Are Blackmen in America stuck in a jam because of stereotypes?

Question

I wanted to know what people think about this. When I was in the Navy a white girl told me I didn't act like a regular black guy, this wannabe white rapper told me one time this he was more blacker than me also. Anyway with the rise of hip-hop, and blacks in popular sports, and entertainment, it's seems a lot of black males are suppose behave a certian type of way thanks to stereotypes. Some stereotypes more offensive than others but all of them are mostly about a few blackmen and have nothing or very little to do with the rest of us. I see so many young boys in my family and on the streets trying to live up to these things they see on MTV and BET. What happens when has a black man you cannot express you differently because people assume you act and like only certain things. What do you all think?

Answer 1

The truth is the truth! stereotypes my ***, stupid is as stupid does. Live with your races faults and quit blaming everyone else for the way you act and live!

Answer 2

Me personally I think alot of black men in America have to many excuses for why they do this and why they do that -point is everyone has a choice and if they are acting that way then maybe they are that way-not all people act like everybody else just be you and be happy that you are different.By the way its not just white people who stereotype Black men it is black men themselves and the more they make fun and endulge in the stereotypes the more it will be upheld.

P.S I'm married to a black man for 8yrs now,and I 'm white we deal with issues like this everyday ,but we just keep going about are marry way and live life.I get the best of both worlds and the worst.

Answer 3

Reading your question brought an incident to mind. Sometimes Blacks are told by people in their own race that they are not Black enough. I have tried to understand what that means. The conclusion I have reached is exactly what you have expressed here. The stereotypes on TV and movies have set a kind of standard which unfortunately Blacks are measured .Behavior has nothing to do with race or ethnicity. It has to do with environment and role models. That is why it is so important for Blacks to work together to dispel these stereotypes.

Answer 4

I think that the black man is his own worst enemy, turn on the tv and watch the news, look at where all of the crime is coming from, it seems as if every story is about a black man robbing someone or pulling a gun or arrested for drugs, or rape, im not saying that other races arent guilty of these things because we are,, but it seems that black men are the troublemakers, not all black men but alot, its not being racist its me being honest with my opinion, i dont have alot of black friends but the ones that i have are very down to earth and we eat together, and the kids play and we go fishing and enjoy each others company, we dont see each other as being different, as you stated a white girl said that you were not like typical black men, she was probably right, its not racial its really not, the young black man is slowly self destructing, and as long as that behavior continues then there will always be stereotypes that will affect good black men like yourself, i hope that i helped and didnt offend you my friend have a great new year

Answer 5

Why when people act a certain way everyone has to assume they are trying to live up to something they saw on MTV or BET. Maybe that's the way they are and the way they will be. Just as there are some who do not dress with the baggy clothes and talk slang. That's just the way they are and Im tired of everybody tryna change everybody into what they think is better. It's not a steryotype. Some black people do act the way that most people think they do. That steryotype may not be offensive to those who don't really act that way. But since you are different and think that those who act that way are wrong you are going to consider it offensive.


Do you understand or did I just make it confusing.

And just because someone dresses a certain way and talks a certain way around their friends don't assueme that they are uneducated people who have no jobs.

I know of black men who do not live the "thug" lifestyle but still can not find a decent jobs. They have done nothing wrong (no record, no violent history)Yet they are still thought of people who are incapable of making something of themselves. They then feel that they have no other way but to sell drugs or something of that sort to make money. But that's all everyone sees. They don't see the smart funny person who has been trying for years to get themselves ahead in life and get a decent job. They only see a drugdealing dummy who doesn't want to better themself in life.

Answer 6

I think black culture HAS doomed the blacks in America. The stereotype of blacks tends to be poor, uneducated, drugs, gangs, and hip-hop. To find a black person who offers something more seems to be a rarity in the US. It is too bad since I have known plenty of black people who are different or better than the stereotypes but the black community doesn't seem to want to change this stereotype.

As far as I'm concerned, it is up to the blacks to change the stereotype. Stereotypes are created for a reason (blondes are dumb, Mexicans mow lawns, etc) and if a community doesn't like it, then they need to work to change it. Unfortunately, the rest of America doesn't seem to see the black community WANTING to change... they seem perfectly happy to be basketball players, hip-hop artists, or thugs. This is very sad to me.

It is up to the smart black men, such as yourself, to work HARD to change this image. I encourage you to do all you can... work with the strong black leaders like Bill Cosby, Barack Obama (even though I hate his politics, he is an excellent black role-model), Condi Rice, Colin Powell, Denzel Washington, etc. Heck, even LeBron James is decent these days!

Black men in America aren't stuck because of stereotypes alone, they are stuck because of what they have done (check crime and gang rates). Good luck wth the change.

Answer 7

I think you are right.

But the same goes for a lot of people. My husband is Spanish (from Spain) and he gets so annoyed because our last name can sound Mexican and people assume before they even meet us what we are going to be like. (I am Italian/'white" - He is Spanish/"white" - We are both very American, not cultural at all unfortunetly). People have actually said "OH, Mr . SO-N-SO" because we set up an appointment and showed up and they were expecting someone else.

I think its horrible and I think people should be viewed as individuals ONLY, and not anything else. We should be proud of our heritage, but stand up for ourselves and what we feel is right as people (not as a race).

Answer 8

You're only stuck anywhere if you refuse to move. Sometimes you have to go with the flow, sometimes against. But for the sake of stereotypes, one might consider against the flow. True enough, many times we're seen as irresponsible baby making thugs who complain about why we can't keep a good job. But I know that there are millions of brothers out there who are responsible fathers, employers, employees, husbands, community leaders and Christians. I strive to be one of them.

So STUCK in stereotypes shouldn't be used to describe brothers... only used to describe the lazy ones.

Answer 9

i could wish that the good Muslims could combat the Mosque being geared up there in tries to instruct their tolerance and goodwill in direction of others. instead you hear no longer something from the Muslim community approximately it, different than people who choose for it geared up. Why is that? Why are not the non violent Muslims struggling with against those that are no longer? Is it with the aid of fact they are afraid or with the aid of fact secretly they agree and could enable that coach later whilst Muslims have greater power? what's going to development the Mosque there accomplish for the Muslim human beings? it incredibly is going to create so lots greater anger/resentment/hatred/ect.. for the Muslim human beings. regardless of if this is geared up there, i'm hoping a strip club and warm canines production unit pass in actual around the corner, it could serve them actual. regrettably, what i think of will ensue is somebody will bomb the region and greater will die and the tensions will enhance.

Answer 10

98% of the black men I see on a daily basis all act the same. They act tough, dress in the "gangsta" style and don't attempt to improve themselves or present themselves in a better way. I believe it is not a stereotype as much as it is the way they present themselves.It's how they want to be seen.

Answer 11

You don't have to be any type of sterotype. There is no "acting" like a regular black guy. If you are a decent person, follow the law etc, you will do fine in life.