6.1: Racism is Built on a Big Fat Lie Pt. 1: Blood Quantum and the One Drop Rule

May 17, 2022

Think back to when you were a kid. Remember when you’d be playing a game and you were about to make an epic power move or even win the game, and the person you were playing with would suddenly shout, “I HAVE A FORCE FIELD!” They knew they were about to lose, so they changed the rules or made up a new one to make sure they could win. Remember how frustrating that was?  

That, my friends, is what racism is: Made up rules to keep the same people (the ones in the dominant culture) always winning. 

In today’s episode, we’re starting the first part of a two-part series where we’re breaking down some of the big, obvious examples that show just how big of a lie racism is built on, starting this week with blood quantum and the one drop rule. In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How race is the product of racism, not the root of it.
• What it means to be part of the “dominant culture.”
• The history of determining social status.
• What the “one drop rule” and “blood quantum” are and how they are used as a tool in white supremacy. 

 

Juneteenth Jubilee

Juneteenth is coming up next month, and we have an exciting program to help you celebrate! Juneteenth Jubilee is our brand-new program that gives you everything you need to have a meaningful Juneteenth celebration dinner.

It includes a cookbook, a cooking show with my dad, a meal planner, reflection questions and more! Trust me, this is something your family is going to want — both for the yummy food and for the impactful conversations. 

Click the button below to sign up to be on the waitlist!

 

Send in your Loving Day submissions!

Loving Day is coming up on June 12th, and I want to celebrate with you!

Loving Day is the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision that made interracial marriage for heterosexual couples legal in all 50 states, and I want to make an episode about the significance of Loving Day to those of us in interracial relationships. This means everyone — LGBTQ, straight, dating, married — anyone who loves someone who is a different race than their own.

What I need you to do is record a voice memo that includes three things:

1. Your name
2. Where you are from
3. And the answer to one question: What does Loving Day mean to you?

Send the voice memo to [e-mail] with “Loving Day” in the subject line. If you’d like to include a picture, I would love to share your pictures on Instagram on Loving Day.

The deadline for submissions is June 4, 2022.

I can’t wait to hear from you!

 

Articles, Studies & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode

First Name Basis Podcast Season 3, Episode 26: “What is Juneteenth and How Can I Celebrate?”

First Name Basis Podcast Season 3, Episode 29: “Critical Race Theory In School”

First Name Basis Podcast Season 2, Episode 14: “What is Privilege and What Do I Do With It?”

First Name Basis Podcast Season 5, Episode 5: “Raising Mult-Racial Children” with Dr. Jenn Noble 

Learn more about Ally Elementary and join the waitlist at firstnamebasis.org/allyelementary.

“People Are Angry President Trump Used This Word to Describe Undocumented Immigrants,” by Abigail Simon, Time

“Trump: ‘Animals’ comment referred to MS-13 gang members,” by Rebecca Morin, Politico

“Immigrants Contribute Greatly to U.S. Economy, Despite Administration’s ‘Public Charge’ Rule Rationale,” the Center on Budget and Policy

Article about John Punch on Thirteen.org

“How the ‘One Drop Rule’ Became a Tool of White Supremacy” by Yaba Blay 

“Hypodescent: The ‘One Drop Rule’” 

“‘One Drop Rule’ Persists” by Steve Bradt

The Code Switch Podcast, “So What Exactly is “Blood Quantum?”

All My Relations Podcast, “Love in the Time of Blood Quantum”

“The ‘One Drop Rule’ in America, a story”

 

Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN