Racism: is it more important to "act white" than to be white?

[the_mango55]

What I mean is, I believe the cultural differences between the races, at least in America, is more important than skin color in determining whether someone experiences racism, discrimination, or reduced opportunities in this day and age.

For example, a black person raised by a poor single mother who wears jeans or khakis and collared shirts (or other "respectable young man" clothes), works hard in school, stays mostly out of trouble, and gets a scholarship or takes out a student loan to go to college, will be more likely to succeed and be accepted than a middle class white kid who conforms more to a stereotypical "urban black" cultural norm. One where he is loud and obnoxious, disregards education, is involved in crime from a early age, etc.

For this reason, I think that in most cases the problems today are not true racism, but more along the lines of cultural imperialism.

*Mods - if this would be better in Ethos or Thema Devia, move it there

[Ummon]

So it is cultural imperialism to impose a norm of social conduit, which is somehow orderely and productive? Now, I am the first to love the advantages of individualism, yet I fail to see how being able to act "obnoxiously" and "disregarding education" is a form of "culture" subject to "imperialism".

[Ó Cathasaigh]

Hey, you're not cool unless you're not white. It's a fact.

[Tom Paine]

I'm with Ummon on this one, really. Its not cultural imperialism, its taking advantage of what is offered, being polite, and actually getting on with rather than pissing off the society around one. This is done and not done by people of all races and bears no real relation to racism.

[removeduser_426582376423734]

I'm with Corporal_Hicks on this one, really.

[-Conan the Barbarian-]

The problem is that "acting white" (polite and wanting to generally succeed in life without resorting to criminal behavior) is seen as uncool.

[Tom Paine]

The problem is that "acting white" (polite and wanting to generally succeed in life without resorting to criminal behavior) is seen as uncool.

Yeah, and coolness... well, is something I find counterproductive and irrelevant. Possibly because I am terminally uncool...

[Ó Cathasaigh]

This is why I dream of a future of police work. I'll get to be around "Cool" people all the time! Lucky me!

[removeduser_426582376423734]

Why not put what we really think? Change "white" to "civilized" and it'll all still make sense.

[RZZZA]

Being poor, unproductive, dangerous and obnoxious isnt "black culture" though...

I hate all this "act white" or "act black" stuff, theres no such thing, its a ridiculous concept.

[the_mango55]

Being poor, unproductive, dangerous and obnoxious isnt "black culture" though...

I hate all this "act white" or "act black" stuff, theres no such thing, its a ridiculous concept.

That's the best terms I could use to describe them, I don't mean all black people also, but a far larger percentage of black people are like this, which is why it is associated with black culture.

The same could be said about some rednecks. People who are completely uncouth and rude, who wear rebel flags and overalls all the time while driving too fast in their pickups while screaming "GIT ER DUN" at the top of their lungs.

These people are disliked just as much and get just as few opportunities in life as "thugs," but nobody considers it racism.

If you can prove that there is a causal relationship between wearing a certain kind of clothing and success in life, I'll believe you.

Which is why I said "or other "respectable young man" clothes." It doesn't have to be that kind, as long as it's not "Thug life" 4xl tshirts, baggy pants, do-rags, and big black coats 10 months out of the year. Or overalls and no shirt for that matter, so you won't think I'm just picking on black people.

[JP226]

Being from the south and living here all my life there is a difference between acting ghetto and not. No matter the color or age.

[RZZZA]

right but ghetto does not equal black, its not within their culture to be poor, obnoxious or dangerous. Ghetto is not synonymous with black, and neither is the term "urban".

[bdh]

who wears jeans or khakis and collared shirts (or other "respectable young man" clothes)

If you can prove that there is a causal relationship between wearing a certain kind of clothing and success in life, I'll believe you.

[JP226]

of course not, whites can be just as ignorant in their ghettoese. Ever watched the white rapper on VH1?

[RZZZA]

of course not, whites can be just as ignorant in their ghettoese. Ever watched the white rapper on VH1?

Good lord that show SUCKS! None of them are even decent mcs, that show is a joke.

[RZZZA]

Youre grossly oversimplyfing things Im afraid, its kind of unfair to take someones entire life and classify them into unflattering stereotypes and make brash judgements about their character or lives. The people you describe exist, but probably in insignificant numbers, and I bet none of their lives can be described in such a black and white fashion.

Its just like the "nerd" stereotype, like steve urkel. Those people exist but in insignificant numbers, the reality is most people exhibit some nerd-ish tendencies but arent entirely nerds or losers or geeks.

Or the "evil businessman" stereotype. Some evil businessmen do exist but the reality is usually much more nuanced.

[the_mango55]

I never said they weren't complex human beings like the rest of us, but because they dress and act a certain way (which they themselves chose, it wasn't forced upon them), they make themselves victims of discrimination.

I'm not saying it's right to stereotype people because of the way they dress, but it happens, and they themselves are just as much to blame as anyone for not being successful in life.

[JP226]

[quote]I never said they weren't complex human beings like the rest of us, but because they dress and act a certain way (which they themselves chose, it wasn't forced upon them), they make themselves victims of discrimination.[quote]

Exactly. Just like all the damn bubbas running around in south georgia.

[jankren]

Does acting white mean behaving like rednecks?