There are over 2 million mixed-race children in the United States. One in every 20 children born is of mixed-race in the United States. Looking at these statistics you might think that there would be plentiful information on the topic of biracial or mixed-race children. In fact, the research out there is sparse and at best mediocre. Much of the information is based on the research of mixed race people from the 60's and 70's and looked at mixed-race children from a pathological standpoint.

The federal government developed a race categorization concept called "blood quantum" which is used to allocate resources to Native Americans. This concept equates percentages of blood with racial legitimacy, which is reminiscent of the "one drop rule". For those not familiar with the one-drop rule, it holds that any degree of African ancestry makes one 100% black and nothing else. The one-drop rule was an unevenly applied social custom during the slavery period, but state legislatures codified it into law, along with prohibitions against interracial marriage, during the Jim Crow era of the early 20th century.

Although the federal government is now allowing people the option of checking two or more racial categories in boxes on census forms, we still have a long way to go to legitimize a biracial label. On a recent state testing report that was sent from my son's school, I noticed that the statistics were broken down by the traditional five racial categories even though there are a large number of biracial children in the school that they attend. I found myself wondering which category they were lumped into. When I inquired to the district, they stated that they did not know how they were labeled on the forms for this standardized test. I still don't know how they are classified because the school states that they maintain a database of demographic information, which is submitted with the standardized test. The school included a biracial designation upon registration and stated that this is what is submitted with the test. I asked again where this would put my children. The superintendent then stated that they were probably assigned to the race of the minority parent. I asked how they knew this since the children were only labeled as biracial and not designated by a combination of races. She then stated that the school knows the families, which I assume meant they use appearance as the deciding factor. They also do not know why they assign children to the minority parent category when it comes to race. They had no answers.

There are still those who would have my sons choose one racial category with which to identify because they will be labeled by society anyway. My reaction is one of dismay, because in effect what they are saying is "let society determine who you are". My husband and I have instilled a biracial identity in our children because it is in their best interest to do so. The current research points to healthier children who are allowed to embrace all of who they are, regardless of how society sees them. There are those concerned with losing political power by splitting the black community, but this cannot be weighed against our children's psychological health. I have read much of the current research, and there is not as much as we would like. Part of the problem comes with finding individuals to participate in research who have identified themselves as biracial. What many researchers are seeing is biracial children who are labeled as black, and so are not having their specific needs met or accessible to those of us who would like to create a solid research base. Many people don't want their children used as "guinea pigs" or looked at as a novelty, but the research is the only way to back up our ideas. By showing a presence in statistics we legitimize the biracial label in society's eyes. We bring a new way of looking at diversity.

We should all agree on the fact that our children should be raised in the healthiest environment possible. What if this means embracing a biracial label? How can those who stand in opposition argue with this fact from a position that is supported by research on the topic? They cannot.

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