Why, when I asked a fair question about the clothing style of black men, did I get ripped on? (see details)?

Question

This was my question: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070607085607AAggxBl&r=w

You'll note I asked for no racist answers and that I was merely curious. This shows that I have no bad intentions. Why did I get ripped on for asking the question?!

For goodness sake, I just wanted to know. I have zero problem with black/white/hispanic or whatever. I do object to being put down for asking a simple question out of curiosity. Is there something wrong with asking about clothing style?

To a commenter below: BECAUSE only black people in my area wear it. I have not seen any white, hispanic, whatever wear this type of clothing. Maybe in YOUR area they do, but I haven't seen it here. My intentions are good, I'm sorry people don't like my wording.

I am seriously disappointed that people don't see that my intentions are good and I just wanted to learn about something.

Answer 1

First I'll explain why some folks are responding to you in a negative manner:

You asked, "Why do black men typically wear oversized white shirts and pants?" Some people most likely assumed that you were generalizing black men- claiming that all/most black men wear oversized shirts and pants. I would have arrived at the same conclusion if I had read that question before this one. It's good that you have explained further by specifying that you are merely talking about what you have observed. Keep in mind that it's better to word questions and answers in a manner that makes it obvious that you are not stereotyping. For example, this is one way that you could have phrased your former question to make clear that you are not generalizing: "Does anyone know why some black men wear oversized white shirts and pants?" And then it would have been a good idea to go on to explain what you have observed: young black men, old black men, black men in such-and-such area, or whatever, and to explain (as you have done below this question) that your intension is not to offend- that you are merely curious.

Now I'll try to answer your former question:

Let me start by saying that you shouldn't take any answerers seriously who are posting stereotypes and speaking for black men in general, such as the person who said that you'll never see a black man in tight pants. (Actually, here in Virginia, tight pants were rather popular among many black men during the 80's.)

Black men are not all the same. They do not follow some kind of black rule book. Some wear tight pants, some wear slightly loose fitting pants, and some wear extremely baggy pants. Same goes for shirts. And the same goes for the colors of apparel. Just as with every other group of people, there are many different reasons why black men make clothing choices. As far as baggy jeans and shirts are concerned, some are just more comfortable wearing such. Others feel less confined. (Personally, that's why I hate wearing coats, jackets, sweaters, long sleeve shirts, etc...) And there are many who dress in this manner as a way of participating in hip hop culture.

However, none of the above is limited to black people. People of other races wear baggy clothing for these, and other, reasons. And, like I said, just as with any other group of people, not all black men are the same. Take my husband, for example, who is black: He doesn't like the clothing you've discribed. He hate's white because every little speck of dirt shows up on it. He prefers tight tank tops but baggy t-shirts. And he likes his pants fairly loose fitting rather than tight or baggy.

Regarding white shirts: There are gangs who wear white shirts (particularly t-shirts). But most of the gangs that I've heard of wearing white are white gangs. And white shirts are becomming increasingly popular among some gangs as a way of camouflaging themselves (blending in). It's also becomming more popular in hip hop culture. Likewise, some blacks feel forced by "white" societal standards to wear white t-shirts. In other words, many people still associate white with "good"- So some blacks feel trapped in the white t-shirt, trying to be "good", trying to be seen as positive. But much of society still attaches negative labels to black people and use the the very clothing that they (some black people) feel cornered into wearing (the white t-shirt) as a justification for the negative labels- In other words, truths are made into sterotypes... The fact that some black gangs wear white t-shirts, the fact that some black drug dealers wear t-shirts, etc... (Nevermind that people of all races participate in these activities while adorning white t-shirts.) These truths are used as excuses to generalize all (or most) black people as being/doing these things. Therefore, many people associate white t-shirts with negatives the same as they associate black people with negatives. And the negative stereotypes are compounded when people are both (black and wearing white t-shirts). So why don't black people stop wearing white t-shirts? Well, because some are confused. They feel imprisoned. They're wearing white in an effort to be associated with the "goodness of white". If they stop wearing white, what else is there to wear? Colors that are associated with gangs, dark colors that may call more attention to their "blackness", and so on... But, then again, some people wear white shirts simply because they like them for whatever reason.

This is all I can think of right now. I hope I've been helpful.


EDIT:
Concerning the comment made about the way some black people talk:
This is an answer I gave in response to a question regarding BVE (Black Vernacular English)-

I've said this before, and I'm saying it again: THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS TALKING BLACK! If you are referring to what is known as Black Vernacular English, it is a dialect/sub-language based upon West African grammatical patterns, includes English vocabulary, and derives from black culture/s- culture/s that evolved due to a people being stripped of their native tongue.

BVE is spoken by many people of many different groups. The history of it should be understood and appreciated as being rooted in black culture/s, but it has since branched out, so to speak, and is spoken by many- which is a testament to the strength and richness of black culture/s. Many non-blacks speak BVE, and many blacks do NOT speak BVE.

It's important to remember that BVE and what many refer to as "hip hop slang" are completely different. While many, if not most, who speak "hip hop slang" also speak variations of BVE, "hip hop slang" is NOT equivallent to BVE. And, like BVE, "hip hop slang" is spoken by many non-blacks and is NOT spoken by all blacks.

Just in case anyone posts claiming that BVE is "incorrect/improper English" I will add by saying this:
Have you researched BVE? Do you refer to other dialects of the English language as being "incorrect" or "improper"? What's more, have you researched the English language itself? Are you aware of it's origin? Are you aware of how the English language has evolved? Pray tell, what would Shakespeare think of YOUR English if he were alive today to hear you speak?

Answer 2

You probably got ripped on because the question is a sterotype based on preconceived notions of how a person dresses based on their race. You can't get any more racist than that.... well you can but that's beside the point. The problem is that your question alludes to assumptions that for all intensive purposes are racist. All black men do not have the same clothing style as your or whoever preconceived notion may lead you to believe. At work I wear slacks, a shirt and tie and every now and then a suit jacket. When I am not at work its jeans (not sagging) and a tee shirt or pullover long sleeve shirt. Sometimes khaki shorts and a tee shirt that has a logo of comic book hero or villian. I don't know about you but how I dress has nothing to do with my race. So that is why you are getting ripped on. If you have legitimate, non racist questions feel free to contact me and I will give you my perspective. I am by no means representing all black men. I can only provide you with answers based on my own experience and that of my colleagues.

Answer 3

I'm sorry you got ripped on, that shouldn't have happened. I'll answer your question OK.

yes Black men so wear baggy clothes, simply because they don't like tight jeans and it's cool to do.

it's always been that way though, if you take a look back into the 50's,60's, 70,s, 80's etc...you won't find a Black man wearing any type of TIGHT anything.

AND ALL THE BLACK PPLE THAT ANSWER GIVE HER A STRAIGHT ANSWER AND ONE THAT ISN'T MEAN OK! SHE'S JUST TRYING TO UNDERSTAND< GOSH

Now, some will wear "Muscle shirts" the ones that show off muscles.

it's a cultural thing and I'm glad you asked, and no it wasn't racist ok don't let anyone else make you feel like it was, it was an innocuous question ok.

YOU WHO ARE WHITE AND WEAR BAGGY PANTS, THAT DIDN'T START IN THE 'BURBS IT STARTED IN THE HOOD, so It's REALLY A CULTURAL FEATURE THAT HAS GARNERED LOTS OF EXPOSURE AND HAS BEEN ADOPTED BY MAINSTREAM


DO NOT LISTEN TO MOTHRA or anyone who still uses the term ***** *rolls eyes*.

Oh and MOTHRA if you're really interested in AAVE linguistical features, go do a search on wikipedia, that will explain WHY a lot of Blacks DROP the K on ask and replace it with an X.


In reference to the lady who mentioned that BVE or BE isn't the same as HIP HOP SLANG, UMMM I disagree, HIP HOP SLANG HAS ITS ROOTS IN BVE or BE, they are intertwined (it's a part of it), what I will agree with is the fact that not ALL Black men wear baggy clothes, however, if you live in the hood or associate yourself with the hip-hop community or Blacks who speak BE, you usually do.

The uniqueness of AAVE or BE (black english) is evident in 3 areas

1. patterns of grammar and pronunciation
2. verbal rituals from oral traditions and the continued importance of the word as in African cultures
3. the lexicon (slang), developed by giving special meanings to English words, a practice that goes back to enslavment and to the need for a system of communication that ONLY those in the slave community could understand.

THAT IS WHAT BLACK SPEECH IS, and YES ANY PERSON SURROUNDED BY THAT ENVIRONMENT WILL OR CAN SPEAK IT. It's called Black English or Black Talk because it originated with us.

There are RULES of BE grammar and pronunciation, there are WAYS of saying these words, all of which depend upon the rules of BE, I really don't feel like going into analyzing the speech patterns within BE so just trust me on this one ok!

for instance when Black pple say: Brothaman is trippin', well this sentence reflects both slang, speech patterns and grammar patterns associated with BE.

you might want to read this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_American_Vernacular_English


One more thing I'd like to clarify Baggy does not mean that you sag.

You can have tight pants and still sag.

Answer 4

The reason you recieved those kinds of answers is because you did direct it at a particular racial group. And, some people hate having anything questioned about the motives or reasons that someone of their race is doing. They are so wrapped up in the "defense of their ethnicity" that they cannot tell the difference between a fact-finding question and one that is intended to be hurtful. Of course, in most cases, they have no desire TO tell the difference in the two types of questions.

Personally, I don't believe in impertinent questions. I believe that sometimes, that may be the only way to find out impertinent answers.

Hope this helps...

Answer 5

When you ask this question, do you men younger or older black men? In my opinion older black men, then its a laid back causual business like style. Younger, I tend to see a free fit urban look...between the Jay Z style and Common (lyricist) style.

As a Yahoo Questioner, you have every right to ask a question. Overly sensitive people will always have something to say...no matter how nice or rude the question is.

Answer 6

No, it doesn't. People have the right to do whatever they want with their hair. Some people prefer their have natural, curly, wavy, or straight. Just because some black women choose to straighten their hair doesn't mean they hate themselves. Most people think straight hair is easy to manage on a daily basis. That is stupid, it is like saying white people tan to look black, when that is not the case. What people decide to do to themselves is their choice not anyone else.

Answer 7

People don't like being generalized into categories, especially when they are particularly sensitive to the subject at hand.
You question as innocent as it was, gave the impression that you felt Most Black Men dress in the same manner, therefore it was felt that you were stereotyping, which made them jump all over you. I'm on your side, I'm just trying to help you understand how your question was perceived.

Answer 8

There are some, I'm afraid, who are very sensitive to the whole "race" issue. Don't let it bother you and keep doing you. I don't know what your question was cause I didn't look, but I will tell you that any black man of mine better be dressed to the nines. Whether it's a suit or slacks and a dress shirt. They better not try to approach me with a grill in their mouth cause they will get no love whatsoever!

Answer 9

I'm glad you asked. Your implication that all black men wear the same clothes is stupid and ignorant. You made a ridiculous generalization. The fact that this same stupid question has been asked before many times doesn't help.

Answer 10

OK, I will type this very slowly, so that you are sure to understand. Are you ready? ****** are untouchable in our politically correct society. Absolutely anything. They can say anything they want about any other race. They can say ( as a ***** professor recently did) that white people need to be exterminated. They alone can use the "N" word....nobody else is allowed to say this word. They are absolutely untouchable. So you cannot ask anything about what they wear, why they say "ax" instead of "ask", why they lag in academic achievement, or why they have higher crime rates than other races. You as a law abiding......but white.....citizen of a country that brags about the "free speech" it allows, will NOT allow you to ask your reasonable question. Savvy ????

Answer 11

You should have asked why do some men wear baggy clothes. Don't make general comments like that.