Trans-racial?

I recently watched the documentary on Rachel Dolezal- a former NAACP chapter president, prominent figure leading police brutality awareness and change, and university of African Studies. She also led several BLM rallies and marches in her community, which is predominately white. She was outed about 6 years ago for not actually being black. She was born a white woman, but as an adult began to identify as black. She helped raise her four adopted black siblings (one of which she has custody of) and has two biologically black children. There was a massive uproar over her “lying” to people, even though no one ever actually asked her what her race was. She basically just let them all assume she was biracial or very light skinned. (I am not agreeing with her, just reiterating what was said during the documentary).

Personally, after learning about her abusive upbringing, I think she needs hella therapy and that’s why she struggles with her identity. But during the documentary some news and talk show clips were aired. Many people upheld the belief that you cannot be trans-racial or identify as a black woman because growing up white allowed her to not experience any racial discrimination and obviously afforded her a level of privilege. That part I wholeheartedly agree with. However, one point was brought up that made me go 😶 One commentator asked, if we as a society are accepting of trans gendered individuals, why not trans racial? If the argument against trans racial identity is “we don’t accept you and you can’t identify as black because you didn’t experience the struggles and racial discrimination black women face” … then why is no one telling a trans woman “you cannot identify as a woman because you didn’t experience the objectification or oppression women face”? We’ve accepted that gender is a social construct that cannot be defined by genitals. So can race also be a social construct that cannot be defined by skin color? Especially if the person trying to identify as black grew up surrounded by black siblings and immersed in black culture. Where is the line?

As a cis-white woman, I clearly have no room to speak on behalf of the black community or the trans community. Personally I understand both sides but since I’m not a part of either community, I don’t think I could ever hold a valid belief one way or another. But I am curious to hear other people’s opinions on if being “trans-racial” and identifying as another race should be something society is open to accepting?