Am I a Snob or Racist?

Question

I am UK born with West Indian parents. I moved out of London with my husband and children to get away from the number of black people where I lived. I have now found a increasing number of them moving into the area I now live. Yesterday I found my self moving away from a small group of African people (in my local supermarket) in case the other shoppers though I was with them. I know I've probably stirred up a hornets nest but appreciate your comments all the same.

Thanks for all replies (I couldn't be bothered to read the long ones but have given thumbs up anyway). BlacKING - being west indian means you were born in the West Indies NOT India.

Answer 1

I would say you are a snob.............but............nice that you ask yourslef about your behavior! Shows character!

Answer 2

Lol, I have heard that supposedly a lot of people there have low opinions of America. I'm sure a lot of countries do [I mean comon. Look at us.] But know how we make fun of George Bush and his ways of running the country? They have jokes about him too and we don't have anything on their Queen. Lmfao. And I can say I have proof because I belong to a few chat sites and I've talked to people from other parts of the world. I'm not generalizing but don't be surprised to hear American jokes over there too lol. There are snobs in every country though right? I say go ahead and go there. I have also heard it is beautiful and the people are the nicest there! You won't know til you go lol.

Answer 3

I think you're a racist but not a snob - or maybe a snob but not a racist. Proberbly the latter. But as someone else put it, I am white and there are lots of white groups I don't want to be associated with either. If that makes me a snob or a raceist then so be it. Having the courage to ask a question like that also makes you something I don't know the word of but it all makes interesting reading!

Answer 4

It seems that the proverb, "you are the company you keep" applies here.

In many instances people relate a stereotypical understanding for a means to deal with a situation they feel uncomfortable with or even they lack the ability to understand others. In any part they feel the need to reject any situation they do not understand.

So, in many ways you segregating yourself from a group of people doesn't mean that you are a snob or a racist. It simply means you don't want to be associated with those people.
We cannot like everybody and we will not be liked by everybody.

Kind of analogous to not liking a certain manner of speech or mannerism that someone displays.

Don't worry there is nothing wrong with you, accept that which pleases you and reject that was does not please you. I am white and on many occasions I don't like this or that them etc.

Answer 5

It seems that you may be SUFFERING from INTERNALIZED RACISM or HATRED of people that share your features. Now, I understand you have a WEST INDIAN background. But, you must also consider the fact that perhaps no one would know that unless they knew you, or perhaps heard you speak. So when people LOOK AT YOU. Do they see a west indian person, or a person who holds the features of a BLACK PERSON, rather it be of mixed hertiage or black? It also appears that you have a condescending attitude based upon the fact, that you refer to people that share commonality with you as "them". Perhaps you have worked hard and acheived a certain status in life. So this gives you a misplaced feeling of superiority. That would be a difference in a feeling of pride. When you feel it necessary to demean others, then it become misplaced feeling of pride compared to just Pride in yourself, your heritage and your accomplishments. Now, you have not made any blatantly disrespectful comments, but based upon your questions, and the messages that the questions send. I would consider that an accurate observation.

It seems that you have a negative view of blacks, and that would be the reason for your comments. I would suggest that you attempt to liberate your mind, by doing some self examination, and attempt to examine your reason for feeling the way that you do.I would also be careful to make sure you are not putting your negative attitude or views of people to your children.At least you are reaching out and attempting to get feedback, perhaps this is a first step in a journey of self discovery, actualization and finding out what the root of your feelings are.

Answer 6

First of all, I don't believe that you're black, even though your avatar portrays it. I honestly believe that you came on here for the purpose of starting sh*t because you just made that clear. If you are indeed Black--yes, I said "Black" because no matter how you try to disown your heritage, your azz is black--I feel sorry for you because "the pot can't call the kettle, black." You really should get out of your box instead of worrying about the other people around you who could care less if you existed or not. What have "these people" done to you? Are they avoiding you? I would avoid you, too, if you have such a snooty attitude, and if your hair is really like that in your picture. All in all, I don't believe your azz is black...

Answer 7

An interesting and honest question!

I think what you describe is snobbery.

You know, probably much better than me, that shop assistants can be patronising and rude toward people who are not British, and suspicious of immigrants. I guess by moving away from the group you encountered you were saying to the shop assistants "hey, I'm British. Don't give me any of your 'special treatment'".

However, I don't think you're racist. I'm pretty sure you would have done the same if the group was not comprised of Africans, but of a mixture of black and white people wearing 'hoodies', 'goth' makeup etc. You would still have wanted to make clear that you were not with that group.

Let me give an example. Let's say I am abroad and drinking in a bar. If I find myself in the vicinity of a group of white British "chavs", I would definitely try to distance myself from them in case the bar staff thought I was part of the group. That's sheer snobbery, and I'm happy to admit it, but to be honest, it would have nothing to do with their skin colour.

Answer 8

I think you're a snob and a racist. I mean big deal you're West Indian and they are African. Sh** if it wasn't for all the slavery all black people would be African. You're making it a deal because they are African and you're West Indian. West Indian and African to me all the same.

Answer 9

Don't beat yourself up about it. I'm white british and there are many different groups of other white brits that I try to steer clear of, as do many people. What about the group of youths in hoodies hanging around? How do we know their not a bunch of lads on their way to volunteer for the elderly, but we steer clear anyway. There are many more and we;re all guilty. This is not essentially a race thing but a human nature thing.

Answer 10

It sounds to me like somewhere down the line somebody did a really good job of messing with your head.

You need to confront this anxiety and deal with it. As you say, you have a West Indian background. I think that you must have low self-esteem and a negative image of what should be something to boast about.

I'm sure that snobbery is just a confused image of reality. Obviously, you are free to choose who you associate with, but try to be sure it's for good reasons, rather than a negative image based on race.

Answer 11

I think that possibly since you are UK born, you find you relate more to caucasian people and wish to distance yourself from non-whites - the problem with this is that although you're probably not the only one, you are treating other people in the way you don't want to be treated yourself. It's hard to change a habit, but you need to recognise firstly that people may be different colours or races, but we're all homo sapiens. Secondly, probably a fair number of the people you are distancing yourself from have similar backgrounds to you. I think you've been brave and honest to admit to your feelings, but you do realise that things need to change. I can empathise to some extent as when I first strated travelling, I found I was extra nice to anyone who wasn't white in case they thought I was racist, until I realised that that's pretty racist in itself and I tried to treat everyone equally. This has now become second nature to me, but I admit it took me a while to be totally myself with everyone.