Why is the Black MAN seen as a BOY or KID?

[*L*E*G*A*C*Y*]

I've been thinking about this. I look young for my age, but for the most part when dealing with people they always assume I'm younger. But in all honesty, there was always an underlying and bellittling sentiment to it where I've definitely noticed certain people talking down to me as if I wasn't on their level. Almost as if they were talking to me like I was a child.

I've had situations where people younger than me (in their early to mid 20s) were talking to me as if I was younger than them...then when I told them how old I really was (I'll be 31 in August) they were all like sorry didn't mean to offend you...but really I knew what they were doing. Alot of non-black people feel like they can talk to us any way and that we aren't worthy of any sort of respect...but why is that?

 

[Arishok]

People think I'm a freshman/sophomore when really, I'm a fifth year , I don't really take offense to it though

 

[Trillion]

man stfu

 

[*L*E*G*A*C*Y*]

I'll tell you what...the number one thing that pisses me off the most is when people refer to me as a "boy" or "kid". Like I take a serious offense to that.

Maybe it's because I've been trying to prove my worth as a man for the majority of my life...

 

[*L*E*G*A*C*Y*]

man stfu

LOL. Did my thread strike a nerve with you or something?

 

[Sierra Mist]

Well you're black for starts so they don't expect you to have much intellect.

Your young appearance projects a superiority complex to the person interacting with you.

 

[KOohbt]

Black people look younger then whites. But ironically when they kill young black folks they make us older. Example them saying tamir rice was in his 20s after they killed him. They are just disrespectful is all.

 

[Arishok]

I'll tell you what...the number one thing that pisses me off the most is when people refer to me as a "boy" or "kid". Like I take a serious offense to that.

Maybe it's because I've been trying to prove my worth as a man for the majority of my life...

Is it in a "listen here boy" type of way because I could see how one would be offended by that.

 

[Matt504]

because the only adults in the system of white supremacy are White men and White women, everyone else are children.

 

[*L*E*G*A*C*Y*]

Well you're black for starts so they don't expect you to have much intellect.

Your young appearance projects a superiority complex to the person interacting with you.

This is very true.

Like when I'm interacting with people...never get the benefit of the doubt. They always assume in the back of their minds that because I'm a black male that automatically I/I'm

Grew up without a father
Grew up poor
not educated
been to jail/have a criminal record
etc.

All of which are absolutely falkse.

Like the first impressions others get from are usually shatted upon the first five minutes I start talking to people. When I really start talking about myself...others just tend to just sit down or just stop talking or get intimidated and not want to continue the conversation cause they thought they could flex on me and couldn't...

 

[*L*E*G*A*C*Y*]

Black people look younger then whites. But ironically when they kill young black folks they make us older. Example them saying tamir rice was in his 20s after they killed him. They are just disrespectful is all.

They really do change the goal posts in regards to age for us compared to other whites.

Like for example...18 is seen as a legal adult in most parts of America.

When an 18 year old white dude has a job or joins the military or something...they refer to him as a man.
When that same 18 year old white dude shoots up a theater...they refer to him as an "innocent young kid".

 

[Mowgli]

it's simple tell people what they can and can't call you.

Some people at work called me bro. I said call me by my name And they did

 

[*L*E*G*A*C*Y*]

Is it in a "listen here boy" type of way because I could see how one would be offended by that.

It is 100%.

Not only is it belittling, but it's 100% arrogant on their part and just racist.

 

[the artist known az]

I've been thinking about this. I look young for my age, but for the most part when dealing with people they always assume I'm younger. But in all honesty, there was always an underlying and bellittling sentiment to it where I've definitely noticed certain people talking down to me as if I wasn't on their level. Almost as if they were talking to me like I was a child.

I've had situations where people younger than me (in their early to mid 20s) were talking to me as if I was younger than them...then when I told them how old I really was (I'll be 31 in August) they were all like sorry didn't mean to offend you...but really I knew what they were doing. Alot of non-black people feel like they can talk to us any way and that we aren't worthy of any sort of respect...but why is that?

Same thing happens to me

 

[Matt504]