Are you racist?

[Kuya]

About as many as are willing to take responsibility for their own actions an their own failures and successes. There really aren't that many "black as charcoal" people around in America... In Columbus most of the ones who ARE that dark are literally from Ethiopia.

Dude, just stop. There are plenty of things that a large portion of the black community chooses to take responsibility for, and personally there's a lot of shit I take the bag for or am self-conscious about during the given day, but even with a lighter medium black complexion and my work attire I still get funny looks and have the ever wonderful luxury of getting to stretch out on train seats because people are damn near afraid to sit next to me (after the 8th or 9th stop I generally just say fuck it and stretch my legs out, taking them down and sitting normally at every stop just to give a person a chance for a seat). When you're standing in a bunch of street lights calling out to someone who dropped their purse in a movie theater only wanting to return it to them, offering to leave it on the car next to you or on the street and to back away because you know the person is too scared shitless to even stand next to you and all they do is scream and look like they're about to run away, you come back and tell me how your canned response is even relevant. "Take responsibility" is a fucking non-sequitur dude, this is largely about a factor we can not control.

Why did he even assume that we're saying that racism and colorism are the only reasons? It's not like we're all unaware of the fact that alot of blacks perpetuate the situation and or take advantage of it.

And i presume he was not denying the validity of colorism. It's not just colorism either, if you're of dark skin but look similar to a caucasian, you instantly get treated better and people don't act nervous around you. In fact, i get the most shit from black people.

[Charla]

Ryko must be like 8 feet tall or something.

[Ryko]

6'2", 3 with certain shoes. I'm not a small guy by any means, but (generally) pass for a normal human being.

[archibaldcrane]

No I really am black but I'm very light skinned because my father was white, I've posted a picture on BG before probably have to dig it up or whatever, but it's there.

Why does this "really make you black"? Doesn't it "really make you mixed-race"? The self-identifying as just one race when it's clearly not the case...I just don't understand it. Why do Americans persist in doing this?

Be complicated. It's ok.

[Brill Weave]

I'm the sterotypical white anglo-saxon male. I work in the inner city of Pittsburgh. I have no problems with anyone who is black, hispanic, jewish, etc. I like to think that I'm a fairly open minded individual about most things. But two nights ago I was playing Call of Duty 4 online and I had my headset on.

There was this kid on my team, judging by his voice he had to be 13-14 years old tops. The whole time we were playing he's shouting in the background calling his brother a nigger and calling his mother a fat whore. For ten minutes straight. At the end of the game I told him I hope his mother slapped the fucking taste out of his mouth. To which he promptly launched into a puberty induced profanity filled tirade about how he would come and find me with his "boys" and "fuck me up."

I think that's the type of person Mizango was referring to in his post above. This kid was on the quick path to becoming a statistic just with the way his attitude was. I would have been fine with him swearing, but you don't insult your mother. Have some fucking respect. This is the woman who gave you life and bought you that fucking game. Show her respect.

When I was young if I had ever said anything like that to my mother she would have slapped the shit out of me.

[Maguspk]

No I really am black but I'm very light skinned because my father was white, I've posted a picture on BG before probably have to dig it up or whatever, but it's there.

Why does this "really make you black"? Doesn't it "really make you mixed-race"? The self-identifying as just one race when it's clearly not the case...I just don't understand it. Why do Americans persist in doing this?

Be complicated. It's ok.

Well because I was raised by my black mother, socialized largely by black relatives and grew up in a household that was entirely black. I consider myself black not only because it's my race but it's because I grew up this way. If I had grown up with my father in a household where I wasn't around black people all the time that may be a bit more true. I also believe I'm black according to the US Census or at least used to be, due to my situation. Besides, I lose validity if I say I'm half white because then anything I say isn't valid because I'm not "all black" or something like that. It really shouldn't matter :D.

[Khamsin]

I think today, it's less about actual racism and more about... uh, culturalism?

Rather, you've got a well-educated black man in a suit at a respectable company, most people are probably going to treat him just like any white guy in the same suit.

You've got some black guy who thinks he's embracing his blackness by being all gangsta thuglike with a bandana and wifebeater speaking in ebonics, and most people are probably going to avoid him. And some may even take that impression with them when they look at the black man in the suit, which can be a problem.

Same thing happens with white guys that try to be gangsta, you just avoid them. And again, some may take that impression with them when they look at other white guys that look a certain way or are in a certain age range. I'm sure there are kids who get discriminated against because they look like a pothead punk, but are really pretty smart and hardworking.

Personally, while I don't consciously discriminate, my brain readily classifies types of people and prejudges them by telling me how much I should initially trust them. And it's got little to do with color. I'd approach the black man in a suit before the gangsta druggie kid anyday.

[Andarvi]

No I really am black but I'm very light skinned because my father was white, I've posted a picture on BG before probably have to dig it up or whatever, but it's there.

Why does this "really make you black"? Doesn't it "really make you mixed-race"? The self-identifying as just one race when it's clearly not the case...I just don't understand it. Why do Americans persist in doing this?

Be complicated. It's ok.

Well because I was raised by my black mother, socialized largely by black relatives and grew up in a household that was entirely black. I consider myself black not only because it's my race but it's because I grew up this way. If I had grown up with my father in a household where I wasn't around black people all the time that may be a bit more true. I also believe I'm black according to the US Census or at least used to be, due to my situation. Besides, I lose validity if I say I'm half white because then anything I say isn't valid because I'm not "all black" or something like that. It really shouldn't matter :D.

You and I my friend, you and I. Our society often makes biracial people, like myself and Magus, choose a side, depending on the area we are in. I have grown up in both sides of my black/white self but seeing as there is no culture in my mom's french side i identify with my father's cape verdean side.

[Charla]

Like I said the last time Halle Berry came up: as long as Tiger Woods is black, so is Halle Berry.

[Denchi]

I'm a 6'0" 160lb caucasian male. I always felt privileged and treated better when interviewing for stuff like serving jobs or bartender jobs. I don't feel above anyone, I just know that's what restaurants look for. They look at me and say "Oh thanks God, this man is white, we don't have to worry about his 'bros' getting free meals."

It's stupid, but I recognize it

[archibaldcrane]

Like I said the last time Halle Berry came up: as long as Tiger Woods is black, so is Halle Berry.

As far as I'm concerned, if you're talking about race, you're talking about race. Calling Tiger Woods, Colin Powell, Halle Berry, Maguspk, or Andarvi "Black." (period for emphasis) is just ...factually incorrect.

Be a mixed-race person (tack on "black-cultured" if appropriate and you desire) - it's ok. It's the 21st century.

Be complicated. You "are forced to choose" how you act, but not how you identify yourself. What race you are isn't a matter of opinion or perspective, it's a matter of your family tree. Don't apologize for the circumstance of your skin - you can't control it.

[Charla]

race != genetics

Here's an analogy to demonstrate how I think it works. See, I'm a fourth-generation immigrant. My great grandparents were born in Italy, and technically that makes me Italian. It doesn't count most of the time because nobody could tell by looking at me. The reason mister 50% calls himself black is the same reason I don't have anything to call myself besides white. 50/50 is not a race any more than Lithuanian is a race, because nobody could tell the difference.

[Howard Roark]

I don't believe I'm racist, but certain movies and shows (chappelle show and Toxic Avenger or anything by T.R.O.M.A.) have lead to a certain desensitization that I enjoy, or perhaps more correctly, a comfortability with poking fun at certain groups foibles, and in the same regard poking fun at my own.

Chappelle show is great for making fun of all races including his own; and TROMA films have absolutely no regard for anyone's feelings, which is an odd form equality in itself

My friends and I will play on the worst stereotypes that, if heard by someone who didn't 'get' it would think we were pretty crass, immature, or even racist; but I don't feel this would be a fair assessment as I treat subjects of age, gender, sexuality, religion, ethnic groups (since apparently there's no race heh) with the same comfortability/lack of regard as with any others (including my own)

that being said i gotta tone it down at work

[Maxxthepenguin]

About as many as are willing to take responsibility for their own actions an their own failures and successes. There really aren't that many "black as charcoal" people around in America... In Columbus most of the ones who ARE that dark are literally from Ethiopia.

Dude, just stop. There are plenty of things that a large portion of the black community chooses to take responsibility for, and personally there's a lot of shit I take the bag for or am self-conscious about during the given day, but even with a lighter medium black complexion and my work attire I still get funny looks and have the ever wonderful luxury of getting to stretch out on train seats because people are damn near afraid to sit next to me (after the 8th or 9th stop I generally just say fuck it and stretch my legs out, taking them down and sitting normally at every stop just to give a person a chance for a seat). When you're standing in a bunch of street lights calling out to someone who dropped their purse in a movie theater only wanting to return it to them, offering to leave it on the car next to you or on the street and to back away because you know the person is too scared shitless to even stand next to you and all they do is scream and look like they're about to run away, you come back and tell me how your canned response is even relevant. "Take responsibility" is a fucking non-sequitur dude, this is largely about a factor we can not control.

See, THAT I understand (providing real examples helps despite being 'inefficient'), but a lot of that is only partially race but more being afraid of the culture that is presented as 'black culture'. There are people out there who stereotype based on that and it is a damn shame, but those same people are generally not going to have a problem if you speak to them first and have good English. It's just an initial impression thing, the same thing that tons of people have said they are totally into in this very thread. Comparing that to real racism just makes my head asplode.

[archibaldcrane]

...and personally there's a lot of shit I take the bag for

Please tell me that when you take said bag, you say (correctly) "it's my bag".

[Ryko]

lol

[Norelco]

This thread totally needs this if it wasn't already posted: http://wpbpddd.ytmnd.com/

[Furtwangler]

Me and my group of friends, mostly because of chappelles show, and the fact that there are very few (like 1% or so, not joking) blacks in our small middle-of-nowhere town casually throw the N word, etc at each other.

I personally throw racial jokes around on my ls's vent server along with others casually, including jokes of my own race, unless someone is on that will really get offended by them. I believe that it's not how you say things but the intention you have behind the words that detirmines if you're racist or not.

Honestly I think it's just plain funny to make fun of stereotypes of certain races, no matter who they apply to.

[Max™]

Living in Memphis, it's funny because as a young white dude, I get the other end of the stick a lot.

Nevermind learning that affirmative action, for all it's laud and praise about supposedly helping level the playing field for minorities, really benefits old white women more than anyone else.

Just for the record: I'm 3/8ths Native American.



This has nothing to do with ancestry though, I just ate a fucking indian, bones, skin, hair and all.

[archibaldcrane]

Good lord what a random post.