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Race is not a determinable concept. There's no specific test to determine if you're white or black or anything else. You're whatever you want to be.
Once upon a time there were all sorts of classifications based on how many "black" ancestors you had. That's all gone away, although you might run across the term "octoroon" in an old novel.
I would like to offer another answer if I may. The way the question was worded leads me to believe the person wanted to know what "RACE" is appropriate or recognized if the Father is black and the Mother is white. The question of race still appears on Birth Certificates, school entry's, college loan applications, school grants and the Census Bureau just to name a few so it is a very determinable factor. However the Standards of classifications are in the process of being revised with the public's help.
I will have to disagree with the comment "You're whatever you want to be".
You cannot pick a "race", you are who you are. People of mixed heritage as mentioned in the Standards for classification as of 1989 were able to identify themselves by the race of the Mother. Before this date the race was determined by the Father.
Classifications of race in the US can prove to be very useful for certain individuals in many different instances. The information below comes from the offices at the Whitehouse, this does not read copy written and has a printable version. This is strictly a quote from the office of Management and Budget and Information and Regulatory Affairs. The title in case you are interested in further reading is called:
"Standards for Classification of Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity"
"Since 1989, the National Center for Health Statistics has tabulated birth data according to the mother's race. The racial and ethnic categories set forth in the standard should not be interpreted as being primarily biological or genetic in reference. Race and ethnicity may be thought of in terms of social and cultural characteristics as well as ancestry. The category which most closely reflects the individuals recognition in his community should be used for purposes of reporting on persons who are of mixed racial and/or ethnic origins." There were four public hearings on this issue named Directive No, 15. in June of 1994.
This public issue remains unresolved at the moment and no changes have been documented at this time according to this briefing. It is appropriate to claim the race of the Mother or to go by how they are recognized in his or her community. Both are acceptable. I hope this helps the person who wrote in. Thank You.
What else can I help you with?
How can a black mother not have a white child but a white mother can?
Skin color is determined by the combination of genes from both parents. A black mother and white father can have a mixed-race child with a range of skin tones. However, a white mother and white father cannot have a black child because both parents lack the genes for producing darker skin pigmentation.
Is zenday colmen black?
Zendaya Coleman is biracial, with a Black father and a White mother. She identifies as Black.
Is Thandie Newton mixed?
Yes, her mother is a black African women from Zimbabwe and her father is a white british man from England.
Is halley berry half white?
Halle Berry is biracial, with her mother being white and her father being black. She has openly embraced both sides of her heritage throughout her career.
What does it mean to be a hybrid for a trait that is incompletely dominant?
To be hybrid for a trait that is incomplete dominance means that both the mother and the father passed on a gene that was dominant. For example, If you mother has white hair and your father has black hair and both traits are dominant (WB) you will express a gray phenotype.
If the mother is white and the father is black on government forms what is the answer black or white?
White
Is obama mother white or black?
From the information on an interview on CBS, his father is black and his mother is white.
Is miles Austin black?
His father is black and his mother is white.
Is Tia and Tamara Mowry related to Taj Mowry?
no, her mother is African American and her father is Italian American
Is barack black or white?
he is mixed... his mother is white and his father is black.
Is drake white?
His mother is white. His father is of mixed white and black ancestry.
Is hank Baskett white?
Mother is white father is black.
Is Derek Jeter black?
Yes, his father is black and his mother is white.
What is londons ethnicity?
Her father is white and her mother is black
What is Roger Guenveur Smith ethnicity?
roger guenveur smith looks like he is from a white father and a black mother Clearly not! He must have a white mother and black father.
What race is B5's mother or father?
Their mother Mrs. Adrian Breeding is black & their father is white
Is Lisa Bonet Black?
Yes she is half black. Her father is black and her mother is white.
