Why does it seem like some black people segregate themselves?

Question

Two women where I work were discussing the books they were going to buy for their children and grandchildren (a book salesman sometimes stops by our company. They made it clear to everyone around their cubicle that they were only going to pick story books that were about black people or geared toward black kids. They even got loud about it. I was like lady I don't care! Just buy the books already..do you want a t-shirt to commemorate it? Then one of them says to me that black people are loud and proud and to just deal with it. ...and they wonder why segregation still exists.

Please don't say it is something white people would not understand..and then not explain why or what you mean. If we are at all to understand each other there has got to be explanation.

Answer 1

Cultures tend to "Segregate" themselves by accident. They want to have the opportunities the same as everyone else ... however, in order to do this they must first take the brave steps of leaving their cultures. It's not only a problem for "Blacks", but "Mexicans", "Asians", and even "Caucasians" have this difficulty of leaving the FAMILIAR for the UNFAMILIAR.

In your example, they are trying to teach their children to be PROUD of their heritage. Sadly, they are discriminating against other cultures to accomplish this goal. Secondly, the LOUD issue ... well, to them Loudness takes away any feeling of unimportance and makes them feel important. I would guess they are trying to build their own self-esteem as they are building their children's. Again, sadly, they are focused on the one goal, and it appears this drive they have for their goal has offended you a tiny bit ... and I would guess this POSTURING that they're doing is keeping you from being buddy-buddy with them ...

I guess this is a two way street where both cultures need to step back for advancement ... but I don't see it anytime soon since PRIDE in HERITAGE is the 'In Thing' today.

Answer 2

Some people are just very loud and expressive and need to draw attention to themselves. It is the stereotype that blacks are loud and while that may be true generalization, there is no reason for rudeness. Being loud doesn't have to mean that one has to go around throwing issues in the face of others constantly. If the two woman wanted to buy only black books, that's fine. These two women probably just like to start trouble and were looking for someone to say something to them.

As for the issue of segregation, I am a proponent of voluntary segregation in some areas. While everyone should have equal rights under the law, I see no problem with anyone of any race wanting to only deal with their own people just as long as they are not condemning or acting as if they are better that another race. As for blacks, racism and discrimination has gone on for so long, that some feel the need to portray themselves as "loud and proud."

The bottom line is this: as long as people continue to look down upon an entire race of people because or the negative actions of a few from that race; as long as people feel insecure about themselves and boost their egos by dominating or putting down others; and as long as people refuse to look at and judge individuals based on something a whole lot more substantial that their race, segregation will continue, racism will continue, and the world will continue to be in disarray.

Answer 3

Well, I don't know about some of the other answers (the one about black people not liking white people disturbs me the most) but here goes:
I am half African American, and half Puerto Rican. I was raised in New York City, and yes, my mother brought a lot of black based books for me as a child, mainly so I would learn about my heritage. I am naturally loud, my whole family is. My best friend, who is white, doesn't understand why I get so loud. I've tried explaining it to her forward and backwards, sideways and right-ways and she still doesn't get it. Maybe it really is a black thing, I don't know.
But again, my whole family is loud, all the time, every time we get together. It isn't about segregation, but for the most part-I notice this a lot-we as a people have to learn to stick together. It amazes me when I see my own people discriminating against one another, and I just shake my head.
We are loud, and proud, and out there, and in your face, that's just who we are as a people. Or maybe it's a city thing, not sure, but all of the black friends I have are just like me, and my white friend just doesn't get it, lol. But it's all cool, there are lots of things about her that I don't get either. Clash of cultures.

Answer 4

Because we tend to associate with our own at first in every new situation. It's like when you start a new job at a company, most blacks will associate with the other blacks in the company at first before talking to other races. It's more of a safety net until we finally get to know everybody.
We also tend to defend or support people because they are black. It like when an election comes up in my city, the blacks will encourage you to only vote for black candidates, many of whom are really not qualified for the job in the first place. This why you have some cities that have problems developing their city because you always have the blacks screaming for what is in it for them instead of thinking for the best of the city.
It's one thing to be proud of your race, but you can't be so proud that it offends everyone else.

Answer 5

Almost every ethnic or racial group has an insular quality (i.e. Chinatown, Little Italy, Little Odessa, Jew Hill).

Your coworkers were just looking for some attention so that they could feel validated in their life choices and perhaps even feel a little superior because they have the approval (or disproval as the case may be) of people who otherwise wouldn't offer them any sort of input. It's pretty common in human beings, especially women.

Answer 6

I think that some African Americans grew up being told that blacks are treated as nothing and will amount to nothing. Now that they are older, they treat themselves that way. Of course racists still exist but sometimes African Americans segregate themselves.I am black, but not African American and sometimes i clearly see the diff in which blacks from where i am from and blacks in the usa act.I think that sometimes the attitude and behaviour a few African Americans show makes them segregate themselves.

Answer 7

Because those type of black people are ignorant and unrespectful of other races around them. And besides anyone who is pro something and anti another are nothing but racist, ignorant people who you need not associate yourself with. My final answer, they are just ignorant racists run as fast and furious as you can in the opposite direction.

P.S. I'm a biracial girl black and white.

Answer 8

Who knows, some people feel better when they keep to themselves and people of the same race, I'm a black woman from the south and I enjoy people of all races.I'ts not just blacks I see chinese, mexicans, and whites do the exact same thing, its just them. And then again maybe you should try mingling with your co-workers to see if they have a change of heart.

Answer 9

Sounds to me like those ladies need to prove something to someone, that they don't have any self esteem or that they can only accept one culture. That is so bad. You don't hear other nationalities doing this, now do you? I fell so sorry for them, just hope they don't raise their children to be the same way.

Answer 10

Some feel forced to and some are seeking their own identity. If in general, you weren't being accepted by a certain group, you would most likely hang out with people that would accept you, wouldn't you?