What does RCTA mean on TikTok? The Meaning of RCTA on TikTok Explained
by P Nandhini
Updated Jun 30, 2023
What does RCTA mean on TikTok?
RCTA, short for "Race Change to Another," is a term that essentially parallels the concept of being "transracial," where individuals believe they can transition from one race to another. Notable cases of transracial identity include Oli London, a British influencer who once claimed to be Korean and underwent plastic surgery to resemble the K-Pop singer Jimin, and Rachel Dolezal, who sparked controversy by asserting her identification as Black.
The exact origin of the term RCTA remains uncertain; however, its popularity surged on TikTok around September 2022. During that month, TikTokers began sharing videos under the hashtag "#RCTA," publicly proclaiming their transition to another race. The majority of these videos feature individuals of white ethnicity declaring themselves as Korean, Chinese, or Japanese. They often elaborate on their motivations for such identification and discuss the steps they are taking to align themselves with their chosen race.
The meaning of RCTA on TikTok explained
User @kyamewa, along with others, strongly criticized a specific community, finding their behavior to be highly ignorant, offensive, and racist. In their video, @kyamewa provided an explanation of the acronym RCTA, comparing it to the concept of being transracial. The term "transracial" refers to the identification with a race different from one's own at birth. However, those who identify with RCTA take it a step further, claiming to be more knowledgeable than transracial individuals.
They assert that they actively immerse themselves in learning about the language and cultural intricacies of the race they desire to transition into. Despite their claims, @kyamewa emphasized that this does not justify the entire phenomenon. Drawing from their own experience as a Korean individual, they highlighted the numerous flaws and problems associated with racial transitioning.
How is 'RCTA' used Online?
Ever since the term gained popularity on TikTok, individuals identifying as RCTA have been sharing "introduction" videos, openly declaring themselves as transracial and providing explanations for their decision. These videos often incorporate text detailing their transition process and display visuals representing the race they claim to identify with. Some individuals also create videos offering support and guidance to others going through similar racial transitions.
However, the term RCTA has faced significant backlash on TikTok and various social media platforms, with many people denouncing it as racist. The notion of transitioning one's race is considered offensive by numerous individuals. In some instances, those who identify as RCTA reinforce racial stereotypes, effectively embodying a caricature of the race they claim to align with.
As a result of this criticism, there has been an increase in trolls and bait accounts, masquerading as RCTA proponents solely to mock those who genuinely identify as RCTA. For instance, TikToker @hellmarifromspace shared a video in which they pretended to assist RCTA individuals with their makeup, only to apply clown makeup and mockingly advise them to seek help.
TikTok
TikTok and its Chinese counterpart, Douyin (Chinese: 抖音; pinyin: Dǒuyīn), are short-form video hosting services owned by ByteDance. Users can submit videos of varying durations, ranging from 3 seconds to 10 minutes. Since their respective launches, TikTok and Douyin have achieved immense global popularity. In October 2020, TikTok exceeded 2 billion mobile downloads worldwide, solidifying its widespread reach.
According to Morning Consult, TikTok was recognized as the third-fastest growing brand of 2020, following Zoom and Peacock. In terms of website popularity, Cloudflare ranked TikTok as the most visited website of 2021, surpassing even google.com.
What does RCTA mean on TikTok? - FAQs
RCTA stands for "Race Change to Another," representing the belief that individuals can transition from one race to another.
RCTA gained popularity on TikTok around September 2022.
The exact origin of the term RCTA remains uncertain.
Notable cases include Oli London, a British influencer who claimed to be Korean, and Rachel Dolezal, who identified as Black.
People on TikTok share "introduction" videos, openly declaring themselves as transracial and explaining their decision. They may also provide support and guidance for others going through racial transitions.