About "Being Black"?

Question

I'm white, I've never lived in a black community, and I don't pretend to know everything about blacks. I just have some thoughts I'd like comments on from black people.

First, why do we say African American and not black American? How many blacks have been to Africa? Or speak any of the African languages? I'm not being sarcastic, I just wonder why black Americans identify with a foreign country more than the US.

Second, I hear about how "the white man is keeping us down". I can't answer that from my own experience except that I have never hated anyone for being black. What things do you see that make you believe this?

Third, the black guys I've known have fallen into two categories: those who seemed to be a stereotype and those that didn't. I mean, when a guy wears a basketball jersey, tilted White Sox hat, sagging shorts, and "bling" isn't he trying to BE a stereotype?

The other guys that dont conform are accused of trying to "be white". Why can't a black guy be a "non-gangsta"?

Okay, I have a little more room to elaborate; that's good.

First of all, it's okay for a person to be however they want to be. When people aren't allowed to do that is what worries me.

Second, I only want to learn here. If I'm ignorant, well then tell me how!

When I hear stories about guys being told they're trying to be white, I wonder why a black person wouldn't let another black person be what they wanted?

This seems caught up with the interracial questions here too. Some black people seem to feel comfortable crossing the cultural borders and others seem worried that the black culture is going to be swallowed whole and everyone will have to conform to "white America". I DO understand that part, trust me. I have values that I feel are being wiped out in America. In other countries even they fear that American culture is going to come in and wipe theirs out with Coke and MTV and Ford and all that.

I don't judge people by their color OR their clothes. I DO understand that the difference is cultural, which is my point. I'm well travelled and well educated. I only have a small space to elaborate a large idea, so please don't judge me. :)

Let me narrow my whole original point down.

Why do some blacks get made fun of for "being white"? That seems to say that blacks are only allowed to act a certain narrow way defined by their culture or else they are "bad".

Why do blacks identify with their country of origin more than other races do?

These fine people are helping cure my ignorance over on my other question, "About Being Black II?"

Answer 1

It's how we were raised. We learn from our parents and some of us adopt their thinking while some of us wise-up and actually think for ourselves.

There's also our peers. We tend to adopt the habits of our peers such as clothing.

Answer 2

It is called "African-Americans", because they were of African origin. Now, Whites are not called "European-Americans", because they came to America on their will, while for African-Americans it was against their will. So, it is respect to keep the heritage of our origin.

Many people stereotype African-Americans on baggy clothing, and sagging. However, it is considered CULTURE. Even other races, Whites, Asians, Hispanics dress wear Jerseys, Bling bling and sag. It is now more like diverse culture than just African-American culture. Or did you mean, wearing a hat saying "White Sox", is meant "White Sucks"?

Why can't a black guy be a non-gangster?, Well, wearing a baggy jeans, gold teeth, and some ice DOESN'T MEAN been a gang. Again, it is a CULTURE thing. Don't think just because a guy wearing baggy jeans and gold teeth throwing a gang sign is representing all the black people who dress similar. Now WHO IS stereotyping?.. Y O U.

Come move to the city and learn about the Black people. It seems you live in isolated farms in the Heartlands, or some where in Western Europe.

Answer 3

To answer your questions:
1. I DO call myself Black, not African American.
I do so because I happen to have ancestors from other
continents than Africa and I feel "black" describes me generally
and well enough.
2. We do not speak African languages because we are
hundreds of years removed from African culture. Slaves were
not allowed to use their language, so the language(s) was lost.
I do know some Swahili, but I happen to know more French. Self taught Swahili, learned Fr. in school.
3. I do not identify more with a foreign country or continent more than US. I am purely and thoroughly American.
4. The white man comment.... who SAYS this? Stereotypes and generalizations should be ignored if you can't educate the believer. That is one perspective that refers to the systematic and legal ways that the government has kept blacks disenfranchised over the years. (1600's - 1960's). I never use that phrase. I am responsible for my own success... by the way, I can't think of anyone who DOES honestly say that.
5. Stop categorizing black people. Nobody fits into 2 categories. Take each person as an individual. You do this for white friends, right? We are not as DIFFERENT as you'd like to believe.
And no, the guy with the tilted hat and sagging hat is just trying to be himself and expressing what appeals to him. Whose motivation for dressing in the morning is to "be a stereotype?"
6. You don't know any black guys who are non-gangsta's? Do you live in Northern Arizona? What is up with that? You can come to Cleveland and hang out with my black husband who is a medical doctor, some of his friends, our neighbors who are professors, business owners, librarians, lawyers, realtors, et cetera. Better yet, come to my family reunion. You'd be surprised and enlightened.
Hope my answers helped.

Answer 4

Why do they call Irish Americans, Irish Americans, instead of just white? How many irish have been to irerland?

Try being a black person for a week, and you'll see

What came first,, the stereotype or the clothes,, i'll bet the clothes did. Why do preppy sisies wear cute little light blue shirts and tan slacks,, because they want to be stereotyped?

ever heard of collin powel?

PS
I am sorry, but you are completly ignorant. It really sounds like a television talking, or a racist person who has never really talked to a black person. All your points are overbearing, none really do you have any right to ask,, as you would consider the questions rude and predudiced if I asked them of you. I really don't think ignorance is an excuse for being a ******, sorry. You don't know S about what your talking about. You are either very secretly racist, and this is a outlet for you, or amazingly ignorant,, in either case, I would suggest you go and hang around some places that aren't just all white, meet some people of other races, and get back to us as your understanding grows. It's just like if you didn't know how to take a shower,, sure,, we would understand why you stink so bad,, but we still wouldn't want to smell you. Go and learn to shower,, please.

Answer 5

Well Im white and while you asked for a black persons response your getting a white females response.

No one asks to be stereotyped So for you to make it out as they are asking for it cause of what they choose to wear is wrong. Secondly its about heritage.

As you your question about why cant a back guy be a "non-gangsta"? There are lots of them that are not a gangsta. Why does it concern you what others do with their life? If they choose to be a gangsta that's on them not on you. Who informed you that just because people wear baggy clothes, and have bling bling means they are a gangsta? I suggest you look up the word before tying to use it. News flash, You was misinformed!

In addition to your added details:
Why is it some black people get told they are trying to be white? Lets see maybe that haves something to do with people stereotyping those people. Why do you listen to them for? Everyone should be proud of who they are and where they come from.
To answer your last question. Maybe cause black people are proud of where they come from and respect the ones who came before them and the hardships they had to deal with and overcome. It's called respect!

Answer 6

Reminds me of pink floyd's "us & them"!

Well, evolutionary biology says the human genome is similar all over the planet earth. In other words, we are all same under the skin. Some minor variations make me a brown indian.

The human race arose in africa about a hundred thousand years ago, then spread all over. From africa, a group went to eurasia; one sub-group branched west to europe, and one branched east to asia and australia. Only twenty thousand years ago, the inhabitants of siberia crossed the bering straits and landed in north america, and then continued down south over millenia. Recent migrants like the europeans or africans reached US a few centuries ago.

So, our forefathers were all born in africa.

Answer 7

1. Whites imposed the term "African Americans" on the black community. Most black friends I've had perfer to be called black or Black American.

2. There is a socio-economic disparity between blacks and caucasians in America. There was a study done where resumes were submitted, some with obviously black names, and others with obviously white names. Those with the black sounding names were immediately rejected a majority of the time ... why? The study couldn't answer that ...

3. Gangsta bling is what's "In". Get over it.

Answer 8

1) They want to be seperate but equal in this country. They have never even been to Africa but feel some sort of kinship with it. Why should they try to make this country better if all they dream of is Africa?

2) The white man used to keep them down but now their true colors have shown. They have no interest in working hard. They want welfare and lots of it. They are lazy for the most part. Only the cream of the crop rise out of it.

3)The ones that act like gangsters are trash. Too bad it is most of them. The good blacks don't act like that and are welcome in my community anytime.

Answer 9

I'm white. Do I insist on being called "European American?" Would I be respected if I did? No, I'd still be reduced to a color; white. Which isn't a color, but a lack of color.

If the white man is keeping them down, how come P. Diddy and Snoop Dogg are filthy rich and I'm poor. Who's keeping who down?

Here's a question for you:

How many discrimination laws have been established in the USA to protect the rights of white people??

None. They were all established to protect everyone else FROM white people.

Now, if that's not discrimination...

Answer 10

I am not sure how to answer this .
I will try and hope it makes sense
I am not black but i fail to see the difference between them and us.
Stereotyping is done by all.
Copying styles and bling and mannerisms of others.
We are all the same colour under the skin.