 Part I of 2 | See Later Post People of color are mostly transracial. If not by our actions, then by how we're perceived. There are those who denounce their identities. Some people are inspired to assume the identities of others. Race isn't always concrete. And within some groups, especially the African-American community, acceptance is a constant negotiation. Among Black people, skin color does not guarantee that people will perceive you as Black. For example, mixed-Black people and Africans often fail to recognize how often Black people reject them. For African-Americans, skin color and origin don't equate to race as much as culture. Despite their seemingly Black appearances, both Africans and mixed-Black people often fail to acknowledge their further proximity to actual Blackness (versus perceived). And in North America, especially during the Black Lives Matter movement, that mindset undermines the Black lives taken by police (and other forces) specifically because of their ancestral and cultural relationships to slavery within this country. This pattern has diluted the Black identities that deserve our utmost attention; and there are ways to align with Blackness without marginalizing those most affected by its consequences. Communities of color fault white people for being colorblind, but we commit the same mistake by Black-washing entire groups as well - especially when Black people have their own unique culture and identity that deserves the same sacredness as other groups are afforded. Kim: People of color are mostly transracial. If not through our actions, then by how we're perceived. Race isn't concrete - just like gender. Kat Blaque: "Transracial" is a term that refers to adoptions where children are of a different race than their parents. Kat Blaque: Most people of color are mixed race, not transracial. But nice try. Kim: Denotatively, not connotatively. Kim: So you've never heard of someone Black misrepresenting themselves as being another race? Kat Blaque: I think "misrepresent" is a very interesting term to use here. Black people usually can't say they're white and people buy it. Kim: Black people often define themselves as anything but Black (i.e. mixed). White-passing people assume white identities, etc.
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