During the interview, Paris opened up about her experiences and how she perceives herself racially. Given her mixed heritage, she acknowledged that many people may question her choice to identify as black. As many know, her father, Michael Jackson, is of African-American heritage despite his appearance as a white man in the last few decades of his career. In an interview with Oprah in the 90’s, he revealed his changed skin color was due to a condition called vitiligo. This caused his skin to change from darker to white.

 

 

 

 

During the interview, Paris opened up about her experiences and how she perceives herself racially. Given her mixed heritage, she acknowledged that many people may question her choice to identify as black. As many know, her father, Michael Jackson, is of African-American heritage despite his appearance as a white man in the last few decades of his career. In an interview with Oprah in the 90’s, he revealed his changed skin color was due to a condition called vitiligo. This caused his skin to change from darker to white.

 

 

 

 

 

paris jackson is not black, just like logic and halsey are not black. whether or not that man who was full black was her bio dad or just her dad dad.” Tweeted user @Janetscoop. (2)

Media personality Wendy Williams joined in the conversation. She spoke about that, while a white-passing person may have a black parent, the reality is that they won’t face the same struggles. It’s about visual skin color, not ethnic background.

“I get that she considers herself black and everything, but I’m just talking about the visual because you know… black is not what you call yourself, it’s what the cops see you when they got steel to your neck on the turnpike. It’s what they see. But that’s cute and good for her.” she said.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The issue of colorism and racial passing is a complex one. In society, white-presenting individuals benefit from certain privileges and advantages due to their ability to navigate predominantly white spaces more effortlessly. At the same time, they may feel detached or struggle to connect fully with their black identity.

It is essential to acknowledge and respect that each individual’s experience is unique, recognizing the intersectionality of race and how it intersects with other aspects of an individual’s identity, such as gender, class, and culture. That being said, it is important for white-passing biracial people to understand and acknowledge that they will never experience systemic racism like people of color.

White People and White-Presenting People Need to Educate Themselves

Paris Jackson’s candid interview shed light on the complexities of racial identity and how personal experiences shape one’s self-perception. Her journey reminds us that identity is multifaceted, influenced by both ancestral heritage and personal experiences.

That said, it also highlighted the lack of understanding that white-skinned people have of the actual hardships faced by people of color every day. If your skin is white in color, no matter your heritage, you won’t have the same lived experiences as people of color do. You won’t experience racism, both overt and micro-transgressional. You won’t have the same innate fear of the police or pressures to dress in a specific way so as to not look “scary” to people around you. While white-passing biracial people are allowed to acknowledge their roots and ethnicities, it is important that they also acknowledge the privilege that they have over people of color. This acknowledgment will open up a path towards systemic change for a better future.