Do white people really get angry when they say see a Black person in a nice car?

Question

I have never heard of a Black person looking at a white guy driving a porsche and saying "how did he afford such a nice car?" we just assume he makes good money.

But why is it a Black person driving a nice car is cause for suspicion.

I drive an audi, which is hardly a super expensive ride. So why when I got pulled over by the police today did the cop ask me "is this your car?" and then "where do you work?" and then unbelievably he says "you can't afford this car on that salary"

Even though it is true that I can't afford the car on what I make, my dad can and he bought it when I graduated from college. but why did I have to explain that to the cop. and why didn't he believe me. which of course resulted in me being subjected to a search.

zcheckm Z - I think you're a bamma.

Im not saying he pulled me over because I was Black. I was speeding, alright. Im just wondering why in the hell he refused to believe that I owned the car by legitimate means.

Deborah - not that expensive. mine was 33k

Answer 1

Actually, I've heard several blacks stereotype white people who drive nice cars- "He's just a rich daddy's boy." "She's a whore with a sugar daddy." "You know he's into some crooked sh1t, but everything gets blamed on the black man." The list goes on....

On the other hand, I have also heard what you speak of. I have heard a great deal of remarks made by white people who stereotype blacks who drive nice cars- "You know that's welfare." "He has to be a drug dealer." "Some ghetto baby momma let him drive her car." And so on...

Like I always say, there are bad apples in every bunch. I am certainly not claiming that whites are stereotyped moreso than blacks. I am very outspoken about the fact that I don't think any of us can say one way or the other with any certainty. My point is that it does happen on both "sides", but I think many of us tend to notice prejudice more from groups other than ours. However, I think my eyes and ears are fairly open to seeing and hearing it from all people. And I hope that others will do the same; because, if our focus stays on any one group moreso than others, most of the "field" will remain wide open to prejudice.

To answer the initial question, "Do white people really get angry when they see a black person in a nice car?"- Yes, some do. As I said, I have heard remarks that make it quite obvious that blacks who drive nice cars are stereotyped. And I do believe that, often times, the misconceptions that people have are accompanied by anger.

"But why is it a Black person driving a nice car is cause for suspicion."- It ISN'T cause for suspicion. There is no logical reason why anyone should think that BLACK + NICE CAR = "SHADY BUSINESS".

"So why when I got pulled over by the police today did the cop ask me "is this your car?" and then "where do you work?" and then unbelievably he says "you can't afford this car on that salary""- If the officer would have simply asked you if you are the owner of the car, I would think that it's entirely possible that he was just doing his job. I might not have even questioned his inquiry regarding your employment. Some officers, believe it or not, will randomly ask these questions regardless of race. But the comment, "you can't afford this car on that salary," definitely makes me wonder. I don't know you, where you live, what your behavior is like, etc... So I have no other choice but to assume that it's possible that the officer had non-race based suspicions. (And I'm saying that such would have been your fault. I'm just remaining open minded.) But, on the other hand, since racial stereotyping is so common, I certainly don't doubt the strong possibility that the officer was making assumptions due to your being black. If this is true, why would he do this? Well, it's quite obvious- If he was indeed stereotyping you due to your race then he is most certainly racist.

I want to comment about something else- You mention that your father bought your car after your college graduation. Perhaps you chose to share this information for no other reason than to just tell us a little about yourself since you were on the topic of your vehicle. However, if your reason was because you felt the need to explain why you own a nice car, I want to tell you this- You shouldn't feel that you have to explain yourself. Please don't live your life thinking that you need to explain your situation simply because you are a black man. It isn't your responsibility. You have just as much right to live how you want, own what you want, be who you want, etc... as everyone else does without having to answer the question, "Why". Don't do it, sweetie- DON'T EXPLAIN! You don't owe us ANYTHING.

Answer 2

This is one of those times when I'm embarassed to live in America. There is still so much racism, and being pulled over for "driving while black" is a prime example. Police are unfortunately not always highly evolved or educated people, to say the least. . . But you're out of college now, so you're obviously educated--and the best way to change the system is from within. By being a black person graduating from college and driving an Audi you are already on your way.

(by the way, how much is an Audi :)

Answer 3

I drive a BMW 650i and Nissan Xterra, but I never get stopped. I did however get stopped more when I was in college and I was driving a VW Jetta.

Personally it doesn't cross my mind what people think of me when I parked at a stop light next to a p.o.s. full of white people or a white person in the same car as me. I have even less fear of cops when they get behind me or get right next to me. I know my paperwork is legal and that is what counts the most.

I understand cops have a procedure they follow, but where I work and how much I make is not apart of that unless they actually charge me with something. I have refused to dismount my vehicle for unmarked cars before. Anyone can buy badges and play fake cop, but you can't fake a black and white with cherries on top.

Answer 4

I not white, and I don't get mad when I see any type of person in a nice car... but sometimes the brothers tend to make nice cars look really ugly, by adding a buch of unnecessary accessories, like giant rims, lots of chrome or odd colors and other junk. Like I saw a brother with a Camaro it must've been a 1967-1970, anyways it's an amazing muscle car, but he had and I'm no BSing, 24 inch alligator rims on this 60's Camaro! I was appalled, a beautiful muscle car ruined, you can't even drive it to it's full potential with those giant rims and thin tires, oh and of course it had the DUB plac on the side of the car.... no offense. But every ethnicitys have their own quirks, so you can point out all sorts of weird things people do. That cop must've been a hater though.....

Answer 5

Unfortunately, yes, many Whites are racist and aren't even aware of it. This type of hostility is derived from stereotypes, not ideas on racial superiority or White supremacy. Due to a variety of reasons, the media playing no small part, Blacks are associated with crime. Perhaps it's better in other countries like the above answer said, that haven't had such a long history of prejudice against Blacks - or a history with Blacks in general. They may lack the preconceptions people in America have.

Answer 6

I own a Prowler and a "practical" car. I have been pulled over so many times that I really do not drive it that much. I think that SOME people wants us to fit into their "idea" of what it means to be black. SOME think that we should be driving a beat up jalopy, living in a shack or the ghetto. When we drive nice autos and live in a nice home in the suburbs, it makes them realize that their blanket assumptions have been wrong. Instead of admitting that they were wrong, many of them like to continue living the lie by going into denial.

I have not been asked what I do for a living. Yet, when my husband drove my car and got pulled over, he was asked was it his car, he said that it was his wife's car. He asked him what WE did for a living. When he told him, he acted like he did not believe him and went on to ask him the address and phone numbers of our respected companies. When he could not give him my exact address to my workplace, he accused him of lying and said that he was going to "check it out."

I see so many Questions on here about us wanting a handout and something from white America, the truth of the matter is if we were just left alone and allowed to live our lives without constant harassment, then we would be fine.

Answer 7

wow, that cop was a total dick. I don't think "white" people get angry when they see a black guy in a nice car, I think maybe some backward uneducated white people may think that. Obviously the cop is a bigot. But just to play devils advocate, perhaps he was suspicious because he has dealt with a lot of drug related crimes and has noticed a pattern between drug dealers, nice cars, and black males.

Answer 8

No I think you are right on with this one. My boyfriend was at a gas station and a white guy made a comment on how did he afford his car and if it was really his. People are just jealous idiots. But I do think this is more of a man thing than for women because we are not so concerned with what car someone is driving and how they got it.

Answer 9

C'mon, you know why. You were guilty of DWB, at least to the hick that pulled you over. It's all about the profile to some cops. Next time that happens, you just look him straight in the eye and say, "Yeah, well MOST people can't afford the cars they drive. That's why there's credit and payday loans".

A friend of mine wanted a Mercedes all his life, and found one for cheap at a buy-here-pay-here place. It was old and junky, but he bought it and fixed it up prime. He was always getting pulled over and harassed, just like you. He's a teacher, and his wife works at a hospital. When he explained for like the 100th time how he got the car, he finally just said what I told you to say, and the cop shut his fat mouth and let him go.

Answer 10

that was just a stupid cop.
personally i dont look at it like that.
i am white and i dont care about the race of the person when they are driving a nice or a not so nice car.
but there are some rasist people out there, like the cop who we all hate but have to deal with.
it sucks that hes a cop. he shouldnt be if hes rasist like that.
i would be angry too, if i were you but just because he's white dont assume all white people do that because thats just a stupid sterio type that all white people are rasist.
we're not.
that was just a really bad cop that should lose his job.