Taye Diggs’ “Mixed Me” book is sparking an intense debate on the Internet on whether biracial/mixed people should be called black. Mr. Diggs, who has a biracial son, claimed that his child should not say he is African-American because it would hurt or insult his white mother’s heritage.
Taye Diggs‘s new “Mixed Me” book is getting mixed reviews. The Best Man actor is currently promoting his 2015 book entitled “Mixed Me,” which is about his six-year-old son, Walker, whom he shares with his ex-wife, Frozen actress and singer Idina Menzel. However, the project is getting blasted in some corners.
In the book, Diggs, who considers himself to be a Chocolate Boy, stated that he does not want Walker to be identified as a black man. Diggs explained that his son should not ignore nor disrespect his Caucasian’s mother heritage. He said:
“When you [call biracial kids black], you risk disrespecting that one half of who you are and that’s my fear.”
He went on to take President Barack Obama as an example of a mixed person, who always calls himself black and, therefore, the whole world assumes that both his parents were black when his mother was a white woman from Kansas. Diggs shared:
“I don’t want my son to be in a situation where he calls himself black and everyone thinks he has a black mom and a black dad, and then they see a white mother, they wonder, ‘Oh, what’s going on?'”
The star was blasted for his comments with many calling him ignorant and a self-hating black man, who is using a little boy to air his racist views. After being bashed by Twitter and Facebook users, the Private Practice actor went on Instagram to try to explain himself. The proud father wrote that people should stop taking everything seriously and added:
“I am a proud black man. I want my son to grow up to be a proud black man if he so chooses. He has a mother who is white. He has every right to be just as proud of his mother’s ‘blood’ as well. Please wake up, people. It’s not that deep.”
Still in defensive mode, Diggs said he loves his skin tone, and that is the reason he wrote his first children’s book, “Chocolate Boy” to share with readers what it was like growing up in a predominantly white neighborhood and how his parents helped him “develop the power of self-love.”
He stated that he penned “Mixed Me!” because it is his turn to teach his little boy self-appreciation and “knowing that you are special regardless of what people will say about you because people will always say stuff.” Social media is on fire because of Diggs’ “Mixed Me” book, here are few comments making the rounds.
Using my Idina Menzel voice, let it go Taye Diggs, he is black in the eyes of the law.
The police will see him as Black, and Taye better teach him what that means!
Let me say this in my family there are a varies of colors so we don’t say black or white in my family…just family
As history has shown, on planet earth, that little boy is black, not mixed, not biracial, not quadroon, just balck Mr Diggs so accept it.
Are you kidding me??? Nowadays a man can identify himself as a woman and is acceptable!!! Just ask Bruce and Caitlyn Jenner and Miss Cox. But omg if you dare identity as biracial, people go all insane!?!!? Stfu and take a sit!!!!
#TayeDiggs I'd advise let your son grow into it while encouraging positive role models on both sides. U may have 2 stick up for black side..
— J. Alfred Jamrock (@lazylinejane) November 18, 2015
Dear Taye Diggs,
I hope you enjoyed your looks. It gets pretty rough for your face from here on in.
Exhibit A: pic.twitter.com/niKucW16Dy
— Sweet Sister Numpsey (@ladyblovebytes) November 18, 2015
I wonder if Taye Diggs understands why his son doesn't have the option of identifying as white (if he can't pass) White supremacy ideology.
— Ferrari Sheppard (@stopbeingfamous) November 18, 2015
There is a reason why Mariah Carey identifies as Black. Same as President Obama. Be very clear about that then go Kumbaya if you want.
— Michael Arceneaux (@youngsinick) November 18, 2015
