Why is it that some (not all) african americans are really loud and obnoxious at movie theaters?

Question

Not to be racist or throw out stereotypes, but I went to see Stomp the Yard tonight and the audience was predominantly black. I could not even hear the movie because it was so loud in the theater. They ended up stopping the movie about 20 minutes in because a fight broke out. Obviously, there are loud whites, mexicans, asians, whatever else... but almost every time I've gone to see a "black movie" there have been very rude, loud people in the audience. I know the question sounds racist, but I'm honestly just wondering if it's a cultural thing or what... I'm not saying that I've never seen a movie and been interrupted by white people being rude or asian people being rude, but the large majority of the time it's been african americans that are standing up and cheering and yelling and just plain being rude. The question is not meant to offend and I apologize if it does... just curious that's all. Thanks

Answer 1

There are rude ill behaved moviegoers of all races. Especially these days, when folks have become accustomed to watching DVDs at home - so, when they see a movie in the theater they act like they are in their living room (talk during the movie, answer their cell phone ect).

There IS an African American cultural tradition of "call and response". It's a cultural tradition we brought over from Africa, and it's survived slavery down til today.

Ever been to a Black church?

If you have, you probably heard the audience commenting on the pastor's sermon and the minister asking for reaction from the flock as he speaks.

Also, if you've ever been to a Black play or comedy show, you will see the same phenominon. And of course, if you've ever been to a rap show, then you know the rapper is constantly going back and forth with the audience.

Many African Americans bring that same cultural tradition to the movies - in particular to Black oriented movies.

It can be very annoying during a movie - I myself find it really irritating and I'm African American!

Answer 2

You already answered this question. In every race there are " loud and obnoxious" people. The movie you saw was Stomp the Yard which is a hype, high- energy, young teenager targeted film. So naturally the audience will have these same characteristics. Perhaps you were the one that was out of place in the movie theater.

Answer 3

You know what is so weird about this post. In a conversation earlier today my husband and I (I'm Asian and he is African American)were wanting to go out for a movie. We changed our mind after we discussed our last outing to a movie theater. When we went to see a movie that I can't remember, we were pretty ticked off because the patrons watching the movie with us were loud talking, cell phones ringing, people talking on cell phones loud and yelling to friends up three or four rows back and forth. A few were kicked out because a lot of people were as ticked off as my husband and I were. And you know what....every single person that the security were escorting out were Caucasian! So to respond to your question, I think it has nothing to do with race at all. It has to do with upbringing and if the person's respect for others level. Take the movie for instance that you were viewing....Stomp the yard is about a fraternity step squad right.....of course there are going to a large number of African Americans! You would have gotten the same disrespect if you were to go to a different movie just as I had experienced. Race has nothing to do with the disrespect that you felt....common rudeness is. And rudeness has no race.

Answer 4

I almost did not answer this question out of fear of the racist thing. But then I got so sick of the reverse racsist stuff and fear I might offend while others offend me I decided to answer. I have been to theatres and found the exact same thing. But they have been teens or young. And though every time I have experienced this it has been black kids....there was one time it wasnt...it was these white teen girls with a guy and they were all trying to impress the guy and being loud. It is not a race thing it is an age thing. I have sat in theatres of all races for a middle aged or older crowd movie and not had a disturbance at all.

Answer 5

Minority cultures and individuals may take a bigger cheer and jeer because they feel acknowledged on a lower level so they express their output on a higher one. It's the ones that have low confidence that behave this way. It might also result in being self centered to not care for others movie going experience.

I don't think it's a race issue. Maybe a combination of circumstance, individual, and society concept.

Answer 6

You have several choices which is very obvious to anyone who has the SMARTS to know........

stop going to black movies..rent movies...wait till after the premiers are over or go early in the day...

then you won't have to be bothered by loud mouth black people or people in general because ALL people talk at movies whether you realize it or not.

Answer 7

Maybe it's your choice of movies. I notice the word Stomp is the first part of the title.

Stomp sounds a little violent or perhaps noisy to begin with. Did it involve like Gang fighting? I remember when Colors came out they would have cops in the theaters all nervous and scared, because the Gangstas thought of it as a home movie. White and Asian and Spanish and Black gangs used to go to it just to show off, and get into fights.

Answer 8

the movie was probably written and filmed with that in mind-- that people would be cheering and hollering and laughing loudly with their friends, etc. i take it this wasn't a thoughtful comedy or drama where you would have to sit and listen to understand it.

i went to see Jackass #2 on opening night, and i can tell you, the audience (mostly white, but this is in utah, usa) was standing up and yelling "ohhh!!!" and practically screaming with laughter. it's just the genre.

Answer 9

Very bad question because you are stereotyping all African Americans in this question. Maybe you just go to movies where there just happen to be very ghetto obnoxious people. I am an African American I do not act like this in the movie theater or anywhere else, so please don't generalize all of us into this one category.

Answer 10

They are very loud people. When they come home late at night where I live, (An apartment complex, ) they shout and talk and laugh very loud and dont consider that other people are asleep in bed.. I dont and never will understand them.. I also believe most of them have a serious chip on their shoulder, Im not speaking about American Blacks im talking about African immigrants to my country..