Abandoning Biases: The Term ‘Whitewashed’ Has To Go

“You act like a white girl.” “Why do you talk like a white girl?” “You’re the only white person here.” “You’re such an Oreo.” “You wouldn’t have the Black woman effect on anyone. You’re white.” “You think you’re better than us.” These phrases are just some of the many that Black people will say to Black people they feel don’t fit the mold of what they perceive as “being Black.” 

A persistent issue within the Black community is the derision and exclusion of those who don’t think, speak or act stereotypically. A lot of the time, those Black people will be called “whitewashed” among other things. This rings especially true for Black girls, such as myself, who grew up in predominantly white neighborhoods and are dark-skinned. When all is said and done, the Black community needs to remove the term “whitewashed” from their vocabulary. 

These personalities of many members of the Black community genuinely confuse other Black people who grew up in predominantly Black areas. Sometimes, it goes as far as portraying us as inauthentic and not in touch with our Blackness. I was raised with two fully Black parents who taught me about the history, culture, language and food of my homeland, Ghana. Unfortunately, because I speak “properly,” buy certain clothes and listen to “white” pop music as much as “Black” genres, this does not matter. I’m a “white girl.” It may not seem like a big deal to field ignorant comments now and then, but too often, making fun of other Black people for “acting white” leads to self-esteem issues, an identity crisis and contempt for the Black community.

If we look at pre-1980s media (movies, TV shows, books, etc.), “being Black” meant many things, such as speaking African American Vernacular English, dressing in streetwear and lacking higher education. The Cosby Show, a popular family sitcom from 1984 to 1992, was one of the first TV shows with a predominantly Black cast to portray highly educated African Americans. While the reception was mostly positive, many Black people dismissed the show as “unrealistic,” feeling like it sent a message to white audiences that poverty and racism did not exist anymore. The way the Black community misconstrued the show is a perfect example of their tendency to uphold negative stereotypes and struggle to view themselves in positions of comfort, success and power.

 Whenever I see Black people continue to say things like, “You want to be white so bad” when another Black person is simply being themselves, it frustrates me. Individuality is what makes the world such an amazing place. Each human being has their essence that makes them who they are and contributes to the social diversity all around us. I would argue that it is one’s nature, not their race, that is the deciding factor in who they turn out to be. Race is a major influence, but it is not the end-all be-all. The Black race itself is incredibly diverse, and in 2025, continuing to push the narrative that there is only one way to act Black is outdated, ignorant and harmful. The Black community needs to stop placing limitations on who we are and who we can be. As long as a Black person loves their skin and the culture that comes with it, they are all the Black they will ever need to be.