Man born white says he is transracial and feels Filipino
'Whenever I’m around the music, around the food, I feel like I’m in my own skin'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A man who was born white has claimed he is transracial and considers himself Filipino.
Ja Du, who was born Adam Wheeler, said he grew up enjoying the culture of the Philippines before coming to the realisation.
He also drives a tuk tuk around Tampa, Florida, which is commonly used for public transport in the Philippines.
“Whenever I’m around the music, around the food, I feel like I’m in my own skin,” he told WTSP.
“I’d watch the History Channel, sometimes for hours... you know, nothing else intrigued me more but things about Filipino culture.”
When asked about cultural appropriation, Ja Du said it could be an issue, but argued he was not trying to take advantage.
"I believe people will, just like other people have taken advantage of their identity to get their way," he said.
"But the difference between me and them is that I don't want that."
He has also created a Facebook page and community for others who believe they are transracial.
Ja Du's claims are likely to reignite the debate around transracialism.
Earlier this year, Rachel Dolezal, the white woman who pretended she was black for 10 years before being publicly outed, called for racial fluidity to be recognised in the same way as transgenderism.
Ms Dolezal said race is “less biological than gender” and said the term “transracial” is a useful term to describe how race should be considered in the future.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments