So I feel like I very very rarely identify my race one way or the other, but I notice people often apply labels depending on the whims of the conversation. People are not consistent with how they identify me. Sometimes I'm white and other times I'm not depending on whatever point is trying to be made.
I think it's weird because I was never treated like I was white by the white side of my family. It was always made apparent I wasn't part of that club. And the non white side of my family never treated me like I was white either.
But whenever I try to say I'm not white or relate to a PoC experience, I'm told that I'm "white passing"? Uh, first off, that's incredibly subjective and depends on the group. Yes, I have passed as white at times, but I've also been identified as PoC many times, both positively and negatively.
White passing? Sure wish that unhinged vet threatening my life while calling me a sand n*gger knew I was white passing. Boy, would he have been embarrassed.
Really feels like that Aesop fable with the birds and the beasts going to war. The birds ask what the bat is, and the bat says he's a beast. The beasts ask what he is, and he says a bird. This way he doesn't fight in the war, but he's not accepted by either group after they make peace.
Except in my case, nobody asks what I am, they just tell me I'm the other group lol.
Even my partner (pure blooded "legitimate" PoC) does this shit. Always tells me I'm basically White, but after Trump got elected, she said she was scared for my safety with the increase in racism in the country. I'm like, why? Shouldn't I blend in just fine?
Idk, this post got long. These people got me tilted, and I don't know where to post this.
I actually do correct misconceptions when I hear them, and I rarely try to keep the peace these days.
Problem is, sometimes I don't realize things actually bother me until later, and if I bring it up after the moment has passed, then I just feel petty.
Oh well, I'll have more ammo for next time. Thank you, comrade.