Beyond Black and White: The Complexities of Racial Passing

Inclusive Minds: Voices on Race and Health Equity

Join Dr. Carolyn Coker Ross on the Inclusive Minds Podcast as she welcomes special guest Dr. Matthew Oware, a leading expert on race and culture. In this insightful episode, we delve into the complex topic of "reverse passing," exploring cases of white individuals who identify and pass as Black. Drawing from his chapter "How Not to Be an Ally: Critical Race Theory, Afro-Pessimism, and White Who Pass as Black" from the book Antiblackness and the Stories of Authentic Allies, Dr. Oware unpacks how these phenomena relate to Critical Race Theory and the notion of race as a social construct.

In this episode you'll learn:

• Unnpacking "Reverse Passing": Dr. Matthew Oware defines and discusses "reverse passing," where white individuals identify and perform as Black, examining how this phenomenon, exemplified by Rachel Dolezal, relates to Critical Race Theory and the social construction of race.
• Allyship vs. Appropriation: The episode explores why such acts are considered cultural appropriation and racist, highlighting how individuals gain financial and personal benefits by performing Blackness, contrasting this with authentic allyship in the fight against institutionalized racism.
• Rap as a Cultural Lens: Dr. Oware also delves into his work on millennial rap music, showcasing how artists like Kendrick Lamar address themes of vulnerability and intergenerational trauma, providing a powerful window into contemporary American society and facilitating deeper conversations about race, gender, and social consciousness.