Mutts Like Me

As a psychologist and former language student, I have thought that one of the key factors perpetuating tribal racial identity is that we simply don't have a good label for the growing percentage of the world's population that is multi-heritage. If we did, the number of people fitting and adopting this label would swell over time, and racial tribalism and concomitant tribal violence might be just a tad harder for demagogues to conjure.

While a friend and I waited for the election returns on the unforgettable Fourth, we discussed this issue, and we played around with various coined words -- mult, mu-he, etc. -- none of which had any appeal. Finally she commented that we should simply use the word "mutt." I laughed because I have called my own heritage "Northern European mutt" for years.

But then I actually started wondering if it might have potential. There can be power in serenely or playfully or proudly adopting a term that by tradition is belittling. Think Yankee.

As far as that goes, mutt is pretty benign and has a fair number of positive connotations for the millions of us who have adored one. Mutts are often stronger, healthier and smarter than purebreds. They tend to live longer. They surprise you more. They're less prone to neuroses and other kinds of twitchiness. They're about substance rather than style; personality rather than sheen. They're adaptable. And nobody freaks if they get scruffy, as long as they get the ball.

Now, as if I weren't already madly in love with the character and mind of our new president, he goes and calls himself a mutt. Obama was talking about the family's desire to adopt an abandoned dog but need for one that wouldn't trigger his daughter's allergies. In the process, he commented, "Obviously, a lot of shelter dogs are mutts like me." Might Obama's opener, with help that is already emerging among the netroots give yet another impetus to the identity shift that is already happening? I suddenly want a mutt t-shirt, even though I may not deserve one -- in-bred, white bread, and twitchy as I am. Maybe the best I can hope for is to look on in envy and delight when my twinkle-in-the-eye grandchildren get to check "mutt" on their census forms.

Comments

[Ginnysky]

I tuned a piano for an "African American" lady this morning, and we shared our delight at the presidential election result. At one point she brought up the issue of people with mixed backgrounds, and her point was why you're called "black" even if only it's a tiny percentage of your ancestry. We agreed it's racism, not science. I told her my folks had always said our heritage was Heinz 57 [varieties]. But I've heard many people say "mutt" and it has the advantage of brevity and instant comprehension, plus advocates in high places!

[shrinkandhammer]

I think your right. The world needs less high strung fillies and more stable healthy mutts!!!!!!!

[2doggirl]

I, too, have always referred to myself as European Trash, or EuroMutt. When filling in demographic surveys, I often cringe at my choices; the limiting and (embarrassing!) distinction of "Caucasian" does not do my family heritage nor my personal identity any justice. During my early 20's when I was studying the Nez Perce and living in a tipi, I would select "Native American" simply because those are the people to whom I felt most akin. In more recent past, with my father's unearthing of genealogical-gems anchoring my bloodlines through the Appalachian hills, I have found a strange and wholesome honor in my heritage -- as mixed-up and impure as it is. The stories of murder and rape, hard-work and perseverance, pioneering and laying-down roots, have my demographic status spread thin and far away from "Caucasian." I need a new box to check -- one that speaks to my identity as a global citizen. I choose Mutt.

[stevesrant]

Good idea. Conversely, we should stop using the word "purebred" as a positive to describe what is essentially inbreeding: all breeds of dog are (incredibly) the same species. Just like us. The notion of 'pure' races or tribes is only a relatively superficial illusion.