‘Transracial’ white male says he identifies as Filipino

Ja Du says he identifies as Filipino. WTSP SCREENGRAB

TAMPA, Florida — Ja Du, born a white male named Adam, now considers himself a Filipino. He is part of a small, but growing community of people who consider themselves transracial, or someone born one race, but identifies with another.

Ja Du says he grew up enjoying Filipino food, events and the overall culture.

“Whenever I’m around the music, around the food, I feel like I’m in my own skin,” he said, according to a report by the NY Daily News.

This seems similar to the case of Rachel Dolezal, who was born white but identified as black and portrayed herself as such. She even became president of the Spokane, Washington, chapter of the NAACP.

Ja Du hasn’t told his family yet because he believes they will laugh at the notion of changing his ethnicity. Ja Du says he is also transsexual and is considering changing his gender as well. He has to his family about that..

Many might question Ja Du’s intentions, or say that he is a perfect case of cultural appropriation. After all, one’s ethnicity can make one more “marketable” or eligible for certain benefits. Ja Du says this is not his motive.

The term “transracial” was normally used to describe someone (or a couple) of a certain race adopting a baby of another race. But it’s becoming associated with someone who identifies with another ethnicity or race.