Are White Americans Racist?

Question

Why is it that when an Afro-American male or female are educated, and have professional jobs; and don't behave as Gangster Thugs, they are considered a white boy/girl or sellouts by Whites? People indicated that the Bill Cosby Show was too white. Is it true, and if yes why?

Answer 1

Recently I learned that there is a history with the word racism and it means White, privileged, institutional prejudice. It is for the institutions that exist in a "White" model (schools, banking, commerce, etc...). The term racism is not to be used toward a person but toward an institution. But I don't buy it. It is confusing for the public as a whole and doesn't help the cause.

We use the term on a personal basis when it isn't supposed to be a personal issue. However over the years the meaning has come to be understood as a personal issue. It has replaced the terms prejudice and bigotry.

Frankly, I think racism is anyone treating another person badly for the shade of their skin or physical appearance. I have worked where I was a minority and I was treated badly, if I can't call this racism, then what is it? (and I'm not complaining, I knew the potential risks, and the mission of the organization was important to me, so I did a job that I loved. However my Black boyfriend at the time didn't like me working there)

Don't quote me, but I believe Cosby was deemed a sellout by Black people. White people loved it. They finally got to know a Black family in the safety of their own home and if that didn't break some stereotypes and serve as a positive influence I don't know what will. There were plenty of small elements of Black life introduced in that show so white people could learn and feel comfortable.

Do you think Oprah would be where she is without someone like Bill Cosby paving the way? Besides, what if there are more Black families that are like Cosby? Should they be the "abnormal" ones? I don't think every family is rah-rah Africa on a daily basis, or fighting race issues EVERY day (and I could be wrong). Most people just have normal struggles raising a family similar to what happened in the Cosby show. How many people want to see a sitcom about crack-head kids, a single parent drunk and on the dole, and a neighbor conning a few bucks from the kids? I don't think that would represent the majority of Black families. So did Cosby "sell-out?" NO, he did not. He raised the bar. He did a lot of good in race relations. Change isn't easy.

Jesus was a Jew, people are critical of someone from their fold and who they think they know and think they should behave in a certain way. That's just how group thinking is. Jesus and Cosby have broken the molds.

If you don't know it the Voting Rights Act is up for a vote this summer and Black people could lose some of the rights that give them an equal status in this country. (check the ACLU website for more info.)

Peace to humankind.

Answer 2

White people don't label an educated black man or woman as a sellout. That is characteristic of what some black people say. Chris Rock did a sketch on one of his comedy specials about how some black people make more of a celebration when a person gets out of jail than when they graduate from college.

But to answer your original question--SOME white americans are racist, yes. Racism is alive and well in the good ole USA. Not to the extent that it was back in the 60s--it is more covert than obvious.

Answer 3

If I said that white Americans are racist, then I'd be one... a racist, not a white American. LOL.

Whites don't generally consider blacks as white or sellouts.

The Bill Cosby Show wasn't "too white." It was too suburban. But actually, since he had three shows, I'm referring to the second one. LOL. I didn't watch the third one, and was too young to understand the first.

Answer 4

Well I think that to say that all "white/Americans are racist," is in and of itself an extremely racist thing to say. It's not as if all white Americans are responsible for making that movie. I agree that the fact that there are no people in the film of Chinese decent at all is in poor taste and shows a complete lack of foresight on the part of the film makers, and a lack of willingness to even want to build understanding when making a film that is suppose to reflect Chinese culture. It's ridiculous. It's sad. But when you make comments like "white/Americans are racist" then all you do is widen that gap. Racism works both way.

Answer 5

like most of them said there are racist in all races. Arabs hate Jews some whites hate blacks and vice versa but. There are really more who dont hold these views its just that the ones who do seem to squeek the loudest(old saying the squeeky wheel gets the oil)I can only figure when African Americans get a good education and do well for them selves its pure jealousy that makes people call them sellout. I say its a foot up. Some times we have to consider the source.

Answer 6

The color of racism is varied. The judgments of others are sometimes hard to tolerate. The Cosby show is about an intelligent family teaching and learning a range of values and happen to be black. A Story to entertain and teach, regardless; which I enjoyed so much.
I do not believe to succeed in life should be based on colour, although sadly it is.
One person at the time that changes for the better........

Answer 7

i really think that it is really sad that everyone can't get along in this world because of there race, color and religion. No i don't think that Bill Cosby was too white. I loved that show growing up as child and I am white and very proud. I loved Bill Cosby and what his shows were all about

Answer 8

I don't think all white people do think that. That has never even entered my mind! I'm happy when anyone can improve their life, regardless of the color of their skin.
As for the Cosby Show, I never read that much into it! I just thought it was funny! I never thought they were trying to come off too white or too black!

Answer 9

well some blacks are like today's Muslims, they have this border which they have created for themselves and makes them all or most of them to behave in a certain way. if one of them behaves differently they consider them to be out of that group. there are alot of whites acting like blacks even though there are not, the reason for this is because these ideas such as education and professional stuff as you have labeled were all invented in middle east and Europe, blacks invented the culture they are being recognized for today (gangster stuff) if they do the education stuff they look unusual. the thing is all whites including those in middle east such as Iran and Iraq are from the same race and are closely related to each other. and the things that are very important to civilization such as mathematics, politics, science etc were all discovered by these people, so they have the right to put there name on it. and you have the right to be like them. but you cant say this is part of the African culture because they had nothing to do with it.
i belive as a white, we have the right to defend what we have created and put our name on it, you have the right to take these things and imrove them, but you cant say its mine too becase that wont be true and sertainly not fair on us. we scrifised alot to get here and you lot just came and claimed this was yours too. the way i see it, we whites created the sivilized world, it wasnt easy, so we have the right to own it. everyone else who helped have their share of the glory too. the reason blacks are so vonreble to critisism is because they hve done nothing for the world, thats why when we tell them certain things they have no answer. if it hadent benn for the human emotions you lot would be extinct. i am not being racist, i am talikng about natures laws

Answer 10

I don't think it's the white Americans saying that. I think that the black Americans say that cause they consider them sell outs, that is if they don't "act black". I don't mean to sound racist or anything either but I have never heard a white person call a black person a sell out or anything like that. It usually comes from other blacks.