Born Black, Now a White Woman – How Far Will He Go to Prove Race Isn’t Real?

Dr. Ronnie Gladden, born as a Black male, has sparked conversations across social media and academic circles by sharing his unique personal journey of identity. Today, Gladden identifies as a white woman, challenging deeply-rooted societal views on race and gender and positioning himself as part of a little-known community called “transracial.” This concept suggests a fluid approach to racial identity, questioning the idea that race is a fixed biological marker.

Raised in Cincinnati’s west side, Gladden recalls early feelings of connection to white femininity, likening his childhood dreams to the whimsical worlds of fairy tales and classic novels. As a young child, he admired characters like Elle Fanning and the aesthetics of movies like Pride & Prejudice, envisioning a life aligned with what he calls the “white female aesthetic.” Gladden’s experience mirrors the fantasies of many little girls, hoping their hair would lighten under the summer sun or dreaming of fairytale moments.

Now an English professor, Gladden’s journey toward understanding his identity took decades, shaped largely by early feelings of a “repressed White female identity.” “I know race is not real,” Gladden shares in his recent book, noting that the social concept of race lacks scientific grounding and exists only because society upholds it. Through his work, Gladden advocates for a perspective that rejects biological limitations on identity, asserting that both gender and racial identities can be chosen.

Gladden’s personal evolution includes what he describes as a profound connection to white femininity from an early age. Recalling moments from preschool, he shares memories of wanting to “animate” in the same ways as his white peers. The desire extended to his physical appearance as well; by age 19, he began cosmetic procedures, including a nose job and other adjustments, to align his external appearance with his internal sense of self. Today, he applies makeup in lighter tones and considers his skin color as a representation of his mind, telling BBC Radio 4, “My skin is pretty brown in terms of complexion, but I see that as an expression of my mind.”

For Gladden, this journey has not been without psychological struggles. The process included nearly two decades of therapy, during which he worked through painful childhood experiences, including an abusive father and the trauma of losing his half-sister to violence. Reflecting on these hardships, Gladden expresses that he often felt, as a child, that if he had been a white girl, he may have had more strength to resist such adversities. “I thought there was a power of beauty, a power of skin,” he shared, suggesting that society grants certain privileges based on appearance and identity.

In his book, White Girl Within, Gladden explores the psychological depth of his journey, detailing his lifelong attraction to what he describes as “the white female aesthetic.” Figures from pop culture, including Full House’s Kimmy Gibler, rock star Joan Jett, and actress Anne Hathaway, influenced his identity and expression. Additionally, his time studying at Cambridge University’s International Summer Schools played a significant role in affirming his unique identity path, helping him navigate his self-perception with confidence.

In a TEDx talk, Gladden spoke about the concept of transracial identities in popular culture, referencing the fluid transformations of characters like Whoopi Goldberg’s portrayal of a white male in The Associate and Jennifer Lawrence’s Mystique in the X-Men series. “Mystique represents an amalgamation of different races, ethnicities, and even species,” he observed, noting that such portrayals reflect an evolving understanding of identity beyond rigid racial or gender lines.

Reflecting on his own life, Gladden describes the journey as “non-linear,” likening his personal growth to a symphony of changing voices and evolving appearances. “My voice, my looks, my actions, my stride—and my time,” he wrote, concluding that his true self has always been layered and complex. Gladden’s story, captured in the line, “Ronnie, your life and form always eclipses me… I know I’m me because I see it,” reveals an enduring journey of self-discovery in a world where identity often faces societal constraints.

Gladden’s narrative challenges conventional perspectives on race, encouraging discussions on identity’s fluidity and the limits of traditional labels. By sharing his story, Gladden invites others to rethink what it means to define oneself beyond the boundaries of race and gender, promoting a message that identity is, ultimately, a personal choice shaped by internal truths rather than societal expectations.