Dona Drake the African American who fooled the world.. was it worth it?
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https://youtu.be/IUYQyrivAd4?si=OhqoNSezkNK9NAAO
Barbara McNair black passing? Was she a white woman? & More scandals..
https://youtu.be/IUYQyrivAd4?si=OhqoNSezkNK9NAAO
Barbara McNair black passing? Was she a white woman? & More scandals..
@jazzymoni7750
in Chinese: Barbara McNair black passing? Was she a white woman? & More scandals..
ChatGPT
In Chinese: “Barbara McNair是黑人过渡吗？她是白人吗？还有更多丑闻
what does it mean "black passing" or "white passing?"
ChatGPT
"Black passing" and "white passing" are terms used to describe people whose physical appearance allows them to be perceived as a different racial group than their own, particularly in contexts where racial identity is significant.
- White passing: This term refers to individuals of mixed or non-white heritage who are perceived as white by others due to their appearance. Historically, being "white passing" could allow people to navigate societal structures and privileges that were denied to those visibly identified as non-white, especially in contexts of racial segregation or discrimination.
- Black passing: Though less common, this term might refer to someone who, despite having a more diverse ancestry, is perceived as Black due to their appearance. This could occur in contexts where being identified as Black carries particular social, cultural, or political significance.
example? Marilyn Monroe and Ava Garner, is Mexican passing, Clark Gable, black passing?
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
The concept of "passing" is often discussed in the context of individuals who could be perceived as a different race or ethnicity based on their appearance. Here's how it might relate to the examples you mentioned:
- Marilyn Monroe and Ava Gardner (Mexican Passing): Marilyn Monroe and Ava Gardner were both white actresses and are not typically associated with "Mexican passing." However, there have been instances in Hollywood where white actors played roles as Latino or Hispanic characters due to their appearance. If this is what you're referencing, it reflects the industry's historical practice of casting white actors in non-white roles, often leading to "ethnic passing" on screen.
- Clark Gable (Black Passing): Clark Gable was a white actor and is not considered "black passing." However, there has been speculation about Gable's heritage, including rumors of African-American ancestry, but these are largely unsubstantiated. "Black passing" would more commonly refer to someone of mixed race who is perceived as Black, not someone like Gable who was publicly recognized as white.
Certainly! Here are some notable examples of "passing" in different contexts:
White Passing
- Anita Hemmings: Hemmings was an African American woman who passed as white to attend Vassar College in the 1890s, at a time when Black students were not admitted. Her racial identity was discovered just before her graduation, causing a significant controversy.
- Rita Hayworth: Born Margarita Carmen Cansino, Hayworth was of Spanish descent. Her ethnic background was downplayed by Hollywood through a name change and physical transformation (including hair color and style) to make her more "white passing" and fit the image of an American starlet.
- Rachel Dolezal: Although not a traditional example, Dolezal, a white woman, gained national attention for passing as Black while serving as president of an NAACP chapter. Her story sparked widespread discussion on race, identity, and authenticity.
Black Passing
- Meghan Markle: Although not traditionally "passing," Meghan Markle, of mixed-race heritage (Black mother and white father), has often been perceived differently based on context. In some cases, her appearance allowed her to be seen as white or racially ambiguous, while in other contexts, she is identified as Black.
- Jean Toomer: A writer of the Harlem Renaissance, Toomer had a mixed racial background but was often perceived as Black due to his involvement in African American culture and literature. He later sought to identify more with his white ancestry, blurring the lines of racial identity.
- Vin Diesel: The actor, whose real name is Mark Sinclair, has a mixed ethnic background but has often played racially ambiguous or ethnically diverse roles. His specific heritage is often left intentionally vague, allowing him to "pass" in various ways depending on the role.
Other Ethnic or Racial Passing
- Merle Oberon: A British-Indian actress of mixed ethnicity, Oberon hid her Indian ancestry to succeed in Hollywood. She claimed to be born in Tasmania and altered her appearance to fit the white beauty standards of the time.
- Sammy Davis Jr.: Although he identified as African American, Sammy Davis Jr. had Jewish ancestry and also experienced instances where people perceived him differently based on his appearance and cultural affiliations.
Obama?
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
Barack Obama is often discussed in terms of his mixed-race heritage—his mother was white, of European descent, and his father was Black, from Kenya. However, Obama is not typically considered an example of "passing" in the traditional sense, as he has always identified as Black and is widely recognized as the first African American President of the United States.
While Obama’s biracial identity means he could be seen as racially ambiguous, especially in certain contexts, he has been predominantly perceived as Black in the social and political spheres. His racial identity played a significant role in his public life and was a central topic during his political career and presidency.
In summary, while Obama's mixed heritage allows for discussions around racial identity and perception, he does not fit the traditional concept of "passing," where someone is perceived as a different race than they identify with. Instead, his experience highlights the complexities and fluidity of racial identity in America.
While Obama’s biracial identity means he could be seen as racially ambiguous, especially in certain contexts, he has been predominantly perceived as Black in the social and political spheres. His racial identity played a significant role in his public life and was a central topic during his political career and presidency.
In summary, while Obama's mixed heritage allows for discussions around racial identity and perception, he does not fit the traditional concept of "passing," where someone is perceived as a different race than they identify with. Instead, his experience highlights the complexities and fluidity of racial identity in America.
Several years ago, I auditioned for X-Factor. I made it to the 3rd round of auditions and a few of the staff came into the room where about 300 of us were waiting, and told us that we needed to come up with our back story to impress the judges. They also told us the more emotional we were, the better. People literally started "testing" out fake sad stories with each other and sharing techniques on how to cry. I felt like I was in the Matrix on Mars. When I got in the room with the judges, sang, and then shared by normal life and I was immediately rejected. I sang well but my story didn't grab them. Oh well. 
?
?We only ever hear about Dorothy Dandridge. I was given Dorothy's biography by my black mom as a teenager, to reinforce confidence in my mixed heritage as one of only three black girls at an all white high school.
To be truthful I was lucky. My classmates considered me one of their own, were uniquely inclusive and never made me feel otherized. It's wonderful to know their were many other afro-descended actresses trying to stake their claim in Hollyweird and so, so very sad she had to wear a white mask to do it. Look how beautiful and talented she was.
I remember it was very, very important to both my black mother and white father (Civil Rights advocates) that my sister and I, NOT try to pass as anything other than exactly who we were. We were made to watch the film "Imitation of Life" many times, I guess to warn us that denial of our racial identity would only lead to regret.
