Are you afraid of Black Men?

[ChicagoSportsFan]

I started this thread because of some comments in a recent thread that I was reading.

The question that I pose is "Are you afraid of black men?"
You may laugh and say no. But think about it.

My girlfriend and I talked about this the other day.

I’ve noticed that some non-blacks seem to be afraid of me.

For instance I will be walking down the street and ill see a few white people walking in my direction and it never fails they always do one of 2 thinks. What happens the most frequently is that they will decide to cross the street before encountering me. The other thing that happens is that the cell phones whip out and they stop and act like they are doing something and watch me as I walk down the street.

The most recent event was on Tuesday. Monday night I thought I'd get my girl a Cinnamon roll from a bakery a few blocks down when I woke up that morning. When I woke up I decided Id ride my bike to pick up the treat. So as I return home (I live in an apartment complex) I went thru the back so I could store my bike in the bike room. As I open the door I saw this white guy in the middle of the stairway walking up the stairs. He was carrying a box and as he looked up he saw my face and was a deer in the headlights. He had a look of fear in his eyes and his voice was trembling. He told me to come down first and I told him "that makes no since your are steps from the door." I thought to my self "this dude is afraid to come outside with me". So he said in his trembling voice "thank you Sir" and scurried to his car while looking over his right shoulder to keep an eye on me. I just shook my head in disgust.

The day before that I was walking down the street with my girl and there was a guy who seemed to be Middle Eastern. He turned the corner saw me and he set a record. Usually people walk on the grass to create distance from me but this guy walked all the way past the grass and stepped off of the curb. I thought to myself "Heeeell NAAAW!!!!" My girl looked at me and laughed.

Then on my way back the saddest thing happed. I was walking down that same street and I saw a woman with her child. The kid seemed to be around 3 or 4. She walked into the grass and snatched her kid into the grass with her and told him/her "Let this man walk by" Then looked up and smiled at me. I'm sure I shot back a look that said "Bitch Please".

The saddest thing is that this kid will probably unconsciously fear black men. Because if she did this with me (An average height, causally dressed, college educated, attractive black guy.) she’s certainly going to do it to the guy who looks like a "Mandingo".

In my heart I feel sorry for people like that. I couldn’t imagine walking around in fear of another human being just because of the color of his/her skin. It’s sad, because in reality they are just a captive of their own mind.

But music, music videos, television, and movies portray blacks in a violent manner. And I do believe that this fuels this fear. A lot of this is just a way to make money.

Okay I’m sick of writing so if you want to comment that’s fine. Or if you want to attack me that’s fine. Any response is welcomed. And this doesn’t apply to every non-black person I encounter. But these past few days it has happen so much to me I’ve been pondering this issue.

Once again not every non-black person shows fear.

 

[Shapecity]

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Then on my way back the saddest thing happed. I was walking down that same street and I saw a woman with her child. The kid seemed to be around 3 or 4. She walked into the grass and snatched her kid into the grass with her and told him/her "Let this man walk by" Then looked up and smiled at me. I'm sure I shot back a look that said "Bitch Please".</div>

IMO this is where it all starts. I have some aunts on my Asian side of the family who won't let their kids swim in the public pool when there's black or latino kids swimming. There's some inherent fear and they're too, stubborn to talk about it rationally.

I have the same concern you have, their kids (my cousins) are going to grow up with some senseless fear of black and latino kids.

My friends, I play basketball with at the gym point this out to me all the time. They always notice they always get matched up against another black guy on the court. There could be just 2 black guys on the court, and they'll end up matching up with one another. He'll just survey the court and say "You know who I'm matching up with."

 

[Sex Panther]

We blacks are no better or worse than any other race.

When I was in my "gangsta" clothing phase, I remember seeing some white lady actually cross the road and walk on that side so that she wouldn't have to pass by me.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">IMO this is where it all starts. I have some aunts on my Asian side of the family who won't let their kids swim in the public pool when there's black or latino kids swimming. There's some inherent fear and they're too, stubborn to talk about it rationally.</div>
My filipino side (i'm only 1/4th though..) of the family actually didn't really like meeting up with my cousins from my black side, it really does get sad. Not at all saying filipinos don't like blacks, but it's like some grow up with the mentality that blacks are criminals, thieves etc.

 

[Smitty]

It can be pretty sad. It's a bit worse for me..because I'm about 6'5..linebacker size..so I kind of get that "big mean black dude" kind of stereotype..although I'm probably one of the friendliest guys around.

 

[NJNetz]

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">When I was in my "gangsta" clothing phase, I remember seeing some white lady actually cross the road and walk on that side so that she wouldn't have to pass by me.</div>

In all honesty, white people are afraid of people who dress up in "gangsta" way. They basically judge people who wear those clothes, as hoodlums.

It kinda of gives them a signal that this person can be dangerous, especially teenagers who dress up like that. They basically see them as no good thugs, unlike if they saw a black man in a suit or wearing something they might appreciate.

 

[Voodoo Child]

Stereotypes really work both ways, and a lot of times they're not a bad thing. I'm not talking about being afraid of black people specifically here, but stereotypes are generally stereotypes because there's a long pattern of truth behind them. Usually, they only change someone's initial reaction to you anyway, and once you get to know them, they don't stereotype you anymore.

Is racism prevalent though? Yes, of course it is. It doesn't take a sociologist to figure that out. However, all races and all people exhibit some kind of racism. It's not exclusive to white on black racism (and that's evident to me more than anyone coming from the deep south). I mean, how many times have you stereotyped players like Brian Cardinal on this board. C'mon, admit it, even I have subconsciously (I mean, just look at him - pic

)

I just don't see what the big revelation is.

 

[B.e.]

It happens, I'm not sure about people being scared of me. But I get the sterotype from white people of "Yo dawg lets go play some B BALL homie" I get that sh!t all the time and can't stand it.

 

[ChicagoSportsFan]

<div class="quote_poster">Kidd Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">In all honesty, white people are afraid of people who dress up in "gangsta" way. They basically judge people who wear those clothes, as hoodlums.

It kinda of gives them a signal that this person can be dangerous, especially teenagers who dress up like that. They basically see them as no good thugs, unlike if they saw a black man in a suit or wearing something they might appreciate.</div>

Hey I dont dress "gangsta" and never have. and Im the author of this thread. In all actuality its my face that scares people. so I have to wear a 3 piece suite to be humanized?

 

[ChicagoSportsFan]

<div class="quote_poster">Voodoo Child Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Stereotypes really work both ways, and a lot of times they're not a bad thing. I'm not talking about being afraid of black people specifically here, but stereotypes are generally stereotypes because there's a long pattern of truth behind them. Usually, they only change someone's initial reaction to you anyway, and once you get to know them, they don't stereotype you anymore.

Is racism prevalent though? Yes, of course it is. It doesn't take a sociologist to figure that out. However, all races and all people exhibit some kind of racism. It's not exclusive to white on black racism (and that's evident to me more than anyone coming from the deep south). I mean, how many times have you stereotyped players like Brian Cardinal on this board. C'mon, admit it, even I have subconsciously (I mean, just look at him - pic

)

I just don't see what the big revelation is.</div>

Who said anything about a big revelation? And If you read the begining of the thread you would know that this thread is <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">not exclusive to white on black racism </div> and this thread isnt about racial superiority its about fear. rasism isnt the issue here. People please read the thread before replying

 

[B.e.]

But the thing is, how can you describe a dress byh "gangsta". The last time I checked Mafia gang members wore suits. I don't believe you can call a style of dress "gangsta". Its more like Urban, and there days if your urban your assumed to act like a gangsta which is BullStuff.

 

[ChicagoSportsFan]

<div class="quote_poster">Air Fresh Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">But the thing is, how can you describe a dress byh "gangsta". The last time I checked Mafia gang members wore suits. I don't believe you can call a style of dress "gangsta". Its more like Urban, and there days if your urban your assumed to act like a gangsta which is BullStuff.</div>

Who are you replying to? if your replying to somthing I or somone else said please take the time to quote that person so you can be sure we all know who your stating you opinion to. I think you misread a post dude.

 

[NJNetz]

<div class="quote_poster">michiganave17 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Hey I dont dress "gangsta" and never have. and Im the author of this thread. In all actuality its my face that scares people. so I have to wear a 3 piece suite to be humanized?</div>

I was actually reffering that to authentiq about the gangsta clothing phase.


In your case it's just stereotype. Some might look at you and think "he must be a murder, a thief, drug dealer etc. It's all stereotype and I don't think it's gonna change anytime soon.

 

[B.e.]

<div class="quote_poster">michiganave17 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Who are you replying to? if your replying to somthing I or somone else said please take the time to quote that person so you can be sure we all know who your stating you opinion to. I think you misread a post dude.</div>

Was just making a statement I was replying to anybody really.

 

[Sex Panther]

<div class="quote_poster">Kidd Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">In all honesty, white people are afraid of people who dress up in "gangsta" way. They basically judge people who wear those clothes, as hoodlums.

It kinda of gives them a signal that this person can be dangerous, especially teenagers who dress up like that. They basically see them as no good thugs, unlike if they saw a black man in a suit or wearing something they might appreciate.</div>

Naw, well i didn't really dress up too "hood", I actually just had baggy jeans, a Tee and sweater, nothing serious. Even today, there's this greek place I pass by and they go (I hear them) "Let that Negro through before you start putting those out".

 

[NJNetz]

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Naw, well i didn't really dress up too "hood", I actually just had baggy jeans, a Tee and sweater, nothing serious.</div>

Oh ok, well I reffering to serious "hood" dressers. It's hard to believe that about a year ago, I thought that 4XL shirts on a small kid was the sh!t. However I never wore a shirt that big.....thank god. I would looked like a real idiot.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Even today, there's this greek place I pass by and they go (I hear them) "Let that Negro through before you start putting those out".</div>

Well that is just pure racism. You should of went and whooped their asses, of course ignoring it and moving on makes you a bigger and better man.

 

[P.A.P.]

The only black people I fear are those who are together in a group in their gangsta clothes when I'm by myself. It's not really about the race, just in general, if I see a bunch of people together dressed in gangsta clothing, with their bandana and all, I have a fear of getting punked since I dress nice and carry around expensive things. Though, that doesn't usually happen because my city only has fake wannabe "gangsta's", and when I go somewhere big I'm not by myself.

 

[Voodoo Child]

<div class="quote_poster">michiganave17 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Who said anything about a big revelation? And If you read the begining of the thread you would know that this thread is and this thread isnt about racial superiority its about fear. rasism isnt the issue here. People please read the thread before replying</div>

Don't accuse me of not reading the thread, bro'. And it's spelled R-A-C-I-S-M.

A revelation is implied. If there's none, why even make the thread? So you can bitch and whine about you being discriminated against?

I never said anything about racial superiority, and obviously, you just don't understand the meaning of racism. There are many types of it: academic, scientific, same-race, crypto, reverse, prejudice, ideological, institutional, etc.

What you are talking about is, indeed, racial prejudice, a form of racism.

 

[Laker_fan]

Heh, this is funny, at the lunch break in my college, I was playing football(soccer) on a basketball court with some people in the local park. Three black people came along and stood there waiting for us to finish so they could play basketball. All of a sudden, I noticed some white kids that were playing saying "come let's go, we're going to be late." Mind you, the college I go to is full of people that are basically whipped by their parents. It's a total contrast to my high school.

 

[Chutney]

Really the only thing you can do is laugh it off. Getting pissed off will give you an early death from high blood pressure.

I get it too (brown and wearing a turban) and, when I was younger, it pissed me off like crazy. But, as you get older, you realize that they're the only people that it affects. I may feel annoyed for a moment, but they have to live a life of constant, irrational fear. I wouldn't will that upon anyone.

Also, in the end, you have to realize that everyone makes judgments when they meet someone. It's human nature. I know I do, even it's not always associated with race. But, the key is to recognize it, don't let it affect how you approach someone, and always give that person the opportunity to prove you wrong.

 

[ChicagoSportsFan]

<div class="quote_poster">Voodoo Child Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Don't accuse me of not reading the thread, bro'. And it's spelled R-A-C-I-S-M.

A revelation is implied. If there's none, why even make the thread? So you can bitch and whine about you being discriminated against?

I never said anything about racial superiority, and obviously, you just don't understand the meaning of racism. There are many types of it: academic, scientific, same-race, crypto, reverse, prejudice, ideological, institutional, etc.

What you are talking about is, indeed, racial prejudice, a form of racism.</div>

There was no Revelation; I was simply stating some recent occurrences in my life. So if I started a thread about how I didn?t make the football team would I be bitching? Now quote where I bitch and moan in my statement in the start of the thread. If you read it you would see that I?m not bitching. I feel bad for the fearful. You made this comment <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">It's not exclusive to white on black racism</div>. This led me to believe that you didn?t read the thread because I don?t talk about white on black racism. I clearly state the question ?are you afraid of black men??. I didnt say ?are white people afraid of black men?. I even gave an exaple of a middle eastern man. And dont be so anal dude. I?m sure I can go into anyone?s past posts and find misspelled words. Just stick to the topic and please refrain from nitpicking because it starts side arguments that go off subject.

 

[Mamba]

Black people, no?

I'm not going to lie though, at my college, there are a bunch of Mexicans. I love Mexican people, but whenever two shady lookin' figures walk right behind me, yes I get a little nervous because 5 minutes outside of my campus each direction is a bad area with high crime rates. It's a little nerve-wrecking, but I don't hate them.

 

[Voodoo Child]

<div class="quote_poster">michiganave17 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">There was no Revelation; I was simply stating some recent occurrences in my life. So if I started a thread about how I didn’t make the football team would I be bitching? Now quote where I bitch and moan in my statement in the start of the thread. If you read it you would see that I’m not bitching. I feel bad for the fearful. You made this comment . This led me to believe that you didn’t read the thread because I don’t talk about white on black racism. I clearly state the question “are you afraid of black men?”. I didnt say “are white people afraid of black men”. I even gave an exaple of a middle eastern man. And dont be so anal dude. I’m sure I can go into anyone’s past posts and find misspelled words. Just stick to the topic and please refrain from nitpicking because it starts side arguments that go off subject.</div>

Stop putting words in my mouth. You're the one doing the nitpicking. I don't see any way in which my post was irrelevant. I posted on the prevalence of racial prejudice and how stereotypes are not always a bad thing. That's very on-topic.

 

[ChicagoSportsFan]

<div class="quote_poster">Voodoo Child Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Stop putting words in my mouth. You're the one doing the nitpicking. I don't see any way in which my post was irrelevant. I posted on the prevalence of racial prejudice and how stereotypes are not always a bad thing. That's very on-topic.</div>


Dude relax and please answer my question. "Where do I bitch and moan in the begining text?" Please answer that question please. When you checked my spelling that was nitpicking. Stuff like that just causes people to go off topic.
Thank you.

 

[Karma]

Well, living where I live, I don't really 'fear' anyone because my area is basically full of guys that WANT to be big. HOWEVER; (and this doesn't even have to do with racism) if I see two huge dudes in hoodies, or furcoats with bandanas tied on thier neck, naturally, my guard is going to be up.

On halloween night I was walking by myself over to my friends house at 8 something at night, and these two huge dudes in thier bikes wearing fur coats with a bandana covering thier face came towards me. Naturally, if I'm by myself, there's always that worry that I'm gonna get punked or something (RARELYYY happens around here unless you talk too much but still, you never know). It's not a racial thing. That could happen with any race.

Clothing doesn't really define who you are inside but when you potray yourself or dress in a certain way, you present to other people that yeah, you are what you dress like. If I see a dude wearing big chains, big hoodies and a bandana and he looks like he's tough, I'm obviously going to assume he's tough and not some harmless kid that I can say stupid things to.

It's not a race thing. It's more of a fear of those who dress a certain way more than anything. I remember once I was walking when I was younger (like 14), and at this time I did not look or resemble anything of a gangster. Yet, when I was walking down the street, there was this Indian lady like 10 feet in front of me walking o nthe sidewalk as well. Anyways, I was walking towards her, and I had to pull somehting out of my pocket (forgot what) and in the process I pulled out a pen as well. Well, this lady must have thought it was a knife because he just strayed off the sidewalk and walked really fast and looked at me and walked some more until she was a good 15 feet away from me (she was still looking at me at this point in a suspcious manner).
Basically, it's a teenager/young adult thing.

 

[Voodoo Child]

<div class="quote_poster">michiganave17 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Dude relax and please answer my question. "Where do I bitch and moan in the begining text?" Please answer that question please. When you checked my spelling that was nitpicking. Stuff like that just causes people to go off topic.
Thank you.</div>

I never said you bitched and moaned... you're taking my statement out of context. I was asking what the purpose of this thread is, if you don't think it's some great revelation (definition: an act of revealing to view or making known).

And c'mon, checking your spelling isn't nitpicking when you mispell a word like racism. That's just kind of blatant...

And as for the original topic, I did address it... saying stereotyping can actually be a good thing and saying that we all have prejudices and that it's nothing new or uncommon.

 

[ChicagoSportsFan]

<div class="quote_poster">Voodoo Child Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">

A revelation is implied. If there's none, why even make the thread? So you can bitch and whine about you being discriminated against?
</div>

here is your quote where u say i was bitching. dont say im bitching when im not because its somthing i hear from alot of people when discussing racism againts blacks. they say that when they dont want to hear the truths about racism.


(Not for u voodoo just in general.)
If anyone is annoyed by this thread beacuse of this topic just ignore it and take it as some black guy bitching.

 

[Voodoo Child]

<div class="quote_poster">michiganave17 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">here is your quote where u say i was bitching. dont say im bitching when im not because its somthing i hear from alot of people when discussing racism againts blacks. they say that when they dont want to hear the truths about racism.


(Not for u voodoo just in general.)
If anyone is annoyed by this thread beacuse of this topic just ignore it and take it as some black guy bitching.</div>

Look up the definition of a question mark. And stop putting words in my mouth.

As for me not wanting to hear the truths about racism... read my original post man, I talk about how it's still prevalent...

 

[ChicagoSportsFan]

<div class="quote_poster">Voodoo Child Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Look up the definition of a question mark. And stop putting words in my mouth.

As for me not wanting to hear the truths about racism... read my original post man, I talk about how it's still prevalent...

</div>


Okay dude. God bless you.

If anyone has anything to add worth discussing or debating or just want to share an experience, please ignore these few meaningless posts and continue to add your opinions.

 

[ChicagoSportsFan]

<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">IMO this is where it all starts. I have some aunts on my Asian side of the family who won't let their kids swim in the public pool when there's black or latino kids swimming. There's some inherent fear and they're too, stubborn to talk about it rationally.

I have the same concern you have, their kids (my cousins) are going to grow up with some senseless fear of black and latino kids.

My friends, I play basketball with at the gym point this out to me all the time. They always notice they always get matched up against another black guy on the court. There could be just 2 black guys on the court, and they'll end up matching up with one another. He'll just survey the court and say "You know who I'm matching up with."</div>

Good points made there Shape. We know that when kids are so young they like a sponges and things usually become hardwired into their brains when they are at their youngest. so when thay grow up they might do certain things without thinking. Its good to hear everyones thoughts.

 

[Voodoo Child]

<div class="quote_poster">michiganave17 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Good points made there Shape. We know that when kids are so young they like a sponges and things usually become hardwired into their brains when they are at their youngest. so when thay grow up they might do certain things without thinking. Its good to hear everyones thoughts.</div>

Agreed. I was personally raised to be biased against southerners, because my family was from the north and had moved down into the deep south when I was born. Obviously, a bias towards southerners and a bias towards a race are two completely different things, but the point remains the same, those associations are learned more often than not at an early age, and it's hard to break them because they've been instilled deep into your subconscious.

I do stand by my original point though that stereotypes usually stem from truisms (not necessarily the ones mentioned in this thread but in general).