If Given the Chance, Would You Change Your Race

[CrimsonTide4]

Being honest, if you were given the chance today to change your racial identity or ethnicity or skin color or the box you check on the application, would you? Would you make the change for just one day? one week? one year? for life? Why or why not?

Do you believe that if this change could be made, be it temporarily or permanently, would it decrease or heal racial tension and division in our world?

What race would you change to? This is not necessarily just from Black to white?


All ignorant responses will be deleted.

Ex: I would be white with good credit but leave me with my huge Black _____.

There has been a lot of discussion in the Greek Life section of GC lately about race.

Black Woman Contemplating Joining a White Sorority

Integration of Predominantly White Fraternities and Sororities


I am hoping for intelligent discussion and will not hesitate to delete ignorant responses.

[ClassyLady]

I am very happy with my race and ethnicity. I think that being a young, educated Black woman has made me more aware of certain things. I think that I am more conscious of other people's feelings because I know how it feels to have someone say something ignorant to or about you and not even realize that you have been offended.

I think if anything, I would be white maybe for one day, just to see what it's like. Just to sit in on private conversations and hear what other people say about me and Blacks as a whole, when we are not around.

[btb87]

What an excellent question!

You asked for honesty, and here it is. . .

I would change for a week, just to see how much of a difference it would be. Not only would I change my skin color, I would change my gender (to become a white male)! I would be able to see that there is no glass ceiling for me, and I could get someone else's job based on not what I know, but who I know, all the while putting someone else out of a job that they had to train me for! Wouldn't that be fun! I would also get to see what it is that many Black people blame me, "the man", for. I would see how many of my white counterparts really felt about "those Blacks".

Would that change anything? Unfortunately, I don't think so. I feel that being Black, particularly one that was reared in the South, has given me more compassion for others that suffered some of the same things as I have - being raised by "uneducated" people, not seeing "professional" people around you except teachers, but still being richer because of my experience of being reared by my grandparents.

There is a movie that came out in 1964 titled Black Like Me starring James Whitmore as a white writer that decided to become Black to experience prejudice. After a short time, he wanted out. Very interesting movie.

[Gyrl7]

Gosh, I must say that in my GC experience so far, this is the first time a question actually stumped me. But I have to agree this is an excellent question.

Well I guess I would say, I would say maybe a woman from the middle eastern race. Gosh i'm still stumped........

[TonyB06]

I'd never set aside my blackness because it's all-encompassing --the cultural vibrancy, style, and ability to persevere, it's all in there. But it might be ok to spend a week w/out having to (or watch others you know have to) navigate racism, or its attendant biases/effects. And this isn't to suggest that the dominant culture doesn't have issues to deal with also.

As a boy I was taught, "Prepare yourself because you have to be twice as good to get half the chance. There will be people who don't like you because of who you are. Let that always be their problem, not yours."

The statement has been true, but I've been blessed so it's all good.

...and I do think we could spend some real time in each others' shoes, some of this foolishness would cease.

[nikki1920]

I dont think I would change my race. Not sure why though. I'll be back later to expound on that.. lol.

[TheEpitome1920]

I'm taking a class called "Critical Race Feminisms" and we talked about identity last night. I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE being a Black woman and I couldn't see myself changing it for anything in the world. I honestly can't fathom walking into a machine to make myself a [insert another race/ethnicity/color] woman,lol

Please read "killing rage" by bell hooks and/or "The Color of Privilege" by Aida Hurtado.

[Conskeeted7]

I love being Black, especially in my geographic area. I feel empowered and proud.

However, given a choice, I would chose to look as multinational as possible, to keep people guessing and see how they would react. I mean, tan skin, thin lips, round eyes, curvaceous figure, light hair, full nose, midwestern accent...just a combination that gives no definite ethnic distinction. I think that would be an interesting life to live for a little while.

[Steeltrap]

I honestly don't think I would like to change my race.

What I would like to do is live in a culture where people with African genetic material are the majority, but I would honestly want to be part of that country's educated class. My frame of reference is middle-class, if not upper-middle-class. I don't know if I could handle poverty. I'm a spoiled brat of sorts, LOL.


When I saw this topic, I thought about college friends of mine who were from Nigeria.

[Honeykiss1974]

First, CTFU @ CT4's example...

Ex: I would be white with good credit but leave me with my huge Black _____.

Second, I didn't know there was a movie to the book Black Like Me. That is a good book.

There is a movie that came out in 1964 titled Black Like Me starring James Whitmore as a white writer that decided to become Black to experience prejudice. After a short time, he wanted out. Very interesting movie.

Third,

I have never wanted to change my race permanently, but I wouldn't mind being Asian for a week. Just to see what's up and how differently (if any) I would be treated.

[Sistermadly]

I think Canada has the right solution. The "check box" doesn't appear on any applications for employment, education, or any other public services. The only place you'll encounter it is if you're applying for aboriginal status, or on the Census.

Race, to me, is a slippery, nebulous, indistinct concept. I might have the same amount of melanin as someone who looks like me, but that person's experiences/worldview can be completely different from mine. Race is as much about culture as it is about skin color IMO.

God made me African-American for a reason and I'm going to use that to my advantage in every area of my life through which He takes me. Although I've grown up in predominantly white schools, from elementary through college, I still feel empowered to look past all color and realize one's potential. So, I dare not mess with the beauty God created!!

[kiml122]

Nope NEVER. I know they say never say never, but never. When I was a young child I would imagine myself a white little girl with long blond hair. As I grew old and wiser, I found that I absolutely loved being BLACK. I agree with what ClassyLady said in that being black has helped me have compassion, and understanding for other people from other races, and has also taught me tolerance. I'm proud to be BLACK, and I have damn good credit....

Seriously I can't really explain but not even for a day would I want to change races for any reason. I was put on this earth in the gender and race for a reason.

I have read the book Black Like Me and have also seen the movie, and both are very good.

[Rain Man]

...if I was living in America. Otherwise, no I wouldn't

Lemme tell you why. From personal experience, I think being black and male in America is in itself a very stressful experience. And I'm not just talking about dealing with hidden racism and other oppressive factors in America (thankfully, my experiences with racism has been few and far between).

I am more concerned with my own people trying to "weigh" how black I am, that I like this but don't like that. That I don't conform to the average brother (whoever the ________ that is), be it tastes in music, dress, speech, HAIR, etc. Whereas if I was a white guy, my personality would be taken at face value, without having to subscribe to any silly preconceived notions of how allegiant I am to "my people"

Yes, I love black people and I wholeheartedly applaud the acheivements they have done, are doing, and will continue to do.
But frankly, I am sick and tired of being reminded that I am black, and quite honestly, I get that more from black people than I do from white people. I just want to be ME!

So to answer the question, yes. I would do a 30 day trial, with an option to buy.

[Special1920]

Yes I would. I feel every other race of women have it easier then black women. I'm tired of having it hard....