Are you afraid of Black Men?

[I-Miss-MJ]

Islanders are Maouris, Togans, Fijians, Samoans etc.

 

[NTC]

<div class="quote_poster">I-Miss-MJ Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Where in Australia are you?

I have noticed a lot of suburbs have a lot of black people then a few suburbs over there are none.

I play football (american) with a lot of Islanders. (and thank god they are on my team)</div>

I'm in Brisbane.

 

[Bahir]

<div class="quote_poster">I-Miss-MJ Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Islanders are Maouris, Togans, Fijians, Samoans etc.</div>

Ahh... I thought you ment people from Iceland

 

[Shard]

It's about the way you present yourself. If i'm walking down the street and I see a black man wearing a rag or gang related clothing, of course i'm going to tense up... I don't feel like getting mugged. But if I see a black male dressed normally and acting as if he is not going to kill me, then I have no problem with him. It's not just black people either... if I saw a white person doing the same, same result. I met a really butch lesbian at a party tonight and she honestly scared the crap out of me. Tons of piercings, shaved head, constant pissed look on her face and she was drinking. Now, i'm not afraid of girls, but I don't usually want to go toe to toe with a skinhead lesbian lol. If someone looks threatening, i'll take caution, black or not.

 

[deception]

<div class="quote_poster">Shard Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">It's about the way you present yourself. If i'm walking down the street and I see a black man wearing a rag or gang related clothing, of course i'm going to tense up... I don't feel like getting mugged. But if I see a black male dressed normally and acting as if he is not going to kill me, then I have no problem with him. It's not just black people either... if I saw a white person doing the same, same result. I met a really butch lesbian at a party tonight and she honestly scared the crap out of me. Tons of piercings, shaved head, constant pissed look on her face and she was drinking. Now, i'm not afraid of girls, but I don't usually want to go toe to toe with a skinhead lesbian lol. If someone looks threatening, i'll take caution, black or not.</div>

its also your biographical reference point (what u experienced coupled with your personality). i'm the opposite- if i saw those people u described above i would try and engage in a conversation with them cause i'm fascinated by freaks.

 

[Schaddy]

It happens all the time around here, especially on campus. I've seen it happen directly to friends of mine from other friends even. It's a bizarre phenomenon, but it's always happening.

There are reasons for the sterotyping, mostly ignorance. If average Joe white guy doesn't have any black friends and only knows about the bad side of black people as they're often portrayed in the media or something, well, through no fault of his own he's going to be a bit prejudice. That's not excusing that guy for being prejudics; it's terrible that there are people out there who simply go on what Dateline tells them, but that's the case.

It boils down like this: there's a lot of ignorant people in the world, and many of them are white and sheltered. That's why these things happen. It's sad and it's depressing to know that all those stereotypes exist despite the strides we've made as a society, but I think that things like this will always happen, because nowhere in the world is there a place where no one is prejucdice or racist. You just have to remind yourself that the idiots who walk across the street because they see a black guy are just that, idiots, who don't know any better, and unfortunately no one can change everyone's mind. I guess the best thing you can do is try to ignore it, remind yourself that they're in the minority of people out there, and laugh at the fact that you just walking down the street is enough to make some middle aged white guy soil his drawers

I don't mean to come off nonchalant about this or anything, it's just that I've noticed it for a long time and have found the best way to deal with such things is to laugh it off, because people aren't going to change, and they just end up looking dumb to those of us who understand that the world is a big and diverse place, not some pasty biodome. Hopefully you guys get what I'm saying.

 

[I-Miss-MJ]

<div class="quote_poster">Schaddy Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">You just have to remind yourself that the idiots who walk across the street because they see a black guy are just that, idiots, who don't know any better, and unfortunately no one can change everyone's mind. </div>

Exactly, but if I knew someone who did that I'd kick em in the ass.

 

[norespect]

How can I say this and not sound racist.....there is a difference between black people and - gangsters or some people call them the N word. I live in a prodominently black neighbourhood and when i walk home from work, there is always a bunch of black guys hangin around the front of my building and they call me "white bread" and other stupid names. THey try to intimidate with numbers. Reverse the situation and a bunch of white guys sittin around and call a black guy a .... whatever...its not right. They give all black people a bad name...its not fair, but thats the way it is. I know not all black people are gangster and bad, but some are, and those that are portrayed in the media....believe me, white people are just as bad, but they don't have the rep.

 

[I-Miss-MJ]

<div class="quote_poster">norespect Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"> Reverse the situation and a bunch of white guys sittin around and call a black guy a .... whatever...its not right. </div>

He'd bust a cap in yo ass....oh wait that is a stereotype.

 

[B.e.]

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Now, i'm not afraid of girls, but I don't usually want to go toe to toe with a skinhead lesbian lol.</div>

 

[dunksworth]

I do believe that the media plays a huge role in the negative portrayal of blacks, but I don't think it's just non-blacks who are being influenced, many blacks themselves have fallen victim to these images of the stereotypical black male. It's easy to just point the finger at non-blacks and say "shame on you for believing the media" but we also have to remember that many blacks themselves have also embraced that same stereotype that we condemn the non-blacks for believing. You may disagree with me, but I feel that that black guy who intentionally gives off the image that he's a gangster/thug is just as guilty as the white person who sh!ts in their pants at the site of a black guy. Both are just tools of the media if you ask me.

But I feel for the majority of blacks who have to deal with crap like this on a consistent basis. They're the real victims here. I'm just saying that both blacks and non-blacks have to be more mature and responsible if we want to make strides in the right direction to tear down this phobia that's plagued us.

 

[Chuck]

<div class="quote_poster">norespect Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">there is always a bunch of black guys hangin around the front of my building and they call me "white bread" and other stupid names. </div>

You should've called them pumpernickel!

 

[Smitty]

<div class="quote_poster">Chuck Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">You should've called them pumpernickel!</div>

Um, what?

 

[44Thrilla]

<div class="quote_poster">Smitty Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Um, what?</div>
It's a kind of bread that's dark in color.

 

[Mr. J]

Well, I'm black and have gotten those "looks" before, especially if I'm walking with a group of people who are also black. Used to kind of annoy me, but getting older and more mature made it not bother me as much, if any at all. Anyway, it's just something you have to deal with, I guess.

 

[Casual]

The only people who cross the street because of me are grandmas, it's pretty funny.

 

[Chuck]

<div class="quote_poster">Smitty Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Um, what?</div>

Um, how could you not understand that?

 

[B.e.]

<div class="quote_poster">Chuck Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Um, how could you not understand that?

</div>
Obviously he didnt no what pumpernickel is genius.

I'd also like to see you call a group of black dudes "pumpernickel"; you'll likely end up like bleached bread with ketchup spread on it.

 

[I-Miss-MJ]

shoulda called em toast.

 

[B.e.]

Yeah and you'd end up toast.

 

[M Two One]

I never have this issue, though I do notice it often. It is really the slurs and the gossip that installs the fear and from a media stand point why should we be surprised? However, I get the same type of reaction every day as well. Due to my size and posture I often make people feel scared or worried if i'm alone. I can see it and basically feel it, even my friends and family have noticed it so I know what it is like; only not from a racial perspective. However, when I used to be very overweight as a teen I did notice stares, but these were different. I felt offended by them because I knew what they were thinking and I need not explain, do I?

 

[Karma]

I think social discrimination (as I label it - I don't know what the official labelling is) such as people treating each other different because they are overweight, too skinny, unhealthy, have a glaring deficiency, etc, is a issue that has always existed in modern society and will probably continue to exist, despite people saying thigns like "only you o nthe inside matters", etc. Not trying to sound negative or whatever, but that is a bunch of bullsh*t. So many people have gotten far just because of thier looks despite having half as less talent as other people in thier field (this goes more specifically for singers).

As far as discriminating goes, basically, people have a perception of what "perfect" is in thier minds, and if people don't fit into the "perfect" or "normal" range, people subconciously (or conciously) tend to treat them differently.

I notice this in highschool a lot, but I'm pretty sure this exists through adulthood as well, although it probably is more controlled and less obvious.

 

[Chuck]

<div class="quote_poster">Air Fresh Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Obviously he didnt no what pumpernickel is genius.

I'd also like to see you call a group of black dudes "pumpernickel"; you'll likely end up like bleached bread with ketchup spread on it.</div>

Internet tough guys are great.

If they called me white bread, I wouldn't hesitate to say that back. I'm not racist like you, and over 50% of the people who post here. It's all about your demeanor, kid.

 

[B.e.]

<div class="quote_poster">Chuck Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Internet tough guys are great.

If they called me white bread, I wouldn't hesitate to say that back. I'm not racist like you, and over 50% of the people who post here. It's all about your demeanor, kid.</div>

I'm racist now? All I said was that you'd have a good chance of getting jumped if you said something racist back. Which is true, especially if the black dudes are young black dudes. Two rights don't make a wrong, kid. How did I say anything racist?

 

[B.e.]

<div class="quote_poster">Chuck Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Internet tough guys are great.

If they called me white bread, I wouldn't hesitate to say that back. I'm not racist like you, and over 50% of the people who post here. It's all about your demeanor, kid.</div>

I'm racist now? Wrong. All I said was that you'd have a good chance of getting jumped if you said something racist back to a group of black dudes, who were trying to mess with you in the first place. Which is true, especially if the black dudes are young black dudes.

Two rights don't make a wrong, "kid". How did I say anything racist? 50% of the people who posts here are racist? Your dellusional.

 

[Iggy]

I'm not afraid of black people. In fact, half of my friends are black. I'm Filipino, and at my school a lot of the black people get along really well with everyone especially us Filipinos. I think the reasoning behind it is because most of the Filipino kids at my school play ball with the black kids, and that tends to be why we get along so well.

I would think that it's probably less of a problem here, than in the USA. Canada is so multicultural, that almost everyone just gets along fine without judging eachother or picking out differences.

 

[bangofan13]

Afraid of Black people???? NO! But I will tell you put them or any other race in a setting (such as your ghetto) I would be cautious of them just because the way they are raised (they refers to any race in a ghetto setting) makes them more likely to commit a crime.

 

[M Two One]

<div class="quote_poster">bangofan13 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Afraid of Black people???? NO! But I will tell you put them or any other race in a setting (such as your ghetto) I would be cautious of them just because the way they are raised (they refers to any race in a ghetto setting) makes them more likely to commit a crime.</div>

That's crap, I grew up in a horrible neighborhood that was 95 percent black and never was I harrassed or anything. In fact the time my mother was robbed once was by a rich white teen and an arab teen from another area. When you go into a black neighborhood being white or any other race no one is going to think when they see you "hey let's go rob that white one guy/girl instead of that black one." I also never understood the term "Ghetto" to describe a "gangster riddled" neighborhood since Ghetto refers to something entirely different. Anyway, I wouldn't worry about that, but if you still have fears over going into bad neighborhoods I entirely understand from a psychological perspective because it is just you really being cautious instead of possibly sorry.

 

[NTC]

I think the media play a big part in that, like N.W.A, Snoop Dogg, The Game etc. would have you believe that the second you step foot into Compton, you'll be gunned down.

 

[Bahir]

<div class="quote_poster">M Two One Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"> I also never understood the term "Ghetto" to describe a "gangster riddled" neighborhood since Ghetto refers to something entirely different. </div>

I agree with that, the "ghettos" today are pretty far removed from a real (jewish inhabited) ghetto, that existed in Nazi germany and even way before that.