Claiming the identity of “African American” when you don’t meet its usual cultural, ancestral, and racial context—especially for personal gain—will be seen as morally questionable and even exploitative.
Why This Matters
1. Cultural Appropriation & Power Dynamics
Cultural appropriation occurs when someone from a dominant group borrows identity markers or cultural symbols from a marginalized group—often without context, acknowledgment, or lived experience—while gaining social or economic advantage from it
2. Ethical Concerns About “Passing” or Misrepresentation
A high-profile example is Rachel Dolezal, who presented herself as a Black woman despite being white. She faced severe backlash, and many condemned her actions as a form of identity theft—profiting from an identity to which she didn’t belong
In Your Scenario
You are 100% Irish by ancestry, born in Africa, and not of African descent.
Claiming to be “African American” when you aren’t from the Black community in the U.S. could:
Mislead others about your identity
Diminish or co-opt the lived experiences and systemic challenges faced by African Americans
Appear dishonest or opportunistic, especially if you derive benefit (e.g., scholarship, representation, solidarity)
When Does It Cross the Line?
From community perspectives—like on Reddit—crossing into cultural appropriation often happens when:
You claim an identity you don’t live or belong to,
Use that claim for personal gain, or
Misrepresent yourself as experiencing systemic disadvantages related to that identity