I'm black, as you can guess by my Avatar, and I live (for about 2 years now) in a predominantly white (if we classify things by race) neighborhood of Southern California. Why do I get the feeling that my neighbors don't like me? I'm not driving down their property values just by exisiting, but the looks I get when I step outside my door tells me that they think otherwise. I feel like kids are askin their parents "Mommy is she a chocolate human?" Im not paranoid...I know those looks are being given, my question is why?
2006-07-26 11:56:06 · 13 answers · asked by strong_beautifulqueen 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
Don't get me wrong but one word sums it all up 'Black' sorry to put that in but trust me i know.
2006-07-26 12:04:47 · answer #1 · answered by wayne319059 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
It's not that they don't like you or like you that's the issue here. It's that you are living in the neighborhood that's the issue. Some just might be friendly but how would you know if you have not tried to break the "ice", by introducing yourself since no one of them has made the effort.
How do you know what they are thinking, are you a mind reader?
For some of them You are their worse fear come true, female or not! Some might just be waiting to meet you and don't know how and some won't want to meet you that's why they are living where they are living.
Why have you moved to this neighborhood anyways? Did you think that your neighbors would welcome you with open arms? You are the one that has to come up with a solution to you situation whether to continue to live there or move to a mixed neighborhood.
If you are going to stay then make an effort to meet your neighbors. Some may reject you and some may not. At least you will get an answer to your question in the process.
2006-07-26 12:15:53 · answer #2 · answered by December Princess 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are not paranoid. I know exactly what you are talking about. THEY ALWAYS STARE.
I went to a restaurant with my friend who is hispanic and his friend who is white, and I specifically noticed I was being stared at by white people in the restaurant. It was really uncomfortable. This happens when I'm with someone that is white which isn't accepted by them.
The people in your neighborhood, like the average american associate blacks only with crime, violence , and drugs and the thought of you being in that neighborhood just drives them crazy.
People say that we make a big deal out of stuff like this but i think it's a bunch of bs because they haven't walked in our shoes.
I don't go everywhere looking for people staring at me...I can feel it and it's becomes very noticable. Some things you just have to be black to understand.
We still can't go anywhere in this country without wondering if we are going to be accepted; such as bars, upscale places, or in your case, predominately white neighborhoods. When you're white you can just walk anywhere. I don't even think they worry about stuff like this.
My whole point is that whether or not they want to admit it, BLACKS ARE NOT ACCEPTED EVERYWHERE WE GO.
2006-07-27 21:02:26 · answer #3 · answered by noname 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
speak to the kids and they will be saying look mom there is that nice black lady, unfortunately ignorance on the parents part will carry the racism over to the kids. The best thing you can do is make a name for yourself as being the nice neighbor
2006-07-26 12:14:11 · answer #4 · answered by dc 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfornatly, ignorance and prejudice are still in wide supply. In some cases it's race in others religion. My husband experienced religious prejudice up until the last 10 years. He is from North Belfast Ireland and is Catholic (A big NO NO in Ireland)
2006-07-26 12:02:22 · answer #5 · answered by whirlwind_123 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, if in fact they are staring, it might be because you're so much hotter than the other pale white women in the neighborhood!
Seriously, I'm sure it must be difficult to feel like you're not part of the community. Maybe you could try to be more approachable, you know, initiate conversation. It's hard to be act like a bigot toward someone if they learn to like you!
2006-07-26 12:02:26 · answer #6 · answered by SuzeY 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, give them another chance. Sometimes people stare only because they see something thay are not used to. If there were no blacks there before, it may be strange to them for a while. I live in Alabama. My neighbors all hate each other, but they like me.
2006-07-26 12:10:44 · answer #7 · answered by Terrence J 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They think they are better than you. I go through this at my University where most of the kids are white. They never tell me anything directly but I get those same looks. Just brush it off. They are the ones living with the hate not us.
2006-07-27 10:50:10 · answer #8 · answered by UT Longhorn 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes your avartar maybe black but it usually some other race that make black avatars like i know some black people that have white avatars.... anyway most people in cali in places like that don't talk to each other enough to stir up those "racial profiling". it's either to make you move out or it's there way of showing they can't interact with you because they don't think you morals are as good as their's.
2006-07-26 12:03:48 · answer #9 · answered by INOTFRIEND 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One word: California
2006-07-26 11:59:19 · answer #10 · answered by toejam_rummy 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You are right you're not paranoid , you're just racist by assuming that every white person looks down on you.
2006-07-26 12:00:31 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋