Mulatto, we all know what it means. If you're not big on multiracial issues, then I suppose I can give you the Merriam-Webster definition and etymology: Function:
noun
Inflected Form(s):
plural mu·lat·toes or mu·lat·tos
Etymology:
Spanish mulato, from mulo mule, from Latin mulus
Date:
1593
1 : the first-generation offspring of a black person and a white person \
2 : a person of mixed white and black ancestry
As to be expected, Webster only reports the terms meaning (Duh, it's a dictionary). So, in order to get a broader and more clearer picture of the word we will have to dig in deeper. As the title suggests, let us derive how this word may even be considered offensive to some today by starting with the etymology of mulatto.
The Spanish interpretation of the word mulato is derived from mulo/mule. This mule, produced from a male donkey (62 chromosomes) and a female horse (64 chromosomes) has 63 chromosomes. This resulting number of chromosomes inhibits sterility in mules over 99.99% of the time (there have been a few documented cases of sterile female mules).
Back during times of slavery many people operated around the paradigm that black people and white people were different species to say the least. Thus, when a mulatto was born it was believed to be sterile, much unlike mules. It is hard for one to believe that people actually believed in this phenomenon, but believe it or not this was a dominant perspective at the time. Of course mulatto's would go on to produce healthy and normal children with white, black, and other mulatto people, thereby contradicting such notions. So one must ask, was such negativity used as a constant reminder that these children spawned from two diametric forces, such that the difference in white and black people would effectively make mulatto's too different to be accepted anywhere? Better yet, did bad habits just die hard?
While some people did harbor these absurdities, it's hard to believe that the majority of the people (whether they were racist or not) would continue believing a proven falsity that mulatto's were sterile, especially into the 20th century. Surprisingly, by the early 20th century, mulatto was continually used as a description for black/white biracials until the 1930 census. By this time, mulatto's were already "successfully forced" into a black identity thus restoring the black-white "color" line. Now that we know the history of mulatto, is it socially acceptable to be used? It is the most accurate description of a half-white/half-black person; however, its history does carry a lot of weight.
I think that if a person wants to be empowered through the description mulatto, then that person and his or her views should be respected. Just take a look at the word nigga. Many African-Americans have turned one of the most heinous of words into a term of endearment. Quite naturally, I don't see why mulatto's can not do the same. Opponents would suggest just calling these individuals solely brown. But what does brown even mean? Exactly, it can mean a myriad of things. Again, if someone wants to be called a mulatto then more power to him or her.
I surmise that most of us do not consciously consider black people to be inferior to whites and vice versa; yet, we still denominate biracials like Obama as solely black. This misnomer sends a clear message that white is an exclusive group, whereas black is inclusive. Meaning that although we delude ourselves into thinking that we are making progress towards racial harmony, this unresolved pertinent issue will crumble any progress that we hope to achieve. As long as white is an exclusive group, there will be a racial hierarchy based upon perceived racial traits. Any sensical individual regardless of class or race would suggest otherwise. So, do your part to help make mulatto socially acceptable, even if you’re not mulatto, plus it's cool with the tongue!
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written by Fran, November 30, 2009
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written by Rachel Lee, November 30, 2009
2cents from a hapa
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written by Helen Rolls, December 01, 2009
I don't think getting the word mulatto to be a popular word will be an issue. I just wonder if people will be able to see past black or white and be human. If they can do that then they can accept the way people look and identify.
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written by Friendly By Standard , December 04, 2009
It’s a pretty good bet that mulatto began this way. One can imagine it was originally accompanied by snickering, as innocent children were labelled “mules” by adults who felt superior to those they considered lowly hybrids.
Getting the word to endure will prove hard with all the etymology attached.
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written by Joshua, December 11, 2009
Sure, if I am with my friends and want to Make Fun of the titles we've been given (nigger, faggot, mulatto, bitch, whatever) then I may whip it out for humorous effect (yes, I have a sense o' humor, well-hidden though it may be in this note).
And, um, if the words dying out... why bring it back in? Why don't come up with some oTHER word that doesn't make black = bad (or 'inclusive') or less pure and doesn't feel like some (white) scientist naming some subject ("...I pronounce thee MULATTO...!"). Let's call us... Zelappo -Kings. Or Mad Super Racers. Or Glorious blackwhite mixed M#$%4-F*&$ers.... there's gotta be something better than 'mulatto', right?
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written by Jil, December 14, 2009
How could such a huge mistake be made in an article that is supposed to be teaching about this word and why this word is offensive?
That is one of the biggest reason for its offense-That mixing Black people and White people creates a sterile offspring.
Shame on you.
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written by Skips, December 16, 2009
But yes you're right, I think if people put their heads together a lot better they should be able to come up with something beyond just "Mulatto"...I for one don't mind it but as others have said it does have a historical connotation attached to it that many people don't like. Just the comments on here alone can verify that, it's a no brainer.
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written by scvpr, December 20, 2009
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written by Jabari, December 22, 2009
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written by TtBrown80, January 17, 2010
my whole family is bi-racial, every last one of us we are of all colors of the spectrum, most people just concider us Black. Those of them that know us know we are so many beautiful mixtures. i don't see the problem in someone being called "Mulatto", but i think it just doesn't roll off the tongue easliy. Mixed is easier, if we all just focus on how beautiful we all are, and all the history crammed into our bloodline, features, talents, maybe one day a signifying lable will not be needed. we will just be people. Pipe Dream, i know but wouldn't it be a lovely thing? to stop being black, white, mexican, and just be a combination of strength, ancestry and beauty.
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written by Evelyn Murray, January 27, 2010
I grew up in family with a grandfather that was a black man that was able to pass for a white man. I was able to pass for black in my family? (funny) My very lighter skin cousins did not fair so well back in the 1950s in an all black schools during segregation. My cousins who were black but could pass for white were abused very badly back in the day. I have never head anyone in my family talk about the abuses that "Mulatto" so you say, children suffered by the hand of the darker blacks? You know how children don’t come home and tell their parent everything. We just don't about that. Now do we. There are all kinds of fruit in a fruit bowl, now you tell me that it is not all good? I can not tell you how many time that I had to stand in front of my cousin Sue on the play ground screaming “leave her alone“! to keep a mob of angry darker school mates from beating on her and pulling her until her scalp bled. I can not tell you how many times I had to shield her on our school bus to keep my Light skin cousin Sue with the Long Curley hair from being punched in the face. Sue knew that if she tried to fight back it would just make matters harder for her. Well dark me did not get it? At the time we were just little kids not knowing what we were battling with. Today my cousin Sue still sit in a position a with her head held down? and we are all in our late 50s? I feel as if you are hitting this little baby in the face with a fist in the shape of a label. I look at the picture of the baby above and she is not give off a body language showing the fear like my of my cousin? This little girl appears to be very happy? But she will and soon, because she will have to learn by asking her mom. Mom what’s a Mulatto? Why? I think that Jennifer Hudson said it best "We are changing, in every way we can"? We need to have this information as part of our history for sure! as a definition that was use to define us during slavery. but not as if the baby above and my cousin Sue are something that need to be accepted as part of the human race. Mulatto means "Mule" which is a negative termed use to define Blacks as less than full human. A mule is a pack animal that was make to carry heavy loads that humans can not carry. The old Slave master's Webster dictionary definition should no longer be used to define us Americans of African Ancestry any longer.
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written by Bianca, February 15, 2010
I have come to value the term Mulatto. I take pride in being mulatto. I have an ethnic identity that happens to be African American, but I am mulatto. Biologically my background is European and African. I am mulatto and love it. However, I do not think mulatto is a term that applies to light skinned blacks. No offense, but growing up in a household where everyone was light-skinned does not make you mulatto. Mulatto is one of white and black parents. It is different from being born in a light-skinned family, The challenges and experiences are different. The support is different. There was no one in my family who looked like me, and until I explained it to my sister, even she did not understand. It is not the same! Mulatto is a unique experience.
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