by
Black Girl With Long Hair
On Friday, Ebony Magazine revealed their groundbreaking March 2016 cover, featuring four full-figured black women; designer and style blogger Gabi Gregg, known professionally as Gabifresh, Orange is the New Black actress Danielle Brooks and R&B singers Jazmine Sullivan and Chrisette Michele.
The cover drew praise for celebrating full-figured women, but some felt that Gregg’s presence was problematic because she identifies as both black and bi-racial.
Gregg faced the criticism head on, publishing the following statement to her Twitter account;
“I haven’t been able to get a copy of Ebony yet, I’m really excited to read it! BUT I had someone on snapchat yesterday say they read it and were disappointed to see that I don’t identify as black and that I sounded hypocritical like Stacey Dash 🙁 This actually broke my heart and made me sick to my stomach. I LOVE MY BLACKNESS–LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And could NOT be prouder of it. I’m not exactly sure what I said or how it was written, but I do know that in general I’ve tried to make clear that while I ID as black, it’s important to acknowledge being mixed and talking about the privilege I get from having a white mother, as well as light skin/a certain texture hair etc. I am still learning, but I feel that talking about being mixed allows for a more nuanced conversation about white privilege and colorism. The last thing I want is to sound like Stacey Dash or Tiger Woods, like I am rejecting my blackness and doing the “I’M MIXED NOT BLACK!” thing. I sincerely apologize if it came off that way. I’m also very open to having more conversation about this and hearing what you guys think.”
Here is a screengrab of Gregg’s statement;
Gregg’s bi-raciality is part of who she is and she has never used it to ‘cancel’ her blackness. In that context, the criticism feels out of line.
Ladies, what are your thoughts?
61 Responses
I wish all of you could take a slice out of the UK, or at least come live here. The only time I began calling biracial people “black” was when I went to the USA and called a mixed girl “mixed”. She got so uneasy and was like “no I’m black.”
You guys have succumbed under the one-drop rule that creates damaging effects in your OWN community. In the UK, a mixed girl is a MIXED girl. Nothing else. She is black and she is white. Should she abandon her mother’s white side???!!! Biracial people are not the same as black people – AND THAT’S OKAY!
Being a biracial female myself I don’t understand why I can’t identify myself as black. I was brought up by my African American mother. I’ve lived in African American culture most my life and at the end of the day no matter if I’m biracial or not, non African American races see me and automatically think she’s black. I feel it’s extremely illogical to think that because a person is biracial that means that can’t call themselves African American. I don’t care if I’m mixed or not; I bet if the slavery times were still in affect I would be thrown right in the pit with the rest of the slaves fully black or not. This is such a huge problem to me because biracial women who want to be loved by the cultures and people they were brought up around are being shunned or segregated by the same people who were being shunned and segregated by others for not being fully black. Either way percentage or not that is what I identify myself as and the culture I’ve been brought up in. Biracial people go through the same if not even worse racial issues than full black people just because were not only hated by people not of color but also by people of full color. It’s like we always break even in hatred between both races and it’s unfair and disgusting that we can’t get open arms from either culture; one culture doesn’t like us for our color while the other culture dislikes us for not being fully one race. I truly can’t deal.
Curious, why can’t you just identify as bi- racial or bi- ethnic? You can still be culturally black And be bi-ethnic. Black people aren’t shunning bi-ethnic people but you have to understand as black people we do no face the same issues as bi-ethnic people and neither do bi-ethnic people face all the same problems that black people do. Not to mention in America bi-ethnic people have always be favored instead of black people. With that being said you indentifying as just black when you aren’t isn’t helpping the black community it actually hurts it by erasing us. We are two different people both beautiful but different. And that is OKAY bi ethnic people and black people are not the same and that’s okay.
So she should deny her mother’s roots? OK people just get more idiotic and self righteous by the day. I cant…
That is sooo unbelievably petty of people. If she is of mixed heritage why should she say she is black? People need to stop having a complex about every little thing. Even Tiger Woods was not wrong. Who are you to tell someone who to identify with, what is it to you? That is just another form of hatred, racism and inferiority complex. I don’t care what someone is, we are all just people. Being black is not some special clique you need to stay loyal too. It is just race like any other, and if we say we reject racism we should stop pointing out and exaggerating everything about it, and blasting other people who are of a different heritage. Being black is not better or worse than any other race, it’s ignorance and prejudice that makes it appear to be so. Be proud of who you are but do not do so at anyone else’s expense.
Look at the person, not the colour of their skin! And to all the haters, get over yourselves!
How shameful for jack-tard who felt the need to put this young woman in a position to have to defend her right to acknowledge her mixed heritage. Some of the most prolific black figures in history and modern times are bi-racial. President Obama for one. It’s unfortunate Gabi even felt compelled to respond to someone else’s inferiority complex issues.
Oh, god…
sad
Well……she is biracial so…….
Imagine having this discussion during the slavery days.
Black people are so diverse that you cannot look at someone and say they are not black because they don’t look black.
And a word to the Americans who claim to be black and tell others they aren’t black; remember this, you are not either. You’re mixed with black and something else, doesn’t matter. Not even if you come from African you’re 100% black.
Black people in America are having an identity crisis.
Let me explain, if you got afro-kinky hair, you black. Black people are the only race of people on this planet that have afro kinky hair, get over it.
Look at the cover of the magazine, that is what the black race looks like.
Diverse, diverse.
Actually Polynesians and some Native tribes have afro kinky hair. I gotta work Hella hard to keep my hair from frizzing out and sticking up every which a way. I sat between my mom’s legs every night on the floor being combed and braided to death as a child, and her oiling my scalp so my hair wouldn’t be bigger than I was. Hair may not be a deciding factor in heritage. I am half white and half Cherokee.
I think that many of those critics seriously need to realize and recognize the concept “lack of inclusion does not mean exclusion”. I’ve had people balk at me because of my personal choice of identifying as “Biracial” as if I’ve done some kind of damage to the universe that’s beyond repair. My identification isn’t a way to separate myself from the pack, but an acknowledgement that I happen to come from both sides. And I’m well aware that for the general US populace specifically, I’ll be put down as black, and I have no issue with that. But at the same time I’m not going to change my mind because somebody else is mad.
This topic is tired. Biracial is NOT black. Therefore if a biracial person doesn’t claim themselves as such there should be no issue. People just need to stop with this foolishness.
Race is a cultural thing, not biological. I fully identify as black, but I don’t delude myself into thinking my body is made up of special “black” genes. DNA tests have proven that just because a person’s phenotype (physical appearance) is one way, it is in no way a solid indicator of their genotype (genetic makeup). Someone can have a “black” parent and a “white” parent and have a higher percentage of African ancestry in their DNA than someone with two “black” parents. Race is mostly about the culture you grow up in and how you identify. So, to everyone saying mixed people should not be considered black, if you define black as “of African descent,” think about the fact that a mixed person could very well be “blacker” than you.
Everything I have been thinking.
This is why I feel scientific literacy is the most important thing for the next generation moving forward. If your views and opinions are based purely on emotion while ignoring or having no understanding of the actual facts, any policies you affect will reflect it. And I personally don’t want to live in a society like that. It’s like the people who deny climate change and site a god as their reason.
That doesnt make any sense. You cannot have a black and white parent and have a higher percent of blackness as an actual black person. If youre biracial youre not black.
Actually it does. Because African DNA is not only found in those who identify as Black. The combination of percentages can lead to a “mixed” person having a higher concentration of African ancestry than another person who identifies as black. Again, race is not biological. I would recommend doing some research into genetics.
Again??? Is it me or do “the are biracial people allowed to ID as black” and colorism stories seem to over dominate content? Don’t we have other things to discuss? Plus why are the other beautiful black women in the photo and their accomplishments not discussed? Or did I miss another article perhaps.
Not just talking this article but I swear a handful of people complain on Twitter and it’s a “controversy”. Always wanting to stir the pot is getting old. I’m not saying there are never legitimate complaints but there a lot of people who love to hate and complain about anything and everything. Why always give them such a big platform.I honestly feel like there is a bias on here against lighter skin women. Let’s be honest. I have seen articles on here that included all dark skin. They were lovely. No one complained. But let there be an article with light or brown skin and all hell breaks loose. We are black women. Why can’t we all celebrate one another? Half the time I don’t notice the complexion on here until someone brings it up. We don’t all look alike and that’s okay.
its not about complexion, its about race.
This particular article is race. However my opinion is overall that it’s both based on many articles and comments. I’m just being honest when I say I feel lighter skin people are repeatedly vilified on this site. I don’t know that is the intention but at times it comes across to me that way.
Just out of curiosity, how do you define “race?”
Bi-ethnic. Idk, I think it sounds better. I look at ppl as all one race- Human.
And this is why science literacy is so important. It changes your perspective on so many things.
it’s too bad black people don’t have the courage or consciousness to draw a line in the sand when it comes to blackness. this woman is not black. and nobody has to accept her as such. she is black when it’s convenient for her. i’m sure she’ll go back to saying she’s biracial when that’s convenient for her too.
could not agree more
When you’re black, you got two black parents, or even one mixed and one black. I can’t stand when people want to act as if the other side doesn’t exist. At least gabi isn’t doing so
First and foremost, I think it’s important to distinguish between someone who identifies as biracial AND Black vs someone who identifies as biracial INSTEAD OF Black (seemingly from a desire to distance themselves from a Black identity). Simultaneously, it is inappropriate to tell other people how they should identify and/or to judge them based upon how they identify. Gabi is clearly a woman of color and, more specifically, a woman with roots in the Black community. Even if she identified as biracial instead of Black, she’s not out of place on the cover of Ebony magazine.
I have no idea what she said in the magazine’s interview but the fact that Gabi feels personally connected to being a Black woman, however she identifies beyond that or in addition to that, should be “enough” with regard to her Blackness. As a biracial woman who identifies as Black while fully embracing and acknowledging my biracial heritage at the same time, I understand the pushback Gabi’s received – and I’m tired of it! My Black identity and my Black experience are just as valid and authentic as anyone else’s – so just stop the nonsense and focus on how we can all come together to increase positivity around issues that impact the lives of all Black people.
I so agree with you. I also identify as Black, even though I’m biracial.
This kind of issue seems to come up for a basically anyone who is mixed race, personally i’m mixed with like 4 different races and within those a lot of different ethnic groups, basically i’m a total mutt.. and i’ll have people who will complain constantly about what they think I am and what they think I should identify myself as. If you’re mixed you’re not just one thing, people shouldn’t treat you like you have to choose one.
You cant identify as black, Its either you are or youre not.
Just because I don’t think it’s cool doesn’t mean shyt. Every person should identify as whomever they please. Live and let live. If a guy/girl wants to wear makeup he/she should, if a guy/girl wants to be identify as purple he/she should, if mom/dad want to weave their baby’s hair they should. I said all that to say we should mind our business and let people be. Amen!
What’s wrong with her acknowledging the fact that her mother is white? the negative reactions are just ridiculous. We need to stop perpetuating the legacy of mixed people automatically having privileges over the rest of us. My niece whose mother is white identifies as black and being born a Spanish national the Spanish are quick to remind her that she is indeed black. It’s only when she came to stay with me in England that Black people were making all kinds of assumptions about her based on her racial mix. Thank god she had the thick skin to not let it bother her.
Wasn’t the rock on ebony magazine and Halle berry now it’s a problem?
I’m sticking with brown. Sometimes I don’t even know what makes me or anyone else black. I have a pale daughter, is she black enough? She should also do as Gabi and acknowledge where she comes from. He father is a central part of her life. Outcry of who’s black enough screams One Drop Rule to me. We can discuss colorism and it’s effects but don’t need to internalize that racism. Respect her enough to let her self-identify.
Remember that we’re not “black” because we ever wanted to be; it was a designation given to us. We’ve had many names and have the right to name ourselves now. Respect Gabi’s right to call herself what she wants.
your parents
This is exactly how I identify. It’s nice to see other people see themselves this way too.
Bravo. I love how she responded. Some people are ridiculous. She has every right to claim what she is. She never said she wasn’t black.
Even if she did she not.
What is with people policing how others choose to identify themselves?!! I don’t see any black people coming for POTUS for identifying as black man when he is biracial — not that there’s anything wrong with that at all. I wonder if it’s some sort of insecurity people have about their Blackness that causes them to get all riled up when biracial folks claim both sides of their heritage, as is their right.
Bless Gabi’s heart for responding so sweetly to the criticism but if I was her, I would not have even bothered to dignify that foolishness with a response, especially after being compared to Her Unholiness Ms. Dash. I can see where people would be mad if she was one of those “anything but Black” mixed folks who want to distance themselves as much as possible from their Black heritage, but she doesn’t come across as one of those misguided souls.
And I agree with her; yes, she is Black but she is also biracial and it’s important she acknowledges that her “mixedness” provides her with certain privileges those of us who aren’t biracial do not have.
Actually, many people did come for Obama early on, before he got the Democratic nomination, and then the Presidency, to the point where there was actual discussion of “Is he ‘Black’ Enough?”. Then the same people swept it under the rug as if it didn’t happen, and jumped the “My President is Black!” bandwagon.
She is not black, she is biracial and so is obama.
What would you consider Sasha and Malia to be?
i think the people who are offended are just bored. the girl is biracial. she has every right to identify as biracial. it is called ‘biracial’ for a reason, 2 races. it’s rude to force her to identify as just black thereby ignoring an entire half of her family.i hate when people demand that biracial people only claim one side of their family or ‘choose’ a side.
Exactly omg. I’m a mixed race person and will have to deal with people like that all the time, basically anyone i’ve met who is mixed with ANYTHING has the same issue, it doesn’t matter if they’re black&white, asian&white, 3 or more races, latino&asian, etc… people will act like you can only count as one thing and usually that one thing is whatever they personally perceive you as. Appearance doesn’t even always equal what your percentages are of different races.
You must not visit this site much because the debate here is the total opposite from your issue. A great many people who comment on this site say you are not black and would be pissed if you called yourself black. Basically they say you are not one of us. You should not portray us movies or tv, not grace the covers of our magazines, and your personal experiences are not valid in discussions on black struggles. The constant discussion is whether biracial i.e. half black people should be able to identify as black if they chose to. I know lots of biracial people who identify as one race because that’s their personal choice and they get hated on for it and told they’re not “real black people.” My personal opinion is people can do as they please.
they are correct
oh shut up. You’re not black. You’re biracial, full stop.
I’m not biracial. I’m black. My parents are black. My grandparents are black. And we love being black. If anyone needs to shut up it’s you.
this is getting old….yet bi-racial or mixed profit from blackness when $$$ is concerned…
You’re the reason people such as this women have to apologize for who she is. You’re the reason my daughter will receive the same backlash from her own people. It’s people like you who writhe in exclusive personal self hatred and jealousy for such women that you use your exclusionist ideologies to regulate blackdom. Unfortunately for you, blackness comes in all forms, shapes, beauties, and sizes. Loving yourself begins when you learn to stop hating on others.
oh please. black people have every right to say who the believe is black. white people make it clear who they believe is white. asians also define who is asian. weird that black people are expected to accept anyone as black.
historically, mixed people were forced on black people, esp. the black woman. nobody has to accept them, including your daughter, as one of us because in many ways, they are not.
wait, I am the reason…people like me…I have self hatred, LOL…regulate blackdom??? hug your daughter
you can not say the critisim is out of line if you have not read her statment in the magazine .. She even said that she have not gotten a copy of it. so she made this statement just incase it was printed to sound that she cancelled her blackness…
Why are we so critical of one another? There seems to be a standard of what is “Black Enough”. Everyone has a mixture of something and it is okay to celebrate what we are. My skin tone or mixture does not define who I am as a woman. Let’s celebrate that and not continue the “Black Enough” rhetoric.
this isnt an issue of who is black enough its an issue of who is black period.
I’m biracial and I couldn’t agree more. To some people we aren’t black enough, to others they want to make us identify as one race. I love being black but I also love being Asian and white and I should be able to be proud of that without someone putting me down. Don’t get me wrong this isn’t all people who make me feel like this but there are people who do. We need to start accepting ALL people
Hi Nicole, your comment jumped out at me because I have a daughter with your mixture. I am full black and my husband is half German half Asian. I often wonder if black people will accuse her of not loving her blackness if she chooses to embrace all of who she is. I am a Caribbean black which adds another layer of complexity because we don’t lump mixed people in with full black people. This does not mean they are not black, it means they are black AND something else. I would welcome the opportunity to talk to you in more detail about your experience as a multiracial human being. I imagine where you grow up plays into everything too.
it means they are not black but a small portion of it.
People need to stop. I cannot with this nonsense. I am so sick of this black biracial topic. I cannot.
why?