|
After having reflected on this topic even more since I last posted, I wanted to add one more point.
I think this issue is reflective of a phenomenon that, as I said, has its roots in history. However, I also believe that times and the phenomenon itself is changing. To use myself as an example, I can say that I have gone all the way up through the educational system, through public schools (except for college). Now, I am half-way through law school. I think its safe to say that I have and will achieve and be successful. I think I can remember maybe when I was younger a few kids saying something about I talk white or whatever, but nowadays, due to a number of regulatory and corrective measures taken by the nation and the society, the number of black Americans who are similar to me in education level and exposure to resources that allow us to develop our cultural, historical and ethnic awareness, is increasing. Therefore, there is less of a notion of our success being wierd or strange or evidence of our conforming or, to put it in the essence of this thread, acting white, because by the sheer numbers, we feel more comfortable in "our skin" and have others like us who are interested in achieving academically. The competition is not only between whites and blacks, thus, making blacks feel left out due to an unequal playing field, its now also between educated, successful blacks and other educated, successful blacks. This deminishes the sense of conformity.
|