Are we just supposed to stop having black beauty pageants, the NAACP, BET, Historically Black Colleges and?

Question

Universities? I keep seeing the same thing over and over.."well they have BET...if we had WET..then we would be labeled racists" or "if we had all white schools, we would be considered racist" come on people...do you all have any idea why HBCU were even created? At one point and time blacks weren't created equal, weren't allowed to get an education in the same building as whites. I am getting a little annoyed because people are failing to realize that. Now I will say this, I don't feel people should keep looking back at slavery or segregation as a means to be racist, or to feel that something is owed to us, but this whole thing is bugging me that people aren't realizing the purpose of the NAACP...or HBCU's etc.
Anything else that I may have I left out, please feel free to add something...seriously lets not attack each other..just simply give your opinion..without being disrespectful..thanks

Never said white people were the only racists...but from what I have read on here..that seems to be the argument about BET...etc..don't put words in my mouth.

wow, when did I call white people racists????? apparently some aren't actually reading my question....

Freeze dried...ANY RACE can enter a HBCU...

Answer 1

For the people on here saying that BET, HBCUs, etc are void and not needed--WRONG WRONG WRONG.
I went to an HBCU for both my BA and MS. I would never have learned about the Sociology of W.E.B. Dubois, the reason Ralph Ellison wrote the Invisible Man, the enconomic structure of Nairobi, the early life of Madame C.J. Walker, the black-feminist perspective, etc. This stuff is just not taught as indepth at Majority Institutions. The teachers at HBCUs are fully invested in the educational growth of their students. Before I went to an HBCU, I went to a well-respected majority institution. I was treated like a second-class citizen at this school. This was in 1999 not 1959.
The NAACP is more than just a watchdog group for blacks. It is an organization that provides a voice to rising black political figures. The NAACP does more for the homeless of any race than any other organization besides the American Redcross. It has provided opportunities to thousands of college students looking for leadership experience, internship experience, and real-world experience. This is not often available to black students through other means.

BET is owned by MTV, so to me it has no merit.
For those who accuse blacks of segregating themselves by creating things specifically for black people are totally jacked up in the head. There are still instances degredation visited upon blacks largely on the part of whites. We are still blocked from getting mortgages, securing employment, moving into certain neighborhoods, etc. There are no black shows on any major network (ABC, CBS, NBC). I want to see people who look like me. I cannot identify with Rachel on friends or the countless other copycat Rachels on TV now.

Answer 2

You have asked an excellent question. Although the answer is obvious to Blacks and other non-Whites, I would be happy to attempt to explain this to you. The most logical way to begin is to understand the history of this country. I am not talking about what you may have learned in school as it was very inaccurate and misleading. Black people have long been part of this country and as you might know we were brought here en masse in chains as slaves. To keep us in our "place" we were denigrated and reviled and made to believe that we were inferior. Whites on the other hand, had to be taught that they were superior to ensure that we did not rise up and take over this country. At one time in many places in the U. S., Blacks although slaves, outnumbered Whites. Therefore society in America evolved specifically for the benefit and betterment of White people. As a result, Blacks and in many cases with the help of enlightened Whites, developed and promoted other institutions that Black people could participate in to enhance and showcase their talents. Even though now there has been great progress in the form of integration, many of America's institutions do not fully embrace Blacks and other non-whites. Of course, race relations on a personal level may appear to be acceptable. However, this is usually the case only if Whites are not uncomfortable with Blacks sometimes being in a position of authority or outcompeting Whites. This is a very sensitive and subtle situation that occurs probably more often than you are aware. Whites are usually oblivious to these situations since they are not adversely affected on a daily basis. Being in a majority white situation continuously guarantees and insulates most whites from having to face or deal with these situations, which is probably the reason why you have asked this question now. Before we can ever hope for a true and equal society there must be some give and take. For the last few hundred years, Black have been doing the giving and Whites have been taking. Please accept this in the spirit it given. Therefore, this is the reason why you not only have the HBCUs, NAACP, Miss Black America etc... but there are many, many more organizations that you may never hear of the address specifically the cultural aspects of the Black community. You must know that these were not designed nor are they intended to exclude Whites as much as to provide an uplift or outlet for hardworking Blacks who refuse to be ignored or overlooked by a majority White society. You should also know that when we meet in our organizations, we meet for out betterment and do not waste time hating Whites.

Answer 3

There definitely are a lot of racists on yahoo answers. The only reason that so many get offended is that the sometimes the truth hurts.
I don't see anything wrong with people acknowledging or focusing in on their own culture/religion/ society especially in the light of living within one that is as oppressive and discriminative as the Anglo based country were we live.
Anglos have done nothing short of putrefying and destroying every other culture they have come in contact with. If this is supposed to be a free country, then certainly no "patriot" or lover of freedom should have a problem with the Miss Black/Asian/Latino/ Hindi beauty pageant or Schools that focus on educating people about their own heritage or culture.

Answer 4

Hm. I would really like to live wherever these folks live...where life is good and there is no racism or discrimination.
As long as the races are unequal, there is still a call for colleges, scholarships and institutions that are specific for minorities - not just blacks but Asians and Hispanics too.

As far as the country "not needing" that anymore I think it's absurd. That's just like saying we should stop celebrating Christmas. It divides Christians from other religions and the birth of Christ happened SO long ago. It's in the past. We don't need to have it anymore. Let's move on.

See how ridiculous that sounds? If something is already established, just leave it the way it is. Those things were established for the betterment of people who were underrespresented and severely mistreated. The intentions were good and the services, by and large, are still needed.
Cheers.

Answer 5

I think you've pretty much covered everything.

If I may add a few comments:

1) BET needs to just go away already. Ever since what's-his-face sold out to Viacom back in 1997, BET has been a total embarrassment. I have no problem with the whole network no longer being on the air.

2) The NAACP hasn't done a damn thing for anybody (with the exception of my college scholarships in the 80's) since the civil rights era. And all they've done since then is crow about their civil rights era accomplishments. The NAACP needs to remove their collective heads from betwixt their collective buttocks, clean house, step up into THIS decade and start adressing some REAL issues (poverty, gang violence, education, and those damn rap videos on BET).

3) Beauty pageants. I understand the need for them, but I really don't much care one way or the other. Black folks spend too much time and energy (and $$$) on the superficial as it is. And since Trump seems to have taken over the whole mainstream beauty pageant industry anyways, I see no need for the black community to help contribute to The Donald's continuing quest for bl*wjobs.

Answer 6

It is in fact racist that there are all-black Universities, or all black beauty pageants, etc. Anything that stops people from entering anything, due to skin color or race is discrimination. Hence in order to have equity in the system, they should be open to everyone or not allowed. At one time, not everyone was equal even if they were white or black or pink or purple. My ancestors came from Europe, where they were little more than slaves. I realize that black people were segregated in society, however, I had nothing to do with that nor did my family. So, since my family were little more than slaves and also could not get an education, does that mean I should have special treatment? To have anything specifically for any race or color is terrible, since that is discrimination. In order to move towards equity in the system, all of that needs to be removed. I hope that you can understand where I am coming from, because I truly would love to see a world which is color blind and only sees people for who they are and the talents they possess.

Answer 7

I don't see NAACP, BET, Historically black colleges and whatnot as a problem. What I do have a problem with is being labeled as a racist over things I, personally, had nothing to do with (slavery).

IMHO - sagging pants, unlaced/tied shoes and super loud rap music is annoying ... I don't care who's doin it.

Now it's not JUST white people that are racist ... Anyone who says any other race is evil really needs to take a good, long, hard look at themselves to figure out why they believe that and what they can do to turn it around.

Answer 8

Today, a black child and a white child will be born. Neither will experience slavery or segregation. Both may come from struggling middle class families....

The black child, never knowing slavery or segregation, will likely experience no more racism that his white counterpart. Yet, he will reap the benefits not available to his white counterparts because of what someone he never knew in a time he didn't know went through. Maybe his parents will teach him he is entitled to such things, maybe they won't. He will see BET, NAACP, black this, black that. Even if his parents try to teach him to be color blind...he will know he is different, that his color defines him on many levels.

The white child, never knowing slavery or segregation, will likely experience the same racism as his black counterpart. His parents may be hippies that raise him without any sense of color and no sense of hate. He will know nothing of race until he is able to understand the world around him - he will see his black counterpart, whose struggles are no different than his own, has advantages in regards to education, work, etc. because someone he didn't know in a time he didn't live in may have done something to people his black counterpart didn't know either. He will see BET, NAACP, black this, black that. Though his parents raised him right and he otherwise wouldn't have one racist thought ever enter his head....society has taught him he is different, that color does define him on many levels.

The things you are referring to have no positive purpose in race relations in TODAY'S DAY AND AGE, and certainly not in the future. Racism does, indeed, still exist, and it likely always will, but just as many black folks contribute to such racial divisions as white folks. So....do we become part of the problem or the solution? You cannot logically strike down racial division by dividing the races, be it on T.V., in government programs, and certainly not in schools and scholarships.

Answer 9

I think if people want a beauty pageant everyone should be included, period.
If the blacks want their own beauty pageant then they shouldn't be involved in other beauty pageants.
I think they are segregating themselves and still wanting to be unsegregated, too.
Why can't they just be happy one way or the other?
It's the same whith any ethnic group.
They are all making their own racism a problem by wanting everything.
The racist problems will continue as long as ethnic groups keep feeding the problems with doing what they are doing and not trying to fit in with everyone else.
Maybe it would be better to go back to segregation, then everyone would know where they belong.

Answer 10

I think that the assimilation and equality of minorities is not going to happen until and unless they begin to compete on a level playing field. Segregation only weakens them and reinforces the concept that they require special assistance to accomplish anything.