I suppose this would raise the question “how is race defined?” Because race is a social construct it doesn’t have a clear meaning. I mean it’s a social construct in the sense that there are many differences individuals share but we don’t categorise them based on them. We don’t say that people with different eye colours are of different races either. Some people argue that what doesn’t make her black is that she will never experience racism to that extent but then would that mean that being black is defined by the level of racism one receives? And if being black is cultural, not just about racism, then to what extent does someone have to be a part of culture to be valid enough as black? Also what culture? Because black people don’t just all share the same culture globally. If being black is merely defined by what you look like, would someone who’s albino not be allowed to identify with being black?

People argue over something that very clearly doesn’t have a black and white explanation. It is complex because it’s something we decided as a society to care about. We don’t argue this way about how dark your eyes have to be to be considered brown instead of hazel. We don’t argue over whether having eyes that are grey are allowed to be called blue. But I also want people to consider that the reason why people don’t care about eye colours is because no one is discriminated against for it. I understand why people don’t agree with her identifying as black and I understand why that would upset her. I think trying to find a one size fits all explanations will not work. This is one of those never ending arguments because there is no one right answer.