Everybody is born into this world with some sort of identity, most commonly, race. Race is such an intrinsic portion of every person’s identity since it reflects on his or her’s physical appearance. As a result, it’s hard, really hard, to change, deny, or even just ignore one’s race. Few others are going to.
Just Saturday night, the USC student body president, while walking home from her friend’s apartment experienced an attack simply because of her race. As she was walking with a group of friends, out of a fraternity window, someone yelled “You Indian piece of s—!” and threw a drink at her.
Events like this, so close to home highlight how racism is still prevalent in our society, and it’s difficult, borderline impossible, to never be affected by your race.
As I said in my last blog post, humans are pre-programmed to see race in others whether they want to or not, so even if one completely ignores one’s racial identity, it won’t be overlooked by everyone else; and that’s the simple fact of it. Of course the person can choose not to acknowledge his/her own race, ethnicity, or culture, but since the person’s appearance most likely gives off the impression that he/she is that race, that is what would be assumed.
In recent years, the controversy over the race of Disney princess and superhero ethnicity was called into question. Although most princesses are based off traditionally white characters, the lack of minority representation in movies that so many kids, both from white and other ethnic backgrounds watch makes kids wonder why they aren’t represented. But it’s clear that there are roadblocks to this – or else they would have changed it.
(Above is a photo of five princesses re-imagined as different races)
I can understand why people would want to change their race – sometimes it causes one to feel disadvantaged simply because of the color of one’s skin color, and it’s unfair to be given prior bias before even having a chance to prove oneself.
I would probably not ever advise anyone to try ignoring one’s ethnicity or race, simply because I believe that he/she should try to appreciate what they are given – play it to his/her advantage as hard as that may sometimes seem. There’s always a positive in each culture, ethnicity, and race; you just have to find your community where you belong.
Thought Bubble 
You bring up a really good point about how even if someone where to ignore their racial identity, it would be nearly impossible for people around them to do the same, especially so in the structure of our American society. I also agree with your point about how there is something positive in every culture, race, or ethnicity. What do you think could be a positive element of an ethnic or racial group of people that has endured prolonged persecution or discrimination, for example?
LikeLike
I think there can be lots of positive points to groups that have felt a long history of discrimination – for example, they’ve definitely learned to fight back in their own ways (people really learn to connect and bond in times of hardship). It also brings out the strongest leaders who really advocate for themselves, and sometimes the best leaders are born out of the worst circumstances. It also really grows a sense of pride in one’s race and ethnicity when they really care about it.
LikeLike
I was on Twitter one day and an actress said on her Twitter that she identifies as white when she is mixed raced (black and white). When she elaborated she had said that growing up she had been excluded from both ethnic groups. Like kids would tell her “you’re not black enough” or “you’re not white enough.” How would you approach this situation and do you agree with her choice to identify as white?
LikeLike