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My first semester of college, I took an African American Studies class called “Living While Black.” I was so excited for this class, I arrived early. I thought I would know where I stood on controversial social justice issues. Then, my professor asked the class one day, “What makes a person Black?” While everyone else started shouting out answers, I sat there contemplating my response. I had no idea what really made a person Black? Was it the color of their skin? Or the way they talked and dressed? Where they came from? The struggles they faced? And furthermore, who got to decide who was Black or not? The “Black community or society?

My classmates were split on this topic. Half of them thought that being Black was defined by one’s skin complexion. Regardless of how a person acted or who they tried to fit in with, if they had melanin in their skin, they were Black. Even if they wore Vineyard Vines, came from Wisconsin, and talked proper, they were still Black. However, the other half of the class considered a person Black only if they embraced Black culture. They believed in the motto, “You have to be down with us to be one of us.”

I partially agreed and disagreed with both sides. Regardless of how a person acts or the amount of money they have, society will still see them as Black if they have pigmented skin. They can still experience racial profiling and stereotypes no matter their economic background. However, Black people come in all different shades and sizes. Having Black features cannot be the only criteria that make you Black. If a person has fair skin and wavy hair, but a small nose, they are not any less Black than a person with dark skin, kinky hair and a large nose.

At the same time, a person is not really a part of the Black community if they do not embrace the Black culture and consider themselves a part of our struggle. It is hard to welcome someone into your family that does not consider themselves a part of it. One does not have to wear afros, listen to hip-hop or use slang to be Black. However, if they do not know their history or want to contribute to our culture and success as a people, then are they really with us? They are still Black, just not a part of our family.

Because race is a social construct, being Black is actually subjective. Many different people can be considered Black depending on the person judging them. One may be Black to one person, but not Black enough to another person. It is different in every situation, but regardless, it plays a major role in our lives. Who we consider Black often defines how we treat them.

That one question made me realize how complex race actually is. Not only does it change over time, but it also does not have any definite criteria. It is a fabricated ideology that can either unite or divide us as a people.