'The BBC perpetuates the one-drop-rule.'

He may have his sights firmly set on getting to the White House but what impact is Barak Obama having on the push for mixed-race recognition?

In the US forums are fiercely debating Barak's racial identity and the man himself has so far successfully evaded the 'what are you question? Some might say that evasiveness is a sign of a real politician but then haven't we had years of evasiveness in the West? Isn't it time someone stood up and said, this is who I am and this is what I offer?

Barak may think his mixed-race background will alienate some of the voters but I think he is wrong on this count. In fact, I think it is his mixedness that makes him more appealing to many White Americans who are keen to put the past behind them and want to show the world they can let a man of colour in the big house. They're not quite ready for a black president yet but a mixed-race one is the first step on the ladder.

Black America knows Obama is mixed-race and so does white America but somehow the media seem intent on keeping the one-drop-rule alive.

Some of the UK media is no different and I recently wrote a letter of complaint to the BBC regarding their description of public figures such as Lewis Hamilton and Barak Obama as black. The BBC replied with the following statement taken from their editorial guidelines:

'We aim to reflect fully and fairly all of the United Kingdom's people and cultures in our services. Content may reflect the prejudice and disadvantage which exist in our society but we should not perpetuate it. We should avoid offensive or stereotypical assumptions and people should only be described in terms of their disability, age, sexual orientation and so on when clearly editorially justified.'

Divisional Advisor for BBC Information David Larner, also added: 'we have to reflect wider opinion - for example, Lewis Hamilton is widely described as 'black' when commentators reflect on the lack of diversity in Formula 1 and the sport of motor racing generally. Barack Obama is often similarly described in relation to American politics.'

I believe the BBC is not sticking to its own editorial guidelines and are selectively using the one-drop-rule when it comes to the portrayal of mixed-race individuals. Their descriptions of public figures such as Lewis Hamilton and Barak Obama are in fact perpetuating the racist one-drop-rule. Whilst the BBC are not the only broadcasters using such practice, they do set the industry standard many other broadcasters follow.

Of course we can write letters till we're blue in the face but if public figures such as Barak Obama and Lewis Hamilton aren't prepared to stand up and be counted as mixed-race individuals then the media will continue racial assignation. When you get to the position in life where money is less of a problem to some degree race also becomes less important and many public figues seem keen to leave the race issue behind.

I'm happy that mixed-race figures such as Lewis Hamilton and Barak Obama are making mixed-race history and going places where none like them have gone before but I also look forward to the day when we have our first black racing driver and the first black man in the White House.

Click here to read the BBC's letter:
Click here to read Sharron Hall's reply:
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