My comments stuck you as atypical of a black poster?
Yes.
Why is that?
Because your comments did not seem to reflect the experiences that so many black people on here have.
Do you know who is black from their comments?
Mostly, yes. My hit rate is pretty high. That being said, I'm ok with people who aren't black posting on here as long as they are oriented to support black people, rather than take away or distract from.
Or how they speak and reason?
Nothing to do with how they speak. Yes, how they reason (as above).
I’m well spoken and privately educated, which has meant the unfortunate comments you’ve made are similar to the ones I’ve heard before “but you sound white”.
My comments might have made you think of that, but crucially I didn't say that. That might be your issue, I wouldn't know, but I can state unequivocally that it is not mine.I wouldn't have been able to tell from your comments that you were either well-spoken or privately educated IRL.
As if black or mixed race women can’t have an idea that’s different or speak well. That is unreal.
*I didn't say that. I will squeeze in a little story here. I worked with a black woman a few years back who LOVED Donald Trump, was always engaged in some debate supporting him, etc etc. I consider that to be atypical of black women in the UK. If that woman was on here pushing her alt-right US Republican views I would assume she was white, all things being equal and without much else by way of context. I'd be wrong, but I wonder whether many people would call me prejudiced for that? There are clearly reasons I would have made that erroneous guess. I don't go about life ignoring all of my past observations. Same here with you, only this time I was right.
I certainly wasn't talking about black women. Your bringing that in makes me suspicious that you are trying to conflate issues. Let's not do that.*
And no, you were not correct. You assumed I was white. I am not fully white and I’m not fully black which means, that I am not accepted as either by people like yourself.
I assumed you were not black. I think I didn't go beyond that,but it's been awhile and I can't recall all of our exchanges. Now I think you are half white and half black. You said you were 'half'. I'm not here to argue the toss on your sense of racial self at all. I am defending my ability to speak as black woman on a board for black mumsnetters. Crucially, the reason I don't consider you to be black is because you told me so.
And yes very thankfully you don’t represent black women.
Again, agreed. But then I don't have to as I am a black woman. I just have to be myself to be valid here. There's nothing more that I need to do except, as I've heard said 'stay black and die'. Every black woman who has an opinion is not trying to 'represent' others, it's a shame we are often put in that corner, it's wearing. I can't remember any occasions where I have seen (presumably) white women on mumsnet telling each other they don't represent one another. Who is burdening them with that?
You’re condescending and prejudiced.
I disagree. My posts to you have not been very emotionally charged, but that's because I feel very tame about this subject. I don't have any hang ups or issues with my racial identity,or yours. But, you're entitled to your opinion on me, that's ok. I think prejudice includes a degree of dislike. I don't have that about you, or anyone else who considers themselves to be half or mixed etc so I don't think I am being prejudiced.
The black women I have as friends and in my family understand what I am and have accepted me as both black and white.
As they should, non?
As a person and human being and thankfully do not exclude me just because I say ‘I am HALF black’.
*I did not exclude you. Please see my comment about who posts here above. my concern is what people who do not consider themselves to be black do once they are on here.
I think being black is pretty hot ticket stuff. I love it, I instill that in my children. If people don't want to be considered so, that's all good with me. Black people don't need to stuff our category with lots of people who don't want to be there. We're not begging fren.
I really don't see what I have done wrong here. I respect your self-identification and so I consider you to be half black and half white. That is not the same as people who are going about life thinking of themselves as black, and I am one of those people.*