Black people who can pass for other races?

Question

I have naturally dirty blonde hair and green eyes. People think I'm White, but I am Black.

Today I was sitting in a meeting at work and everyone in the room was White. A couple of people were saying the most derogatory things about Black people. I wanted to stand up and slap this one guy, but I was afraid that I would lose my job.

When people make racist comments in front of you not realizing you're Black, how do you handle that?

Farahwonderland2005,

I am the product of an interracial marriage. And YES!!! I do get to hear and see things that most Black people would not. I wouldn't call it cool. But I do get to see a lot of the other side and it sometimes is NOT PRETTY!

For those of you who use the freedom of speech argument. You obviously don't work in the corporate world, where there are LAWS against that type of behavior.

Thanks for all of the great answers!!!!! Some of the information is quite useful.

Answer 1

Let them continue to think you're white, but document it each time they utter racist remarks. Use it as ammunition sometime in the future. There will definitely come a time when you'll be sooooooooo glad you remained that fly on the wall and documented the remarks. It's gonna bite them deep in their @sses!

Answer 2

I would give them all a copy of the book Slaves in the Family. It is a very long book about 800 pages, and it talks about this man the author who looks white by all physical appearances and he was doing research about his family background and come to find out he is black. Some people are so ignorant that they have no idea that everything that appears white is not. So very sad. But it happens all of the time. There are many people walking around today that look white and they even think they are white if they did a family tree they would find out they have some black folks in their family. If they knew the history they would be shocked. What do they think happened to all of the children of slaves and the people who did the so called cross over in the 1930's because they looked white and it was obviously easier to live as a white person, well they married white people and had children. I am sorry for you that you had to deal with this. Seriously I would get a copy of this book and encourage all of them to read it, maybe they will have their eyes opened and learn to either keep their prejudice ignorant views to themselves or inside of their racist homes or they will become informed. Hopefully informed. Where do these people think these white folks with olive tone skin come from What I like to tell the racist bigots of the world is you think you are so white, well it is the white folks with those dark brown eyes that i find to be suspicious. LOL, Some people just do not realize that black folks come in all shades with all colors of eyes some even have blue eyes. Ignorance is bliss if they knew better they would do better. Good luck and God Bless you.

Answer 3

I'm a native american who looks white. One time at work this woman was saying the most horrible things about my people. I listened and I said to her "You should be more careful, you never know if the person sitting right next to you is a squaw." She stared at my face for what felt like forever before turning to look quietly out the window. Since that day she is sooo carefully nice to me, and has not made a single derogatory comment in front of me. You should say something, you're standing up for yourself. You should never be ashamed of who you are. You don't have to slap anyone. Sometimes a quiet comment from you is more powerful than any physical reaction.

Most places of employment have policies in place concerning racist comments. You DO NOT have to put up with it. I guess you can get them fired if you wanted. yay

Answer 4

Wow, that's the best question I've read all night.

Tough situation, I think you could totally stun the person and address the issue at the same time but it will take a lot of guts. I would say sometime like,
"That's funny (name of person you are confronting) because I'm actually black. I can't believe this kind of thing still goes on today, especially where we all have to work day in and day out. I really don't appreciate your comments; I find them hurtful and extremely disrespectful."
Wait for the person to make the next move, you may not get an apology but at least you will have stood up for yourself and I'll bet that they won't talk like that around you anymore.

Answer 5

Actually you are not black you are a metis... I understand your feelings very well as I am too and you wouldn't know if I didn't tell you. I have black kinky hair but am very light-skinned....
Anyway, I think you'd have been wrong to slap these people but you also were wrong to keep silent. I wish you'd just address this issue by saying something like: I don't share your views regarding Black people, I believe all human being -no matter whatever race they are- are equals. People are people and skin color does not add to or lessen their value.
This, while being polite, would have address the issue efficiently enough so that they know not to have this kind of talk anymore at least in your presence!!!!
I want to add that you don't have to tell them you are Black if you don't want to. This is a matter of personal choice. As for me I am proud of my ascent and have no problem letting it known whenever the subject arises.

Answer 6

Let me apologize for these stupid people before I say anything else. I am sorry you had to experience such utter rudeness.

If i were you, I would keep my mouth shut and my eyes open for a new job. My suggestion is that you stay smart and don't play intoi their hands, While you interview for a new position don't let on the real reason. Maybe the job wasn't stimulating enough or you need something with more growth potential. When it is good for you, get out of that situation and move on to something more suitable.

This is what I suggest, but God knows if I would be able to carry it through without showing my hand. Good luck to you.

Answer 7

I'm not black. I am partly of asian decent. But, I look white. People often make racist remarks in front of me about my race. I simply ask them to refrain from making these sort of comments when I am present because I am highly offended by then. I have been known to cause some very red faces. Which you would have done today if you would have confronted the situations. Just be sure that you remain civil.

Answer 8

You did the smart thing by keeping your mouth shut at the meeting. It would've been fun to yell "How can you make fun of black people when you don't even know one when you see one!?!?!" but that wouldn't actually be productive. Honestly, there's no easy way to change the mind of people like that. You might want to anonymously send a message to management that there is a problem with harassment at work.

Answer 9

You can use it against them. This is a great opportunity to see what kind of people your co-workers really are. At the last college I attended, I walked in on my instructor speaking ill about me to another teacher whom I initially had respect for (about my religious beliefs). God has a way of revealing things to you. If I were you, I would not join in, but continue to listen to them show their true characters. It would be great to see their reactions if they ever found out you're black.
You have blond hair, maybe you're white and black, the social racial codes in the U.S. to determine you race aren't really based on common sense mathematics anyway. But I would use this opportunity to learn about people and maybe after it all you will be able to determine someone's true character quite accurately.
Don't let it get to you, anyone who can pick on another person mercilessly aren't happy with themselves. Be careful, it will be a chess game, maybe on day you should say " I think black people are great, or I don't agree I know Black people who..." Then the next time say, "You know I'm Black..."

Answer 10

First off, I apologize for those ignorant people. On behalf of the entire human race......what a bunch of losers.

I am white yet look very Asian. I remember growing up and hearing the most assinine stuff from people. OH are you adopted? From where, how great of your parents....etc. Used to piss my parents off royally.

It is all about assumptions. People are stupid, they don't think. I would just calmly tell them that regardless of what company they THINK they are in, people can be a different race and not look it. You are actually black and offended. That should shut them up. Talk down to them yet be graceful. Make them feel stupid and small.