Quote:
Originally posted by Rain Man
...if I was living in America. Otherwise, no I wouldn't
Lemme tell you why. From personal experience, I think being black and male in America is in itself a very stressful experience. And I'm not just talking about dealing with hidden racism and other oppressive factors in America (thankfully, my experiences with racism has been few and far between).
I am more concerned with my own people trying to "weigh" how black I am, that I like this but don't like that. That I don't conform to the average brother (whoever the ________ that is), be it tastes in music, dress, speech, HAIR, etc. Whereas if I was a white guy, my personality would be taken at face value, without having to subscribe to any silly preconceived notions of how allegiant I am to "my people"
Yes, I love black people and I wholeheartedly applaud the acheivements they have done, are doing, and will continue to do.
But frankly, I am sick and tired of being reminded that I am black, and quite honestly, I get that more from black people than I do from white people. I just want to be ME!
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I agree. Back in my grandparents and great-grandparents day, I would say racism is the worst thing about being black. Nothing else coming in second worst, if so, a far second. However, in our days as blacks have more oppurtunity, I think this is the second worst thing if not tying with the first. Not only you have to put up with ignorance from whites, you also have to put up with ignorance from other blacks. If you don't fit into this perfect cookie-cutter ideal of a black person, then you are accused of being a sell-out or having self-hatred and treated that way.
My interests, beliefs, and tastes are about half and half. Half "black" and half "white". It is not because I hate myself, it is because where I grew up. I grew up in an area at least 95% white. It is normal for your environment to rub off on you, regardless if it is of your "own kind" or not.