<p>I'm a senior in high school about to start college applications. I just realized that my race is something I have to think about.</p>
<p>My mom is Asian (from Singapore) and my dad is black. Because I was raised mostly by my mother, people say that I act more Asian or even that I act 'white'. </p>
<p>When I start filling out college apps, I can either put black or Asian or other as my race or choose not to identify. It pains me to say this, but putting down black might help my admissions chances and putting down Asian might hurt it. </p>
<p>My mother urges me to put down black to use AA to get in to the colleges I'm applying to. I sort of want to do this but I'm wondering if this is morally right.</p>
<p>I just thought it was interesting and I was curious to know what other people would do in my situation. Thoughts?</p>
<p>You’re black. You should own it. In fact, I think it would be immoral to hide it because you “don’t feel black”. </p>
<p>Whether or not you were raised by your asian mother, the world still treats you like your black and your experiences are colored by being black. The fact that your friends would tell you you “act more asian” or “act white” underscores this. I think you should question whether you want to let your friends define you and disparage those in your ethnic group (one of them), especially to your face.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>you can check more than one box</p></li>
<li><p>OP does not mention how the world view him/her. Op just states that s/he does not identify with being black.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Overall it could make an intersting essay or diversity statement. However, I am just curious as to what does it mean to “act white” or to “act asian” ?One can be smart, hard working and not Asian or White.</p>
<p>^ 1. You can, but you don’t have to. I know many mixed people who just check one.
2. The OP will look at least somewhat black, thus the world will view him/her as black.
See: President Obama, Tiger Woods, etc. Goes back to ‘one-drop’ policy of Jim Crow South…</p>
<p>And the last thing you said is exactly the problem. Hard-working and smart ARE considered to be qualities not inherently part of being black. The fact that people tell OP he/she ‘acts white/Asian’ means that he/she is not viewed as being white/asian in actuality. Because, by the world’s standards, OP is black. And thus, incapable of being really smart/articulate/etc. without ‘acting white’.</p>
<p>I think you should check the box that says “Other” and put down something like “mix of Asian and Black”. I think I read a post awhile ago that a dude was half black and half Japanese.
I think putting down what you truly are, instead of either black or Asian, will give you a better shot. (think of the diversity that most colleges want)</p>
<p>DJAmazon: Yeah, that’s actually what it was. I’m quiet, I get good grades, I like science so some ignorant people label me as “acting white” or actually “acting Asian” most of the time.</p>
<p>gamumirai: I was actually thinking about writing my essay about my race but I was wondering if race was too much of a sensitive topic to approach in a college essay.</p>
<p>The CA recognizes that people can be of mixed heritage, that’s why they let you pick multiple race boxes, and with each box you describe your background.</p>
<p>That’s pretty sweet. I can relate; I’m Arab-Latino (talk about a weird mix, lol). I plan on putting “Yes” for “Hispanic or Latino?” and marking “White” for my ethnicity, elaborating beneath that I’m Arab. Go ahead and mark both; it does make you unique in a way.</p>
<p>College admission is a game that needs to be artfully played. I am all for being honest and all but if you can stand honestly in two different spots then I think you should stand on the spot that gives you the best chance of acceptance. Being black gives you a better chance at the elite universities. One of my best firends is black but is more “white” than most of my white friends. He hates R&B and love country music. He can’t stand Obama and listens to conservative radio. He ended up at Stanford and he’d be the first to tell you that his skin color made a difference. Play the game honestly but intelligently. I think your mom is right.</p>
<p>Put BLACKKKK I disagree with the people that are definitively saying that the world “views you as black,” because you could also not look it at all (although in most cases mixed people do.) My sister is half Puerto Rican Half Black (i’m black) and she ONLY looks Hispanic. Either way, putting down Black does help your chances, especially if you have pretty good credentials .</p>
<p>Hi,
I’m a reporter working on a story about exactly this subject. I’m wondering what you decided as far as race on your applications, and whether you’d be up for a short interview? </p>
<p>what does this have to do with feeling black or asian?? it’s college. they’re not thinking about who you are, they’re just putting you into the black or asian app pools. </p>
<p>and by the way, just because you don’t fit the stereotype of blacks doesn’t mean anything. their are “fully black” people who don’t fit those stereotypes.</p>
I disagree with the people that are definitively saying that the world “views you as black,” because you could also not look it at all (although in most cases mixed people do.) My sister is half Puerto Rican Half Black (i’m black) and she ONLY looks Hispanic. Either way, putting down Black does help your chances, especially if you have pretty good credentials .</p>