What does it mean when one "acts white"? (Jesse Jackson reference)?

Question

From what I can tell acting white, according to "black leaders" and rappers means proper speech, proper attire, good grades, good job, love for America, desire to succeed, married with intact family, "can do" attitude, non-victim mentality etc.
Am I a racist or is the "black community" morally bankrupt??

lacedoutmomi, the irony is that you calling me a dum-*** boy does not reflect upon me, but upon you. If you are incapable of having a discusion without calling people names like a 8-year old, I suggest you go elsewhere.

snowchild, thank you for your honest and respectful response. The rap cultrue has not only infected but has taken over the black community, that is why I brought it up.

Answer 1

What you're describing is acting appropriately. Not every white person acts in that manner. "Acting White" is terminology that only seeks to further racism. Good luck. 2D

Answer 2

That is an interesting question. I think alot of that is not just a black/white question, but alot of other factors to it. (no you are not a racist). Just another victim of too much information from too much media....

Guys who grow up in the bad parts of town are taught a different set of rules, then someone from middle class; as well as elite people.

For example, I grew up in Sewickley, where saying "thank you" is a sign that you are from a well-like family, were in the bad parts of town, getting the coolest rims might mean you are "the man".

Yet again, as a white person that grew up in good boarding school and grew up in a nice part of town; mabye totally off, lol..

Answer 3

I am an AMERICAN. My family, like other American families helped to build this country, why would I not love it as much as you? I don't know what you mean by acting white, because as a college professor in the Midwest, the only people I see acting un-American: poor grades, attire, inability to conjugate verbs, family farms destroyed, and brimming with illigitimate births are my white students. You are generalizing. And everything that you claim fits Black people, fits white people. So, if you are not a white supremacist, then you are certainly leaning towards it. You can be special and great without puffing yourself up by ridiculing fault in others you cannot see in yourself and your own people.

Answer 4

I agreed with you until the end.

Rap is a genre of music. WTH does it have to do with "the black community"?
Jesse Jackson nor Al Sharpton represent all black people. Contrary to popular belief Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are the emperors of the "***** Kingdom".

Who listens to Jesse and Al the most? Who continues to give them the attention they love? Who's always talking about them?
White people.

Answer 5

honestly people have said that about me my whole life. and no that is not what they mean (proper speech, proper attire, good grades, good job, love for America, desire to succeed, married with intact family, "can do" attitude, non-victim mentality) and yes you are racist.

Answer 6

Picture this: One man dressed with his overly priced ball cap, sideways on his head. Gold capped tooth, gold chains, shirt collar turned up, slouched posture, hand on crotch, baggy pants around his knees and under ware exposed, big puffy sneakers with no shoe laces, and he greets you by lifting his chin and saying,"sup?" Now you tell me.....what color have you imagined his skin to be?
Another fella is dressed with no hat, a golf shirt, properly fitting jeans, and laced shoes. No exposed under ware. No abundance of jewelery, and he looks you in the eye and says, "hello." Now what color have you imagined his skin to be?
The clothes you wear and the way you carry yourself are both choices. They are choices which reflect two distinct cultures. And it is certainly possible to "act black" or "act white". Black comedians make fun of both ways to act ALL THE TIME and we all recognize it.

By the way, I recall Jesse running for president too. Never saw him address a crowd with, " Yo...what up mother phuckers?" I never saw him in publicity photos eating fried chicken or watermelon either. My point being.....Doesn't Jesse Jackson "act white" himself?

I don't consider myself a racist, but isn't it fair to judge someone by the content of their character?

Answer 7

Acting white, from an epithet applied by some blacks to other blacks (also other minorities such as Asians and Hispanics), refers to a perceived betraying of one's culture by incorporating the social expectations of mainstream white society, particularly in the United States. This encompasses such things as speaking Standard English, dressing conservatively, making prudent financial decisions, striving for academic and/or professional success, living in suburbs, and otherwise attempting to conform to behavior approved of by the dominant culture.

Answer 8

"Acting white" is a term coined by ignorant blacks like 50 Cent and Al Sharpton. It means that a black man talks in proper english instead of using ebonics, slang, or the n-word. BTW: I'm black.

Answer 9

You could've gotten away with your question if you hadn't associated rappers and jesse jackson with the "black community". Yes, you are a racist as you fail to look at Black people as individuals. Dumb *** boy.

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No, the irony is you expect me to actually sit here and discuss with you and at the same time respect you after you just insulted me and other blacks. Is that really irony or is that you just being stupid ***? You lost all respect. I suggest you try and gain some common sense if you want my respect.

Answer 10

Jesse Jackson is an idiot and and a rabble rouser with an agenda of his own. Don't believe a word that comes out of his mouth or Louis Farakhan's They are both crackpot's and don't do anything productive to improve race relations because if they did they would be out a career. They are only interested in "Getting whitey" and perpetuating an attitude of entitlement amongst their followers.