; Sanhez and Bonam 2009; Sosa 2009; Coleman and Carter 2007; Brunsma and Rockquemore 2001). There is a profoundly low number of studies and research that pertains to biracial children because of the drop-one rule (Chesley and Wagner, 2003). Until recent history biracial children have been
overlooked for an
References: Brunsma, D. (2005). Interracial families and the racial identification of mixed race children: evidence from the early childhood longitudinal study. University of North Carolina Press 84(2), 1131-1157. Brunsma, D., & Rockquemore, K. (2001). The new color complex: Appearance and biracial identity. Identity: and International Journal of Theory and Research 3(1), 29-52. Chesley, G., & Wagner, W. (2003). Adults’ attitudes towards multiracial children. Journal of Black Psychology 29(4), 463-480. Coleman, V., & Carter, M. (2007). Biracial self identification: Impact on treats anxiety, social anxiety, and depression. Identity: and International Journal of Theory and Research 7(2), 103-114. Masuoka, N. (2008). Political attitudes and ideologies of multiracial Americans. Political research quarterly 61(2), 253-267. Neto, F., & Porto, L. (1998). Color and racial attitudes and white, black and biracial relationships. 26(3), 233-244. Sanchez, D., & Bonam, C. (2009). To disclose or not to disclose biracial identity: The effects of biracial disclosure on perceiver evaluations and target responses. Journal of Social Issues 65(1), 129-149. Social Behavior in Personality 8 Sosa, K. (2009). You don 't know me: Picture book to make biracial and multiracial children comparable with dual identities. Multicultural Review 18(4), 20-24.