http://dcentric.wamu.org/2011/04/the-privilege-of-passing/ Race, Class, The District. Mon, 16 Jul 2012 03:01:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 http://dcentric.wamu.org/2011/04/the-privilege-of-passing/#comment-646 guest Thu, 23 Jun 2011 17:59:00 +0000 http://dcentric.wamu.org/?p=5617#comment-646 Thank you for writing about this topic,  I'm surprised more did not comment.  I am one of those who pass, even my name doesn't give me away.   Although many people wish they had my problem, I do not.    I am a brown girl, but no one can see it on the outside.  I date darker because I do not want my children to go through the same thing I did.  Even though I look like them, I always make it known that I am not.Now years later, I realize I could have used this to my advantage. Maybe there is still time... Thank you for writing about this topic,  I’m surprised more did not comment.  I am one of those who pass, even my name doesn’t give me away.   Although many people wish they had my problem, I do not.    I am a brown girl, but no one can see it on the outside.  I date darker because I do not want my children to go through the same thing I did.  Even though I look like them, I always make it known that I am not.Now years later, I realize I could have used this to my advantage. Maybe there is still time…

]]> http://dcentric.wamu.org/2011/04/the-privilege-of-passing/#comment-459 Anieb Tue, 19 Apr 2011 07:03:00 +0000 http://dcentric.wamu.org/?p=5617#comment-459 i agree with all the information provided here. i agree with all the information provided here.

]]> http://dcentric.wamu.org/2011/04/the-privilege-of-passing/#comment-458 TheGoriWife Mon, 18 Apr 2011 18:28:00 +0000 http://dcentric.wamu.org/?p=5617#comment-458 I've always loved Peggy McIntosh's article and have tried to keep unpacking my own invisible knapsack ever since I first read it in college. I'm so happy to see it here! I’ve always loved Peggy McIntosh’s article and have tried to keep unpacking my own invisible knapsack ever since I first read it in college. I’m so happy to see it here!

]]> http://dcentric.wamu.org/2011/04/the-privilege-of-passing/#comment-453 Besufekad Tadesse Wed, 13 Apr 2011 17:08:00 +0000 http://dcentric.wamu.org/?p=5617#comment-453 I read Elahe's previous article as well as this one, and I'm glad that I'm not the only one who has noticed this or felt that way in DC. Speaking on your story with the cab drivers, I had an opposing experience twice on two different nights. I am a DC native (born in DC, grew up in MD, recently moved to VA), and my parents are both Ethiopians. However, I am also a larger man with a broad build, and when the evenings are cold I wear a hat and long sleeves, inevitably covering my more discernable Ethiopian features. As a result, those same Ethiopian cab drivers routinely passed me for other patrons, even if had been standing longer. It's always a reminder about the perception of others guiding beliefs. I read Elahe’s previous article as well as this one, and I’m glad that I’m not the only one who has noticed this or felt that way in DC. Speaking on your story with the cab drivers, I had an opposing experience twice on two different nights. I am a DC native (born in DC, grew up in MD, recently moved to VA), and my parents are both Ethiopians. However, I am also a larger man with a broad build, and when the evenings are cold I wear a hat and long sleeves, inevitably covering my more discernable Ethiopian features. As a result, those same Ethiopian cab drivers routinely passed me for other patrons, even if had been standing longer. It’s always a reminder about the perception of others guiding beliefs.

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