Transcending Blackness: From the New Millennium Mulatta to Exceptional Multiracial

Analyzing emblematic representations of multiracial figures in popular culture-Jennifer Beals's character in the ; the protagonist in Danny Senza's novel ; the title character in the independent film ; and contestants in a controversial episode of the reality show , who had to "switch ethnicities" for a photo shoot-Joseph identifies the persistence of two widespread stereotypes about mixed-race African Americans, those of "new millennium mulattas" and "exceptional multiracials." The former inscribes multiracial African Americans as tragic figures whose blackness predestines them for misfortune; the latter rewards mixed-race African Americans for successfully erasing their blackness. Addressing questions of authenticity, sexuality, and privilege, refutes the idea that race no longer matters in American society.