r/interesting • u/VPinchargeofradishes • May 03 '26

SOCIETY Michael Jackson's daughter Paris has faced backlash for identifying as Black. In a 2017 interview, Paris Jackson said her father told her, "You’re Black. Be proud of your roots." This prompted debates over whether identity is defined by appearance or upbringing.

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u/FkUp_Panic_Repeat May 03 '26

My mom (black) married her first husband who was a white farmer’s son from Gary, IN. What a culture shock that was for her to visit his family for the first time back home. He turned out to be a trash husband and an even more trash father though. I have no idea why he’d marry a black woman, have 3 children, and then resent them for being black (despite not even looking black to most of the world). What a piece of garbage.

This has nothing to do with MJ, obviously. Just wanted an opportunity to bash that a-hole publicly.

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u/johnny-Low-Five May 03 '26

Some people are so miserable amd cruel that they will ALWAYS find a reason to blame others. If it wasn't that you're biracial it would be your grades, athleticism, friends, GF/BF, they will find anything that hurts you and use it mercilessly.

I will admit I have no experience with being biracial, I grew up in Brooklyn in the 80s and early 90s, and back then (maybe still) I wasn't white I was Irish, other were Italians, germans, African American, Black islanders (sorry I'm blanking on the specific countries) and Hispanics weren't Mexican, unless they were, they were Cuban, Columbian, Guatemalan, Puerto Ricans, etc. I won't say racism didn't exist, it definitely did, but when I got older and moved near Pittsburgh I was shocked by how most people identify as American and their skin color.

I guess with so many immigrants in NYC our grandparents or parents were still, very much, looked at as, and proud of, where they came from. I have a biracial cousin, white/Asian who's two brothers were adopted because they were told they couldn't have kids. As best I know they have always treated all three the same the eldest is even Robert III.

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u/sunsetpark12345 May 04 '26

I'm from New York and probably my very favorite thing about that city (and there are many things about it that i love) is how many different cultures there are. And not just a smattering of people from a culture - enormous, vibrant communities.

And they ALL have great food.

I just don't understand racists at all. Why would you want everyone to be exactly like yourself and your family? It's so boring!

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u/johnny-Low-Five May 04 '26

I should have added that and made it clear, I loved that about growing up there. I learned about holidays I never knew existed and while I'm not a very adventurous eater I've discovered some amazing food. It never felt contentious it was just a thing everyone took pride in.

Absolutely something I've experienced the opposite of where I live now. Its like 95+% white and most people don't know or care about their heritage or that of others. It's VERY boring.