Why must I be defined by color/ethnicity rather than being human?

Question

Society is facing a steady decline in the way we treat each other in society. If the old way is the best way, why do old ways become obsolete? It truly is time for change. I wake up in the morning, watch the news and listen to the travesties that occur that are mostly based on the appearance of the person instead of whatever their character flaws could be. When you look at me, can u see that I love football more than the average girl likes to shop?... can you see that I work eighty hours a week and go to school part time because I want nothing but the best for myself? Or do you just see that I look black, so I must be like all your stereotypical beliefs about them?

Truth is, I'm French, Haitian and Scottish and very proud. But I'm just curious, when you look at a person, do you see them for who they are (human) or do you notice their ethnicity?

Just looking for some thoughts...

im not just black people are seen a certain way, but just people in general. I never use ebonics and enunciate every syllable. I've been picked on for it extensively by other black ppl.. but that's not the issue. I'm just curious if appearance has more effect than character.

meant to say im not just talking about black people.. sorry :D

Answer 1

A lot of people likely have deeper insight into your question than I but I'll give you my thoughts. In general I will always try to judge someone on their own merits before considering any other factors. As I get to know a person, I see less and less of the features that may cause me to stereotype and more of the individual qualities of that person, HOWEVER..
I must admit that, when you are meeting people on a day to day basis and you do not know them well enough to truly understand what kind of person they are, I think it is only natural to use past experiences and relate them to this new individual you are meeting. If you have had bad experiences with people of a certain race you will tend to be more skeptical and cautious when meeting new people of that race. If we try to pretend that we don't feel that way we are denying human evolution and survival instinct.
The real issue is how we act on those suspicions and feelings. It is okay for some people to be a little more cautious around certain groups of people as long as they understand what they are feeling and why and try to give each new person the benefit of the doubt until they reveal their true selves, one way or another.
I will share with you something that really affects the way I see certain people. If I meet someone new and they are of a different race than myself, I feel like I can tell very quickly if race is a major issue for them. If there race is the primary determinent in how they would describe themselves or how they feel about themselves or life, then chances are we will not be getting along very well. If they are a truly good person who does not pre-judge me based on race factors and who does not use their race as an excuse for the bad decisions people make in their lives, we will likely get along very well, regardless of any racial differences.
If a person is black but being black does not define themselves or control every decision they make, we could bcome good friends.
If they are white but there whole sense of self does not come from being white we may become good friends.
The same for Asians, Hispanics, Native Americans or any other group you can think of.

Part of the problem many blacks face is the fact that a certain number of blacks in this country have used their race (and racism) as an excuse for all kinds of bad behaviors and decisions by themselves and other blacks, and they ridicule other black people who actually want to make a name for themselves on their own merits. The problem many white people face is they base their opinion of all blacks on this particular group of blacks who are not representative of all of their race. Many white people will also use the social system demands made by some groups (affirmative action, etc ) as the excuse for their won failings in life.
I guess what I am saying is I agree with you.

Answer 2

Societies are extensions of tribal life. In this context if you are not of the tribe then you are not us. This means you are a possible threat to us. You are only accepted into the new place, group, tribe if you are deemed not a threat.

I look at a person if I have a need to at them. Other than people watching I don't really care what you look like. Stereotypes are what we expect to see and hear from a person of any race. I live in an area with a high Mexican population. Many people match the stereotype of an uneducated Mexican and some don't. But just looking at a person is not enough. I finalize my judgment, for good or bad, on how they talk and how much sense they make. I value intelligence over sheer looks. Not that I don't like to look at a beautiful person, I find most people like that, my stereotyping, to be rather shallow and not very intelligent.

Answer 3

Have you seen the show Without Prejudice? Sometimes, you can't truly help but to judge someone by how they look. If you see someone sagging with gold all up in their mouth I mean you don't truly think that they might have a Phd. If I see someone rolling in a Ferrari, I don't really think that they are in the process of liquidating their assets.
However, race is a sort of different issue. If you see a black person, you don't necessarily assume ghetto, but if he sags, you assume ghetto. If you see an Asian doing it, you don't think ghetto, you think ghetto wannabe.
Me, I read all the time. In middle school, I was acting "white". I wasn't trying to academically further my self, I was trying to be "white". My IQ is 141, quite good considering that is 10x my age, and that is genius category, and not that far from Einstein. I can speak intermediate French, and am working on my Spanish. But on the outside, I look like a regular African American (Native African). In seventh grade, my soon to be French teacher saw me making some trouble, and assumed I was another idiot. When I got him for my French class, he was amazed at how I was extremely studious, and well-behaved.

Answer 4

Honestly, we discussed this in many sociology classes (I'm studying to get an MSW) anyhoo...

It turns out that a lot of times, we subconsciously base out opinions about someone based solely on looks alone. It could stem all the way back to our ancestors when a tribe would encounter another tribe and they would have to judge whether they are friend or enemy before meeting the tribe.

Lots of people have a stigma against a group of people, not necessarily just race or color, but maybe you are wary of people with beards, or women with black hair. Who knows.

We all have a tendancy to relate to others that are similar to us. Its human nature.

Answer 5

It would be nice if we could see past visual indicators but the truth is that we are animals. We depend on what we see to judge what is safe. But as our society advances, those visual indicators become less applicable. Unfortunately there are those people who are too ignorant to come to that realization unlike you and me.
And to those two guys who used the analogy of the black guy with the sagging pants being a thug. Can I assume that when I see a nerdy white guy that he likes to bang children and his mom? Would that be a fair assumption? Just food for thought.

Answer 6

I feel that color or religion or anything other than the way a person is has nothing to do with the way someone should be treated. I treat everyone the way that I want to be treated. We all are equal in the eyes of the LORD. Everyone should live that way and who cares about color or anything that makes us different form each other. Just learn to love and be happy with yourself. Most people that treat people bad are not really happy with themselves. You can not make someone happy until your happy yourself.

Answer 7

A normal sized one. If i was a human sized cockroach then i would most likely end up in some sort of cage while people ran tests on me.

Answer 8

The biggest thing I see is attitude then color (I admit it but it used to not be that way for me).
I think or want to think that the attitude makes the biggest difference.
I do know there are many good people out there that are of different backgrounds , and many more that are not so good.
If one respects themself and others they shouldn't have many problems . those who has little respect for themselves cause he!! for everyone around them.
truth be known I aint so white myself.

Answer 9

I see people by their ethnicity... but i dont judge them because of it. I dont think blacks are all Ghetto. I dont think Hispanics are all illegal immigrants and i dont think french are annoying. but when a black guy walks down the street with his pants to his knees, and a blunt behind his ear, I wont lie, I see him as a ghetto punk. I think people allow themselves to be judged...