“I consider myself Black,” she asserted. 👇
In a candid interview, Paris Jackson, daughter of the late Michael Jackson, courageously delved into her journey of racial identity. Despite her father’s monumental legacy in the music industry and global fame, Paris has embarked on her own path, one that includes a profound embrace of her black heritage. Her assertion of being biracial and specifically identifying as black, despite her outwardly white appearance, has stirred strong reactions from many.
Paris Jackson’s Identity Exploration Throughout the interview, Paris shared insights into her personal experiences and how she views her racial identity. Recognizing her mixed ancestry, she acknowledged that her decision to identify as black may raise eyebrows for some. It’s well-documented that her father, Michael Jackson, despite his white appearance in the latter part of his career, was of African-American descent. In a notable interview with Oprah in the 1990s, Michael revealed that his change in skin color was due to a condition called vitiligo, which caused his skin to progressively lose pigment.
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Paris Jackson delved into her upbringing, highlighting her father’s encouragement for her and her siblings to embrace their heritage. Despite numerous allegations questioning Michael Jackson’s biological relationship to Paris, none have been substantiated. Paris asserts that her father consistently reminded her and her brother of their African-American roots.
“He would look me in the eyes and point his finger at me, saying, ‘You’re black. Be proud of your roots,'” she recounted. “And I’d think, ‘Okay, he’s my dad, why would he lie to me?’ So I just believed what he told me. Because, to my knowledge, he’s never lied to me.”
Internet Reaction Following Paris Jackson’s interview, the internet buzzed with a myriad of reactions. Some lauded her for embracing her black identity unequivocally, recognizing that if Michael Jackson is indeed her biological father, she is biracial despite her outwardly white appearance. Additionally, many shared anecdotes about children born to mixed-race couples who inherited traits predominantly from one parent, resembling the white parent without visible signs of darker skin or hair.
However, skepticism emerged among some, casting doubt on Paris’s authenticity, primarily due to her white-presenting appearance and lighter skin tone. This reaction sparked a broader conversation about the challenges faced by white-presenting biracial individuals compared to those who visibly present as black.
Media personality Wendy Williams weighed in on the discussion, emphasizing that while a person may have a black parent and be white-passing, their experiences and struggles won’t necessarily mirror those of individuals with darker skin tones. Williams emphasized that the challenges faced by biracial individuals are often contingent upon their visual skin color rather than their ethnic background.
https://youtu.be/G2syDxLK2e8
White-presenting biracial individuals, such as Paris Jackson, frequently encounter distinctive challenges concerning their racial identity. Although many biracial individuals grapple with issues of identity and a sense of belonging within different racial groups, they may not always confront the same extent of systemic oppression and peril as individuals who present as black or fully black.
