49-Trans-Racial Identity

Trans-Racial Identity

It is possible to be trans-sexual; is it possible to be trans-racial? What does that even mean? Does identity require one land like a frog on a single lily-pad? Is the rejection of one's biological origin significant? Why would anyone sport a trans ID?

In an awkward and fraudulent way, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) former Spokane chapter head Rachel Dolezal introduced us to the concept of a trans-racial person. Seeded at the center of this messy and embarrassing controversy is a truth to be faced: some of us do not identify with out natural color, our native culture. How the world views race is as much about skin-tone as idiosyncrasy. The birds that flock to your feather color the world's view of you. We operate within the aggregate of our clan. To belong to a people is as much to be define by them as to define them. But the idea identity is limited by biology in the world of the trans-gender is as absurd as the idea that skin color and native culture limits one's nature. We can choose what flock we fly with.

Just as men born as women do not feel comfortable until they are no longer viewed as male, the white-man's cliché is not who I am, despite the mirror's testimony to the contrary. Everything the racist, domineering, ignorant, myopic, veracious, condescending, entitled, leaders of the free-world represent make me sick. But they look just like me; I could be unwittingly placed in that flock. History fills with an archetype I do not fit; in fact, I cannot abide. 

What does it mean to be trans-racial? Just as a trans-sexual, if the reflected image doesn't reflect one's soul, one is trans. A core principle of this identity is the idea that stereo-types of one's biology fail to inform one's personality. Personality is heavily influenced by interactions with others. As we experience different identities, we incorporate the harmonic resonances – narrative characteristics we admire in others. We become who we are because of our story: who we love, hate, and let go. When we let go, nothing is more important than how; when we hate, nothing more important than owning our failure; and when we love, nothing more important then with whom and why. 

We are not frogs jumping from one lily-pad to another; we are the lily-pad. Therefore, we reject no other lily-pad for being a lily-pad. Despite the disruptive nature of their uniqueness, we accept the unfamiliar combinations of others, whether religious, sexual, economical, social, racial, or all of the above. And no reason exists to sever bonds with one's parentage; in fact, quite the opposite. Do not run from the rejected identity; instead, towards those to be embraced. Once our attention turns from the limits of our single hue towards the colors of the rainbow, we explore the mixture that fits. I know we are not all trans-racial but I secretly believe we are all at least a little.

Unlike a person who has undergone sexual reassignment in order to function as the newly acquired sex, I take no measures to appear as anything but what my DNA prescribes. I may not identify as white, but for now, you'll only hear it in my voice and see it in my eyes. I'm not 'Stonewall strong,' not a crusader for the cause, just a messenger. I know what I feel on the inside, who attracts me, and how I want to express my ID. I have no desire to change my skin to reflect my soul.

In this tense climate, consider what it means to actually change one's skin-tone. It doesn't feel like some absurd movie; it feels wrong. For now, we must not only respect history but current events. As long as the wealthy, powerful, secretive, cabal of white-men suppress the brown-man, to literally transition from white to non-white skin insults history and usurps just reparations; as for Michael Jackson, I cannot comment on the benefits of transitioning from black to white. But in 2015, passing one's self off as the black NAACP chapter head of Spokane when one is white crosses the line. Now for a moment, imagine 3015, a day when equality flows so fat that a simple transition of skin-tone will be mundane. Michael and Rachel would feel at home in such a world.

Why would anyone want to disassociate and reconfigure a characteristic so complex as one's racial identity? Because no matter the characteristic, the hollow depth a person feels when their self-perception does not match reality's message hurts. The distance between Vanilla Ice and Eminem is the journey of the white-rapper's struggle for legitimacy. The greatest minority along any racial line are those who cross first. It is time we deal with stereo-types such as the Oreo or wigger. Being trans-racial is really being hyper-trans-cultural. Remember, once Bill Clinton was known as “the first black President.”

Let's stop looking at trans-racial people as posers, pretenders. The Right still thinks being gay is a choice, that homosexuals are pretending. Might we extend the spirit of inclusion the LGBT movement embodies to embrace those of us who do not see ourselves as the color our DNA defines? Yes, I was born white but I identify as non-white. I am surrounded by and maintain many positive relationships (including love) with whites but I've always felt more comfortable around non-whites of all tones.

Trans-racial people, celebrate your identity. It's time to come out of the closet! If not publicly, then join me in a private moment of acknowledgment: it's okay to be trans. If the United Postal Service (UPS) can be brown, then why can't everyone? Because just like the UPS (or any cooperation), we too are people (Supreme Court approval pending).