Wannabe. Oreo. Coconut. Fake. All of these contumelies will be familiar to anyone who, at some point, has been accused of "acting white." It could be something as simple as preferring heavy metal over hip-hop, or having the "wrong" accent. Whether warranted or not, the insult serves to put the recipient on notice that their behaviour has been interpreted as a form of cultural betrayal. While the situation may be more familiar to black people in the West, the accusation is not limited by geography. Even in Kenya, where we do not suffer the social disadvantages of being a minority, and where the effects of colonial racism have arguably been less devastating than the United States, it is still possible to face the charge of somehow letting the side down through one's behaviour.
Being black does not come with a code of conduct, nor is there any governing body to determine what is and isn't legitimate black behaviour. Rather than being innate, one learns how to be black through socialisation and interacting with family and friends. No two childhoods will be alike, nor will we all share the same life experiences. Nevertheless, influences within society mean that there will be a number of common behaviours through which an accepted set of norms develops. Those who act outside these norms, even unwittingly, draw attention to themselves through their nonconformity. At best, this will be considered a quirk of personality; at the opposite end of the spectrum, individuals could find themselves marginalised for what is perceived as their rejection of their own culture.
In discussions on the subject on US-based blogs and websites, much of the behaviour that is signposted as "acting white" seems curious to an outsider. Caring about education, habitually speaking without using black slang, dressing preppily, going to the theatre or opera instead of the club, even not particularly liking fried chicken; all can draw accusations of "acting white." Regardless of differences in upbringing, income and opportunity within the black community, there persists a nebulous, ill-defined idea of what black people are and aren't supposed to do. The irony lies in the fact that when faced with something they need from white people - better mortgage terms, a job interview, leniency for a speeding ticket - the same black people who accuse others of "acting white" will modify their behaviour to suit their surroundings, no matter how real they keep it at home.
In Kenya, as the majority ethnicity, black people are constantly keeping it real. We have no need to modify our behaviour as it is our culture that is dominant. If anything, Caucasians and Asians are forced to modify their behaviour to conform to our social mores if they want to get by. While there is a degree of segregation when one examines where and how the different ethnic groups socialise, one is no more surprised to see white people at the Safari Sevens than they would be to see a Sikh shopping at Nakumatt. Generally, there are no overt indicators of "acting white." There does remain, however, a tacit understanding of what is and isn't accepted. Why is it that Kenyan women with white husbands are assumed to be after the rich mzungu's money? If someone is gay or atheist, have they really been corrupted by "unnatural" Western values? Despite having no need to fear being usurped at any point, black Kenyans still do not seem entirely comfortable in their dominance.
Stating that somebody is "acting white" automatically places them under suspicion. What is their motive for doing so, what do they have to hide? It is an insidious method for turning them into the "other," preventing them from fully taking part in a discourse. During his election campaign, Barack Obama was accused by both black and white commentators of "acting white," of not being "black enough." Even now, after his election, there are those who believe all manner of conspiracy theories about where his true loyalties lie, and what he really has on his agenda for America. To a lesser extent, this happens to all those who face the accusation; they are placed in a position where they either have to prove they "belong," or they risk being marginalised from their peers. They are then faced with the prospect of faking who they really are in order to fit in, the precise behaviour their are assumed to already be exhibiting.
There is no shame in taking pride in one's ethnic origins, nor should there be. Conversely, one is not a "race traitor" by displaying on characteristics or habits that are thought of as belonging to a different ethnicity. Listening to Slayer and Monster Magnet does not make me any less black or Kenyan, nor does my BBC English accent. While the mental shorthand involved in making the distinction between "acting white" and "genuine" is a convenient one when reaching a summary judgement, it is overly simplistic and ignores the fact that we all, black or not, have a plurality of traits, only some of which are evident at any one time. Personality and identity are more than a collection of behaviours and allegiances. Refusing to countenance this piegonholes us all, and can only be to our detriment.
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Links
Racial Covering, Part I (blog that inspired this article) [Racialicious]
Barack Obama: He's proud but is he 'black enough'? [Toronto Star]
Too black or not black enough, Obama just can't win [Guardian]
Is Obama Black Enough? [Time]
Study: 'Acting White' Accusation [Diverse]
The Price of Acting White [Washington Post]
Collective Identity and the Burden of “Acting White” in Black History, Community, and Education [The Urban Review]
Jesse Jackson says Obama 'Acting White' [NPR]
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