The One-Drop Rule

On his pre-inaugural visit to Ben’s Chili Bowl, a landmark for Washington’s African-American community, President Barack Obama was asked by a cashier if he wanted his change back.

“Nah, we straight,” Obama replied.

The phrase was so subtle some listeners missed it. The reporter on pool duty quoted Obama as saying, “No, we’re straight.”

But many other listeners did not miss it. A video of the exchange became an Internet hit, and there was a clear moment of recognition among many blacks, who got a kick out of their Harvard-educated president sounding, as one commenter wrote on a hip-hop site, “mad cool.”

On matters of racial identity, many observers in the African-American community say he benefits from what's known as “dog-whistle politics." His language, mannerisms and symbols resonate deeply with his black supporters, even as the references largely sail over the heads of white audiences.

This is part of the reason that as a candidate, Obama won intense support among African-Americans while never being branded, in the fashion of a Jesse Jackson, as a candidate defined by race.

There's a language spoken among black folks that transcends words, inflections, cadence, or what have you. Blacks can hide their intentions, and their meaning from whites, but when it comes to those of their own race, there's no tree big enough to hide behind.

Perhaps this phenomenon has a white correlation, but I just don't think it's as developed, or as fine-tuned as among blacks.

For most of us, we have spent a lifetime studying whites, their mannerisms, their facial expressions, the manner in which they speak, for any hint of racism or hostility.

Survival dictated that we do this, and it spelled the difference between getting our butt kicked, or worse, lynched, or getting fired, or arrested for shoplifting, when all we wanted to do was challenge the boss' decision, or purchase a pair of Levis.

So when it comes to our new president, when he speaks, no matter how eloquently, how persuasive, how grammatically precise or erudite, we hear ourselves.

When he walks across the White House lawn or through the halls of Congress, strolling with that familiar black gait, with that familiar swagger, we see ourselves walking.

The "one-drop rule" used to carry the day, and no matter how much white there was genetically to offset it, it didn't matter--you were still considered black.

I'm beginning to think that something like that still prevails, but in a different way. One drop of black blood can "color," pun intended, a person's behavior, attitude, and mindset, their biracialism notwithstanding.

And that seems to hold up well, unless of course, you, as a black, make a herculean effort to suppress, misdirect, and eradicate these natural black tendencies.

And many do. I won't call out any names here. We all know who they are. And their names don't rhyme with heel or llamas.

Okay, I know I've taken a rather controversial stand here, but I do think there's something to it.

Obama's wears his blackness (not color) well, it accessorizes his Harvard suit, and playfully peeks from behind his King's English. It's like wearing a white tux with a black cumberbon, shoes, and bow tie.

There's contrast, but not so much that it brings mouth-dropping attention, or appears sartorially inappropriate.

While whites are checking out Obama's spotless white tux, we blacks are nodding our head, and checking out the black shoes, and bow tie, thinking to ourselves, "Sh*t, that brother's looking good! He makes those shoes, cumberbon and tie look damn good!"