why does my african american friend want to be WHITE? READ PLEASE!!?

Question

i live in an affluent area of connecticut which is predominantly white. my friend is african american and quite well to do; both parents are graduates of brown and cornell, have leading jobs and are very smart.
yet, she makes claims that she's "rlly tan right now but my skin is actually as pale as yours," and that she is "mostly scottish." this obviously is not true, as she clearly is not just tanned, God gave her dark skin just like he gave me really pale skin. why does she make these claims? what makes her want to convince me and others that she is not really african american? can some one explain?

shes not joking! im not that stupid.

Answer 1

If you're in the area where I think you are (I'm also a CT resident, you might have heard me on the AM dial if you listen,) it's probably because of the fact that many in your type of community simply don't think darker skinned people are as intelligent as they are. It might shock you to learn that, but it's true. Also, it's VERY difficult for upper-class African Americans in the US because even their own people turn against them, saying they're "acting white." It has to be a horrible feeling for her to be judged on her skin tone all the time.

Tell her exactly what you told us--that God made her exactly how He wanted her, and that any moron that thinks melanin content influences intelligence should be shot.

Answer 2

Well, many dark-skined people do want to be white. You see in a place like Canada everyone wants to be dark because they say that it protects you from the sun. While all the way in a place Thailand, everyone wants to be light because they say it looks 'clean'. Anyway, she probaly wants to be white maby because of what I said, looking "clean" and other stuff. She has Scottish blood, right?

She really, really wants to be white that she's saying she's white. It happens, people say they have something when they really want it so badly.

you should tell her that it's good to be dark, that her skin can protect her from the sun and to tell her that god gave her a gift, she should accept it. Not to listen to those racist fools that always say light is better. The civil rights is over now anyway, so there's no point is wishing to be white.

I have the same problem to, I do also want to be 100% white insted of 80% and I can't do anything about it :(

Answer 3

She sees that she is different than everyone else (since you two live in a mostly white community) and just wants to fit in so she says she is tan to make herself feel more connected to everyone but you as her friend need to help her to see that she doesn't need to do that, because she is fine just the way she is : ) Gotta love the skin you're in!

Answer 4

Since she is obviously different, maybe this a way for her to jokingly note that she would like to be treated like others in her predominately white peer group.

Answer 5

It sounds to me like she's joking. Since you say she's not, then I'd say she has mental issues and needs to seek counseling if the truly believes she's white...

Answer 6

maybe she's joking....like when white kids come up to me and say "oh my parents just bought a new tanning bed...u can come over and use it" I know they're joking...i hope the are

Answer 7

She may be saying this in jest. Did you ever ask her?