A white TikToker, @Robynjordanwarren, has recently been receiving backlash after many on TikTok believe she is blackfishing. Blackfishing is a term used to describe when a non-black person attempts to be perceived as someone who is mixed or black, trying to mimic features that black people have naturally. This becomes problematic when non-black want to be aesthetically black, profiting off of black features but neglecting to understand the racism that black people have to deal with. Nonetheless, many are debating the realness of blackfishing and whether or not Warren is actually blackfishing on purpose.
https://www.tiktok.com/@robynjordanwarren/video/7020058934996258054?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id6997060490544219654
In a video, she posts that “Another white girl trying to be racially ambiguous” referencing many people believing she is blackfishing, but she counters it by saying “Or am I just naturally blessed and you don’t like it?” Warren tries to brush off the allegations, saying that she is natural and that she is not attempting to look differently than she does, but instead just looks the way she does naturally. In response to a comment that claims she added a fake tan to “make yourself look more black,” she notes how dark her skin naturally becomes after tanning after vacation. She deems it “ridiculous.”
https://www.tiktok.com/@robynjordanwarren/video/7020106005627325701?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id6997060490544219654
In other videos, she makes jokes about the term “blackfishing” itself. In one comment, someone notes that after being in the sun, her hair will become more red than usual, and asks if she is “ginger fishing.” Warren then says “Yes that is ginger fishing and you should stop that right now.” Many seem to not understand the problem of trying to appear mixed or racially ambiguous, as many black people who exist in the world do not get to choose whether or not they are black and often experience racism.
https://www.tiktok.com/@robynjordanwarren/video/7020126393589697797?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id6997060490544219654
Others on TikTok have called Warren out, comparing photos of her when she was younger and much paler than she is now. Many in the comments debating among themselves, either questioning how blackfishing works or why someone would defend Warren in their comments. Either way, this situation has created a debate concerning racism and discrimination about race.
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