why is it that when people see African Americans they assume they are broke??

Question

there are many African Americans that are richer than half the people in the world...oh yea i am mixed so don't think i am racist!!

Answer 1

because 85% of the urban blacks are poor. and black people are always asking for money. i have nothign against black people btw.

Answer 2

The question is invalid - it presupposes that all people (or at least a majority of them) actually do think that. Until someone cites an objective scientific study that supports that viewpoint, the question itself shows a remarkable bias against 'people' in general.

Now, do we judge each other based upon what we see and our own personal experiences? Of course. No one who is human could deny that (and I personally don't think it's a necessarily a bad thing, btw). But an entire racial stereotype judgement on wealth status that goes into full force no matter what? Even if the black guy is well dressed in designer clothes and wearing a thousand dollar watch? Not even a die-hard racist would automatically assume the guy was broke then.

The question itself does show a racial bias though. The person asking it should remember that.

BTW, about the poverty rate being 25%. Cite your source please, and then let us examine how we're currently defining 'poverty'. If those within the poverty bracket still have high definition big screen tvs and nice cars and houses, then I don't think being in the 'poverty' bracket is all that bad (certainly not poverty as it is defined in other countries).

Answer 3

I'm a "people" and I don't automatically assume African Americans are broke. I see P-diddy and I think "this guy could teach me a thing or two about business." And i see Jessie Jackson and as think, "This guy could teach me a lot about influncing others."

Why is it that many African Americans think that everyone in White America is looking at them as second class citizens? There are many of us (even here in the deep south) that are fully aware that African Americans are rising to greatness in every field not just as employees but employers.

And, oh yeah, I'm white and southern and live in redneck ville and listen to country music and live 4 blocks down from the town projects. So I see the African Americans who are stuck in the system with very little way out. But our Mayor and the Superintendent of schools are African Americans, and our first African American Police officer was a woman who retired after 25 years of faithful service and ran for state senate last year . . . A personal friend of mine and a great lady I might add.

So please do not generalize me in with the ignorant crowd like I don't generalize all African Americans in with the busted and disgusted crowd.

P.S. My favorite preachers are T.D. Jakes and Dr. Creflo Dollar Jr.

Answer 4

Because people seem to like being ignorant. It doesn't matter what proof you present, people who judge using racist stereotypes and what the media says will continue to choose ignorance. It's how they were brought up and they're too uneducated to look beyond stereotypes.

Answer 5

Rob, the poverty rate among African-Americans is 24.9 percent for the record....

People assume these things because of prevalent stereotypes....

Answer 6

the poverty rate is about 25%. That is wicked high. that means 1 out 4 of us are broke. Just be glad you are not one of them. I know I am.

Answer 7

You havent read any statistics lately, have you? And Mr 400 yrs ago, quit making excuses for black people. People think the way they do because of blacks present actions, not 400 yrs ago! Read something!

Answer 8

Because for nearly 400 years, that is the way it was here in America. Black America was on the bottom economical scale. Now that things have changed, the thought process remains the same.

Answer 9

When I see black people - I don't give two thoughts about them.. I don't even look at them, just as I wouldn't look at anybody I don't know..

Answer 10

Are you broke ? I've heard a lot of "because I'm's " - but this is a new one .