Why is it so politically incorrect to be black and intelligent?

Question

In my own experience, no race is smarter or more intelligent than any other race. (If God really made it like that, that would be messed up.) It's so acceptable to be white and smart or intelligent; but when a black person is intelligent, he/she can get flack from both white and black people. Asians are kicking America's butt with their intelligence and technology, but they certainly aren't smarter than Americans. I think there should be less resistance to intelligence and ambition no matter what sector of society it comes from. When 5 pastors were telling me not do a certain thing, a homeless guy who smokes crack told me to listen to God for myself and do what HE said. I did just that, and it turned out all 5 pastors were wrong and the homeless guy was right. Stereotypes can make some people feel safe, but stereotypes aren't really working in anyone's favor.

Answer 1

why worry about race and intelligence...why not worry about humanity instead of dividing us all up according to skin tone and intelligence..treat people as people and it might help along your path

Answer 2

This is a very interesting topic. A lot of researchers concentrated their studies on this subject as well.

The stereotypes, as much as we want to deny them, still exist. There still are people who judge others only by their skin color. Unfortunately, black people are aware of this discrimination, and deep down their beliefs are according to what others think of them. Of course this doesn't apply for everybody, but for the majority, and it forms a vicious circle. Some black people "accept" the discrimination they're put under, and "accept" their place. This is what still makes white people still disrespect them, and these beliefs are transmitted from a generation to another.

Although we can't ignore the influence of our stereotypes, a very complex study has been done on a few billion of people. According to this study, the most "intelligent" race is the asian one, and the last place on the intelligence podium is the black one. The differences were very small, but they exist. Despite this fact,, black people have certain qualities that aren't met in other races. For example, they're less exposed to illnesses and diseases, therefore they are more "healthy" than other races. Black people have more overall physical capacities to work and physical resistance, as compared to the asians for example. Studies have also revealed the fact that africans have the most fulfilling sex lives, followed by white people, asians holding the last place.

Despite that, it is incorrect to judge people on this basis, because each person is an unique individual, with unique needs, attitudes and abilities. That's what makes the world less dull!

Besides, we all know that "White men can't jump"!

Answer 3

I agree with your comments. Stereotypes are so ingrained, I think people find it easy to live by them and assume that others fall in line with them, too. Then, it's a surprise when you actually get to know a person and discover that he or she is not "stereotypical." I can honestly say, from my experience as a human being, that there are really dumb people of every race out there. And I can only hope that it's the stupid majority who assume that intelligence follows lines of race, and that the reason it's an issue at all is because the less intelligent make so much noise about it.

Answer 4

The problem lies in institutionalized racism and historical trauma. Both of which are issues that are deeply rooted and most people are not even aware that they are there. Whites are raised with institutional racism, but most would never consider themselves a racist in spite of their culture being represented as the standard. The blacks have been holding onto historical trauma that has been passed on from generations, taught in school and perpetuated by the media. I have learned from many years of schooling and life experience that no group can be racist without the power, while they may be prejudice, they cannot be racist. And regardless of what some of these politically correct answers are saying, the whites still hold the power overall in this world, rich ones at that and they really do not appreciate anyone's intelligence unless it is backed by $$$.

Answer 5

I am a biracial (black father, white mother) woman. My father and mother are both very articulate and both hold college degrees, my father has a doctorate in Religious Studies. I have been teased and tormented all my life for being "uppity." On some occasions, I am shunned by both black and white people because I speak articulately.

For people who say that we're all human, why speak of people separately, why cause those divisions? My answer is racism exists, its' not going to go away by chanting "Give Peace a Chance." You are either being terribly naive or you're hiding your own uncomfortable feelings about other races.

I'm older and I have just come to terms with myself. I try to do what I think is right and fair and I continue to be myself, asking permission or acceptance from no one. Changing the world really begins with assessing yourself.

Answer 6

There is a subculture that uses a "victim complex" to maintain power. This is seen when people get down on a black person as "acting white" when he uses correct grammar or wants to succeed. Intelligence is not a racial trait, and those who hold such a view are doing themselves and their peers a disservice. I would also say that some pastors are more politically inclined than biblically inclined:

The Bible says:

The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of Heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands, nor is served with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives life and breath and all things to all. And He has made all nations of men of one blood to dwell on all the face of the earth, ordaining fore-appointed seasons and boundaries of their dwelling,
(Acts 17:24-26)

And further:

Then Peter opened his mouth and said, Truly I see that God is no respecter of persons; but in every nation he who fears Him and works righteousness is accepted with Him.
(Acts 10:34-35)

I guess it would also depend on what they are telling you not to do. Somethings may bring material success, but would result in moral/spiritual ruin.

Our nation has never been more aware of the truth of human raciality: That all men are human. The only real thing holding is some of the radical leaders who keep thrusting the "difference" of "race" out to the forefront.

Also, in addition to your question I would wonder (Rhetorically): "why is it so politically incorrect to be Christian?"

Answer 7

I can only speak for myself, but I can tell you that I have been frequently disturbed at the mentality that many young Black people have which makes them so often feel - as you described - that intelligent, accomplished, Black individuals are somehow "not Black enough".

Honestly, from where I am and in my circles it isn't only absolutely usual for Black people to be intelligent and/or well educated; it is something most people I know just kind of take for granted and don't see as anything but to be expected.

I think most intelligent people - Black or White - are concerned that many young Black people these days still see certain types of accomplishment as "White"; and most intelligent people of any color would like to see all Black children (and White children from less-than-fortunate circumstances) grow up to better circumstances and better education and reaching their human potential. Its awful that young people in some types of neighborhoods "get flack" for showing their intelligence.

The issue you talk about (that Black people aren't supposed to be intelligent according to some people) isn't one that only concerns Black Americans. It is one that disturbs many White Americans as well. I think things are getting better, but there are a whole lot of attitudes that need to be overcome, particularly in certain types of areas. Its isn't so much that there aren't Black role models. The trouble seems, to me, to be that too many young Black people don't identify with those role models.

I do think things will continue to improve. Unfortunately, it is apparently a slow process.

Answer 8

i m guessing you live in america i dont know how a country can be so racist.(this is a general statement and i know only talks about a minority) but in australia you can be black white yellow orange green and still be given a fair go. i ve been to so many different schools and at each one the smartest in my class has been a black person. i wish the world could have glasses that dulled the colours that made everything grey because human s are never just black or white there is a grey and that should be honored peoples outsides should not matter and sterotypes are just used so that we can class people so that we can discriminate

Answer 9

It is not politically incorrect to me to be black & intelligent.

I am very excited about Barrack Obama's appearence on the national stage. Yesterday I got to mention George Washington Carver in a YA answer, not long after riding on an Otis elevator.
The contribution of black inventors to american technology is not well known, but then again many folks haven't a clue where much of anything came from, making it that much easier to let the lazy mind hang on to a stereotype.

Peace,

;-)

Answer 10

Oh come on!!!!!!, Please!!!!!!!!!, isn't there enough problems in the world than to invent a false issue? Next thing you will be telling us is about slavery and all the sobs stories and how we today should all feel so guilty about history and blacks.

Never you mind hearing about white slavery, or that every race on the face of this earth has been enslaved at one time or another. Or how about facing facts, slavery exist today!

This a false issue...if your intelligent you don't need any one's acknowledgement, and if you do, your not so intelligent after all.

And to imply with the term politically correct, uses a term employed by the communist in Russia dating back to the 1920's and beyond.

I implore, get on the wagon and live a life instead of playing these false attention getting mind games that you lose by playing.

Answer 11

I think it is cause we live in a society of stereotypes like you say and that everything is an image to people, its all about the image, the image sold to people for being black is not intelligent and i am irish so of course im a drunk, how many times you hear the media say its all about image , your story is dead on about listening to yourself, if you are confident with being yourself and who you are then your true colors will shine