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A little unsolicited advice from a Black man of your parents' generation. Do with it what you will:
You have absolutely no obligation to disprove stereotypes about you (or me). In fact, it's not your role or responsibility to do so. Let me explain.
You've laid out all the evidence that you are a well-rounded, multi-faceted young man with a diversity of knowledge, interests, friendships, etc. You became that person on your own upbringing; your own volition; your own knowledge; your own understanding of people, places and things. Yet you undertake the obligation to emplor others to look past their prejudices to see that you're just as ordinary of a person. That's not a balanced way of gaining the respect that you deserve.
You should never have to "prove" that you're not a stereotype, any more than a White person would "prove" that they aren't a stereotype. You owe nothing to anyone. Just be yourself and let others be who and what they are.
To the original OP... I think it is great that you live a very cultured life, you are living proof that stereotypes can be broken and you also prove that at the core level, all races are the same.
With that said, you are very unique to almost all of the black people I have ever met. With the exception of a handful, all of the black people I have met or am friends with, fit many of the aspects of the stereotype that you lay out, and on top of that most of them seem to gladly fit in to these aspects because it helps in unifying their bretheren.
What you are doing/saying is very unfair to a majority of the American Blacks out there. Many of them do not live the way you live, they feel that is the white mans life... they don't want part of that... they want to stand out as a black person.
It is a very unfortunate situation that so many black people find it acceptable to fit into the stereotype. I work with a lot of different inner city black people here in Rochester, NY... and by work I mean labor with... by talking with them and getting to know them I conclude that nearly all of them are capable of of a life and education that you and I have, however it seems they choose their stereotypical paths out of stubbornness against white people or social programming.
The only reason I said all of this is because the OP makes a counter generalization against the generalization that ALL black people fit their stereotype. I think what I have provided is somewhat middle ground.
To the original OP... I think it is great that you live a very cultured life, you are living proof that stereotypes can be broken and you also prove that at the core level, all races are the same.
With that said, you are very unique to almost all of the black people I have ever met. With the exception of a handful, all of the black people I have met or am friends with, fit many of the aspects of the stereotype that you lay out, and on top of that most of them seem to gladly fit in to these aspects because it helps in unifying their bretheren.
What you are doing/saying is very unfair to a majority of the American Blacks out there. Many of them do not live the way you live, they feel that is the white mans life... they don't want part of that... they want to stand out as a black person.
It is a very unfortunate situation that so many black people find it acceptable to fit into the stereotype. I work with a lot of different inner city black people here in Rochester, NY... and by work I mean labor with... by talking with them and getting to know them I conclude that nearly all of them are capable of of a life and education that you and I have, however it seems they choose their stereotypical paths out of stubbornness against white people or social programming.
The only reason I said all of this is because the OP makes a counter generalization against the generalization that ALL black people fit their stereotype. I think what I have provided is somewhat middle ground.
No, what you have provided is a reiteration of the OP's point. Another generalization based on the relative few black people that you have met.
No, what you have provided is a reiteration of the OP's point. Another generalization based on the relative few black people that you have met.
Right. They both generalize from an elitist standpoint revealing a thorough going contempt for those "beneath" them. The OP has no desire whatsoever to discuss or celebrate the diversity of African-American culture, deep down he sees it as monolithic and seeks to place himself apart from it, by showing non-blacks his "uniqueness."
With that said, you are very unique to almost all of the black people I have ever met. With the exception of a handful, all of the black people I have met or am friends with, fit many of the aspects of the stereotype that you lay out, and on top of that most of them seem to gladly fit in to these aspects because it helps in unifying their bretheren.
What you are doing/saying is very unfair to a majority of the American Blacks out there. Many of them do not live the way you live, they feel that is the white mans life... they don't want part of that... they want to stand out as a black person.
This statement here lets me know one thing about you; you don't know black people. I mean give us a freakin' break, you supposedly have black friends and acquaintances, as well as work and talk with black people, and you can't see the humanity in them? This tells me that you only see them through the lens of black stereotypes. Don't blame them for your own shortcomings.
I once read something along the lines that black people are the ethnic group with the highest percentage of libertarians.
MOD CUT Please provide sources or retract that statement!!!
While there are, without a doubt, blacks who are Libertarians it is highly doubtful that out of all ethnic groups they comprise the highest percentage of Libertarians.
Black Americans and Libertarianism doesn't mix. Why? Well, it's ideology is completely at odds with African-American history. COMPLETELY!!!
Last edited by NewToCA; 03-04-2008 at 10:39 AM..
Reason: language
I'm really not all that surprised, truthhurts. Everyone has different life experiences, and skin color, literally speaking, has nothing to do with anything. It is the culture in which we are raised that makes the difference. Unfortunately, on this planet, our cultures are usually divided along racial lines.
For example, I share little in common with "White People" across the globe, but I share plenty with other white southerners of my income level and background.
What I commonly hear is that "White people aren't capable of understanding black people's problems." In light of your opinions about the "Black Community" and what American blacks really have in common, what is your opinion on this? I think it is a blatant cop-out, but I want to know what you think.
Last edited by anonymous; 03-04-2008 at 10:46 AM..
MOD CUT Please provide sources or retract that statement!!!
While there are, without a doubt, blacks who are Libertarians it is highly doubtful that out of all ethnic groups they comprise the highest percentage of Libertarians.
Black Americans and Libertarianism doesn't mix. Why? Well, it's ideology is completely at odds with African-American history. COMPLETELY!!!
It was a while back and it just said that out of a poll that blacks had a higher percentage of people who hold libertarian beliefs than any other racial group.
Like I said it was while back and I just mentioned it in passing, not claiming it as the gospel truth. It didn't say anything else about the percentages of other political beliefs and considering that people who vote Libertarian are only about 1% of the voting population and some polls suggest that only about 13% of the population would be considered libertarian (think of those "socially/personally liberal, economically/fiscally conservative" types), I don't think it is complete, crazy off the wall claim.
Get a hold of yourself and try not acting like you're having stroke, buddy.
Black Americans and Libertarianism doesn't mix. Why? Well, it's ideology is completely at odds with African-American history. COMPLETELY!!!
please explain that view to me in more detail,because I wonder why this would be true from your pov.Or does it have more to do with your choice of socialism as in your user info?
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