Impersonating another race, specifically blackness, for personal gain or endorsement, coined as "blackfishing".
Blackfishing—the practice of non-Black individuals adopting physical features or aesthetic traits associated with Black people—has far-reaching implications for the mental health and health equity of Black individuals.
Mental Health Impact
Blackfishing perpetuates cultural appropriation and racial identity distortion, which can lead to feelings of invisibility, erasure, and marginalization among Black people, particularly Black women whose features are often appropriated. This can amplify internalized racism and identity conflicts, as aspects of Blackness are commodified or deemed "cool" only when worn by non-Black individuals without experiencing the systemic discrimination faced by Black people.
The trend may also exacerbate psychological stress and emotional harm by reinforcing the perception that Black identities are aestheticized or fetishized on social media but devalued or stigmatized in society. Furthermore, when Black influencers lose visibility or economic opportunities to blackfishers, it undermines their representation and affirmation in media, factors known to support positive mental health in marginalized communities.
Health and Health Equity
Blackfishing is a reflection of broader societal dynamics of racial inequity, where Blackness is commodified, but Black people often do not equally benefit from the economic or social capital derived from it. The "inverse form" of passing through blackfishing allows non-Black people to enjoy perceived privileges of Black cultural aesthetics without facing associated systemic racism, deepening health disparities through continued social and economic marginalization of Black individuals.
Such cultural appropriation may distract from or dilute critical conversations about racial health disparities by focusing attention on superficial or trendy aspects of Black identity rather than structural factors affecting Black communities. The appropriation can also perpetuate misconceptions and stereotypical depictions that hinder effective public health messaging and equity efforts by reinforcing limiting or exoticized racial tropes rather than authentic experiences.
In summary, blackfishing contributes negatively to the mental well-being of Black individuals by eroding authentic representation and fostering cultural invisibility. It also underscores ongoing health equity challenges, as it commodifies Black identity for profit or social gain without addressing or alleviating systemic inequities in health and social outcomes experienced by Black communities.
It is essential to acknowledge and address the harm caused by blackfishing, recognizing that Black people are the rightful owners of Black imagery and culture. Honoring Black culture involves learning about the effects of different forms of racism on Black people and understanding that the endorsement of a small number of Black people does not excuse the behavior while others continue to experience harm. Seeing white people profit from the pain that Black people have experienced can be devastating for Black people, highlighting the need for ongoing dialogue and action towards addressing racial injustice and promoting health equity.
- The commodification of Blackness through blackfishing, sometimes referred to as the "inverse form" of passing, can bring about psychological stress and emotional harm for Black individuals, as it deepens health disparities by perpetuating social and economic marginalization.
- The practice of blackfishing can dilute critical conversations about racial health disparities, focusing instead on superficial aspects of Black identity, while neglecting to address structural factors that significantly impact the well-being and health equity of Black communities.
- The cultural appropriation of Black imagery and aesthetics through blackfishing can hinder effective public health messaging and equity efforts, reinforcing limiting or exoticized racial tropes rather than promoting authentic experiences, which can have far-reaching implications for mental health and overall health equity.
