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I was intrigued to read your article. But I take issue with its foundation. If we are arguing that Obama should not be considered black because his mother is white, we are then by nature arguing there is such a thing as pure black. And then by extension we are saying that only pure black people warrant acknowledgment. Who are they? Where do such people exist? Possibly somewhere in Africa, but there is certainly no "pure" black race in America.

Yes, Obama and many Americans are of mixed racial heritage. But we have inherited, unfortunately, an unfair and often uncomfortable system colored by an ugly history and still ugly current-day reality. It was not long ago a person of Obama's or my own skin color could not vote, or marry a white person, much less run to be president. The only community to love and nurture dark-skinned people were dark-skinned people. The only community to support, educate and encourage dark-skinned people were dark-skinned people.

Obama is a dark-skinned person with African physical characteristics. He will never be mistaken for anything other than that. That is the reality - not the drop of blood. His white drop of blood isn’t dominating his physical appearance. His black blood is.

Yes, the one-drop rule is egregious and ignorant. And while it's a regrettable reality of our history and present, it’s not the prevailing influence in how Obama is perceived. It’s his physical traits and how America reacts to those traits. If he were walking down the street and you needed to describe him you would say he was about six feet tall, wearing a suit - oh and he was a black man with a close cropped haircut. You wouldn’t say he was what appeared to be a mixed-race man. Not a half-white, half-black man. You would say a black man. That does not disrespect his heritage. It does not imply racism on the part of the describer. It’s just a fact.

So of course, at this historic moment black people have embraced Obama, who's very reflection they see looking back at them in the mirror.

People of mixed race often walk a fine line between family members and segments of society. To deny a side of the family is to deny oneself. Obama openly embraces both. But know that he looks in the mirror and sees the face of a dark-skinned man who can be the target of hatred and discrimination solely for the color of his skin – and he knows that. He knows that because he is in America and he is a black man.
He also knows that he is the first dark-skinned – black person – to be elected president of the United States of America. He carries with him the hopes and expectations of his family’s white and black ancestors as he steps into his role as the leader of our nation.

"The edge is where the change occurs" - S.B.