I DIDN'T KNOW I WAS "WHITE PASSING" | Brittney Gray

[@cebie941]

As a woman of color, person of color I’m really just tired of the darkskin, lightskin, passing etc labels. Liking or disliking someone based off of color or complexion is just ignorant.

[@genepitts4665]

It happens no matter what. People are petty, both my parents are black. Both their grandparents are half white. So, nobody is white passing. Just very light skinned with some of us and you still get division. DONT SWEAT IT

[@BORN-to-Run]

IT'S been going on in America since slavery, MOSTLY BY THE WOMEN. (The Black men historically preferred the lighter women).

[@sheltonmackey6449]

Darkskin black people do not have the same privledge. Stop white supremacy culture

[@mackrobinson8853]

I actually had an awful experience sitting on the bus (I guess I’m white passing or light skin) but two young black men who felt the need to have a conversation about what degree of blackness I was and wether or not I had a Jamaican accent, and then started mocking one, therefore attempting to mock me. More and more these days I think it’s becoming acceptable to have unwarranted hateful conversations about race. There’s a time and a place and a way to bring up issues around race or the topic of race but that’s not how we’re having these conversations and more and more we’re segregating ourselves. My mom is mixed race, white, black and native Canadian. She was adopted by a bajan mother and a white Canadian man. The black side of her birth family has contact with us now and I have a bunch of wonderful uncles. I never ever thought about race as a child and it makes me sad to think about pre conceived notions about people and their families and their race. So so so painful to experience some of the hate these days.

[@tinageorge8058]

I have to deal with it all the time. It’s just sickening. I don’t get it.

[@MsStarryNights]

It’s crazy because never once did I ever think you looked like a white woman. I knew you were either black or mixed with black. However, I’m glad you have came to this realization and was able to openly talk these real issues because it’s very much a thing. Btw, I love your hair! 🫶🏽

[@karencorte]

I thought she was white when I first found her Chanel.

[@antoniodozier5284]

She want to be a honky so bad she gets on KZbin talking about how white she thinks she looks u don't look white u look Mexican

[@karinazrzu]

@@karencorte She looks mixed , not Whyte. Most Whytes are extremely pale with bone straight hair. I can tell the difference. I can even tell the difference between a Latin person and Whyte.

[@Michelle-pn9xt]

@@karinazrzu White, not white. Anyone call tell the difference between a Latin and white person. All whites do not have bone straight hair.

[@lorettalynndavis9695]

@@karinazrzu All Black people can see ourselves in them. We just know.

[@MiaTHall229]

I think the sudden awareness may be because you’re a mom now. You’re hyper aware because you’re not just accounting for your experience, but your babies too. That’s awesome!

[@mackrobinson8853]

Also though as a mixed person I can definitely confirm the conversation around biracial people is getting a little bit hateful and weird.

[@marikiemarie7622]

I seen biracial right away. Stunning biracial woman. ☺️ I see a Vanessa Williams type thing.

[@DeLaTr0ll]

Yeah but Vanessa Williams is mixed, she has two black parents who probably carry a lot of European DNA.

[@mfenderson2714]

@@DeLaTr0ll But I doubt Vanessa is struggling to figure out what to put down as her race! Because from her generation she is black and others consider her a light skin black woman not a mixed woman. Look at Henry Louis Gates Jr. He has more white heritage than Barack Obama who was half white. But he is still black and none of us probably would argue to the contrary! So rhetorically, I ask what has changed and why are people so bent on dictating who can say what they are?

[@tinabenson1492]

Yeah, I think like w/Vanessa, some people call it mgm for multi-generational mixture.

[@Miss-zr1rv]

Vanessa Williams😂😂😂. I find her more white. And creepy.....

[@curtis1415]

@@tinabenson1492 Most Black Americans have multi generationally African and European admixture of varying degrees. VW is "fully" Black American in the sense that her recent ancestors were grouped into American Blackness post Civil War.

[@misstara322]

You're not white passing IMO. You just look like a beautiful mixed black girl.

[@Jashleya199]

She definitely is white passing lol

[@stephlyndsey3932]

As a mixed person this is the oldest debate. I don't think will ever end. Depending on what part of the country you live in. Some people see you as black, some people see you as white, some people see you as mixed. The debate never ends.

[@Bluelotusflower22]

Yeah I never thought she was white passing but I can see someone not noticing her features

[@indi1omccoln565]

From what I’ve got white passing means you don’t look black or black enough from the perspective of white people

[@johanna2690]

I remember watching her videos years ago. And I was suprised when I saw her natural hair. She also brought her father on the channel to show that she is biracial.

[@erasedfromgenepool.4845]

I'm a white man with two biracial daughters one is darker than the other but neither one is white. You can 100% tell they're either lightskinned or mixed... All I know is there, my baby's, even though they are 17 and 15.. I know I love my two girls more than life itself and they feel the same way.... the love in our household is like no other... and yes I'm still with they're mother and I couldn't imagine my life without any of the three..... the world is too small and life is short too for any nonsense.... God bless and thanks for listening.....❤❤

[@minhoney9859]

Girl I knew you was black when I first laid my eyes on you. But that’s just me 😭

[@enolamsamoht]

Same here. To me she looks like Vanessa Williams from her earlier day.

[@Nickie870]

It's very obvious

[@minhoney9859]

@@enolamsamoht exactly I thought so too

[@kdooley41]

She sure don't look blk to me.. but that's just me..

[@ZaniahSlayed]

Yeah, I always thought she look like Alicia Keys or Diana Ross definitely not white passing

[@JediBunny]

So glad you’re speaking on this. I appreciate hearing from mixed and multiracial people because I so often see them feel silenced from both “sides”. I.e. the narrative of “you can’t speak on this because you’re not 100% black, Latino, Arab, Asian, etc.” But you have a viewpoint into multiple perspectives which gives you a very unique input AND output. Yes, mixed individuals may not be able to relate to the precise experience of someone who’s 100% something, but they can see angles that other people can’t - they can peek around corners that other people can’t. Because of this you’ll experience benefits other people don’t, and you’ll experience unique hardships other people won’t understand. You explain that element really well and it’s really important to hear this perspective. It’s a healthy and important conversation, and you’re valid in all your feeling. I hope you don’t feel bad about what you didn’t see before; you clearly have a lot of self-awareness and growing understandings of reality which is more than a lot of people can say who stay in their bubbles and only surround themselves with others who confirm their biases. Good on you for speaking on this!

[@tamiaedrington5762]

Maybe being Black I saw it, but I started following you when I was a teen (I’m now 26😮) and one of the first reasons was because I could tell you were black lol (felt somewhat more relatable than some of the white KZbinrs of the time). Fair skinned yes but still saw Black 😊 I hope some of these comments let you know that not everybody sees you like some foreign alien or “other” ❤❤❤

[@hollychaney5820]

This video about her being biracial so why be disrespectful to our existence. She biracial not just black, we do exist!!

[@tamiaedrington5762]

@@hollychaney5820 girl bye, please stop projecting onto my comment. What I said was in reference to her saying she didn’t know she was white passing and that sometimes monoracial Black people didn’t accept her fully. To me and many others, she is clearly a woman MIXED with Black. This was just to help affirm that not all Black people would see her and ostracize her or be unwelcoming. Das it.

[@Lucy-iy9ni]

@@hollychaney5820 it’s not disrespectful, she’s acknowledging the fact that she looks mixed with black and not white passing (fully white looking), you’re being defensive about a comment you did not understand.

[@R.S_Howell]

I read Mariah Carey's autobiography, and she talks about being treated differently as a child because she is mixed race. I never would have 'clocked' her in a million years of being anything other than white, not that it matters. I suppose weird people are hyper fixated on features and small nuances in skin tone though. I wish more people were like your family in the sense that differences in ethnicity are not even worth the energy of a conversation.

[@BrittneyGray]

Yeah I’m still trying to figure out if that was a good thing or a bad thing to not discuss such topics lol. Because it’s definitely a “thing”. Thank you for commenting.

[@damnmuggle]

She looks mixed lol

[@marikiemarie7622]

I've always thought Mariah was mixed. She had the complete look of being mixed. I guess some people aren't has exposed to mixed races. However, Kane Brown does not look mixed at at all.

[@R.S_Howell]

I will add though, that because of the world we live in, such conversation are unfortunately necessary within families because of prejudices that do exist. I wish we could all just make it a non-issue and celebrate our differences if anything.

[@Satamatos]

I thought it was very obvious she’s mixed

[@lreneewell9154]

I am mixed black/white and the only time I really have ever been perceived as "white passing" was when I was in 1st grade and went to a school in my neighborhood which was predominately black, which at the time actually surprised me and made me feel kinda different to an extent because I was raised by a single mom in a black household and culturally related to them more, but felt like I didn't look like them physically given my skin tone was/is even lighter than yours and was almost pale when I was little. For you though, I can look at you and tell you are mixed and I always find it odd when people claim people who are browner than me to be "white passing". I feel like a lot of it has to do with the fact that white people are constantly appropriating the black side of our culture and changing their features to look as though they are black or like they have black in them which I personally find strange and annoying. A lot of people like to argue that "imitation is a form of flattery" but I personally do not find it to be flattering especially considering some white people are black fishing to the point where they are basically doing black face and literally pretending to be black for clout. This is an issue that hurts both black and mixed race people and I wish more people would understand that.

[@SummerKellsey]

I feel like the blackfishing that’s happening now has made it more difficult for people to tell but I thought it was obvious you’re biracial. I am fair-skinned so I’ve always had people questioning what I am. I’m white presenting biracial and my mom discussed it all my life but I also have a blk mom so don’t know if that makes a difference. I agree we need our own category and thankfully I feel like we’re getting to that place somewhat because our identities are not just either or, it’s both. I grew up predominantly around blk ppl and it did used to bother me that I felt like I had to show ppl my mom for them to believe I was biracial (this was not super often, most blk ppl could tell anyway😂) but I had to let that go when I started accepting myself in my teens. Now idgaf what ppl assume me to be 🤷🏼‍♀️ much happier that way

[@tmc1373]

Having a Black mom makes a HUGE difference because children spend the most time with their mothers and mothers pass down the culture. The mother is among your first teachers so she's the one who teaches you the culture and how to navigate certain situations.

[@Galidorquest]

@@tmc1373 "mothers pass down the culture" No, not always. Not all black mothers or fathers or BP in general are culturally the same. It mainly depends on where the mixed person was *raised* that determines their racial identity. People pick up culture from their peers & their everyday environment, not so much their parents. If they look white and grow up around mostly whites, and dated only white people, then they usually identify as white. If they grew up in the hood or around mostly BP, and dated only BP, then they usually identify as black based on the 'one-drop-rule', regardless of their appearance. They might also identify as black in order to get involved with BP and help them advance. A mixed person's identity all depends on what race they feel the most culturally & emotionally connected with. Your peers & your environment are the biggest influence.

[@fairroe6975]

Someone else in your comments better defined your post as being white presenting as opposed to passing for white which an active choice and accompanied behaviors. That being said when you mentioned feeling ostracized by the black community I think that is/was more than likely due to fact that by your own admission, you didn’t identify as black or at least publicly acknowledge your blackness. Most black people immediately recognize your blackness and are taken an aback by your ignorance or ambivalence about the black experience. Colorism being a significant factor the acceptability and beauty standards of colonized spaces. I applaud you for being open about your experience and how it influences your perspective of the world and society. This is much needed conversation. I agree you deserve to be seen and heard as much any other individual or group.

[@tatsf]

Thank you for having this topic and speaking your truth. As a mixed (gay) man of an older generation who is "white appearing", I don't like the term "white passing" since I have chosen not to lead my life being purposefully silent about the mix, I appreciate all of the issues that you brought up. I am white appearing so have always been conscious of the privilege that comes with that. At the same time, I am a mixed race man. It comes with some challenging issues, and those issues are still being brought up by you here today. Thanks again for speaking rather than staying silent. Sometimes we need serious conversations too!

[@DaughterOfGod247]

This is my struggle, I’m mixed and extremely white passing, ambiguous, but white peoples still can tell I’m not white. My skin doesn’t tan at all, just sunburn and freckles. I’m whiter than most whites people and yet they have magnifying glasses than can detect the smallest hint of non-white. It’s also quite lonely because no one accepts you like you don’t truly belong nowhere yet fit in everywhere, meaning you can pass for so many but not a single. It’s weird, you’re treated like a mysterious creature not a human

[@MegaTinni]

You feel lonely. You aren't lonely. You feel like you don't belong. You belong. You are just unique. That's what people are looking at. You make it sound like you have a problem with not being white 100pct... why??

[@Man-ej6uv]

i feel you. too x for y, too y for x.

[@SummerSun-sg3wf]

I had black people think I was mixed because I have Italian hair

[@kira5612]

I feel like for me (I'm biracial black mom/white dad) I got a lot of people (adults in my life surprisingly) who would compare me to the other mixed girls in my class. They would talk about how beautiful such and such person was because of their hair or having lighter eyes (really whatever they chose to fixate on) and then say how I just had brown eyes or looked too "exotic" etc. So I had a lot of shame because adults would tell me how I didn't look mixed enough or I didn't come out "special" even had people say if my mom was white then etc etc. Of course now I understand how negative and out of line those adults were, but as a child it really messed up the way I saw myself, sorta like I felt like I did something wrong or was disappointing people. I feel like a large part of my focus for this year is working on healing a lot of the traumas from my childhood that are rooted in my identity especially with being biracial/ being a woc where I grew up. I really appreciate your video and your honesty as you had those realizations, and I think it's so nice how your family is so diverse and blended (and just sound like genuinely lovely and accepting people)

[@Fatelvis2]

I m sorry you went thru that why an adult would say something like that especially to a child is beyond me

[@SummerSun-sg3wf]

😥

[@annie6891]

I remember back in the day when you said nobody will turn down an attractive person because they're dark skinned. Glad you see now what we were trying to say. Ppl are more vocal about their preferences now. I remember being on a dating site and the men I matched with will select every race option except black. They will date everybody but black women 🤣. These were men I matched in the high 90s with.

[@therealdonnawagner]

I think I get what you're saying. I see similar struggles with my sister in law, who married into our white family, and my nieces and nephews that are biracial. We all love them and welcome them with open hearts (including incorporating traditions she grew up with into our family at large), but my SIL has said she has a hard time speaking on certain subjects publicly (especially the last few years) because members of her family or people she grew up with, who are predominantly black, write her opinions off as being whitewashed or insensitive because she's married to a white guy and her kids are lighter. I know it's hard on her, but it's also difficult for us to know how to comfort and support her when she's feeling torn between two worlds and worrying about what to say to her kids when certain topics become front page news or common discourse in the culture. I won't pretend to know specifically what you or anyone else has gone through, but growing up an Air Force brat, I lived in cultural diversity almost all of my teenage years. The places where we all got along the best were where we all shared our individual cultures with each other and kind of melted into one close group that enjoyed lots of aspects as a unified whole. We try to actively teach that to our kids as well, but it seems like the world is getting more divided and quickly rejects anyone from any side trying find commonality between cultural groups. 😢

[@lizasoliman723]

as a mixed person i too, have had a unique experience. & i feel you 100% i grew up in the 90s & early 2000s in the midwest, half Egyptian / half white. it's something i was always aware of because my father's family & church were much different from my mother's. inside our bubble it was never a problem, like your family, just an awareness. but especially when i was young, my mother was asked if i was adopted (she & my mother looked white while I looked like my father) or had a different father. even to this day, no one can see a resemblance between my mother & i. at the Egyptian church, i was "so beautiful" because of my fairer skin, smaller nose, less kinky & more curly hair. the Egyptians do have a "colorism", where the less Egyptian an Egyptian looks, the more beautiful they are considered to be. it didn't dawn on me until adulthood that i was "white-passing" when i moved out west & white people considered me to be white. they were surprised to find that i didn't consider myself to be white.. but why would i, when i'm not?

[@notwwwansik]

Yeah

[@bud.dabrown]

You are 100 % spot to when you said that people are judged on their appearance. I am a black woman in the south and have all shades of people in my family, as well as biracial people. My thoughts are to treat people like you want to be treated. Disrespect happens on a daily, by your own people and othhers. I think that its important though that we all speak out or up when disparaging words are being spoken because of race or social status.

[@DeLaTr0ll]

In my option: Mixed/ bi-racial women have their own experiences. Mono-racial (black/white,etc)women have their experiences. We shouldn’t represent each other. We can be alleys because our experiences overlap but they are not the same. My daughters are mixed (Hispanic/black) and their experiences are totally different than mine. Also, heartbreaking because things I struggled with come easy for them. Like I’ll go in a place and I’ll get funny vibes but if they go in with their dad they have a positive experience. They aren’t genetically black women but it’s smart to raise them as such for their protection(we live in the Midwest). I always tell them you’re black first but also Hispanic.

[@najmaj]

11:25 they call it "pretty privilege" and you're right. It's real.

[@sademcfadden1374]

Ooo Brittney, thank you for this conversation. As someone who also grew up in a mixed race family, I’ve also grown up “white passing” in a sense, although I am darker skinned than you. A lot of people think I am Hispanic 😂 but we were always a blended family, so I think I had a similar mentality. I’ve not always seen the gravity of what some POC go through because of that experience. But I’ve also had the experience of seeing racism from ALL races. We had conversations growing up but generally I’ve always seen the world through my biracial lense. Although growing up, and idk if this was just being a kid and not seeing the world wholly, but I definitely feel like racial tensions are so much more prominent now. Navigating my racial identity was very difficult and to this day when people call me mulatto my eye twitches 😂 I agree with everything what you said here. I’ve also been bullied by black people. I was never white enough for the white kids, but never black enough for the black kids, so I just had to make my own lane 😊 we exist! Lol😂❤

[@user-md2tc7dw2n]

I moved to Oregon back in 2016 from San Bernardino and the culture shock going to high school and having people you thought, were your friends let down their guard because they thought you were white to come to find out they’re extremely racist (specifically to Mexicans) was scary. Both of my parents are Mexican.I’m pretty sure I’m the fairest skin in my family cousin and all that’s when I learned I white pass also turns out I mix too took a DNA test last month. I am 50-50, Mexican and European

[@NadiiDK]

i really like this new video style you seem so real and relatable compared to before. i watched you for the hair stuff but now im intrigued to watch you just for you. i'm also biracial and i'm in the same situation as you

[@JediBunny]

💯% yes!

[@williameddy9919]

I find mulatto women to be very attractive and very mysterious, which is sexy.

[@mangakaonline]

I think this is such a good video! I resonate a lot with the story; I'm biracial but I have been brought up very white, something I'm only just beginning to understand. My brother (also biracial) is stuck in the mentality he is only white. I've noticed some people go like "where are you from?" and others look at me sheepishly when I tell them my dad isn't white. "I'd never have thought that!" Thank you for the video, it's very interesting to hear other (biracial) people's perspective and experiences!

[@LynnDanielleTreasure]

A few years ago, my granddaughter and I went to the community pool and realized we had left the gate key at home. A patron at the pool refused to let us in. My granddaughter who was 4 years old at the time asked me why the lady wouldn't let us in. I told her it's because we're Black. She said, "I'm not black." I had to explain to a 4 year old that she is biracial and that some people do not listen to Black people. Then I had to tell my daughter and son-in-law that I had that conversation with my granddaughter. The outcome - my granddaughter and I walked home and got the gate key and entered the pool. The other outcome- my daughter and son-in-law started teaching my granddaughter about her heritage. I understand what you're saying about your experience as a biracial woman of color. It can be complicated to explain, but keep reading, learning, and discussing this topic.

[@mirandaholley9797]

It sad that this happens to black people at my community pool. The cops coming to make sure the black people are not trespassing even though a key was used.

[@BriteBlaze]

@@mirandaholley9797 you mean black people... dont say "blacks" its dehumnizing

[@mirandaholley9797]

@@BriteBlaze I am black. The dehumanizing part is not me saying blacks but the discrimination that blacks face. Your missing the point.

[@Daedalus215]

why would you want to inflict this on a 4-year-old? This vlog was a ramble which did not say anything. The amount of time she used the word "like" highlighted her limited vocabulary, and left you having to fill in the blanks of what she was saying. No examples of incidents to back up what she was saying and she could have gone on for another 10 hours and still said nothing of any consequence.

[@laraazevedo7437]

In Brazil people are so mixed we don't get so caught up with labelling and shaming mixed race children. We do however have lots of colorism, a fair skinned person might not experience racism the way their darker skinned sibling might, which is so messed up. But certainly for Brazilian standards with those green eyes you're "white enough" meaning you would get white privilege in Brazil. Very confusing for someone who was raised within the Black culture like yourself as to where that lands you. It's all so wrong....

[@chrissya4135]

I totally get what you are saying. I'm not biracial, I'm adopted, I was born in India, my family is white, I have very dark skin for an Indian. My husband is white and my children white and Indian. I don't know much about my culture because I am adopted, but I tell my kids they are half Indian and half white and it's hard to explain to them what that means. They know they are darker and not white skinned, because they see it and other kids ask them about their background out of curiosity. That the innocence of kids, they may ask why someone looks different or has different color skin, but then they move on and want to be friends. Somehow adults have twisted curiosity and made it into a whole thing where it brings out hate. My kids are friends with everyone from all different backgrounds and we live in the suburbs of buffalo. I hope we as adults can create a more accepting and less hateful world for our kids, because this shit is hard, explaining things like this. I explained to my kids that when I was younger, I was bullied cuz of my skin color, they couldn't wrap their head around it or understand why that would even matter.

[@mauricewright1250]

I get your message. It's hard & frustrating. You are beautiful and live your life. The masses will never understand, and it's not your jobs to make them understand. Stay positive and be strong for your kids.

[@amandastj7310]

Your experience and story is just as valid as anyone else’s!! Don’t be afraid to speak your own truth. Just because it’s not someone else’s story doesn’t make it wrong or offensive. Many true stories exist at once

[@guacgirl]

I've been subscribed to you a long time, I'm also a hairdresser. Imo you look biracial and its clear you aren't white. You look biracial to me, not white passing. I think it easier for me to see because I'm black, have a keen eye for features and detail, so I understand the nuance that come with poc. I knew Megan Markle for example wasn't white but most people thought she was white but I could tell by her hair (and nose) even tho it was straightened. I can understand why most people don't see it. You never offended me in your video because I knew you were coming from your own point of view as a mixed person.

[@lazarocedeno5270]

Dear young sister. White supremacy is evil. You are not evil. White supremacy makes us play the game of separation. You can not be blamed for how you look. Use your privilege to improve all of us. Congratulations. You are waking up. Welcome.

[@jojobear9833]

Thank you for talking about mixed race people's challenges. And yess we deserve our own bubble🥰🙌. Your hair is gorgeous btw💜

[@jessicahunter8494]

I am a white ass woman from Eastern Europe, i did not grow up around black people, there was none in my country but when i came to US i had no idea what black people go through. Now many years later i am staring to understand and i have a lot of respect and i think that you are beautiful.

[@AdriannesHaus]

Hey girl- your story resonates so much with me (I grew up in San Diego) and my own realizations of what being biracial means (Im B&W as well) in this f'ed up country. Now I know most mixd folk could probably write an entire 10 page term paper of this subject, but I think a lot of us are slowly realizing the favoritism that lighter skins folk were/are shown given our proximity to "whiteness" or even proximity to anything other than "black". It's disgusting, but it's the sad realization. Sprinkle in feature-ism and texture-ism and that's a hell of a convo. AND the bias received on BOTH sides (favoritism/ preference/ and discrimination).There are so many layers to dissect, so I empathize with your hesitation to even discuss . Even as I type this- it's difficult because I'm trying very hard to be politically correct, lol! Alright I wrote enough, but acknowledging your privilege is still a step in the right direction, but sometimes its "damned if we do, damned if we don't."

[@CiaoColeG]

I understand this. I've never passed for white, but I've been just close enough for white people to feel comfortable with saying wild things about black people around me. They thought because I'm mixed or mistook me for another ethnicity so it was ok. From 6th grade-college it was not easy interacting with black girls. However, as an adult it's a lot better. I'm not afraid to tell a white person to watch their mouth and I have amazing black women friends now.

[@missy9897]

I think you’re speaking more about light skin privilege than being white passing. I never thought you looked white but I can definitely see how you could be racially ambiguous. I would be interested to knowing your experience/views on raising two unambiguous black children and how your experience being biracial has made you aware of differences between the two.

[@marieg3865]

I didn't think colorism bothered her she picked out a man that was a darker color, and therefore she knew her children would be. Their hair texture isn't a challenge for her earlier since she's a beautician. I'd watch a video like this, but again, I don't think it mattered to her, otherwise she would of picked a light skin or mixed race person

[@Jaleno92]

Never be afraid speak your truth Britt; another great video! You have the right to discuss your experiences & we all love to see your journey. You know you have great foundation & that’s why we’re all still here. Your existence alone helps people ♥️.

[@amanimuhammad4320]

I do feel its a topic our parents should talk to us about. I am extremely white-passing, but grew up in Mexico and people really noticed my fro. So I received a lot of negative comments in Mexico. But when I was with black kids, I was discriminated. I never understood how to fit in or what to say or how to act or who to hang with lol And my father, whos black, never talked to me as if I was also black, like he excluded me from the group? It was weird...

[@IMDAKEYS]

Oh I think it's a sexism issue too because I believe mixed men are looked as black and mixed women are looked as white

[@junkmonkey54]

Even tho your skin isn’t black your facial features are completely African

[@GentlemanAmerican]

I see both African and European in her features, like Vanessa Williams.

[@genny0328]

I knew you were mixed, but I’m also mixed. I can see a big diffrence in how diffrent people in my family are treated depending on their level of brownness. Ridiculous

[@ChillingWithMel22]

I agree with you 100%. I am also mixed my mom is white my dad is black. Your situation is very similar to mine. My parents also divorced and my mom married a white man and my dad married a black woman so literally I had a all black family on one side and an all white family on the other.

[@karinazrzu]

Dang! I would say you are Whyte passing for sure.

[@samiam5434]

You look half white and half black maybe Brazilian but I would not ever take you for white and I don’t think anyone else would either. Your very beautiful!

[@carolinep.7580]

I think it’s very interesting & important to hear experiences from people who have had one different from myself. Would love to hear more if you want to share! ♥️

[@kennethjoneification]

it was really refreshing to hear you reflect on your past attitudes. we need more of this from people in general!

[@maddylovesgood]

I never thought u were anything but half black half white. But I’m also mixed so maybe that’s why.

[@capyomalley4609]

Biracial male here. In my experience people tend to think I am whatever they are.

[@ashleysalazar2012]

Unrelated but your hair looks so beautiful and healthy

[@becky8908]

You’re racially ambiguous, like me. I’m just black but I’m sometimes mistaken for many races depending on whether my hair is curly (4c) or straight.

[@StreetFaerie36]

Side note: My mother told me very plainly when I was a young girl crying about something racially hurtful a peer said… my mom said “you will never be Black enough and you will never be Hispanic enough”. It sounds harsh but that was the best thing she could have told me. It freed me from trying. In that, I could celebrate and love both races that made me, but I wasn’t burdened with trying to prove anything.

[@lovelymix8056]

My mother was the same way!! I’m mixed with black and Arab 🤗

[@blondies2755]

I don’t think you’re a bad person for saying how you feel; thank you for making me feel less alone. 🙏❤️🥰💐

[@ashleysalazar2012]

You touched on pretty privilege and I think sometimes or oftentimes it's pretty disadvantage. A lot of the most beautiful people I've met say they are treated like everything they say is wrong and people won't like them at first and they won't get hired for jobs they're qualified for.

[@jenn4593]

Thank you!! So true. No one knows this other side of the story. Don’t even get me started on how jealous people may treat pretty people.

[@Satrina777]

It's true, and it's because being pretty has been associated with being vacuous or vapid for a very long time culturally, if you are a woman that is. Men rarely have to deal with that kind of assumption, so It's a prejudice at best, and sexism at worst.

[@Amber-gc6sw]

I’m a white mother of a mixed child, I really appreciate the input you have in this video and would love to see more talks like this from you..also I’ve been watching your channel for like 7 years now

[@craylalove]

I appreciate U. Your vulnerability, candidness, and realism are to be admired and celebrated!

[@langstonwilliams8979]

First of all, this is a great video!! It’s great from the standpoint that you have the courage to talk about your experiences you’ve had as a biracial person. I understand that your experience will be different from other people (I’m African-African/born in the 1970’s). This means your socialization will be in complete contrast from that of mine and people born in the 70’s, 80’s and earlier. Most kids from my era have 2 conversations during adolescence, 1) birds and the bees, 2) How to conduct yourself when being pulled over by law enforcement officers. My grandfather told me very early in life that America is different for us (black folks) meaning I don’t have the luxury of privilege white people have. Moving forward, I’ve noticed over the years I hear a lot of people from your generation expressing some of the same things you’re explaining that race is really that much of an issue with them regardless the shade of skin when amongst peers. I’m in education so when topics like redlining, Jim Crow, or simply being followed around by a retailer while teaching Black History Month or any other time, sometimes I notice lack of passion from parents and students when it comes to these issues. Not all the time, just more so than when I grew up. I share this to say, NEVER be ashamed of what your experiences are in life especially with the issue of race. I have a friend from Barbados 🇧🇧 who grow with a predominantly black population where class was the defining factor in her life. Whatever shade we are, our experiences will be different depending on geography and what we look like. Do not let this stop you from growing emotionally and educationally. I encourage you to keep conversations like this going because it’s really important to understand other points of view within the black perspective. Hopefully it’ll help others grow and understand more. Thanks for the video😊❤✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾

[@sharisseg7214]

You have light colored eyes, but ethnic features, your nose, hair texture, light brown skin, etc. ❤

[@user-ub6vv3or4e]

This is not an attack but a genuine question. Why say you don't feel black or white, but at the same time feel bad about being not totally accepted in the black community? This is something I never understood about mixed people. Over time I am becoming more emphatetic for the mixed struggle though. Seems rough.

[@vixen7774]

Because being part black isn’t a feeling or attitude it’s just shivering black heritage which she has.

[@TheAlexa6]

I never gave much thought to your race I just thought damn, she’s gorgeous and has an amazing, charismatic personality. The people pushing the topic of race (media, politicians, corporations) do so to create dissent and divide and conquer. Same as they do with religion. Meanwhile real wages have been declining for decades for everyone, our food supply, water supply and basic infrastructure is in shambles, our education system is failing and medical care is a sick joke. We should all focus on loving and accepting all people, coming together and focusing on our shared humanity. All the BS about our trivial external differences is EGO run amok. You were raised the right way, that it’s inconsequential and giving oxygen to the topic feeds the beast. My family is white, black, Jewish, Mexican and Arab. Some individuals are taller, smarter, richer, prettier, have more stable upbringings than others. That’s life, the deck is stacked the way it is and I’ve always chosen to focus on the positives not my victimhood.

[@daniewithane1454]

You always reminded me of Vanessa Williams you are so pretty.

[@hotangelfire712]

It's okay to talk about it. You're giving us a good view of being both. Never knew biracial individuals were put in a position to choose but I can see it now. I think in the Drake example which is a really good one, he's embraced both sides to the point it naturally comes out for me that's easy to accept. For you it seems your exposure level is different that maybe not being in a state where the people if color are similar to Midwest vs Cali style. A big wow for me was when you said you know how to get what you want in a restaurant, yes that's deemed as passing. It's a good subject that is helping us all understand more. You expressed yourself well enough to not get backlash in my opinion. Keep going with this topic and all around it if you can, maybe we can help you learn a few things not in your awareness. As far a family not talking about race they did what they needed to. 🙂

[@honeybraswell625]

Piggy backing on the Drake thing. I think because he is a light skinned, Mixed Man that it is different for him. My son looks like Drake. One of my brothers looks similar to Obama and my other brother looks like Eminem lol😅. Boys/Men who are Mixed tend to be socialized moreso as Black only. The only way a Mixed guy is going to be more accepted by White culture is if he looks white presenting like the rapper Logic or something.

[@buffytheinternetbullyslayer]

White presenting is looking white. “White passing” is an action. Like the movie imitation of life (great movie). Great video. These conversations need to be had. Thanks for sharing your experience and growth.

[@dangamaas]

Right!!! I don't know when "white passing" became used to describe people who just look white. Passing to me always seemed to have an element of deception.

[@KamaraSymone]

My favorite movie growing up as a little girl ❤

[@InvisibleRen]

Really? Growing up for me, that distinction didn’t exist and it was never taught to me either by my Gen X parents or aunties. “White passing” only described your appearance, didn’t matter whether you tried or not. I was born in 91 and raised in Dixie/former Confederate states.

[@najmaj]

@Chantelle Barnett yeah. Passing was only used to describe someone that was actively trying to present themselves solely as white. Just like in that movie Imitation of Life. The fact that someone's features look "white" doesn't mean they're passing. They can't help the way they look. Passing is a deliberate act. Generally people did it because they were ashamed to disclose they were black (or whatever) and also so that they could get better opportunities since everyone is so damn racist😑

[@buffytheinternetbullyslayer]

@@InvisibleRen there’s many books, documentaries and movies on “passing”. In Louisiana they call it pasè blanc. It is an action because you separate yourself from everyone “black” and live as white. My great grandmother had a brother who broke her heart because he decided to “pass” when he turned 18. She never saw him again. This was in the 1920s. My family is from Mississippi. The human stain is a good movie that goes into detail of the actions required to “pass”

[@revilsdr]

You actually look a lot like the gorgeous Vanessa Williams. Like a lot of people in United States you actually could "pass" for a lot of different ethnicities depending on your hair color, make up, etc. But you are 100% correct people will say/do things around you because of how they perceive your ethnicity/looks, without even knowing your background or beliefs. You shouldn't have to choose any side you are who you are.

[@jadesimone_]

i thought she was some type of latino before i knew she was biracial tbh. she’s doesn’t look black or white, she looks mixed lol.

[@letmehavemypeace1469]

I am glad you touching on this. I thought you was white at first and looked at your vids. I noticed you are biracial. I am MGM-mixed but I didn't know I was biracial passing. I thought I look like ls blk wm

[@maiaa-s7986]

👏👏👏 thank you. I relate so much. And it always feels like a relief for me to hear people say the same things I feel and have experienced. It's true that there isn't a space for mixed people yet. People want me to choose a side, and people say sh** no matter which side you choose. Everyone has their pain I know, I just wish mixed people were taken seriously and valued, and for people to realize they can actually even learn from the mixed experience..........

[@docane6094]

Black mum to a mixed girl here…I don’t think it’s because of the way you present- You look mixed to me. It’s just that black people can often tell when people are unaware / unsympathetic of the black struggle. We keep our distance for our safety. Parenthood brings a new perspective. ❤

[@StreetFaerie36]

I resonated with everything you said in this video! And I think we are close enough in age to clearly remember growing up in America when racial tensions were not as intense in the mainstream as they’ve been in the last few years. I do want to add, don’t underestimate the power of the MSM to turn up the heat on that intensity, but I’m grateful that it’s being discussed more broadly. no doubt racism has existed and will always, it’s a tragedy of life. I appreciate your video.

[@a.jamesson]

As a racially ambiguous mixed person ppl come up to me and speak to me in all different types of languages 😭 everyone thinks I'm from their culture lol I've just come to accept that this is my reality.

[@kikikismart]

I’ve been watching you for so long so I always related to your black side due to ur old hair videos, but now that you wear your hair straight more the hair content isn’t as relatable as a black woman but none the less I still love ur content so I’ll watch !

[@1412souki]

As a biracial woman I really relate to being treated differently because I am "white enough "

[@lovelymix8056]

You are a beautiful biracial woman and there nothing wrong with being white passing since you are half white. And I’m biracial too and love being mixed race.

[@honeybraswell625]

I definitely don't see Asian when I see you. When I see you I see a Mixed person. However, I'm Mixed with a very White passing mom, brother and Grandmother and other people in my family. I think to people who are monoracially Black that they may see you as White. I think you are right about all of what you experienced. People do act different towards conventionally attractive people. Both of my parents are Mixed, but they identify as Black. My Dad is treated like a Black man & my mom is treated like a White woman. Growing up, people did look at us as an interracial family because of the differences in our complexions. My youngest brother was born blue eyed, pale skinned and blonde. My other brother and I have dark tan/light brown skin, dark curly hair & dark eyes. When we went out to eat as a family, I noticed we got better service because my mom and Grandma look White. Teachers treated me better because they thought my mom was White. There is definitely a different lived experience that I have than even my mom's neices & nephews who have a parent who is darkskinned/unambiguously Black. One of those cousins is very fair skinned like you. Her mother kept getting asked if she was the Nanny because she was blonde & green-eyed and her mother looked African. My mom's sister's kids all have very dark-pure African looking fathers. They grew up identifying more with being Black and they forget that my brothers and I don't quite identify/see ourselves the same way because our Dad is Mixed. We're all family & love eachother, but at the end of the day we're only half Black, have no dark skinned grand parents or great grandparents, aunts nor uncles and grew up slightly suburban. In school, the Black kids and even the teachers let me know that I wasn't quite Black. They never asked me if I was Mixed, they wanted to know which one of my parents were White. If they saw my mom, they just assumed it was her 😅. For the most part White people weren't as hung up on my race/color. I think majority of them saw me as a priveleged/affluent Black girl with light skin. My hair always seemed to be a thing too. Black people were obsessed with my hair. It was super long, thick and silky when straight. To this day, if I go in the my Black hair salon, with my 3c curly hair they will tell me I have every kind of hair except Kinky Black/African hair. Also, once I get there somebody always is curious to know what I'm mixed with. I am very clearly a mixed person. However, people who are White passing don't really have people asking them which one of their parents is Black 😅. People never think they're Black at all. People assume my mom is Southern European or on occasion a very fair Latina woman. I think people just see my youngest brother as a normal good looking bald headed white guy. When he had a curly afro they thought he was maybe a little bit Black or Jewish---now that he is Bald he passes as fully White. Race is not a big issue in his life anymore (at least I don't think so). He married a White woman & his kids look white. If he didn't marry a white woman , I think race would be something he'd have to discuss more. Also, they live in L.A., California so race really isn't going to consume their lives. Also back in the day it was "White Passing" because those few Mixed folks who presented as unquestionably White sometimes would break away from their families completely to live a White life. Today, nobody had to cut off their entire family. People who present as fully White are just accepted as such, no questions asked. Just like those who present as fully Black are accepted as Black no questions asked. There's a lot of us folks in the middle and our distinct cultural affiliations becomes a big part of how we broadly connect and identify.

[@LaStellarJane.creates]

My son is biracial. He’s very fair with strawberry blonde hair and is white passing. I’m constantly getting asked “Are you mom??”. He’s disabled and I hate to say it but I know he wouldn’t have gotten as many opportunities for great healthcare if he was darker.

[@scruffyo4460]

Is it white or black people that mostly ask you if you’re his mom?

[@BrittanyG1]

“There was no other” wow! I appreciate you sharing your thoughts. I hope this conversation can grow into something really positive. Note not mixed. Just a fellow Brittany on the internet. That’s how I found you and your hair content.😅

[@angee1223]

Britt, bravo for speaking on YOUR TRUTH. Thank you for speaking out for people who may have experiences similar to yours about racial bubbles. Hopefully, others will have an open mind to your message. I think it's not that more celebrities or athletes are biracial... I think more are acknowledging its entirety. Some were forced to "pass" or "embrace" one race over another to further their careers.

[@moodybugg-2098]

I am in the south, always have been. Ga.. I never thought the "race thang" was that big of a deal until last 10-15yrs ago. The only racism I'm aware of is not white people against dark skinned. It's the opposite kind of racism. Black people freely put down, talk about and hate white ppl. White ppl, I've never heard say they hated "blk ppl" but I've witnessed and experienced racism from blk ppl specifically for being white. It's so screwed up

[@ec5657]

The irony in all of this is that black Americans aren't even 100% black for the most part. If we do an ancestry DNA test, most of us are at least 10% - 20% European/white. People care way too much about race and color. I am black, my wife is white, and if we decide to have children they will be both races, and I really hope no one treats them differently because of that.

[@curtis1415]

The Black American Community are their own distinct ethnic community who's "ethnogenesis" was established before The Civil War so their DNA genome(African/European admixture) is shaped by proximity to that. American Blackness is distinct from "African-ness." So my own identity is shaped by that. There's nothing wrong with distinguishing this with those who are hypothetically the children of you and your wife having one parent with this history(you).

[@themelanatedempress]

As a lighter brown AA I can understand feeling ostracized because i didn’t identify with 100% black culture and have had non-black people question my background. I think this brings up a bigger discussion about race, ethnicity and culture.. they can and cannot be mutually exclusive. It’s very complex for us Americans. One can be white or biracial but identify with black culture heavily because of upbringing. One can also be black or biracial and not identify with black culture as much.

[@thebestseason5034]

The reality is you are a beautiful mixed race woman. You can claim you are white, you can claim you are black, I think you should do both whenever it suits you. That’s a benefit you get for having two awesome cultures running through your blood. My kids are white (me) and Mexican (husband) I tell them you claim either/or whenever and however you choose. Being mixed is such a blessing! Everyone should be proud of their race/ethnicity.

[@shyb7847]

Hmm, idk if I'd say you are white passing. Phenotypically, your feature appears black to me. When you talk about your family, I feel like it may be a regional thing. My white supervisor grew up in Cali and said that when he came to the East Coast, everything was so segregated.

[@cottageindustry3040]

I'm biracial. I would never label you as "white passing." You don't look white, you clearly look like a mixed race person of color. I could see someone mistaking you for Mestizo/Hispanic, but I don't think most people would mistake you for being white.

[@victoriaheppell2643]

Hello from Canada. I feel like I can relate to your feeling of being at a loss for words. To explain who you are and how you apply yourself to racial topics can be confusing. Being mixed leaves me feeling like I’m supposed to say I’m white because I look white, but I’m actually also Native. White passing isn’t a word I’ve used for myself but I feel like because I don’t have the same experiences as other natives I don’t get to claim that identity, but I still do. It’s so MESSY. I’ve decided now to believe most other natives would probably support my claiming of being Native because it’s native identity that was trying to be stolen in the first place- the whole BLOOD QUANTUM concept was to convince us we can be bred away. I’m a quarter Esquimalt First Nation and live in British Columbia. Love your video Brit thanks for always being so genuine ❤

[@reginehunter]

i didn’t know i was different until 6th grade when someone asked me if i was mixed. i have never heard that term before then so i said “i don’t know”. and it wasn’t until high school where i fully realized because of the comments people would make. it’s so weird when people ask about race in my family because it was never a discussion, we’re just a regular family. my parents are different races but from the same country and race there isn’t a huge topic like it is in America. aside from race there was also the thing of being an American but living in an immigrant household, this is where i connected with other first generation kids regardless of race. i grew up in the inner city surrounded by blacks, latinos and asians, the only white people in the community were the teachers. it wasn’t until i left my hometown and moved to the very white suburbs that i witnessed and experienced racism. it was definitely a culture shock. this is also where i found other people who were mixed like me, but again there was another disconnect from being first generation american.

[@doloreswilliams6826]

My grandfather on my maternal side was extremely fair and during the depression he was able to work for the Souther Railroad and feed his family of ten children. My grandmother was a dark brown little lady. There have been times that being fair, whiter has been advantageous. My father was extremely fair, red hair and freckles. My brother was blonde and fair, I am lite yellow with red har and my sister had curly hair. Relax, you are who you are and be proud.

[@loganatorexit]

I feel like before Gen Z people didn’t acknowledge race, no one cared really what you were. Now it seems like we are going back in time and HAVE to acknowledge someone’s race and notice differences between people instead of just seeing people as a whole. Also want to say that it’s weird instead of focusing on where we are similar we need to focus on what sets us apart.

[@buffytheinternetbullyslayer]

It’s a great thing to acknowledge and respect someone’s race, culture and ethnicity. These thing play a part in who we are as people. Being “color blind” is to be willfully ignorant. Race has always been a thing everywhere in the world. When everyone can accept who each other are with no biases and respect, the world will become a better place.

[@aaronfelcity1403]

Yeah bc people were never aware of race before Gen z do u even listen to what ur saying 😂

[@soniagainer492]

I was 6 when I left California and I moved to Florida and I totally understand what you're saying! Thank you for speaking abut this❤️❤️

[@badgirlhollywood9741]

Black people have been mean to me and asked “what are you listening to?” And “where are you from” ninjas man. I hate that girl so much. Speak your mind my grandma was white get over it. I’m 35 percent other races and I look like a very mixed person. I love white men and

[@jasminelee1234]

Relate to everything here. Being biracial/mixed you see a different side to people. Black and white people can hold some unpleasant views they feel confortable with exposing you to. I will never ‘pick a side’..I will only ever pick the decent human being side.

[@misssilencedogood5968]

You look Italian or French probably part African but I can see why they said part Asian. You have high cheek bones but a smaller face. I can hear the hispanic/California influence in your accent however. You are gorgeous. Don't stress there is no such thing as race, that term was part of racist Eugenic theory. They created the term so that they could boost Europeans as the superior race. For some reason in the U.S. they still use it for programs etc.. In the last census, people of Spanish descent REFUSED to fill out their stupid narrow boxes as Latinos do not see themselves so narrowly. In the sciences they stopped using this term "race". The term used now is ethnic, for example, Germans are an ethnic group. So you are multiethnic African , perhaps English Scottish etc. but I totally understand what you are saying. Everyone is multiethnic to honest, I wish people would get over thinking anyone is pure 100% anything as it is just not true even if it doesn't show up in a DNA test lol. The reaction you got to calling out of business staff when they are in error is something that is class driven as well as looks driven. Many people who work at hotels etc.. come from countries where the more you call them on stuff the swifter the correction. It is an expected and accepted way of talking to them. Hate to say it but it is true. Most Americans and the even English are REALLY super nice, staff know this and sometimes will take advantage. Snapping them to when needed immediately makes them revert to the old country way of doing things. Also you are drop dead gorgeous and dressed appropriately so they will listen to you period but this also might have been why they responded they way they did.

[@shebaglover3986]

I love this honest Monologue… it is so real… you know exactly who you are.🎉

[@EMPRESSMOMM]

I relate to this on all levels.

[@dominicnapolitano3263]

I'm mixed too I'm half Dominican and half Italian. I don't feel entirely accepted by either ethnicity because I don't speak Spanish and my skin color isn't white. I grew up around a lot of latinos. It's just a different bubble you're in no matter what.

[@kellylyons1038]

Hey, i think it's great of you to ruminate on who you are and what your life experience is and how you relate to the world. Everyone should do this! Hopefully no one is butthurt about it cuz you're just telling it like it is 😅 You have an interesting worldview, tfs.

[@MamiTT237]

I’d be lying if said I haven’t used my racial ambiguity to my benefit. If they assume, I let them. It’s too much of a conversation because people think all black people are the shade of chocolate or darker… I’m from California too and I never heard anything about race UNTIL I moved to Florida. And they’re ALWAYS talking about race out here!

[@angelpeace]

I can totally relate to everything you are saying because I am also biracial. Most of my family identified more on the black side, even the lighter folks seemed to be a little more ethnic. Just like you, I didn’t realize that my family was different until I invited friends to our gatherings and they pointed it out. I also never felt as though I fit in because I was never black enough or either too black. I have caramel brown skin, but my hair is almost like white folks. People were always confused by me.

[@anthonyalvarez4788]

I am also mixed as a Hispanic man with blue eyes and I was never Hispanic enough nor dark skin as my family and my d mother who is black and my cousins who are Filipino and also the Japanese ones yes I am really mixed. I think you are so beautiful and you rock.... I have been discriminated against a lot even at NYU where I graduated from. anyway you are beautiful. The hell with what people think. sending you love.

[@drmychelle]

I'm a psychologist. And Multiracial. My doctoral dissertation was on understanding multiracial identity development. Please read books by psychologist and author Maria P Root. You will feel so understood and understand biracial identity development.

[@goldeng6rl]

i love you girl! i obviously know and can tell you’re biracial but in my opinion i can see how ppl may classify you as white passing or racially ambiguous to say the least. like “white enough” to benefit from the privilege of being lighter skinned. and yes! colorism, racism, pretty privilege all exist and are still prevalent today. and lastly “you’re not everything is racist” comments were a bit disappointing and of poor taste but im glad you’ve grown to realize that! been subscribed to you for yearssss i love the growth 💕