Who made them the deciders. I often hear things like: "Beyonce isn't Black," Why? because she is caramel (not even all that light). But Beyonce says she is Black. Black people say she is Black. what else is there?
Most white people don't even know what being Black means, who are they to decide who is Black and who is not?
2007-07-13 02:50:38 · 38 answers · asked by $0.02 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
I shouldn't have to say this, but I am only refferring to the white people that DO this, not to all white people.
2007-07-13 02:51:35 · update #1
Lol...I don't think most of them mean any harm by it...but I can't say I've experienced many white people doing that very often....But really, who is anybody to decide what someone's race is?...lol...Genetics decides that, and there can be no argument there...lol
About Beyonce, I've noticed that a LOT of people on here seem to think she's bi-racial.....when clearly, her mother's black, very fair-skinned, but black, and her father is definitely black...
2007-07-13 02:57:43 · answer #1 · answered by Prima_Donnassassin! 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Many people MIGHT assume that because they see a very beautiful black woman that they are probably mixed or have something else in them. They assume someone black could probably never be that attractive. That could be one of the reasons people have been saying that. Black people come in all different shades. I've seen black people with white skin to black people with skin as dark as coal. They are both beautiful. Also, a lot of society decides who we are and how we should see ourselves. It's a terrible thing, but on the other side we wouldn't know who we were without society. You should read about The Looking Glass Theory by Charles Horton Cooley. It is excellent and explains a lot of how society tells us who we are like what black means or what is considered beautiful. FYI in the South where I live I hate to say it but having just a little black in you still qualifies you as black. It's an old habit going back to slavery days that some people still take seriously. Another sad but true fact is that Beyonce has gotten to the place she is over the other members of her group is b/c she is a lighter shade than they are. I think it's sad America still thinks like that. BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL in all skin tones!!!
If someone caught Beyonce stealing a car or doing crack, they wouldn't have a problem calling her black then LOL.
2007-07-13 03:08:17 · answer #2 · answered by vmarie84 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't know who does what the most, but I've witnessed a great deal of stupidity from both whites and blacks regarding such matters.
I'm reminded of a woman who recently responded to one of the "what race are you" questions here on Y!A. She responded by saying, "Black, Latina, French, German, and some white."
I'm also reminded of a few occasions when I was a teenager, during which men expressed an interest in me. I was with friends who jokingly told them that I don't speak English. On one occasion I remember a friend telling a man that I was German. And, on another occasion, a friend told a man that I was Russian. On each of these occasions, the response was, "Good, 'cause I don't mess with white girls."
There have been times when, after mentioning that he has English ancestors, my husband was told that he isn't really black- that he just has black features.
I'm sure the stupidity in the above situations is quite obvious to most of you. I could go on all day.
The world is full of ignorant people who have no understanding of race while, however, claiming that they are the end all be all of knowledge on the subject.
EDIT: "I shouldn't have to say this, but I am only refferring to the white people that DO this, not to all white people."
----I'm sorry.... I know you may disagree with me, but I do think you should have to say the above if you wish to be understood that you're not referring to all white people. How else are people suppose to know? I realize that you think it's implied (that you're not referring to all white people), but not everyone is going to know that. Assume you haven't read my answers on this site in order to make any determination about me-- Would you know that I'm not referring to all blacks if, for example, I asked the following: "Why do black people think whites who embrace black culture are trying to be black?" This is, as I said, just an example. If you're honest, I'm sure that you'll say you would have no idea what to think. I'm not picking on you. I honestly don't believe that you mean ALL white people when you ask/answer a question. But I do think it's important to specify as such. And it doesn't take much effort to say "some", "several", "many", etc... You may not agree, but thanks for hearing me out regardless.
2007-07-13 04:39:26 · answer #3 · answered by SINDY 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Why are you feeding fuel to the fire by putting people in a group mentality? People are individuals.
That is why saying "why do whites" or "why do blacks" feeds fuel to the fire. People get their rights because we are individuals not because we belong to a group.
Many people say that about Beyonce from many different backgrounds. Many people say a lot of stupid things. So really WHAT is your point?
2007-07-13 10:14:09 · answer #4 · answered by Beauty&Brains 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In all truth, I think color matters more to black people than it does to white people. We really don't notice or care unless behavior becomes an issue (gangsta attitudes), then the person who is acting out is cast into a stereotype mold. Most black people do not "act out" or have an entitlement mentality. They're well-educated, work hard, shop wisely and live within their means I also believe blacks care more about degree of skin hue.
2007-07-13 03:01:56 · answer #5 · answered by felines 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Race really shouldn't even have to come up.Everyone ones that Beyonce is African American.First Micheal Jackson wasn't black then Tiger Woods, and now Beyonce!?WOW!!
2007-07-13 02:57:11 · answer #6 · answered by Lovely 1 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, I was gonna say--I'm white and I've never said anyone was black or wasn't black. I guess I don't know why people would say that, or why you would be offended. But I answered your question because I'm white and you asked about white people.
2007-07-13 02:54:28 · answer #7 · answered by ? 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Agreed
2007-07-13 09:57:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
"I shouldn't have to say this, but I am only referring to the white people who DO this, not to all white people." - Quoted from the question.
This last portion, quoted above, is well-observed. There are all sorts of people, in every category. Both, good and bad. So, it is NOT wisdom, to comment generically, on any specific category of people, as a rule.
2007-07-13 03:07:42 · answer #9 · answered by Sam 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Thank you for qualifying, though. Unless you do that, we assume you DO mean all white people.
I can't answer your question.
People are wierd, that is all I know to say.
I have taught school for 26 years, and some black people get mad if you call them black. They want to be called caramel or mixed or tan or whatever.
2007-07-13 02:55:01 · answer #10 · answered by batgirl2good 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋