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[Odoul]

I was born and raised a black guy in America. For most of my life(19) I've been around mostly black people. My first year of college was the first time I was in a different environment. From my own personal experience it almost seems like in America there really is a barrier between black and white people. If someone picks up one trait from the other culture he's labeled a punk, sellout, wigger whatever. I swear I've seen some of my friends(white) on the bus with a gold chain and backwards hat and he gets all kinds of dickhead comments and whispers. And when one of my cousins brought a white girl to a family reuinion my aunts and uncles acted like he raped his sister.

I just haven't noticed this with other cultures. Black/white if someone takes an interest in another culture(not associated with white/black) it's just that. It's an interest or a hobby. But if my little brother listens to rock(or whatever it's called) or my white roommate blasts some hiphop they're putting up a front or trying to be something they're not.

To those not black or white, does this happen in other groups?
To black/white Americans, am I seeing something that isn't there?

 

[belgurdo]

Asians come to mind

Not to mention that blacks ourselves tend to be antagonistic towards one another for the stupidest things too

 

[karasu]

Yeah it's really annoying, especially as far as music and the like. I was called white boy by a few friends when I started listening to rock.

 

[Dice]

Nigeria quickly comes to mind

 

[MrPing1000]

its because the USA is still a racist country

 

[clipunderground]

I think slowly but surely things are changing for the better. It'll still take a few more generations though.

 

[Leon]

rock(or whatever it's called)

:lol

Yes, yes, it's called Rock.

 

[Phoenix]

Yes it happens a lot in other cultures the world over. Its not a trait that we, as black people, have an exclusive lock on. White people do it, Latinos do it, Jews do it, Asians do it, and many cultures of Africans do it. It is unfortunately just the way of things. It wasn't until I started working for the government and working abroad that I began to notice the almost pitiful state of human existence when it comes to cultural prejudice and bigotry.

My story is a little different from your though. When I was younger I went to school with white kids but I never drew the distinction between the white kids and myself. To me they were just other kids (because in New Orleans where I grew up I saw other black kids that were very light skinned as well). It wasn't until much later in life that I was taught the difference - not by my parents, but by assholes who saw fit to make the distinction between the different cultures. Nevertheless I grew up in a largely mixed environment throughout school all the way until I went to college (Xavier University).

If you think its bad now, it gets more pronounced when you're in college.... and heaven forbid you be ambitious enough to go post grad Just suck it up and make sure your kids aren't assholes.

 

[ElyrionX]

Welcome to the real world......

IMO, every single person has a hint of racism in them. Its either lying dormant or has already erupted. Its human nature. Man tends to fear and hence discriminate against those who are different from himself. Even if whites and blacks share the exact same culture or upbringing, by the time they hit adulthood, they would slowly but surely discover the racist side of themselves.

Of course, the demands of civilisation has suppressed most forms of public and open displays of racism. But that does not mean it's not there. It's merely simmering and finding the minor and inconsequential situations where it can let itself go safely and without repercussions. That's probably the best that society and civilisation as a whole can do.

Its fundamental human nature and psychology. Why bother fighting it?

 

[Tommie Hu$tle]

I was born and raised a black guy in America. For most of my life(19) I've been around mostly black people.

The funny thing about it is he is Korean.

 

[Goreomedy]

Can I point out that there's also a celebration of diversity in this country unlike anywhere else in the world? Or is this thread strictly for doom and gloom?

 

[explodet]

I agree with you up to a point, the US is quite culturally diverse.
But unlike anywhere else in the world? Come up to Canada sometime.

 

[Zaptruder]

A child is born with innate cognitive functions that cause racism to be an artifact of those cognitive functions.

We group things, we stereotype, we act strongly and illogically on the basis of those stereotypes, we polarize and we identify with people of our own group.

Unfortunately these were the survival strategies that have been left with us through the eons; the best we can do is to conciously control them and logically identify with not only the real differences between races and cultures, but reason strongly and introduce concious strategies to minimize our more automatic cognitive strategies.

 

[Tool]

Can I point out that there's also a celebration of diversity in this country unlike anywhere else in the world? Or is this thread strictly for doom and gloom?

Toronto, Canada is the most multicultural city in North America.

 

[Bogeyker]

A child is born with innate cognitive functions that cause racism to be an artifact of those cognitive functions.

We group things, we stereotype, we act strongly and illogically on the basis of those stereotypes, we polarize and we identify with people of our own group.

Amen my son. Where were you in my other topic where I needed the support?

 

[Tool]

Amen my son. Where were you in my other topic where I needed the support?

Hey Bogey! I replied to you about your obvious Humphrey Bogart connection. You never replied to me about it.

 

[Bogeyker]

Yes unfortunately when I came back from dinner and the "meeting" I noticed that the topic was gone for some reason. I can't find it so sorry, I can't reply.

 

[levious]

I was born and raised a black guy in America.

 

[XS+]

I hear that Isrealis and Palestinians get a little miffed at each other every now and then..

 

[Tool]

Yes unfortunately when I came back from dinner and the "meeting" I noticed that the topic was gone for some reason. I can't find it so sorry, I can't reply.

Wasn't really important...was just finding out about your fascination with Bogart. I was saying he must have had a huge impact on young boys growing up at the time who would have idolized the guy's coolness. What's your favorite movie?

 

[Zaptruder]

Amen my son. Where were you in my other topic where I needed the support?

What topic? You mean the flagrantly flamebaiting speedos or boxers thread?

Or is it ok to sleep and bathe with my 10 yr old son thread?

I was gonna post, but if you take the issue seriously it's quite complex and probably takes more effort then it's worth. But in the end, it's most probably an irresponsible thing to try to 'force' this love upon your son. When he goes through puberty, his memories will likely be strongly colored. He'll develop alot of cognitive dissonance if he's a normal young guy (and unless you homeschool the bugger, you can't reduce the effect of outside influences).
I wouldn't be suprised if your son has problems later in life; even if the chance might be better he'll turn out normal and well adjusted, there's a high chance that won't be the case.

 

[Bogeyker]

Wasn't really important...was just finding out about your fascination with Bogart. I was saying he must have had a huge impact on young boys growing up at the time who would have idolized the guy's coolness. What's your favorite movie?

I've always been fascinated by Bogart and yes, when I was a young boy I loved looking up to older men like him. I'd say my favorite movie is "Lolita" because of the complexity of the older/younger relationships. They've always fascinated me as well.