Passing can be understood as resistance to the racial hierarchy and, simultaneously, acquiescence to it.

Question

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Passing involves individuals from marginalized racial groups, such as African Americans, pretending to be from a more socially acceptable or dominant racial group, such as white, in order to gain privileges and benefits that they would not have if their true racial identity were revealed. By passing, individuals are challenging the limitations that the racial hierarchy imposes on them while also perpetuating and reinforcing the system by submitting to its rules. Therefore, passing can be understood as a form of both resistance and acquiescence to the racial hierarchy.

Passing Can Be Understood as Resistance to the Racial Hierarchy