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social science subjects > sociology > sociology of education > education and social inequality: race and ethnicity > acting white
... > social science subjects > education > education studies > sociology of education > education and social inequality: race and ethnicity > acting white
... > social science subjects > sociology > sociology of education > education in society and culture > multiculturalism and special populations > African American education > psychology and human development > acting white
... > social science subjects > education > education studies > sociology of education > education in society and culture > multiculturalism and special populations > African American education > psychology and human development > acting white

Preferred term

acting white  

Definition

  • The acting-white phenomenon is defined as a negative label placed on African American and other non-white students by their peers as a result of exhibiting what they consider traits that are antithetical to their cultural communities and unique histories. Traits that incite this labeling can include excelling in school, interracial dating, dressing and speaking in a certain way, and the perceived close association with white peers at the expense of their ethnic or racial peer groups. [Source: Sociology of Education: An A-to-Z Guide; Burden of Acting White]

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https://concepts.sagepub.com/social-science/concept/acting_white

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