With all due respect to Mr. Mfume, "A Place For Us" takes the position that
a Multiracial Category is sorely needed on school, birth, legal, and health
forms (including Blood Donor forms). We do this not for political or
financial reasons, but because we want to help families and individuals who
come to us for support. These people want racial harmony, peace, and
equality for all. People like Mr. Mfume want to keep them from getting what
they deserve.
For groups like the NAACP, the issue may be FUNDS. For "A Place For Us,"
the issues are FAMILY and the raising of healthy children who are proud of
their TOTAL heritage. That's why we have filed the 1998
Multiracial/Multiethnic Children's Initiative with the state of California,
for inclusion on the 1998 state ballot. This will be a booster for the
Census 2000.
There is no room for the word "BUT" when it comes to racial categories. If
the NAACP wants racial categories to suit themselves, then by right,
multiracial people also deserve representation and recognition.
Mr. Mfume would not like it at ALL if someone told him that since Mfume is
not his FAMILY name, he could not use it. In the same way he has chosen to
identify with this name, we choose to identify ALL of what we are, not just
ONE category (no matter how politically correct).
Mr. Mfume said: "Whether you are black, white, Asian, Native American,
Latino, or some other combination...you are entitled to the same rights and
responsibilities as other Americans." Then, he changed and argued AGAINST
recognizing multiracial Americans, who can be a combination of any or all
of the races he mentioned. This makes no sense at all!!!
One thing that highly disturbs us is that Mr. Mfume was not even remotely
concerned about the best interests of our children. It seemed that he was
more concerned about voting rights and government funds! To us, color of
skin should NEVER but NEVER be a prerequisite for receiving Federal help.
The basis should be NEED ONLY.
We're committed to fighting for the rights of ALL people, not just some. We
will work tirelessly for the elimination of the Octoroon/Quadroon labels
and the infamous "Eyeball Test," instituted by racists and ironically
perpetuated by people who think like Mr. Mfume on this issue.
Steve & Ruth White (Co-Founders and President & Vice-President respectively)
"A Place For Us/National"
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