Mixed Race Studies

Is It Time to Do Away With The ‘One-Drop’ Rule?

Clutch
2013-07-10

Britni Danielle
Los Angeles

Conversations about race in America can lead to never-ending discussions, hurt feelings, and sometimes even breakthroughs. Blame it on our complicated past of slavery, racism, and legalized prejudice, but even approaching a frank discussion about race in this country can seem nearly impossible.

And yet we keep trying.

Recently, I spotted an article over on The Root which stated that Johnny Depp is a direct descendant of Elizabeth Key, a former slave who worked to secure her freedom in 1656…

…While I doubt anyone will rush to claim Depp as black (at least I hope not), how blackness gets defined in America continues to be rooted in antiquated notions of the one-drop rule…

…When pondering whether or not we should do away with the one-drop rule, it’s important to remember it was not created by those of African ancestry looking forge a shared kinship or by local/federal governments hoping to properly categorize the populace for the purpose of collecting census data (the terms “Indian,” “mulatto,” and “negro” were well established), but rather the one-drop rule was created to keep the white race “pure.” In short, it was merely another tool aimed at protecting white supremacy in America…

Read the entire article here.

Phil “Pompey” Fixicio To Speak on a Post Show Panel Exploring African American and Native American Spirituality

Los Angeles Theater Center
514 South Spring Street
Los Angeles, California 90013
Telephone: 213.489.0994
Sunday, 2013-11-03, 15:00 PST (Local Time)

On Sunday November 3rd, in honor of the new play on the Seminole people, the road weeps, the well runs dry, Phil “Pompey” Fixicio will be speaking on a post show panel at The Los Angeles Theatre Center. This panel, entitled Exploring African American and Native American Spirituality will include Rev. Dr. Cecil “Chip” Murray (USC), Phil “Pompey” Fixico (Seminole descendant), and Professor Hanay Geigomah (UCLA). The panel follows the 3:00pm performance. For tickets and information on the play, click here.
 
Phil “Pompey” Fixico, Seminole Maroon Descendant, California Semiroon Mico (Nation of One), Heniha for the Wildcat/John Horse Band of the Seminoles of Texas and Old Mexico, Honorary Elder of the Muskogee Yamassee of Florida, Featured, in the Smithsonian Institution’s, book and exhibit, entitled :”indivisible”; African-Native American Lives in the Americas, Co-Founder of the Bureau of Black Indian Affairs (indianvoices), Member of the L.A. chapter of the Buffalo Soldiers and Dept. of Interior/National Park Service/ National Underground Rail Road/ Network to Freedom Private-Sector Partner ( Semiroon Historical Society).

the road weeps, the well runs dry

Los Angeles Theater Center
514 South Spring Street
Los Angeles, California 90013
Telephone: 213.489.0994

2013-10-24 through 2013-11-17
Thursday-Saturday: 20:00 PT (Local Time)
Sunday: 15:00 PT (Local Time)

Written by Marcus Gardley
Directed by Shirley Jo Finney

Rolling World Premiere

Surviving centuries of slavery, revolts, and The Trail of Tears, a community of self-proclaimed Freedmen creates the first all-black U.S. town in Wewoka, Oklahoma. The Freedmen (Black Seminoles and people of mixed origins) are rocked when the new religion and the old way come head to head and their former enslavers arrive to return them to the chains of bondage.  Written in gorgeously cadenced language, utilizing elements of African American folklore and daring humor, the road weeps, the well runs dry merges the myth, legends and history of the Seminole people.

Previews: October 24 & 25

For more information, click here.

(1)ne Drop Project Live

Painted Bride Art Center
230 Vine Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106
Telephone: 215.925.9914
Sunday, November 10, 2013, 17:00-18:00 EST (Local Time)

Do you know Blackness when you see it? This provocative question informs the work of Dr. Yaba Blay, whose (1)ne Drop Project depicts the stories and images of over 60 individuals from around the world, all of whom identify as Black, but none of whom fit the stereotypical “Black box.” Their candid memoirs challenge our understanding of race and identity.

The storytelling event, (1)ne Drop Project Live, interweaves history with candid stories from participants in the Project and gives a microphone to living testimonies of diversity. The event will include readings from project participants.

For more information, click here.

Playwright Sarah Rutherford on her play Adult Supervision

TheatreVOICE
Department of Theatre & Performance
Victoria and Albert Museum
2013-10-22

Heather Neill

Interview: Sarah Rutherford

The playwright talks to Heather Neill about her new drama, Adult Supervision, a story about race which is currently playing at the Park Theatre in London’s Finsbury Park in Jez Bond’s production. Recorded at the Park Theatre, 16 October 2013.

Listen to the interview here.