Wednesday, 22 July 2009
-
Being Racist Against Your Own People
Disclaimer: Me AND bitterbittenrockinblonde22 both wrote this blog together. Written, edited, and all, so you know who really wanted to submit this.
You know how women complain over and over about men and berate them, until men who actually respect women starts to believe that they really are useless pigs? Well, let's say this...
Most people think they know how a certain race acts; I grew up with a lot of ignorant kids who said, "Act black!" or "Black kids don't do what you do!" and would laugh at me. (I know, a lot of people reading this are going, "Ohmigod, me too".
) Everyone thinks they know how a certain race acts, but they don't. Everyone thinks a black person is gangsta, just like some young straight black people thinks pants that actually fit them makes them look gay or "bougie" (for those who aren't aware of what bougie means, it means rich or "ghetto fabulous"). That's a reference to black people supposedly wearing pants baggy enough to show their underwear.
Every time you try and define what you think a black person is, those of us who DON'T fit that narrow-minded idea start to get angry, because we are not that person. But that's not all that happens to a different black person. Some have the misfortunes of being racist or being called racist of our own people.
Now, I am black, and grew up listening to rock music. I'm positive that I'm not Caucasian AND I'm positive that I don't hate my own people. Just because I speak proper English, like rock 'n' roll, and, by the grace of whoever, don't have any children at 22, doesn't mean that I'm not African-American, and that is just a few stereotypes we are also given.
I used to think that black people acted a certain way, too, till I grew up and found that its not what you do that makes you black, it's the history of your people. The majority of my bloodline runs to Africa, and most of my ancestors came from Africa. That's the only way that you know that you are of black descent. Right? I obviously don't fit the stereotypical mode. I can't rap, I don't do crack, I don't have an anger management problem with those trying to be real about me and I'm not obsessed with diamonds, but that doesn't make me whiter than black.
But I can, however, understand how they got that belief, and any black person that perpetuates the stereotypes, ruining it for people like me, I just want to either punch them or shoot them. Be it create a hit that sets us back a couple of years, sell crack, bed-hop or force a good girl to do so, rob a dude or whatever, I personally wouldn't hesitate shooting a rifle at them, because they shit all over the positive examples that some of us are trying to set for others. Every time stereotypes get perpetuated, I sometimes admit to thinking "Man, I can't stand black people sometimes", and I'm black!
While the setbacks irritate the shit out of me, I'm also inspired by the alternatives being put out there by bands like TV On The Radio and I have also met some people, and had some friends who were just like me. So I'm basically gonna keep being ME, doing ME, and loving ME because I know I'm not alone.
I know you have a certain belief of what people are, but don't assume black people act a certain way. PLEASE don't assume that we, as black people, are all the same, and black people who conformed to these stereotypes, don't assume that those who don't act that way aren't really black, either. That's like us black people assuming white people who aren't either rednecks and neo-Nazis aren't really white, and all girls that aren't fashion freaks are tomboys (this is where I turn you over to bitterbittenrockinblonde22 for an example of that). So, why assume all black people act the same way?
This is not just happening to black people, either, I know.
Have you ever had the misfortune of being racist against your own people, after seeing stereotypes being acted by them?
-
recommend
- recs 4
-
share
-
email
- sent 0
Related Posts
Post a Comment
- Back to lovelyish's Lovelyish Site!
- Note: your comment will appear in lovelyish's local time zone: GMT -05:00 (Eastern Standard - US, Canada)
About the Author
-
- From: mynameisblueskye@xanga
- Name: Chris
- Location: Boston, Massachusetts
- About Me: African-American man (Scorpio, Dragon, Left-Handed) I love music and fruitful conversation. That may be all you need to know. Anything else you want to know, talk to me on AIM or Yahoo. Take a look at my profile to find out what the AIM and Yahoo! are. I also have a policy for adding people. I check your profile, read your blogs, and maybe look at your photos, and then add you. IF you have friends lock, please send me a profile or a sample of your blog to be added.
-
True
Stats: This Week All Time Posts: 1 14 Views: 9499 34831 Comments: 138 943 View all posts by mynameisblueskye@xanga
Comments (72)
I get really irritated when I see asian people who look like recluses and walk with their hands in their pockets and their heads down, like they're ashamed or scared of looking people in the face.
It's just like...dammit, get a backbone and stop perpetuating the stupid stereotype.
I get mad when people act like only certain groups of people do certain things. Black people are not the only people of which some are drug abusers, have children early on in life, and other negative things. It's just that stuff is magnified when a black person does it because it is stereotypically attributed to that group just like other stuff is with other groups of people. And where do stereotypes and such come from? Oversimplification so that something may be categorized. I think the REAL problem is people's lack of desire and ability to refrain from grouping people together, rather than seeing people as individuals. To me, it reflects a lack of some sort of mental capacity. Either that, and/or people are fine remaining stupid.
I like that one about fried chicken and watermelon. Namely because it insinuates that there are a large amount of people with the sad lack of taste to enjoy food worth eating.
But yeah. Nothing wrong with being yourself as long as that's actually what you're doing. Some people seem to think that "being themselves" means going of their way to differentiate themselves from as many people as possible and then bitch when people stereotype them negatively.
Well, I figure stereotypes aren't going to go away, but proving that you can be successful no matter what ethnicity is what really matters. Sure, there will be setbacks just because of the color of your skin or the shape of your eyes, but the people who really live a full life are the ones who accept themselves are they are and persevere, anyway.
I'm Asian and I don't put my hands in my pocket and look down ashamed.
Really, I don't give a damn about what other people say. I'm too sick and tired of what people have to say about stereotypes. It just gives me a headache, that's why I don't listen to them.
Racist is always a real problem around the world and that's one of the reasons why we're never at peace.
I hate it when people hate another race just because they do "certain" things that they don't like or the way they act...blah blah blah
That's just ridiculous. We're all human, the differences we have is our personalities, our opinions, etc...
Race has nothing to do with how we act anyway....
I try not to give in to stereotypes. At least I thought I did. And then I realized I haven't dated (or spent time with in any fashion....erm...yeah) a white guy in over 3 years. It'd be one thing if it were simply a preference or just coincidence. But I think deep down it's because of a stereotyped view of white men. I grew up in western kansas, so truly the majority of guys I was exposed to were pretty much rednecks. Even if not rednecks, they were republicans, and that's bad enough. heh. Not a single one has the same interests as I do. (speaking for the guys I went to high school with). So when I think of dating a white man, I think of them. And I lay a stereotype that I could never be interested in a white man.
I'm guilty.
I'm racist against my own people.
Can't help it though, since my parents follow the stereotype.
However, I am (somewhat) proud to say that I'm not in that stereotype.
i hate mah people. srsly fuck da white man.
I never knew asian people was stereotyped as a "recluse", but even if they are one or seem to be like one, I think it's up to the person if he or she wants to be one. Stereotyping is just a way for people to label the reason why some certain ethnicity acts, even if it's not all definately true.
I mean, I admit that I do joke around with my mom that I think her driving sucks because she's "asian", but if I want to read a book, it doesn't mean I want to be a stereotypical asian and want to study my butt off. It just means I like to read. If my latina friend wants to wear hoop earrings, it doesn't mean she's being the stereotypical latina girl. She's just doing what she wants to do.
What I'm saying is that people should stop stereotyping. For the people that hate, or get irritated when they see people that are being the stereotype of their ethnicity, stop hating. When you hate the stereotype, you're actually, well, stereotyping people yourself. So in a way, they're being hypocrites.
Hi, please check out my site, it's for a really good cause!! and spread the word!!
thanks, rachel
Today in class i saw a movie called "Color of Fears," men of different colors sitting together and talking about racism. Very good and emotional movie, about the difficulties of living in a racist society. What one of the men said i thought to be true when he said, " when Asians, Blacks, Latinos, and other minority groups put each other down, the White gets push up." Instead of fighting or putting each other down in our own group, we need to learn how to come together and fight back against the racists in America.
I am sometime racist to my own race. or just racist outside of my own family. lol Cos you don't hear many Cambodians going off to college and being successful. You hear shootings about Asian gangs versus other Asian gangs, fights here and there, it's all in the stereotype that all Cambodians are gang members. or actually, "south east asians" are gang members. If you've seen the movie "Gran Torino", the Hmong girl said, "The girls go to college, and the boys go the jail."
@PockyH0LiCxD@xanga - It has nothing to do with how one act, but it does have to do with the common perception, though. And that is how we got here in the first place.
@caminjammers@xanga - I fuckin' lol'd.
I am Desi (someone from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, or Sri Lanka ). I am not cheap; I do not hoard Taco Bell packets of hot sauce, napkins, or any other free things. I don't walk around in Costco for an hour to acquire enough free samples equivalent to a lunch. I don't smell like curry and frying oil. I'm not a hairy mongrel. Italk to boys. I don't judge people by their degrees, choices of profession, and status as a citizen in the United States. My family does not own a gas station or a 7/11.
And that's my two cents.
I dislike it when people stereotype. I am asian and what's the one thing that comes to someone's mind? "Oh she probably eats noodles on a daily basis" or "gahh, they always make the top grades" or maybe even "I bet she knows who to play the piano, violin, cello."
I have once been called "China"...even though I am not even chinese....
Oh, I'm Filipino. & usually its just mocking the strong FOB accent. mixing the P's with F's & vice versa. But the MOST stereotype that some filipinos act.... Marrying someone to get a green card or something or just marrying an AMERICAN (Sometimes they do love them, and sometimes they're just being used). or or or... the okay side of stereotyping.. being a nurse or teacher or doctor. OH! & that we eat dog. Not all of us.Â
@InTheThin@xanga - "I
get really irritated when I see asian people who look like recluses and
walk with their hands in their pockets and their heads down, like
they're ashamed or scared of looking people in the face.
It's just like...dammit, get a backbone and stop perpetuating the stupid stereotype."
er yeah . First of all, to say something like that... is a big accusation to make.
Well I FOR ONE, don't put my hands in my pocket and walk with my head down. & even when I do, my fingers are probably cold & I'm checking for poop on my shoes. & now I'm a loner who is ashamed of my roots?
What a vile statement to make. There's totally no regard for respect here. Hello? With this post? It's as good as saying " Ha yeah . I stereotype Asians. They have a great sense of inadequacy and inferiority. "
I think you should consider posting a comment like this next time.
Well, I have a backbone ; and if I were you, I'll probably go up to THAT asian who has his/her head down walking with hands in his/her pockets and ask " WHY ARE YOU FEEDING THIS STEREOTYPE ?" since we asians don't have a backbone and you do. Yea try asking them that next time! (:
I do poke fun at stereotypes about Asians. They're too ridiculous not to ridicule. Not every Asian girl has a flat chest and no butt. Nor are we all antisocial nerds who stick their heads in math books and play tennis and piano and violin. Asian women are not kinky by default and Asian men do not all have comically small penises.
racist'd and sexist'd.
those people either can't take a joke or they're just durmorons. i get the whole "what! you dont act like an asian chick why aren't you obsessing about ____ celebrity/band and talking likeee you kno? likeee wiith all the extraa words and stuffs!" etc. etc. often. but you just learn to brush it off and just tell them that they are acting, frankly, like an idiot, very politely, and would they please learn to live like a civilized being in America, where with all the different races it must be very difficult to learn about different cultures? just because i try and have polite manners and speak quietly in Mandarin at the art store does not mean you have to tell me to get the fuck off my phone and speak English. just becaues i have slanted eyes and too much melanin in my skin does not mean you have to go up to me and say "ching chong chang!" and laugh and walk away, thinking that i cannot speak English, because i grew up here. just because i am asking a question does not mean you have to answer me in the way you would for someone who is deaf and foreign -- loudly and slowly and often repeating things? i could understand what you said the first time, but you simply aren't answering my question, you dolt. or people who automatically assume that i'm, some sex addict who will only date white people. i don't know. something ridic.
it's quite frustrating and annoying. i let off steam by muttering under my breath at them and glaring at them, or rolling my eyes. you learn to deal, and you also learn to deliver subtle revenge. i also prefer to say "can... you... understand. ..me .well, you ..stupid.. american dolt? can you understand my grammAR?" (in an aussie accent or something) back to the ching chong chang people. in the same way they'd speak to me. it's just honestly, BOY, YOU THINK I'M GOING TO TAKE THAT LYING DOWN? i'd cut your sorry ass off on the highway any day and make SURE you get blocked in that two lane fucking carpool lane, buddy!
My feeling usually are sometimes exactly what you stated in your post or a jumble of unhappiness at not being accepted by my own race.
I have some complex issues with my own race-- black. Growing up all I heard was Oreo, white girl, etc. So I rarely had friends of the same race. I hate to say but in High School I did look down on my race who were not in my higher level classes. In high School I was the only black girl in my AP classes, but then in college I started to feel inferior towards the blacks on campus.
I use to think -- sometimes in my weak moments I still do-- that they manage to get good grades and still be" black"--whatever that means. I know that no one would ever call them Oreos. The thing is, I feel like I'm too late to be accepted and will forever looked upon as not being black or turning my back on my race. Sometimes I feel like I'm shunning my culture by not listening to rap and not perpetuating any of the facets of the stereotype, just because I like rock and don't dress "urban".
I have no people since I'm mixed.
There's lots of stereotypes even within the little state of Tasmania lol. The people made most fun of here would have to be the 'bogan' population, hehe.
Anyways. Don't care much for stereotypes. Everyone's a person regardless of their culture, personal habits and features. Deal with it.
"Have you ever had the misfortune of being racist against your own people, after seeing stereotypes being acted by them?"
I do; I'm the same as you-- Proud to be a girl and an asian. but I hate it when either act out the negitive steriotypes that they are accused of... it's so frustrating
I've had this happen to me so many times. But I'm different than you in the fact that I like rock n roll, but I like rap and "gangsta" music just as much. I've never hated black people because they fit the stereotypes. If there weren't people who fit the stereotype, there would be no stereotype. It's not like everyone hates being called loud or wearing baggy pants. To each his own, I have my super ghetto moments, I can be loud and obnoxious, and fit the stereotype of a typical blackie, or...I can speak proper English, and listen to my All Time Low. I mean, there's no reason to hate on anyone.