So I was accused of "Acting White" today at work...

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T'Zariah

Banned
A little backstory: I'm a black male in my early twenties who by a miracle (read: connections) managed to finish my degree, and land a decent paying (for a recent graduate anyhow) "White collar" job for a clothing chain where I live.

Technically, I was off today, and after settling in to my apartment after a day out I get a call saying they need me to be a temporary manager for the day for a store about 10 miles away from where I lived. Since they were paying me extra since it was my day off, I was like "sure what the hell". I had nothing better to do.

I get there, and find out the manager went home sick. Why they didn't have workers who could handle not being supervised, I have no clue. But I said screw it, I'll have a few extra dollars when I get paid Friday. Anyway, things go smooth for the first couple of hours or with no incidents and people being checked out quickly and efficiently with little to no problems while I made sure everyone stayed on task.

Then....an hour before we were going to close, I run into this shit. Basically, a group of black males came into the store, of course acting ignorant as fuck, and I just shook my head hoping they wouldn't cause any trouble and they'd do their business and GTFO.

No sooner than I think this, they started to act ghetto and loud. This, naturally, annoys the fuck out of me, so I tell them to quiet it down.

Guy 1: Hey, XXX, look at this fool all dressed up and thinking he hot shit
Me:...Excuse me?
Guy 2: Yeah, dis Ni**a do think he all that. Where you get that controlling attitude boy and using all them big words? Think cuz the white folks gave you a job you think you can talk down to us
Me: No, I just think...
Guy 1: Nobody cares what you think white boy! Go on and be wit yo fellow crackers you fucking traitorous sellout ni**a
Guy 2: Let's blow this joint....not enough real N**as in here
*They leave with me speechless*

GAF I'm in shock. Like, I didn't know what to say. I didn't talk to anyone for the rest of the night and any attempt at conversation about the subject was quickly dropped.

I mean...what the fuck? Just because I have a good job I'm a sellout? And I speak proper english? Ugh. I'm just...angry. Angry that there are people who actually HATE people reaching sucess from my own race.

GAF should I have said more to defend myself? Or was I right in letting it go?
 
Deeming a certain set of behaviors to be "acting like (insert race or ethnic group here)" is about as racist as it gets. You shoulda decked the dude.

EDIT: In retrospect, you did the right thing. Fuck that self-hating asshole, not worth a decent person's time.
 
You can't reason with some people. I think it was okay to just let it go. Plus you could've gotten into trouble or something if you told them off... I don't know.
 
Just keep in mind they were never worth impressing so their opinion of you doesn't matter.

EDIT: Basically, you didn't need to defend yourself since your success is pretty good defense already.
 
Sadly some people who act the stereotype will look down on someone of their race who doesn't. If anything you should be proud of who the hell you are. If anything they should be ashamed for acting like the stereotype.
 
You were right in not saying a thing. Keeping things from getting violent is the immediate goal in that kind of situation.
 
That this exists profoundly disturbs me. I don't think its wrong to say that the attitudes you encountered are not uncommon among black youth in America (someone feel free to refute me) which is just messed up on so many levels. Being hardworking and holding a steady job should not negative attributes.
 
Forget about it, OP. Those guys are idiots, who probably wish they were in your position.

dudeworld said:
The funny part is, a black person is president. I wonder how white they think he is.

Well, he's half-white, but I'm being technical.
 
You have a good job and they're probably going to jail in a few years.

No need to be upset, you should be glad you're not acting like them.
 
NightBlade88 said:
Me: No, I just think...
Guy 1: Nobody cares what you think white boy! Go on and be wit yo fellow crackers you fucking traitorous sellout ni**a

WEfBR.jpg
 
I'm black too. Throughout all of highschool I (and it looks like a lot other people too from black-age thread) was called white (in a white neighborhood) because i wasn't a giant stereotype that wore baggy ass jeans and ate fried chicken all day. that shit is very fucking aggravating
 
You chose correctly - there was never any need to defend anything.

If anything, next time this happens again, don't even bother reasoning with them as the posters have written here.

Just stand back, stare at them, and when they finally finished up their argument, and if they don't leave, just say "Are you guys done? Can we stop wasting time here?" and then go back to your business.

Basically, treat them like the idiots they deserve to be treated as.
 
OP you should've countered with "Im edu-muh-cated, how bout you cuz/blood?" as you raise your diploma/degree
 
I know that feel bro.

And that was the best end to that situation. Let it go and hope they never darken your presence again; that's just too much ignorance to cure.
 
Sad that they think so low of black males (which they all are). I guess they can't comprehend that having a decent job is not exclusive to Caucasians. Not really worth your time.
 
Next time them or a group like them enter your store, immediately light one of them on fire.
I promise you not one of them you give you lip or call you white. Win-win really.
 
I hate when I run into a situation with asinine people who leave me angry/confused/speechless. Just know that it has happened to all of us in some form.

Fuck those guys. You are better than them but not for the reasons they listed. They're obviously living in the deep past and have major insecurities about race.
 
He was right. You just aren't black enough anymore. Thankfully you post on GAF and we can now work on your Bad Ass Negro makeover!

To get started you are going to need some Blaxploitation film combo packs and some denium/leather clothing combos. Let's do this!


MrToughPants said:
They probably still live with their parents.

So gangsta.
Spot on.
 
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