Halle Berry, the ‘One-Drop Rule’ and Race in America

According to the Pew Research Center, interracial marriage is at an all-time high.  The results of the 2010 Census are expected to show a dramatic increase in the number of mixed-race Americans. But as multi-racial Americans become more common, a recent remark from actress Halle Berry certainly raised some eyebrows. Berry  recently discussed her daughter’s identity with Ebony magazine. Her daughter’s father is white, but Berry, who is of mixed-race herself, said, “I feel like she’s black. I’m black and I’m her mother and I believe in the one-drop theory.”

Joining us to discuss what Berry’s comments say about biracial identity and race in America is Kai Wright, editor of ColorLines.com. He says that the conversation about race in America is ongoing and complex.