Why do blacks act as if they want to be treated equal and then set themselves apart?

Question

This is an interesting question. Why do you think that blacks who wante to be accepted seem OK with integrating and then recoil quickly as if burned with a hot iron? Is there any sense in this in your opinion? Do you think that blacks should totally integrate into mainstream America as is or would they (blacks) need an overhaul to be more "American". Some blacks have a take me as I am attitude while mainstream America seems to want to water down some charecteristics that blacks are socially comfortable with. What are your thoughts?

Everyone is adding great posts. I would say this is the best thread I have ever had with people respectfully sharing ideas.

I believe that MANY blacks have no excuse and for a fear of failure, fear of success, fear of hard work or fear of a lost idenity through assimilation (my personal fear) that it makes some hesitate to join the mainstream or some completely turn away from it but turning toward nothing positive. I think that we could be really close to a revival of Biblical porportions but small things are holding people back from doing big things. Its sad but you have to just step over those people and get to where you have to go all while encouraging them and teaching them about thier options.

Answer 1

everybody wants to be treated equal then does things to set themselves apart. people are always trying to distinguish themselves.

the fact that black culture is separate was not their choice. it was enforced by slavery and segregation. it arose under those circumstances and will not go away quickly. you can only blame white people for the separateness of black culture.

and by the way, why don't you just change to be like the blacks,
just integrate to their way to get rid of the difference. why do you think it's the blacks who need to change? the same result would happen if the whites changed.

your argument assumes superiority of the majority.
which from my point of view is racist.

Answer 2

That's a touchy subject. As a white person I can't possibly know what a black person feels or has experienced. But I I do believe we are all responsible for our own actions. While life is much easier for blacks than it was 30, 40, 50 years ago there is still discrimination.
We tend to group people together unfairly. I don't like when people say all Christians are mean and judgmental, because we are not all that way. And not all black people steal and try try to get free food at rfeataurants. I said that last thing because I know a waitress who says that.
Anyway, black people have come a long way despite the limitations they come up against. A few of them use oppression as an excuse for their laziness. But many are hard working, productive citizens. Ans I know a lot of lazy white people that have their own excuses too.

Answer 3

As someone who has assimilated I can tell you that it has its benefits and downfalls. First of all, when you are black and don't have the typical black culture, you won't be accepted by the blacks or the whites. Acting white may bring some respect from the white culture but most will still not accept you fully. It hurts much more to try and fit in and be rejected and never considered good enough by that group than to stay in your own group that at least accepts you.

What would you do? I never fit in any racial group, and still have a identity problem today. I consider myself to be of no race, but it is so hard to keep that belief when my race is always an issue with everyone around me. The first question I always hear from a acquaintance is "What race are you". I'm tired of it.

Basically, blacks want to be treated equally because who doesn't want to be? At the same time, if they were to try and become more 'white' acting t hey would lose the only thing that provides them with their identity and specialness. The white culture will only regard assimilated blacks as less greater than black blacks, but still less than actual whites. It is a double edged sword.

Answer 4

this is an evolutionary process as blacks become culturally and financially more powerful in this country. It is important to remember that there has been a tremendous influx of blacks into the middle class.

A lot of what is happening has to do with a search for identity. Do they want an identity aligned with the whites (for whom there is still much resentment) or do they want an identity of their own. Their feelings have to be mixed, because along with identifying with the whites comes prosperity. Maintaining their own identity means taking along the excess baggage of their history here in the US.

Maybe a slow redefining of what "mainstream" is will provide some solace for this subgroup. In time, hopefully this socio-economic journey will come to a happy conclusion.

Answer 5

Speaking on behalf of professional America, I'd say you're welcome to integrate anywhere, as long as you know the norms. I can't walk into the ghetto in a 3 piece suit and expect to integrate. I would not be accepted. The way I speak may appear as condescending though unintentionally. The same works for blacks. It is expected for one to have good communication skills and ebonics will not cut it in the business world. If you wanna walk the walk, you have to talk the talk.

Answer 6

ok i am in no way racist.... but what your asking is a good question but its already been answered. black people do try to be equal in society and some are and we call those people "black people" and then the ones who wanna be treated fair and then set themselves apart because of there race are called "ni..." well u know the word. The N words dont care either way they say they wanna be accpeted and blame the world and white people for their problems when its 95% there own problem. so you answer is just to learn to determine between blacks and "ni....." lol.

Answer 7

I believe it is like every culture, whereas people want to fit into the mainstream, but "cultures of people" also have their own traditions. I have noticed that while I am Polish/German (white) that my black friends call each other the N-word "in a freindly way", but I teach my son that even though our black friends call each other the N-word-- that since my son is Polish/German (white) that he is NOT allowed to call them that, even if he learned it as a friendly gesture (my "black" friends will say to each other "what up *****??" but it would never be acceptable for my son to say such a thing even if he learned it in a freindly way from our black friends). I try to explain to my son that for years, since slavery, black people have searched, as with any culture, for something they can call "their own", so therefore, let the black people have their own cultures......another example would be "whiggers" (white-*******....excuse the phrase, but I didn't make it up) meaning that some anglo-saxon (white people) tend to "act black" but is not accepted by black people, and the only way to explain this to my son is that white people have a culture (whatever people stereo-type it as....) and since black people creatively make up their own "styles" and/or cultures, we as Polish/German (white people) are looked down upon by any race to act the same way.... I guess we should all just be ourselves..... rather than refer to myself as German/Polish- American....I am an American.....I also believe that we should call anyone--- African-American or Indian-American or Jewish-American or Arab-American, we are all "Americans" who are proud of our cultures (in my case German-Polish). Hopefully we stop calling people by their ethnicity's and start calling each other "Americans" plain and simple! :) God Bless!! We are all God's children and I'm sure He does specify what country our ansestors came from, in order to love us all! Samantha

Answer 8

All humans long to be a "somebody" It's been like this for hundreds of years. That's all I can think of.

Answer 9

No one should have to act a certain way to be accepted..every individual is different and that's the beauty of human beings.

Answer 10

i guess for the same reason kkk think that they can do what they want to the blacks every person on this earth wants to be treated equal but also every person on this earth wants to be apart its just in our nature but personally its not just the blacks its EVERY RACE