Racial Passing

Racial passing occurs when an individual of one racial or ethnic background, often with lighter skin, is perceived or presents themselves as belonging to a different, usually privileged, racial group—typically to access better social or economic opportunities. Historically, this mainly involved Black individuals passing as white to escape discrimination and gain societal advantages. It highlights issues of identity, race, and social inequality, emphasizing how race can be socially constructed and fluid depending on context and perception.