Have you ever been a friend with someone from another race or ethnicity?

Question

and instead of just being friends you felt like the ambassodor of your race

for exampleif you did someting stupid or acted a little disrespectful that person would say,,"that's just the way white people are raised to be," and all of a sudden you feel like the reason for his ignorance like you created a racist person

do you think it's fair to put anybody in that position of having to prove his race to someone,,,,this sounds wierd but I had this experience with a few hispanic people and it made for a more stressful freindship,,,more non casual

this is a wierd concept but I hope you understand what I mean to say

what are the negative stereotypes that hispanics hold against whites

a rather be called a bad person,,then be called a typical white person,,,get me

Answer 1

I have friends from many different countries from Africa to Trinidad to Indian, etc and I have never felt that way. If we make mistakes or have a misunderstanding we are mature enough not to assume it's a 'race' issue.

Answer 2

I have been friends with A LOT of people with a different ethnicity. MOST people have because american is so diverse. And somone may be of a different ethnicity and you don't even know it. I had a friend who was completely German, but was born in the US, so he didn't have an accent, i didn't even know he was German until he told me. And every friendship i've had with someone of a different ethnicity has been fine. I never judge people, and i look at them for who they are, rather than where they came from. And my friends did the same. And we would sometimes make jokes about each others ethnicity, but it was only in fun, and never taken harshly. Two of my cousins are half Mexican and half white. They are my favorite cousins, and we both make racial jokes to each other, but we all know no one means any harm by it. If you have a friend of a different ethnicity and you are having problems with the way they make you feel, then talk to them about it. Tell them some of the things they say make you feel uncomfortable. If they are a true friend they will be more considerate.

Answer 3

Well I think I know what you're saying...I have felt like my hispanic friends have kinda had stereotypes against me since I'm white. Like if I have something nice they're like "It's just cuz you're white." It gets on my nerves sometimes because not all white people are rich and not all hispanic people are poor.
But I've never felt like an ambassador or anything. I just try to watch what I say a little more around them. I mainly just see them as my friends and they give me a hard time occaisonnaly but I'm ok with it.

Answer 4

I grew up in Southern California so I had alot of Mexican friends in school and in work and in play. I got to know them as individuals. I was practically married to a Chinese lady until she died of a lung disease and have many Chinese friends. Blacks I have also been friends with at various jobs and in school. I tend to look at people as individuals just as I would like them to look at me. Because I certainly do not feel as though I speak for the white race. Actually, there really is no white race, so many different countries that people come from. I am German, English, Irish and maybe more from America 200 plus years on my Mom's side and 100 on my Dad's. If you really want to see a big mix of people, work in Southern California especially in East Los Angeles county. I had a business there for 20 years where we would go to people's houses 4-6 of them per day. Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, White, Filipino, Black, every type of person you can imagine. I have found that people are really pretty much the same.

Answer 5

During my many years in the service I came to live with and know others of many races and ethnic back grounds. The one thing I learned is that you are either a good person or you are not. Loyalty is the only thing that truly counts. Respect for the person is what helps everyone to get along and even be good friends. Not being offended by or especially looking for slights in everything said goes a long way in understanding others and being understood.

Answer 6

An entire race cannot be "proved", only the individual and maybe a few others including the persons family but thats it....

Most, if not all, of us already have predjudgments about certain people so it is therefore up to that particular individual to prove himself, and only himself, otherwise.

You have to admit, if a 6'2 250lb black guy with braids, and gold in his mouth came up to you, then you will automatically think one way about this dude wheather it is an accurate assumption or not, you dont know until the guy himself has proven it to you

Answer 7

Ahh, yeah - actually I do know what you mean. First few times I was around the family of a friend of mine - a latina - they inspected me inside out and upside down. At the time, it was a bit nerve wracking, but apparently I passed the test, cause I was always welcomed after that.

I now know it was because we lived in a not the best neighborhood, and they were worried their daughter would get in with the wrong crowd. They wanted her to go on and be a doctor. She probably did.

We have to prove ourselves daily - and some of the situations we have to do it in seem unfair. That's part of life.

Answer 8

that has not happened to be with my best friend, who is a black girl, but i can see how it would and i completley understand. no i dont think it is fair, but it seems like an accepted responsibility of a person in a interacial friendship. i think that the reason why we feel the need to prove our race is to maintain the friendship and make an impression. honostly, it shouldnt matter, but alot of things is life dont matter; however we still stress about them. my advice is if you feel that way, the friendship isnt destined to be. me and my friend- have a good attitude toward our differences and often laugh about the hype between races. hope this has helped.

Answer 9

I do understand what you mean and yes, I've felt like the "ambassador" of my race sometimes. But I always tried to get past it with them if I wanted to really be friends. I'm white and I had a black roommate for two years in college...we got along wonderfully. We found, after getting past the initial bit of weirdness, that we had alot in common and we got along great. I actually ended up being a bridesmaid in her wedding. But I've had other black acquaintances that definitely had a pre-conceived notion about whites. If I did or said something that they perceived as being a "white thing", they immediately pointed it out; but if I were to ever point out some of the trademarks of their race, I would have gotten a black eye. LOL So sometimes it felt like I was always explaining myself but I realized after awhile that it really wasn't about race; it was about that person not really wanting to make the effort to be friends with me. It has to do with attitude, not the color of skin or native country. So I just started being friends with those who would return it, and the ones who felt compelled to just see me as a "stupid white girl" instead of a real person, well, I stopped giving a damn. lol Anyway hope that answers your question.

Answer 10

well, i have a really good friend that is african-american.
we use to hang out a lot, but she moved away, so i haven't seen her in a while. sometimes when we did things (ya know, looked @ magazines, watched t.v.) there was stuff like all white people or something like that, and once i made a comment about that, she probably thought i was racist. these words i am trying to write down are not sounding the i mean it to, but i hope you understand.