Culture question regarding diversity? Black and White question?

Question

Good Afternoon! I'm not trying to stir up a pot of trouble or anything but I have seen a lot of diversity related questions today and wanted to hear from everyone!

I am not trying to cause trouble or offend so please bear that in mind. I am not an American but am fascinated by your country and am a huge history nerd....so here we go:

Why is it that when an African-American comes out of poverty through hard work and determination, gets an education and a successful career he is ostracized for "trying to be white". This seems prejudiced against everyone involved. But I hear so many people talk like this!

I live in a moderate sized city with a large inter-racial population due to many escaped slaves coming here and settling with the help of the underground-railway. I hear this mentality when I shop in pre-dominantly "black" areas. 

If a person who works hard to get out of a slum achieves their goal why are they looked down on as trying to be "white" or "is just doing what the white people expect" (these are things I have actually heard)...what else should they be trying to do? 

Why does this happen? Anyone with an open mind and an insight please answer, and again I am not trying to offend anyone.

mrbootleg · Accepted Answer

It because some African Americans believe that as blacks we should not do anything that will separate ourselves from the so called "black community". And its that kind of backward thinking that keeps minorities down. Its like if we do anything that isn't approved of in the black community then we are outcast and following the modern day slavery mentality to the white man.

This is what they call reverse racism. Because if a brother wants to make something for himself he must be a sell out cause he is different from what the media classifies a black man. 

To the black community, African Americans should do everything they can to represent the black people, but then there's a problem if it involves any other race What they forget is that in order to be successful you must appeal to all races, not just one

originata · Answer

I've never ever heard of a black person ridiculing others for simply having an education and achieving success, and I'm black and have lived among other black people my whole life. There is no doubt that some have this mentality that you describe but it's not that simple.

Many black people who have achieved or been given a higher status have this mentality that everything associated with being black is negative, and whites have this mentality as well. This stems from remnants of this country's extremely racist past. There are those afrocentric types who believe you have to eat, breathe, and sleep "race", but for the most part I don't think what you said is true.

cbell · Answer

First of all I am of European decent (white). I was raised in California by a democratic mother and father. Both were intelligent and proactive. I lived through the last half of the 50's and all of the 60s. I do not have an answer to your question except to say that anyone who looks upon another's success is jealous. They may be racist but they are also jealous and insecure with themselves.

We are all brothers and sisters within the human race regardless of our disabilities, skin color, religion or any other diversity.

I along with, I hope, a great many of my fellow Americans would rejoice in the successes of each other and those who live outside of the US. Hopefully you heard the vocal minority!

We will never stop the hate and misconceptions that are out there. I would personally hope that we can contribute positively to reducing them with our actions.

My Best
The History Man
http://wwwhistoryman.blogspot.com/

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Culture question regarding diversity? Black and White question?

3 Answers