Question: In 2022, does the ideal of "passing" for white reinforce white supremacy ideals in America.

Expert answer

In 2022, the ideal of "passing" for white reinforces white supremacy ideals in America. "Passing" is when a person of color pretends to be white in order to gain privilege in a racist society. This happens when people of color are not given an equal opportunity because of their skin color. They may feel they need to "pass" in order to succeed in life. In some cases, this can mean pretending to have lighter skin or changing one's name or appearance. Passing can also mean denying one's heritage and culture. It is important to remember that race is a social construct and there is no scientific basis for it. People of color have been forced to "pass" as white throughout history in order to survive and gain opportunity. In America, this has been happening since the days of slavery. Even after the Civil War and Reconstruction, black people were still not given equal rights. In the Jim Crow era, black people were legally required to pass as white in order to vote, get a job, or go to school. This system of oppression was not ended until the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. Even today, people of color face discrimination in America. They are more likely to be stopped by the police, less likely to be hired for jobs, and more likely to live in poverty than white people. Passing can be seen as a way to fight back against this discrimination.