Do I need to change my name?

Hey everyone I am in a little bit of a pickle here. So for context I am Blasian (half black, half asian). I look mainly black though. Everyone just assumes I'm 100% black when they see me. But since my mom is black and dad is chinese my name is literally like "James Zhang". Im scared when I apply for sophomore diversity programs I won't get passed HR when they see my name and believe I'm lying. I know it is pretty bad but would I need to temporarily change my name for a few years and then when I'm working I change it back? Or would I be fine with keeping my name as is? Or what do I need to do. Thanks

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I don't know how HR actually works (I'm just a humble banker), so please take this with a pinch of salt, but I imagine that you'll pass the filters when you click that you identify yourself as black. I don't think there are automatic filters which try to pick out names and try to backsolve for race (that could lead to some real scandal type situations). If it really makes you nervous, perhaps click "Other" and explain further in the written text box.

I just feel like actually changing your name is a bit extreme (and frankly a bit upsetting to you and your family) for this

 

Maybe don’t go through a discriminatory diversity pipeline and go through the general pool like everybody else? Just a thought, but what do I know.

 

yeah maybe throw away a personal advantage you have that will just be exploited by someone else anyways

 

These applications almost universally have an option for “Two or more races”. Just pick this and select black and Asian and you’ll be fine. Source: did soph summer ib few years ago with not recognizable diversity name

 

They don’t filter anything for diversity, the second you check the box, you got it. I know white kids saying black and Hispanic like it’s nothing. It works too. And Asian and black is a crazy mix.

 

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