<p>I have a friend, who by racial definition is “black.” Like Obama, her mother is white and her father is black, from Africa. Her brothers and sisters have very dark, “black” skin. However, while she shares the same gene pool, she looks white, with very curly light brown hair. So, if she were to apply to college today, should she tick off the “african-american” box? She IS by race African American, yet looks “white” to the casual observer.</p>