"Passing," about an issue that isn't black-and-white

Why is the black experience always compared to the homosexual experience? I don’t have to tell anyone I’m gay but everyone knows I am black immediately.

Passing is NOT a thing of the past, it is still happening today.

The black experience is not the same as the homosexual experience and I wish it would stopped being compared.

Passing isn't just a Black thing. My own Native American ancestors did some of their own "passing", sometimes being forced to "pass".

Imitation of Life is my favorite movie (1959 version). Mahalia Jackson puts me in tears every time.

My Dad and his siblings were always being confused for Caucasians and could have easily passed but chose not to and it upset them when people made this assumption. They didn't want any part of the disparity of how whites treated blacks and the love of their heritage far outweighed the negative treatment they received...they didn't take the easy path and I so respect them for this!!

The first clip from that old movie where the black woman's daughter betrays her is heartbreaking

Both actresses -- in black eyes -- would be recognized as being black.

This whole concept of "passing" just highlights how much of a social construct race truly is.

I've been told for years that I don't "talk Black" when I'm just speaking my mother tongue. I have a love for the English language and strive to speak it well. When I'm on the phone, it becomes very apparent that there are major assumptions made on the other end as to whom individuals think they are speaking to. It's very interesting. Once an acquaintance of my sister was applying for a job as a high-school principal. The first interview was over the phone. When she walked in for the in-person interview, there were gasps in the room when the interviewers saw a regal Black woman. Without skipping a beat, she said, "Yes, I do sound thinner over the phone." Heh. That was a woman who knew the drill and was prepared for everyone's discomfort.

I've been on social media. It's pretty obvious to me that everybody's trying to "pass" as something else.

Langston Hughes wrote about this in his collection of short stories "The Ways of White Folks".

Even the Schaumburg museum has an interesting story. The Founder of this Harlem, African American institution was a Latino gentleman from Puerto Rico named Arturo Alfonso Schomburg. He was way ahead of his time. He was a mixed race Afro Latino who was never shy about his Black ancestry and studied his full history & shared his findings with the world through his museum.

My sister is very fair skinned and she tells me about how people think they are complimenting her when they tell her how exotic she looks or when they tell her she looks like she can be mixed. She even had a boss tell her she could pass for Mediterranean for which she'd rather not pass for anything but be recognized as a black American with African ancestry for which she is. We come from a proud black family thanks to parents that taught us to love ourselves and everything it means to be black even in a society that may not agree or see our beauty. I admire the black people that lived in their truth even when they didn't have to.

I get it when she says " black people who have done extraordinary things" Way too often, the accomplishments of black people are not acknowledged. If they are others unashamedly take credit for them or gain from them. Its important though to emphasise that with or without being" extraordinary", my black ancestors don't have to be written about to be worthy. Their exposure to the harshest and inhumane of conditions meant their survival alone was extraordinary.

I had a friend who passed in high school in the late 2000s. The amount of racism she was able to expose was incredible.

15 years before Jackie Robinson, There was Romare Bearden born in Charlotte NC, his family moved to Harlem in New York. He was asked to play baseball, but they asked him if he would pass for white. Romare said no, I will not hide my identity. He had 2 Black parents. Look up his story it will fascinate you!

Homosexuality can Never be compared to “being an African American” my skin color is always present! WHY is this used over and over again as a comparison?

Wow, when Ruth said you walk in a room and scan it and you do it unconsciously. I can relate to that. I'm sue so many people of color can.

Actress Carol Channing perfected 'Passing' as an art form, even to the end.