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 sociological and political issues in American society, including the question of race. Obama's mother was of White European ancestry and his father of African ancestry. Obama is considered "Black." Some would argue he could have been called "White" just as justifiably. Public discourse surrounding the election highlights the need for clarification. In this Article, we explore the past to provide a foundational perspective. In proposing a definition, we seek to include 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