Be honest. How do you define a "black person?"?

Question

I just saw a question talking about someone being "black enough." Then people answered absurdly saying the person wasn't "black" because they didn't grow up in the hood and couldn't play basketball. To me, that is the most absurd thing in the world.

I grew up Upper Middle Class, I can't play basketball, and I have a degree.

One thing I had to hear when growing up is "you act white."

To me, that's an huge insult because I'm very proud of being black.

Why do people see educated black people and associate them as being "white" but can't just say they're smart?

It isn't just with blacks either. I hear it with most races (except Asians...)

Why?

Just to clarify...it is not only black people but WHITE people that have said the "black enough" comments.

Or the "she's the whitest, black girl I know" bs from white people...

Answer 1

People are brainwashed to believe whatever the media tells them. They've tricked alot of poor people into believing that they don't have the potential for success. I used to believe their lies. Next time, tell someone who says you act white this:

Historically we've had to work hard and be five times better than our peers to be considered equal and that is what we did, while they were stealing, killing, and raping us and bringing drugs into our community. By being educated and working hard for upward mobility, I AM acting black. Those selling drugs and killing their brothers are the ones acting white.

People may not like this, but it's true and no one can contradict it historically.

Edited:
That is true, I've seen just as many whites saying that a black person talks like they're white as blacks that say it. A friend of mine called me the other day, asking was he wrong to be offended by a white person saying that about him. Saying, he can speak ghetto, he doesn't have to talk like he's white.

Answer 2

because only white people are classified as "smart" and intelligent. So when a black person is educated then they're being white. All the centuries (you know this) that's passed black people were considered ignorant and would never amount to nothing. So because of this, some black people don't make an effort to fit into society in a positive way. It sucks that we're made out to be "stupid" and we couldn't get into college w/out some kind of sport scholarship. The reason why Asians don't think it is because some people expect an Asian to be super smart. I'm definitely not racist but there are alot of racist views out there and instead of putting people down try learning more about their culture and help correct the situation.

Answer 3

They are insecure and suffer from group think. And there is also a double standard that it is acceptable to insult someone about "being white" or "acting white". I disagree with you that this happens with most races. I only have seen this with blacks.

Why do blacks poke fun at or insult very successful blacks like Condaliza Rice, or Clarence Thomas? If a black person has conservative values the same insults come out.

Once again they are insecure and are bound by group think. Blacks are forced socially to think like others and not think for themselves.

Can you imagine the insults a black person would hear if they admitted that they voted for a conservative candidate and not the candidate that the "so called black community leaders" supported?

Just some thoughts to help you answer your question on your own.

Answer 4

As a white person, all black people are the same to me. If you have black ancestry, then you are black. It is that simple.

But I have heard of the 'black enough' attitude that you're talking about and it strikes me as akin to elitism. It's unfortunate that you had to hear "you act white" just because you chose to educate yourself. Stigmatising education is only hurting the black community, IMO. I don't know why you would have to grow up in the 'hood' and play basketball and basically just act like a thug to be considered black enough. I guess some define their blackness by how anti-white they are, while others such as yourself define their blackness in terms of simply being proud of their own heritage.

In the end, who cares what they think? You will be the one living a successful life and they will be the ones having a hard time makings ends meet for the rest of their lives because they'll quickly learn that basketball doesn't pay the bills.

Answer 5

I think any person who has black skin is black. But I don't think of being black as being good or bad, it is just the way you are born. You don't have to play basketball to honor your cultural heritage, and the idea that a black man cannot be educated is ugly and racist. Honor your heritage in the best way that you can. If you live your life with integrity, you are being a credit to your heritage. We should all be proud of our differences, it is what makes us all special. You should base the value of a man on his character, not his color.

Answer 6

Because you don,t fit the stereotype that that they have of black people and the stereotype some black people have of them selves. It, s said that the media has turned a people into a running joke . Now don,t think they don,t really know that there is a difference between some blacks and if you have money your not black at all just telling you what I know you would think that this is a beautiful world if you had money and all white people liked you

Answer 7

Because "Blacks" lost their religion, culture, customs and way of life. Living in a foregion land they was only referred to as ******, coloured, and black. Eventhough they come from many different tribes, countries and backgrounds. So with that being said they defined theirself as black because thats the only word they have ever known. Since they were poor and many lack education for obvious reasons and the masses were like this. This became what black people did and the opposite became what white people did. That's the way it was, whites went to school and spoke English were blacks mostly didn't and never had proper grammer. Which when a black person do speak different it is seen as speaking white because traditionally blacks didn't speak like that, so that why it is assoicated with being white.

When you call yourself black what does that mean? What is a black? Black does not constitute a nationality or culture. It is something that was created to keep you ignorant of your true Identity. Every man on earth is describe by his nation (Nationality), Chinese are people from China, Irish are people from Ireland, Polish are people from Poland, Mexicans are People from Mexico, Blacks are people from where? Black is a word that should be used to describe a noun. A black car, black skin, black hair, black book etc.

In Order to deny the truth, they created a lie. They took one indigenous tribe in Africa who still had traditional or what they call primitive culture and said this is how ALL black skin people are. They all wear plates in the lips, swing from trees, don't have a written language etc etc.

"Black" do not tell a person religion, culture, heritage or nationality. It only show the color of a man's skin not what he stands for.

Answer 8

Well I think you would really have to look at traditional ideas of every race as well as stereotypes attributed to them -- I agree with your points for sure -- and I think that these people who put themselves out there as uneducated, guetto, and etc and say that is the true meaning of black are seriously degrading themselves and their race and shouldn't be suprised at predjudices towards them, and this really goes for everybody not just the black race.

Answer 9

when i say someone is black, i mean their skin color is darker then the average white person's, that their bone structure is slightly different, and so forth. I call black people black (when appropriate) because im offended by the term "African American" because i know of absolutely NO black people around where i live that have ever SEEN africa, let alone born there...

Answer 10

regardless as to how "black" you are, if yo spend a lot of your life around white "friends" then you tend to act like them. Then when you come around black people, you still act as if you are in 'white culture'.

this has nothing to do with weather or not you are proud of being black.