Ethnicity?

Question

Why do we believe that blacks guys are usually caught up in the hood and are out there gang banging. Some are depending on where they live and how they were brought up. For instance I was raised in neighborhood like that, but I don't act that way. It is painful because I know alot of black educated successful guys ssuch as myself that thinks most of us are not like that. We get a bad rap because of who we are and our likes and dislikes....What are your feelings and experiences with African-American males and females? Discussion please.

Answer 1

I know the feeling precisely.
I myself am a college graduate and I too here and see the stereotypes cast on us(black Americans) and yes I too feel we get a "bad rap" for the ignorance of some of our ethnic class. It is also a intricately woven tapestry of racism, economic control, bias thinking, the separation of the black family and I believe just plain old fear that drives people to think and believe that ALL Black Americans are "up to no good" along with the media portraying us as violent and unruly every chance they get , it is no wonder why certain ethnic groups see us as incompetent trouble makers doomed to sell and use drugs and to promote crime and welfare while the truth is most Black Americans see the inside of a jail cell before reach the age of 15! And that's not because they all did something to get there either, I could go on for hours about the topic of Black Americans so if you want to chat ..email me!

Answer 2

I am mixed but I too was raised by black people. However, my family (by blood) is mixed, and my mom would not approve with me going out with a black guy (I do anyway). Some girls naturally choose guys that remind them of a father or a father figure, in my case it would be a educated black guy (such as yourself). I have also been raised by gang bangers that were black, but I don't think that they're bad. Some are poor and if they're getting evicted right away, perhaps drug dealing is the only way to make fast money. Yes, I'm mixed too, but sometimes I will be judged because some of my family will blame my past behavior on the fact that I was raised by black people and some puerto ricans. It's not fair of course. Being around black people for so long, I've met many different kinds, they are not all bad at all. I don't mind dating black guys despite what my mom thinks (she thinks they're bad partly because she believes all black folks slap they wives) because I've met good ones out there. My "brother" Larry has been there for me, and he is black, he's actually supported me more than my own relatives at times.

Answer 3

The bad rap is annoying, but concentrate on how glad you are it doesn't apply to you, and spreading the word to the people stuck where you were that there is a different world out there. My experience: I lived in a "hood" until I was about 7, then my family moved overseas. Thanks to not having great teachers (in chicago), I found myself way behind my classmates in my new school, but after a month or two I started catching up, even with the Japanese and Israelis. So I have no doubt we can compete, we just need a little deprogramming about the value of education, success not equalling selling out, etc.

And a lesson I got during my punk rock years, don't worry about what other people think of you, it rarely matters. Frankly I like being underestimated, it can definitely be used to your advantage.

Answer 4

WE don't believe that all blacks are gangstas. However, we do believe that some do, and that they get a lot of the news and attention.

What is something that sticks in my craw:
Many blacks have always been wise enough to ignore all the hype, and be good workers, and good people. These blacks were NATURALLY preferred by their (slave days owners) and current day employers and neighbors. In slave days, they earned the best and most trusted work, because they could be counted on to give an honest days work, and be trusted as children-care takers. In current days they are given better jobs as they do well in their position. The best "boss" I had was a black woman, (I'm white)...and she and I (as her assistant) turned around an entire department that floundered through 3+ former white male Supervisors. .... Now what sticks in my craw is that such fine PEOPLE are condemned by their own "color" people, and demeaned by their own with derogatory names like Uncle Tom, and other such ugly terms to get them to quit doing good form themselves, their families, and their employers??? What is THAT?

What also sticks in my craw, is that a good number of people of color that don't want to give a good day or week of work for their pay check, fine it easier to lay-up at home and collect freebies, as many as they can get, < and I don't mean the one's who don't have a choice...I mean the one's that go out for the freebies when they are able to work and take care of themselves.

I hate to see neighborhoods ruined by the trash on the side of the road because people don't go out in front of their homes and pick it up!!! While others do, and even walk down the road picking up for their lazy neighbors. I hate driving by on Saturday afternoon, and see able men under a tree drinking openly, while piles of trash are in their yard, or the old lady next door grass is growing high...couldn't they go over and mow it for her?

I KNOW that many mature people of color do well, keep nice yards and nice homes...so why don't they police their NEIGHBORHOOD too, and start "Crime Watch" areas?

Sorry, I'm getting into this too deep. I just want to say, in life ya get what'cha earn, and that's the way it has always been, and always will be. When you work hard and do good, your skin color is quickly forgotten by those who MATTER.

stw

Answer 5

EVERYONE has SOMETHING about themselves they don't like. Someone is ALWAYS not going to like you for some reason or another. Crap happens to EVERYONE and when it rains it pours. NOTHING and NOONE is PERFECT. PERFECTION does not exist.
I said all of that to say this: Be who you are. You shine for YOU and that adds little more sunshine in the world. Its unfortunate that we have to go through this but I just smile and work to be better than any stereotype, hypocrite, or bigot. People are individuals. We are not products of "race", or ethnicity. We do, however, assimilate to the cultures and practices around us. Its not a black and white thing (or at least it shouldn't be), its a people thing (or at least it SHOULD BE!) Good luck friend.

Answer 6

Because they usually are! And I actually live in like rich snoby suburbs! And most of the black guys STILL act like that. They don't even live in the ghetto and they talk all ghetto and dress like gangtas and do drugs and bad stuff!

If you are a black guy and are not like that then good for you! I agree it does suck that so many black guys give the good ones a bad rep. But thats just the way it is.

Answer 7

well, thats the stereotype that all races have to deal with. no-one is safe cause someone will always label you something your not. african americans do have that rap of them being gangbangers, thugs, and criminals. as for white people, they get the sense of all the race being smokers, murderers, and rapist. native americans get the bad rap of them being all drunks and poor people. society changes and sometimes for the worse. the parents, teachers, and kids all have their part in the change and i think its not gonna stop anytime soon. i know its frustrating to know that there are alot of successful individuals all around the world being labeled as something they;re not. but just keep your head up and prove 'em wrong!

Answer 8

I've have different kind of experiences like with every other people, It is not something to worry about. Most of us have felt racism and being part of a stereotype at one point or another, but not everyone has the same views

Answer 9

It's called ignorance.

African-Americans are the most stereotyped and copied race on the planet. One of the curses and blessing of being born AA. People don't believe that we (I am I don't know about you) are good enough unless we prove ourselves. And even then it's not good enough. It doesn't help that a lot of today's AA athletes can't speak a word of English.

Fact is you can't get to know a person unless you speak to them. And you have to be you. It doesn't matter what they think b/c they are going to judge you based on their stereotypes. It's their loss not yours.

Answer 10

The media portrays Black people living
in the hood as dangerous, ignorant, criminals with nothing better to do but sell drugs, steal, and kill.