{"id":4282,"date":"2022-05-31T17:43:10","date_gmt":"2022-05-31T17:43:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/?p=4282"},"modified":"2022-05-31T17:43:10","modified_gmt":"2022-05-31T17:43:10","slug":"yellow-bone-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/yellow-bone-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"Yellow Bone \u2013 Meaning, Origin and Usage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you looking for a word to describe your mixed heritage? Some people think it\u2019s okay to call yourself a \u201cyellow bone<\/em>.\u201d Is this phrase acceptable, or is it racist? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.<\/p>\n

Meaning<\/h2>\n

The expression \u201cyellow bone<\/em>\u201d refers to a person with mixed-race heritage. They usually have one parent with African roots and another with light-skinned ancestry. As a result, they have a light-skinned African look to them.<\/strong><\/p>\n

A recent trend starting in 2016 saw people identifying as\u00a0 \u201cyellow bone<\/em>,\u201d taking back the name and using it as an identifier for their heritage. However, some people involved in equality movements suggest the saying has roots in white supremacy.<\/p>\n

Being a \u201cyellow bone<\/em>\u201d might seem racist to some but fine to others. It\u2019s all about your perspective on the issue. However, it would be wise to avoid using this saying if you are not a \u201cyellow bone<\/em>\u201d yourself. Doing so could land you in trouble with the \u201cwoke\u201d mob on Twitter and other social platforms.<\/p>\n

Example Usage<\/h2>\n

\u201cI identify as a yellow bone. My mother is European, and my father comes from Nigeria. We\u2019ve lived in the United States my whole life, and people see me as black, not mullato.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m a yellow bone. I have mixed ancestry. Some people say I should stop calling myself a yellow bone, but I don\u2019t really find it offensive.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t believe people with mixed heritage refer to themselves as \u2018yellow bone.\u2019 It sounds like such a racist and derogatory term.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBeing a yellow bone means that you have mixed heritage and light skin due to your genetic makeup. Sure, it sounds terrible, but it\u2019s not terribly offensive if you think about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA yellow bone is a light-skinned African American. I don\u2019t know why black culture places importance on looking light-skinned. It mystifies me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy do people think it\u2019s acceptable to call people with mixed heritage \u2018yellow bone.\u2019 I was shocked when I heard someone refer to themselves as a yellow bone.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Origin<\/h2>\n

The expression \u201cyellow bone\u201d comes from a history of white supremacy in the developed world. In places like Asia, India, Africa, and the Middle East, people, particularly women, are seen as \u201cmore beautiful\u201d if they have light-colored skin.<\/p>\n

Many experts believe this tendency to revere light-skin tone comes from mental chains placed upon these societies by colonialists. However, the reality is that countries like Japan revered women with light skin long before they ever encountered colonialism.<\/p>\n

However, skin bleaching is a practice that traces back to colonialism. Skin bleaching is very different from being born with a naturally light skin tone. It\u2019s the practice of using organic and inorganic compounds to lighten the skin tone for a cosmetic effect.<\/p>\n