It could be that it’s easier. Passing as white might help people feel more accepted by certain people. Especially since some white people think they’re superior to other races. Although not everyone is trying to pass as white some are trying to pass as other races as well. For example, American Activist Rachel Dolezal has been passing for African-American even though she was born white. Author Sinead Moynihan was confused as to why Dolezal felt the need to pass? In the article "’Lying about a Lie’: Racial Passing in US History, Literature and Popular Culture” Moynihan asserted, “What is unusual is that Dolezal should feel the need to pass as black when there were no legal (and comparatively few social) obstacles to her forming meaningful relationships with African-Americans, study[ing], teach[ing] and celebrat[ing] black history and culture and fight[ing] discrimination.” In other words, Moynihan is suggesting that there is no reason for Dolezal to pass that we can see. Does Dolezal believe herself to be African-American even though her heritage shows otherwise? Maybe Dolezal feels in her heart that she is supposed to be an African-American not white. In this case, is it really passing at all if Dolezal feels that she is an African-American? In the novella called Passing by Nella Larsen, one of the characters, Zulena, insisted that “It’s funny about passing. We disapprove of it and at the same …show more content…
The fact is that many businesses are racist and don’t want to hire people of color. In an article called “A Chosen Exile: Black People Passing in White America” author Karen Bates wrote,
‘She was black, but she looked white,’ Hobbs said. ‘And her mother decided it was in her best interest to move far away from Chicago, to Los Angeles, and to assume the life of a white woman.’ 'Her mother really felt that this was the very best thing she could do for her daughter,’ Hobbs continued. ‘She felt this was a way to offer opportunities to her daughter that she wouldn't have living as a