Htichens can save himself, and anyone unfortunate enough to think there is substance to this article, a lot of time, and probably kick back a few more scotches, if he'd honestly answer the simple question he poses.
And why is a man with a white mother considered to be "black," anyway?
The answer in the United States is simple, because it's always been that way and will continue to be that way until the second African American President, regardless of whether Obama wins this time, is elected, in the same way that few non-baseball aficionados remember who Larry Doby is. This also explains why for all his millions, appearances in Korean tournaments, and cablasasianims, Tiger Woods has been, is, and will continue to be a black golfer.
Being black is simply too significant a factor in first impressions in American society to ignore, unfortunately for Obama's maternal relatives. And as any African American who has watched someone do a double take when they meet you after having spoken on the phone can tell you, assuming that one does not use a "black" accent, skin color overwhelms all consideration in this society. Although Asians of various descent, South Asian, Far Eastern, etc. can attest to similar experiences, thanks to the particular historical path of American history they simply don't have as high a hurdle to surmount.
