Question for southerners (black or white)?

Question

I work with somebody who just moved here (Minnesota) from Alabama. He is white. He keeps commenting that southern blacks "know their place". What he means is, they are more respectful of whites than are northern blacks. He says that the urban black up here is a violent criminal, as compared to the south. I must admit, I avoid the inner city to the best of my ability.
I don't know what to say to him, because even though I'm black, I was raised in a law-abiding middle class family, and have had very limited contact with the urban black.
So, does anybody know, is there a significant behavioral difference between southern and northern black people?

I don't think he's insulting me. I don't think he's nasty, I think he's just not very smart. He says he respects me, because I'm not on welfare or in Jail. In my town, that's a compliment.

Answer 1

I believe your references are misguided misunderstandings.
The differences you're referring to are not found between north and south - they're due to differences in socio-economics.

Yes, there is more crime in depressed urban areas. But skin color and geography are not the primary indicator of who is most likely to violent or criminal. Poor white people tend to be more criminal and scary, too. Black people are overly represented in prisons, but it's because a higher percentage of the black population is poor, not because Northern black people have more criminal tendencies.

People tend to associate with other people of their own socio-economic background, regardless of skin color. I live in mild suburbia - if I go to a bad part of a downtown area, I'm going to tend to be more apprehensive about getting jumped by a thug - but it's because I don't want to be robbed, not because I care what anybody's skin color is. I don't want to be attacked or threatened by anybody - it doesn't matter if they're white, black, blue, or green.

I think for most people, biases are much more likely to be formed on the basis of speech and dress. Even a white guy with an expressed prejudice against black people will be much less threatened by a well-spoken educated black man in a suit than some white guy who's a baggy pants-wearing Eminem-wannabe punk gangsta, or worse yet, some white tattoed and freaked-out Aryan nation skinhead.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I suspect that you would more readily associate with white people in your neighborhood than even a distant relative who lived in the inner city. Thanks for reading my opinion - hope it helps some people think about the issue a little differently.

Answer 2

I also have heard that blacks are more respectful to whites in the south. I will say that when I've been south (I am a northerner myself) the blacks I've met have been pretty decent.
But I will say this: back in the hills and hollers, there are some old traditions that die hard. There are some VERY racist whites down there. They don't much care for yankees, either.

But I find it interesting that several posters, rather than answering the question, choose instead to take you to task for listening to this WHITE person's idea, and making it sound as though you're letting him have his way with you. I know from experience that, at work, people would rather talk about anything BUT work.

Answer 3

This person has The African Amercan Culture based on Everyone is The Same. This is where he needs to be Educated about cultures and behaviors. No two people are The Same, so you should not be classified as having the other African American's Actions. This employee is saying that the South is Prejudice, and most of the Southern People are in my Opinion. He does not think he should be social with African Amercians.I would just treat him as a person, and move on. Maybe you will change his mind about his little mind being so set. I was born in the north and LOVED it. I have lived in the south and the people are so prejudice against people. Where I live now is Great.

Answer 4

Nah, southerners tend to be the only ones obessed with regions these days. I dont see any differences. I wouldnt take to much stake in what a white person says because more often than not they overexaggerate whats going on in the inner city anyway.From my travels blacks tend to be the same every where. Urban blacks from Detroit can get just as reckless as blacks from New Orelans.

Although I cringe when some southern blacks say "yes mam" and "no mam" all the time. This isnt the 60's man...

Answer 5

Here I am responding to a gainfully employed black man who clearly fits NONE of his stereotypes about uppity northerN negroes yet you even dare to consider that he is right? I am from Minnesota also and I am disgusted that you are buying into this bullcrap.

First of all, he is free to like or dislike black people, but that is not relevant in the workplace. Do you get that his comments are totally inappropriate in the workplace. You are at work not to work out racial issue.

Do you get that his telling you that you are lower than him based one something that you had no control over, your skin color? You get some sort of pride being "more respectful" to white people, based upon nothing but ther whiteness?

As I said, I live in Minnesota, and I know that the "inner city" here is pretty damned diverse. You have all races, not just black people. And there are rough places for sure but the cities are not nearly as violent as other cities in the USA.

You have clearly internalized racism and I feel bad for you. Your value is not based upon your color or whether you raised in the suburbs or the city, which is a big deal among the black community in Minnesota. Your value is based on your humanity first and foremost and then how you live your life and treat others. You get that this dude doesnt believe that you, your Mother, your Father, your sisters and your brothers are fully human?

Tell this idiot, he is free to feel how he wants about black people, and he is, there is not law against having prejudices, but that you dont want to hear this at work anymore and if you do, you will be reporting him to HR.

Learn to love yourself!!!

Answer 6

I'm Native American, but I'm from the Southeast, so I'll try my best.

I think Tiacola has it right--people don't bow down to each other in the Southeast, but they do seem to show each other more respect. Generally, I found that to be the case when observing the differences. I'm originally from TN, and people in general are more respectful of others. I don't think it has anything to do with race, rather the culture . Northern people, I find, aren't nearly as polite for the most part (I live in CT now, and they could use some manners.)

Answer 7

Literacy tests, poll taxes, etc. The tests were impossible to pass, regardless of color; I think you can check out some of these test questions online...I mean IMPOSSIBLE to pass. The poll taxes were obviously an economic way to prevent blacks from voting. I'm sure there were other ways as well. I know they would also threaten violence to families, children, and the voters if they even attempted to vote.

Answer 8

I don't think so. I live in the deep south and people are people. some white people are racist and some black people are racist. Most of the people in our town are friends and we try to the best of our ability to not show any difference to anyone. We help each other out and we are friends with each other. I am white and there is a lot of white people I wouldn't associate with. criminals come in all colors.

Answer 9

I don't know, but I find your question very interesting. So, I would like to add in my Two cents, for what is worth.

I guess we northern Blacks, don't know our place. What ever that means. I find that statement null and void. Just like some may find my comment.

Have a nice evening.

Answer 10

well i live in alabama... and for him to say that is racist.. hes dumb anyways because Birmingham, is at top for one of the most dangerous cities, and it doesnt have to do with race. Tell him, that you bet he wouldnt say that to someone from Gatecity or north Birmingham... honestly if anything he knows his place because he wouldnt approach someone like that in Alabama.... i dont think theres a diference, Because nobodys goin to give respect if they arent goin to get it in return...