Taye Diggs spurs conversation with “mixed” vs “black” race comments


Actor Taye Diggs, has been traveling to different U.S. cities to promote his new children's book, "Mixed Me." 

But Diggs is stirring commentary about referring to people whose parents are different races –  such as his son and the president – as “mixed” as opposed to “black.”
“As African-Americans, we were so quick to say okay he’s black he’s black, and then there were the white people who were afraid to say he was biracial because who knows,” he told The Grio. Everybody refers to (President Barack Obama) as the first black president. I’m not saying it’s wrong, I’m just saying that it’s interesting. It would be great if it didn’t matter and that people could call him mixed. We’re still choosing to make that decision, and that’s when I think you get into some dangerous waters.”

His children’s book, inspired by his son, is about a mixed-race child named Mike. His previous children’s book is autobiographical.

“The first book I wrote, ‘Chocolate Me,’ was based on my experiences growing up (as) a little chocolate boy in a predominately white neighborhood,” he told The Grio. “How I would get made fun of and how through my mother and father and my own recognition, I was able to develop the power of self love.”

His comments stemming from the “Mixed Me” interview have spurred conversation online.

Here is a sample of tweets about the article:

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