What is "acting white" and "acting black"?

Question

People always say that I sound "white" and i sound too proper. This really bothers me when a lot of Black people try to put each other down for "acting white" or "acting ghetto"

I act how i want to. Hell yea I like to listen to rock, read books, and shop at H&M. I know who I am.

Answer 1

i get that too... but u know what? i ignore it because i know that at least i'm being myself, and that speaking "proper" is what would get me a job in the future. i can't believe black people would rather that i talk slang and 'keep it real' rather than sound like an educated individual that my parents and teachers taught me to be.

Answer 2

I think those distinctions cause hatred and perpetuate stereotypes and prejudice. Speaking English properly isn't a crime. Language barriers have been a problem for centuries. Books, plays, and movies have been written about the subject (Pygmalion and My Fair Lady) The bottom line is that people who don't speak well, be they black people who speak ghetto or immigrants or uneducated white people, do themselves a disservice. They will be judged as being less intelligent than those who do speak properly. This is unfair but it is a fact of life. So, everyone should strive to speak well if they want to get a good job and do well in life.

Answer 3

I think it's a shame that some black people, feel they have to be two different people to get along in society. Why can't one just be themselves?!? Why is using proper English "acting white?" And if "acting ghetto" is black, why personify a lack of education or glorify poverty? I think maybe some people don't want to see others get ahead in life. I doubt Condaleeza Rice ever "acts ghetto" Be true to yourself!!

Answer 4

As nearly as I can tell (and, I have to admit to not being the sharpest knife in the drawer), acting white refers to any behavior by a black person that can be considered mainstream, e.g., using good grammar; pursuing higher education, or holding down a job.

Acting black seems to have something to do with taking advantage of government largesse, while simultaneously separating oneself as much as possible from the nation that created the government.

Answer 5

I have been told I act white but then sometimes told I act black.

There is no such thing really. I say this because I have decided that riding horses (considered white) is okay and I am ACTING LIKE MYSELF.

Life is too short to think with just color.

Answer 6

I think people are iggnorant and think that all black people are supposed to talk ebonics and all white people are supposed to talk with perfect grammer. I think that it's a label that's completely unfair. Try not to let people get to you....it will only bring you down. I've always lived in NM, and when I go to other places, people make fun of my accent, and say that I talk like I am from mexico. Be proud that you talk 'proper', there is nothing wrong with that. People are people.

Answer 7

often it means conforming to stereotypes associated with your race. it is underpinned in any case by the assumption that all blacks should be alike and all whites should be alike. which isn't actually true, the world isn't like that. most of the time blacks have a distinct dialect because they were raised in households where that dialect was spoken. when blacks don't have such a dialect, people are surprised because they don't fit the norm. people will find any number of reasons to put other people down. don't let it affect you.
try to see if you can help all people realize that not all blacks speak with the expected black dialect. you are the perfect person to teach that to folks you come in contact with.

Answer 8

Our society has programed people so much. They try to make everyone think that Black people are stupid and incapable of using proper grammar or speaking correctly. Sure there are different accents that cause many people to sound different, but classifying them according to the way they sound is crazy.

Answer 9

You are talking about a cultural differance between people this is often a prime use in racial arguments, lets say you are refering to me as a honkey (meaning you hate white people) in return I would say quite trying to be white (calling you that what you hate)
If I didnt like a person I would hate to be associated with that person. But little old me I love evrybody even you, Keep your head up girl. Don't sweat the small stuff!

Answer 10

Just be yourself. They're probably saying that you're acting white cause you don't speak ebonics. Trust me, that's not a bad thing. They'll probably tell you that you act white when you land a sweet job and can afford nice things, too. Maybe they're just saying that you're acting white cause you don't have 4 kids by 4 different men.