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[Satch]

Heard this while walking to class today:

"Your hair is so pretty and soft! It's not really yours though, right?"

UUUUUUUUUUUUUGHSJGFKBNSsvhgcvsb

"omg can i touch your hair?"

NO

i'm not your dog

 

[Slayven]

I am not saying shit all bad, just that if you are a black male under 85 you have to process somethings a little differently.

 

[Lionheart1337]

i'm guessing that still beats being a black guy in africa

SNAP

 

[DY_nasty]

I've been out with my kid sister and everyone around me was watching my every step, as if I was a pedophile. Is that similar?

You ever heard of Shaniya Davis? Alexis Patterson No one gives a fuck when a minority girl gets kidnapped, raped, and killed. So naw - not the same if you think about it.

 

[Black Republican]

Everything is so white and black. I guess what I am trying to say is why do they have to act like were all so different as races. Most minorities all get treated like this Black or brown.

to be fair, i think the asian perspective on prejedice isnt looked at enough

You're so well-spoken!

its all about the library card my son

 

[MRORANGE]

I often feel like this is just as much about mannerisms and dress as it is about race. When I'm walking down the street, guess which one of these makes me the most nervous?

I'm not saying that racism is non-existent in this country, but people ought to look at how they dress and act. When five black guys dressed like the dude in my second picture are coming my way, I get a little nervous, but not because they are black. How people dress and act are indicative of the kinds of behavior they'll engage in.

BUT HE HAS HIS HAND IN HIS POCKET! LOOK AT THE WHITE GUY HE JUST WANTS PEACE!

 

[DY_nasty]

i'm guessing that still beats being a black guy in africa

You talking about that continent that got ravaged for centuries and had its people dehumanized to this day?

oh, i get it now. lolz u so funny

 

[Gregorn]

I don't understand this. Don't look like you're up to something? Surely anyone would behave weird around a group of people that 'look like they're up to something' no matter what colour their skin is.

 

[zoku88]

Walk around campus.

"Don't you play for the team?"
"No."
"....."
"....?"
"Soo.... do you work here?"

And of course there's always that line of "oh, well, you wouldn't be here if it weren't for affirmative action".

 

[squidyj]

You ever heard of Shaniya Davis? Alexis Patterson No one gives a fuck when a minority girl gets kidnapped, raped, and killed. So naw - not the same if you think about it.

Okay so we went from being stereotyped as poor and trying to steal a meal to a general stereotype of adult males with underage girls to the media treatment of crimes against minorities. Is this a nonsequitur-off?

 

[captive]

Probably had nothing like this happen to you...

I'm not trying to downplay what happened but women in general seem to be very cautious. Having buddy systems, safe calls when you arrive at your destination, always locking the door even during daytime in a nice neighborhood( my gf has locked me out of my own house while doing yard work!), amongst other things.

 

[Crumpet Trumpet]

UUUUUUUUUUUUUGHSJGFKBNSsvhgcvsb

"omg can i touch your hair?"

NO

i'm not your dog

And I just remembered, last week I overheard:

"You're not like other black people. You're, like, white on the inside."

A mess. I need to transfer.

 

[Bleepey]

Probably had nothing like this happen to you...

I also forgot to add, that girl who didn't want to get on the bus was my housemate and she damn near shit bricks when she saw me walking behind her but couldn't see my face and asked another big black friend of mine for moral support.

Me: Hey *guy's name*
Jeff: Hey *my name
Girl: Oh it's *my name*

Hmmm.

 

[Alligatorjandro]

You know what sucks?Being the only dark person in a group of white people.

Especially with your family.

 

[DY_nasty]

Sarcasm is hard to detect through the Internet, so let me ask. Are you suggesting that rapper culture isn't something to be kind of scared of? It seems like a big part of rapper culture is to intimidate and establish dominance (not all of it, obviously, but the hardcore gangster rap stuff).

The problem is when people apply "rapper culture" to black people as a whole.

Maybe I'm not a crypt. Maybe I'm just an Orlando Magic fan. Maybe I don't like skinny jeans. Maybe I'm more comfortable with my hands in my pocket.

 

[cousins]

I was told this as a kid too, and I'm Navajo.

 

[zoku88]

I'm not trying to downplay what happened but women in general seem to be very cautious in general. Having buddy systems, safe calls when you arrive at your destination, always locking the door even during daytime in a nice neighborhood( my gf has locked me out of my own house while doing yard work!), amongst other things.

Well, yea, but there's a difference between being cautious and doing safety measures and actively perceiving specific people as a threat and running.

 

[ViewtifulJC]

UUUUUUUUUUUUUGHSJGFKBNSsvhgcvsb

"omg can i touch your hair?"

NO

i'm not your dog

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylPUzxpIBe0&t=0m48s

 

[Kusagari]

I agree with you entirely, and I hope you understand that at no point did I say black guys shouldn't wear certain items of clothing.

Yeah, I know. I guess that I just find it frustrating because I've seen people judge my friends that way. Almost all my friends back home are black, and some of them dress, no offense, in what would be considered 'gangster' style.

I once had a police officer come up to us in the mall, when it was me, the white guy, and them, and ask me if these men were bothering me. Which was pretty absurd considering I was laughing as I talked to them! Anyway, I said no, of course, and the cop had to 'make sure' one more time before hesitantly leaving.

 

[Slayven]

I don't understand this. Don't look like you're up to something? Surely anyone would behave weird around a group of people that 'look like they're up to something' no matter what colour their skin is.

To tell you the truth I don't understand it either. But if you are with a group of black males, that group will be watched. Or if they are out hanging out in front of a house and cop drives by, the cop will stop and ask them a few questions.

 

[Devolution]

Okay so we went from being stereotyped as poor and trying to steal a meal to a general stereotype of adult males with underage girls to the media treatment of crimes against minorities. Is this a nonsequitur-off?

Part of the whole black/minority experience my friend. Stereotyped as thugs, missing and exploited children ignored, a whole slew of other bullshit, and then white people with privilege deny their very experiences with sarcasm, apathy and or disbelief.

 

[squidyj]

And I just remembered, last week I overheard:

"You're not like other black people. You're, like, white on the inside."

A mess. I need to transfer.

Oh wow. Where are you?

 

[Canuck76]

You know what sucks?Being the only dark person in a group of white people.

It can get weird when your the only white person and everyone around you is calling each other the n-word

 

[DY_nasty]

Okay so we went from being stereotyped as poor and trying to steal a meal to a general stereotype of adult males with underage girls to the media treatment of crimes against minorities. Is this a nonsequitur-off?

Another issue is that people think that those things unrelated...

It doesn't stop at getting pulled over. It isn't limited to being looked at differently in certain environments.

 

[Cat Party]

And I just remembered, last week I overheard:

"You're not like other black people. You're, like, white on the inside."

A mess. I need to transfer.

Ah, close relative of "you're one of the good ones."

 

[CrazyDogg77]

Sarcasm is hard to detect through the Internet, so let me ask. Are you suggesting that rapper culture isn't something to be kind of scared of? It seems like a big part of rapper culture is to intimidate and establish dominance (not all of it, obviously, but the hardcore gangster rap stuff).

Man it's starting already.

 

[zoku88]

And I just remembered, last week I overheard:

"You're not like other black people. You're, like, white on the inside."

A mess. I need to transfer.

OMG, that is horrible XD

I also want to know where this was.

 

[Crumpet Trumpet]

Oh wow. Where are you?

Texas

To be fair, these guys looked like visiting high school students. But still.

 

[eternaLightness]

When in a store don't have your hands in your pockets.

I always thought this was something you shouldn't do regardless of race.

I still occasionally get that I'm whitewashed for some of the music or movies that I enjoy.

 

[Seanspeed]

You know what sucks?Being the only dark person in a group of white people.

Its worse being the only white person in a group of black people.

 

[Black Republican]

shows pics of you as a baby to a freind:

"wow, are you part indian?"

lolz indeed

Its worse being the only white person in a group of black people.

nah we mostly love ya

 

[akira28]

Ah, close relative of "you're one of the good ones."

This one is a soul-crusher when you actually think someone is cool.

 

[Devolution]

It must suck being patronized as if your experiences are just some "lone racist" instead of a larger cultural narrative despite how many times it fucking happens.

 

[captive]

And I just remembered, last week I overheard:"You're not like other black people. You're, like, white on the inside."A mess. I need to transfer.

Where the hell do you go Texas a&m?

 

[Deleted member 17706]

Man it's starting already.

Starting already? I really don't see what's controversial about making judgments about someone based on how they choose to dress and present him or herself.

If I see someone of any race wearing jeans hanging low, a jersey five sizes too large, some gold chain, a du-rag or slanted cap with the price tag still attached, and that signature vacant angry look in his or her face, I'm going to be suspicious of dealing with the person.

 

[ViewtifulJC]

And I just remembered, last week I overheard:

"You're not like other black people. You're, like, white on the inside."

A mess. I need to transfer.

"What I like about you is that you're not like...one of the stereotypical black guys, ya know?"

"It's almost like you're not black!"

 

[shadyspace]

Part of the whole black/minority experience my friend. Stereotyped as thugs, missing and exploited children ignored, a whole slew of other bullshit, and then white people with privilege deny their very experiences with sarcasm, apathy and or disbelief.

You really trying to tell someone who is black about the black experience, Devo? Be more 1st Wave.

 

[Jangocube]

ABC news had a great video on tonight(trying to find online) that talked about the conversation every black male in America has had by the time they are 15.

-When in a store don't have your hands in your pockets.

-When buying something from the store always get it in a bag.

-Don't stand too close to women.

-If you are with a group(of black guys) don't look like you are up to something.

-Always have you hands visible and open when talking to police.


I was like damn, this is stuff I still hear from my mom when I 30 years old. And I look at my 5 year old nephew and think I going to have to teach him this stuff too.

Um, these are lessons most kids should learn/know.

But hey, more race talk! Boring, boring, boring. One day people will stop grouping themselves by such a silly thing like skin color. Until then, stupid news articles galore!

You really trying to tell someone who is black about the black experience, Devo? Be more 1st Wave.

The black experience? WTF is this crap? Is this like tripping and writing down the details?

 

[Devolution]

Starting already? I really don't see what's controversial about making judgments about someone based on how they choose to dress and present him or herself.

The issue isn't what people wear, it's how one race is perceived when wearing the same clothing as another.

You really trying to tell someone who is black about the black experience, Devo? Be more 1st Wave.

Nah. Just cool with them.

 

[Warm Machine]

Raised in small town Canada and white, my mom taught me this when I was young. Why? Because she was a store owner and store owners watch their customers and these are signals that something is going to get ripped off.

 

[akira28]

I almost thought he was serious for a second. Dude is good.

 

[Deleted member 17706]

The issue isn't what people wear, it's how one race is perceived when wearing the same clothing as another.

Great. I don't make that distinction as I clarified in my edit. To me, how a person dresses and carries his or herself, and not the color of his or her skin, dictates the impression they give off.

 

[Tenck]

This reminds me of all the stuff I see throughout my life.

You can't be Black without having someone being scared of you. What's even more sad is that my parents fall for the stupidest stereotypes and it pisses me off so much. Worst offender is one of my family members that while driving, he likes to spot black people and say the most stupidest things.

 

[DrForester]

ABC news had a great video on tonight(trying to find online) that talked about the conversation every black male in America has had by the time they are 15.


-Always have you hands visible and open when talking to police.

I'm not black and I was taught this. Was also told never to fidget in your car if pulled over during drivers ed. , least not until the officer is at your window and asks for your license and stuff.

 

[Devolution]

Great. I don't make that distinction as I clarified in my edit. To me, how a person dresses and carries his or herself dictates the impression they give off, not the color of his or her skin.

Yeah well realize this isn't about you then.

 

[Mumei]

I can't quite put my finger on why, but some of the responses to this topic have brought this to mind:

But That Happens To Me Too!

In attempting to communicate with you, the Marginalised Person™ may bring up examples of the sorts of daily manifestations of discrimination they face. Many of these examples seem trivial to Privileged People® but clearly reflect the way the Marginalised Person™ has been “othered” by society. “Othering” is a system of social markers that defines “Us” and “them”, neatly and conveniently categorising people into their appropriate places within society. It’s a way of defining a secured and positive position in the world by stigmatising “others”. In other words, it’s the process of dehumanising anyone different to the Chosen Privileged.

The Marginalised Person™ you’re dealing with has been subjected to this “othering”.

This means that their body is viewed as public property and the personal, intricate details of their lives and being are perceived as free information.

You must nod patiently as the Marginalised Person™ tries to gain your understanding of the many complicated and subtle ways this othering impacts their lives until they come across a point that seems particularly grating for them. Then you must say “oh, but I experience that too!”

For example, people of African descent often express outrage and irritation at the fact many white people believe they can freely touch their hair. This invasion of their personal space is dressed up as flattery - “oh, what beautiful hair you have!” and permission is not sought or granted before the action is taken. “That happens to everyone!” you must exclaim. “My child has beautiful white-blonde hair and people are always touching it!”

Sex workers, as another example, often endure highly intimate questions regarding all aspects of their lives, sexual habits and client interactions. When they gripe about how invasive this is, you must equate it to your own work: “Oh, I know, I’m a lawyer and people always want to know what goes on in court!” “Totally, I’m a doctor and people are always asking about gross conditions I see!”

With a trans person, many people expect all the details of the transition process should be made available to them, including details of how they “transform“. When they talk about how frustrating this is, you must commiserate: “Yeah, don’t you hate the way men always want you to explain the mysteries of make-up and skin care!” you should blithely exclaim.

If you are speaking to a fat person who is complaining about the lack of fashion-forward and beautiful clothing made in their size, try something like: “The fashion industry sucks! They just do not make clothes for real bodies - I mean, just because I am a size four doesn’t mean I’m short! Jeans are always too short on me!”

Without a doubt, one of the most powerful tactics to use here is comparing male circumcision to female genital mutilation. In any discussion around FGM, make sure you quickly leap in and say: "But why is it ok for little boys to be mutilated? Why isn't anyone talking about that?" Because the removal of a tiny flap of skin is entirely comparable to the crippling mutilation many young girls are subjected to.

What this demonstrates is your total lack of understanding of what “othering” means in a practical sense. You’re ignoring the way your life is otherwise entirely immersed in a state of absolute privilege and revealing the fact you fail to comprehend the process of objectification and marginalising they go through all the time. When you are Privileged®, “similar” experiences simply do not happen on an equal footing because they do not otherwise reflect marginalisation. This obliviousness is highly insensitive and trivialising and will definitely cause them to grind their teeth!

But it’s also an important step in affirming your privilege: Privileged People® are accustomed, after all, to it being “all about them”. Not used to simply sitting back and listening to othered people‘s issues, Privileged People® like to be the centre of attention at all times. It reminds them that they are important. By doing this, you will feel good about yourself and send a crucial message to the Marginalised Person™ (yes you really can diminish their experience by making it all about you, all the time!).

 

[zoku88]

I almost thought he was serious for a second. Dude is good.

I... don't get it? Whoever you're talking about is too good for me, apparently.

 

[Joel Was Right]

As a brown skinned person the thing I hate most is going into a restaurant in a small country town.

What do you mean

 

[timetokill]

Most of the stuff in the OP is pretty universal.

I'm not saying there's not a huge difference between how the average black person is perceived versus, say, the average white or asian person, though. I just think you'd have to go deeper than just stating the text of the OP. For instance, with the "don't look like you're up to something" -- that goes for all teenagers, but without a doubt the initial presumption is there FAR earlier with black people.

Some of the other ones in this thread are more like it. I hate it when I hear it from other white people about my black friends, like they can say it to me because I'm "one of them." Infuriating.

 

[kame-sennin]

People saying "I do/think these things, and I'm white" are missing the point.