White Passing: What Does That Mean?
“White passing” and “white presenting” are terms you’ve probably heard before when people are talking about being multi-racial, but what do they even mean? And where did they come from? I talked to Dr. Gabriel Cruz, a lecturer in the communications studies department at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, about this topic.
Dr. Gabriel A. Cruz received his Ph.D. From Bowling Green State University and focuses his research on intersectional critical race analysis of popular culture as well as white nationalist rhetoric. His work appears in multiple books and journals, as well as his pop-culture podcast “Office Hours With Dr. C.”
I came across Dr. Cruz through the work he shares on TikTok (@dr._c) and Instagram (@gacruz_phd). If you don’t follow him already, you should. His videos tackle topics in a way that makes them easy to understand and easy to share with others in your life. I’ve learned so much from him, both on social media and through this interview.
In this episode, Dr. Cruz explains:
• Where the term “white passing” comes from.
• The difference between “white passing” and “white presenting.”
• How to talk to children about their privilege as “white passing” individuals while also affirming their identity/struggle as someone who is multi-racial.
• Where white presenting people fit into the conversation about cultural appropriation.
Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr
Registration for Ally Elementary and Ally Elementary Jr is now open!
These programs give parents and teachers a practical, interactive way to implement the anti-racist strategies that we discuss on the First Name Basis Podcast.
These programs allow parents and teachers to work together with their children to create a culture of anti-racism in their home or classroom. We use hands-on activities to teach our children about everything from the untold story of how race was created to how they can disrupt racism in their everyday lives. I am so excited to join you as you make a meaningful transformation and improve your communities through anti-racist action.
Articles, Studies, & Podcasts Referenced in the Episode
Dr. Gabriel Cruz’s Instagram account (@gacruz_phd)
Dr. Cruz’s TikTok account (@dr._c)
Dr. Cruz’s podcast “Office Hours With Dr. C” on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
The TikTok video by Dr. C that inspired this episode
Study “Passing for White: A Study of Racial Assimilation in a South African School” (1970)
Study by The National Bureau of Economic Research “The Fluidity of Race: “Passing” in the United States, 1880-1940” (2015)
Stuart Hall, “The father of modern cultural studies”
Song credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN
