Is Obama Black: The Pseudo-Legal Definition of the Black Race: A Proposal for Regulatory Clarification Generated from a Historical Socio-Political Perspective.

Barack Obama’s successful run for President of the United States exposed many intriguing sociological and political issues in American society, not least of which was the question of race. Obama was the offspring of a mother of White European ancestry and a father of African ancestry. Obama is considered “Black,” though some would argue he could have been called “White” just as justifiably. The public discourse surrounding the election of President Obama highlights the need for clarification.

In this Article, we explore the past to provide a foundational perspective. In proposing a somewhat unconventional definition, we seek to contain within the confines of its meaning the full essence of what it means to be “Black” in present-day America, brought about by the historical sociopolitical realities that spawned its existence.