Hi!! I'm also biracial (native american and white, cherokee) and really passionate about racial justice. But I have a problem. Everyone I know ignores the half of me that is Native American and screams white privilege when I speak about issues. I know I do experience privilege, as my skin is lighter than other oppressed races, but I'm tired of feeling guilty about something I'm not. Any advice?
Asked by Anonymous
Well, we have much in common; I, too, am Cherokee (and a couple other tribes) and White. And I benefit from White passing privilege. It is hard to not only identify as a race, when it is “hard” to tell or see, but also hard to accept we do have privileges. I think many mixed raced individuals experience these feelings, especially the mixed race individuals who are part White, like us. If people are trying to identify you, and ignore your identity, then they are being disrespectful and doing you harm. Why have people in your life that deny who and what you are?
The feelings of guilt that you mentioned would have to be further explained. What do you feel guilty about? Do you feel guilty about being biracial? Or do you feel guilty about having White privilege? Thanks for your message, please help me to understand better.