"You're Not Black IF..."

[T.he I.nformant]

African,

Spoiler

fukk all that c00n shyt. The only difference between me and these self haters is they grew up being told they werent shyt from all angles and I grew up in a home with hundreds of black-written books.

I also consider myself native american since mom is 1/4, but a black native american if that makes sense. Im about as American as it gets

shyt, race is complex, you won't catch me throwing shade because of how you identify. You just might catch a question or two: why African? Which if those books were most influential in how you view yourself? What you mean you're "about as American as it gets"?

 

[K.O.N.Y]

You already do numbskull and I see you generalising white people like crazy.

I've been here more than 6 months, do you think I'm blind? This is enough insight, on top of that, you have no idea if I have been to america, so close your snout.

how am I the numbskull. Im a black American that post on a website, basically dedicated to an aspect of black American culture. If we're so bad why are you here?

 

[Idaeo]

since moving to California, where there isn't as many blacks as the east coast and the south, i've been questioned as being black many times..especially at work. Most black people they see here are darker skinned tone, so when they someone that's lighter skinned like me, i hear "oh i thought you were half white/hispanic/etc". so i have to educate them on how black people come in all shades, recessive/dominate genetic traits, etc.

 

[Richard Wright]

shyt, race is complex, you won't catch me throwing shade because of how you identify. You just might catch a question or two: why African? Which if those books were most influential in how you view yourself? What you mean you're "about as American as it gets"?

My ancestors were oppressed for a very long time, but now I get to live in the worlds richest country and have access to amazing education and healthcare. It is my african ancestry which gives me the chance to do something with my life so thats how I identify. My dads parents met as civil rights organizers and my parents met working at a civil rights law firm. I was literally born from out of the black struggle in America.

WEB DuBois - The Negro. Our history, written by one of us. But in 2014 whites would even try to claim Du Bois in a comments section

I say Im as american as it gets because Im a black, native american classical liberal. America is the only country founded on man's right to life and liberty. I strongly identify with that.

 

[T.he I.nformant]

My ancestors were oppressed for a very long time, but now I get to live in the worlds richest country and have access to amazing education and healthcare. It is my african ancestry which gives me the chance to do something with my life so thats how I identify. My dads parents met as civil rights organizers and my parents met working at a civil rights law firm. I was literally born from out of the black struggle in America.

WEB DuBois - The Negro. Our history, written by one of us. But in 2014 whites would even try to claim Du Bois in a comments section

I say Im as american as it gets because Im a black, native american classical liberal. America is the only country founded on man's right to life and liberty. I strongly identify with that.

Right on. I'll have to read The Negro. And you must mean the "idea of America" as the "reality of America" has shown that you don't always have the right to life and liberty--as is evidenced by "the black struggle."

 

[Richard Wright]

Right on. I'll have to read The Negro. And you must mean the "idea of America" as the "reality of America" has shown that you don't always have the right to life and liberty--as is evidenced by "the black struggle."

Oh yea, I mean, one of the things I talk about with one of my bros is how middle income and lower whites basically rallied around denying blacks an opportunity for a long time, and now they are suffering for it(we dont have a social system that caters well to those of us who cant find a job, which increasingly includes whites) and they are getting what they deserve for that.

America hates poor people. If the cost of living was not so artificially high and our people(americans) didnt hate each other so much the government could actually work for the people and many of the issues that perpetuate the black struggle, so to speak, would be nullified. Off the top these are things like NAFTA/ illegal immigrants taking low skilled jobs, the minimum wage relative to productivity gains and inflation, loaning practices, access to education, ending the drug war, reducing prison population.

These are all things that fixing would benefit all americans, but we hate each other too much to do so. Every single one of them directly puts money in the hands of elites and puts america further into debt. Look at an issue like min wage for example. Studies show raising it would increase our GDP, but people hear that and view it as a giveaway to what they see as undeserving blacks. Consumer culture takes blame as well. It takes the things we enjoy and places them in the context of individual, private , consumption.
I

 

[T.he I.nformant]

Oh yea, I mean, one of the things I talk about with one of my bros is how middle income and lower whites basically rallied around denying blacks an opportunity for a long time, and now they are suffering for it(we dont have a social system that caters well to those of us who cant find a job, which increasingly includes whites) and they are getting what they deserve for that.

America hates poor people. If the cost of living was not so artificially high and our people(americans) didnt hate each other so much the government could actually work for the people and many of the issues that perpetuate the black struggle, so to speak, would be nullified. Off the top these are things like NAFTA/ illegal immigrants taking low skilled jobs, the minimum wage relative to productivity gains and inflation, loaning practices, access to education, ending the drug war, reducing prison population.

These are all things that fixing would benefit all americans, but we hate each other too much to do so. Every single one of them directly puts money in the hands of elites and puts america further into debt. Look at an issue like min wage for example. Studies show raising it would increase our GDP, but people hear that and view it as a giveaway to what they see as undeserving blacks. Consumer culture takes blame as well. It takes the things we enjoy and places them in the context of individual, private , consumption.
I

all of this is why it makes it all the more baffling why people allow themselves to be divided and voluntarily choose to be divided by things such as race. Addressing poverty should be something that cuts across the color lines as there are people of all races who are poor. For example, the story of labor unions in the 20th century might have (should have) had a different plot if workers of all colors were truly able to organize and work together for the benefit of everybody. Alas, that story could not be written in part because of the complex feelings people hold about race. It's kind of a shame.

 

[Richard Wright]

all of this is why it makes it all the more baffling why people allow themselves to be divided and voluntarily choose to be divided by things such as race. Addressing poverty should be something that cuts across the color lines as there are people of all races who are poor. For example, the story of labor unions in the 20th century might have (should have) had a different plot if workers of all colors were truly able to organize and work together for the benefit of everybody. Alas, that story could not be written in part because of the complex feelings people hold about race. It's kind of a shame.

Yea it makes me feel bad, but knowing I was not around and that the people I come from fought against it is reassuring. The more I talk to young people, the more optimistic I become. The internet is such a blessing as through it I have been able to communicate with writers, people, etc. outside of the mainstream division narrative. I really think things can get better if young people continue to think critically. There will always be vocal minorities though which is a shame.

 

[Box Cutta]

Explain what it means to be "down." Seriously.

Man, you could write a book on this....

I put it in parenthesis for a reason.

But in short, I just think it means recognition of the struggle.

For all his c00nish opinions, Ben Carson still a black man with a black family...in the back of his mind he still prays that his kids don't get smart with a cop and murdered one day.

And his money and resources will still fall into the hands of other black people when he dies.

 

[Insensitive]

Are blacks the most elitist and excluding race?

Or is some level of elitism and exclusion characteristic to all races?

I'm not sure.

It seems like black people are the quickest to disown a black person or question a black person's "blackness" based on disagreements with who that person is or choices they've made. I've heard black people's "blackness" called into question for the following reasons:

• Dating/marrying non-black people
• Going to college
• Enjoying school
• Speaking proper English grammar
• Attending primarily-white schools
• Living in the suburbs
• Living in states with no major city that is populated by a significant amount of blacks
• Believing in Jesus
• Not believing in religion
• Being enlisted in any branch of the US military
• Being a member of the Republican Party
• Voting conservatively on entitlement, public benefit, and other social programs
• Not supporting famous black people
• Being critical of famous black people, especially President Obama, Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, and Floyd Mayweather
• Not being about "that life"
• Not hating white people
• Listening to certain types of music--country, rock, classical
• Wearing certain attire
• Having a certain skin tone
• Having a certain hair texture
• Being homosexual

The list probably goes on...

Now, I think most of us can agree that, like most races, blacks are not a monolithic group. If we hold this to be true, why do we have such rigid and lengthy criteria for being black? Why do we question one another's ability to BE black? Why is important to exclude others from being black?


Thoughts, please.

I'll put it this way.
If you're black it'll seem this way.
I'll also say the list is pretty weak and littered with generalizations.

Having been around hispanics or asians they'll call
you a "twinkie" or a "Gringo/a" if you exhibit behavior that
isn't the norm, this isn't in any way shape or form unique
to Black People.

 

[T.he I.nformant]

Yea it makes me feel bad, but knowing I was not around and that the people I come from fought against it is reassuring. The more I talk to young people, the more optimistic I become. The internet is such a blessing as through it I have been able to communicate with writers, people, etc. outside of the mainstream division narrative. I really think things can get better if young people continue to think critically. There will always be vocal minorities though which is a shame.

I don't talk to a ton of young people and those I do come into contact with aren't in the best of situations so I'm pleased to hear you have encountered some young folks who have their head on straight and have the ability to think critically. Maybe I'm just too cynical and pessimistic, and that's growing worse with age, but I get discouraged thinking about all of the bullshyt young people are consumed by. But that's true of people of all ages.

 

[Richard Wright]

I don't talk to a ton of young people and those I do come into contact with aren't in the best of situations so I'm pleased to hear you have encountered some young folks who have their head on straight and have the ability to think critically. Maybe I'm just too cynical and pessimistic, and that's growing worse with age, but I get discouraged thinking about all of the bullshyt young people are consumed by. But that's true of people of all ages.

Well im in college now so I see it firsthand. In my experience it is 50/50, the idiots are real idiots but the good seeds are really smart. Too bad the 50 percent that are good are the ones that get the good jobs, giving us incentive to keep things the same

 

[kp404]

Yea it makes me feel bad, but knowing I was not around and that the people I come from fought against it is reassuring. The more I talk to young people, the more optimistic I become. The internet is such a blessing as through it I have been able to communicate with writers, people, etc. outside of the mainstream division narrative. I really think things can get better if young people continue to think critically. There will always be vocal minorities though which is a shame.

I have agree with you. I agree that optimism is warranted because teenagers and folks my age are thinking critically about the conditions of people today...I've seen that on a massive scale, but it still is not close to being enough. On the other hand, the internet is the main source of global capital hegemony, so I have an issue with it being used for those nasty purposes. It has such great positives and equally gigantic negatives that the internet is such a controversial invention

 

[Richard Wright]

I have agree with you. I agree that optimism is warranted because teenagers and folks my age are thinking critically about the conditions of people today...I've seen that on a massive scale, but it still is not close to being enough. On the other hand, the internet is the main source of global capital hegemony, so I have an issue with it being used for those nasty purposes. It has such great positives and equally gigantic negatives that the internet is such a controversial invention

It has been absolutely positive for me, the problem with young people is we will mostly be so in debt we can not do shyt as the wealth does not get transferred in the market, but hoarded.

I dont have ANY scientific or statistical basis but I bet people are gonna increasingly dying with a lot of unspent money/wealth going forward.

 

[kp404]

It has been absolutely positive for me, the problem with young people is we will mostly be so in debt we can not do shyt as the wealth does not get transferred in the market, but hoarded.

I dont have ANY scientific or statistical basis but I bet people are gonna increasingly dying with a lot of unspent money/wealth going forward.

Agreed, thanks to the greedy fukking banks and corporations, debt slavery is the way to get the working class and keep them stagnant for their entire lives...that's ok though; we are trying to educate as many as possible of the bullshyt these capitalists are up to