Honest race question?

Question

Please don't get mad I'm just asking: Do you think black guys who dress "ghetto" care about being respected? I heard this black guy going on about how "ghetto MFs" make him have to work harder. He was saying that if they wanted to be treated with respect then blacks as a whole needed to speak eloquently and not "ebonically." (There was alot more that he said but I'll just leave it at that) I don't know if wat he was saying was just messed up or...

Also I think maybe when blacks dress in baggy clothes it was something that came from hand-me-downs when thier familes didn't have a lot of money. That turned into fashion. Well same thing with grunge and ripped jeans and flannels (hand-me-down look). Hey it kinda makes sense.

Answer 1

I dont really understand what he means as far as "dressing ghetto". And at this stage of the game it's not even a "black" issue. I see tons of white boys with baggy pants. Same thing goes for ebonics. I think it has more to do with hip-hop culture. So what someone may percieve as ghetto another person may not.

I think there is a time and place for everything. Im not going to dress and talk the way I do at work as I do when I'm just hanging out. As far as black guys who dress ghetto and respect goes...I think they are more interested in gaining respect from their family, friends, and peers versus others who dont accept their culture. In the same breath, just because someone doesn't dress or talk like you that doesn't give you a right to disrespect them. That's called ignorance.

Ignorance/ghetto= not a good look.

Answer 2

I can see the guy's point. It's an unfortunate reality that the actions of some reflect on an entire group of people.

I have that problem too, in my own way. The actions of some reflect badly on my religion of choice; therefore I have been called hateful, evil, intolerant, and many other ugly, terrible, untrue things, just because of what some do. And I have to work even harder, and demonstrate an extra measure of "good" to outweigh the bad that others expect. And, I have to do that so that others who are also part of my group, won't get a bad reputation because of me. As a result of that, when I see people who choose to dress and speak badly, or act badly, or whatever, I try to remember that it only reflects on that single person, not the whole group that they may seem to represent.

But in my experience, the guy is right, if you're a member of a not-so-popular group, and others in that group do something dumb, you have to work about a thousand times harder to earn even a shred of respect. Unfortunate, but maybe we as a society can overcome that way of viewing and grouping people.

Answer 3

Everyone wants to be respected for who they are on some level. He probably does want respect just the way he is. But he's not getting it...and he thinks that the only way a black person can get respect is if the whole race dresses and speaks "white" In some ways, I see his point...I don't know if a person who uses a lot of slang and vulgar language is one I'd go to for intellectual conversation(even though they might be totally smart), but I do believe actions speak louder than words, and if u act like u deserve respect, then the way u dress and talk has little releavance to the people who know u. A person can dress like a hood rat, and talk like they need an English class, but if they pay their bills, feed themselves, go to school, and take care of themselves and have goals for llife-long self-sufficiency that isnt' illegal or unfavorable...then that person's appearance or language skills really don't do them justice huh? People know what's respectable...it's just not always easy to get respect/and it might not be easy to do what's needed to obtain it. It's all sterotypical thinking, because "respectable" people don't ususlly speak ebonics(or know when to turn it off), or dress lilke thugs(or know when to dress up)...and those who don't, don't usually get respect, because they don't seem worthy of it.

Answer 4

He is right. I am a white woman, so therefore people might think that I do not know what I am talking about. But, I will respect a black person that looks respectable. I do not think that anyone, whether black or not, that dress "ghetto" or do not speak properly(on purpose) are respectable.

Answer 5

I agree with him
I am sick of being disrespected because I am a black women who is educated and speaks with the Queens English as opposed to some raggamuffin running the streets with her bling and big earrings

But I also think everyone should have the right to choose the way they want to dress and the rest of us shouldnt be judged on it
White people arent all judged by the ways trailer trash and chavs act so why should we blacks not be shown the same courtesy?

and in response to that other guy, I dont know what its like in America but this is 2006, what black person have you ever met that thinks you owe them something?
thats bloody ridiculous
I dont think anybody owes me anything. I'd just like to live my life if thats alright with you.

Answer 6

yes i do i dont think people should be catergorized by what they wear its just a style preference the guy you heard trashing and stereotyping someone from his own culture is trying to blame someone else for his short comings no one is making him work harder but himself who is he trying to prove and who is he trying to prove himself to he should be true to himself not live his life to fit into other peoples ideals of what he should be or how he should dress. i personally think all people should use correct grammar but him putting it all on black people isnt right at all because people from different backgrounds use words incorrectly maybe they didnt have the advantage that he had growing up being able to be in english class everyday maybe some of those people as he call them from the ghetto had to work and support their families and go to work or slang drugs to get by he sound more ignorant than those ebonic users he speak of.

Answer 7

i am black and i dont know what the hell was that guy or any other ghetto guys problem is because Africans came from King and Princesses not from some ignorant planet. i would incourage them to pick up one of our great writers like Richard Wright or James Baldwin who too felt the sting of opression but were better able to express it. i dont even think that tupac shakur would not have been such a top selling artists if he did not put thought to the words that he put down on paper.

Answer 8

first of all could you explain what u mean about ghetto and he's on a trip of his own its not how u dress but at some point your speaking abilities do play a role in some situations depending on the crowd that he is around at the time ex sample he's not going to be at a rest rant and hey hommie can a ***** order you know what i mean . and far as attracting a female he would at least want to look like he can afford to take her to the movies(smile)

Answer 9

it does not matter how you dress, the language you speak ,or the color of your skin, everyone wants to be respected. The saying is true do not judge a book by it's cover. Learn how to respect and understand other peoples cultural. Step out of your box and experience life, not as you know it.

Answer 10

Because of how black men have being stereo typed, one has to try to be different or prove that he's not like the "ones" to get ahead in life. It's just that perception of the black man is thuggish which is not true to all cause majority of the black men i know are educated or trying to better themselves. I understand what that guy means. The ones that want to be thugs mess it up for the ones whom are out there trying