What is the term "one drop rule" also known as?

The term "one drop rule" is widely recognized as hypodescent. Hypodescent refers to the social and legal principle that classifies individuals as members of the marginalized group if they have any ancestry from that group, regardless of the percentage of that ancestry. This concept emerged in the context of racial classification, particularly in the United States, where it became a way to enforce racial boundaries and maintain the social hierarchy.

The "one drop rule" specifically dictates that a person with any known African ancestry is considered Black, which illustrates how race can be constructed socially rather than merely being an indication of physical characteristics. This understanding is crucial in multicultural counseling as it highlights the complexities of racial identity and how societal perceptions shape individuals' experiences.

In contrast, intersectionality pertains to the overlapping social identities and how they relate to systems of oppression and privilege. Multiracialism acknowledges the existence and legitimacy of individuals who identify with multiple ethnic or racial backgrounds. Cultural assimilation refers to the process where individuals or groups adopt the culture of another group, often losing elements of their original culture. These terms do not capture the specific implications and historical context that the "one drop rule" and hypodescent entail regarding racial identity and classification.