Some Blacks insist: 'I'm not African-American'

Exactly!!!!!

 

I have noticed that race relations in the South are very different than up north. I could be wrong, but it seems like in the South people are cordial to each other, but it feels like it's because everyone knows their place, and black people largely stay in line. Conversely in the North, things tend to be more contentious, especially between racial minorities and European ethnic minority groups, such as Italians, Poles, Irish, who often compete for jobs, housing, etc. As a result, I see a lot more open racial aggression.

 

Well said. Couldn't have said it better myself.

 

That's what my ex bf (who is from AL) used to say. People hide their true feelings in the South because that's what you do - it's polite. But have a few drinks and the gloves come off.

 

I wonder if that's part of why paniro doesn't think racism exists. If people are cordial, it can feel like racism is absent. Ethnic groups up north are largely in each other's faces all the time, so cordiality goes right out the window. And also, with so many white ethnic minorities who are treated as lower than WASPs, they have to have someone further down on the totem pole than they are to maintain any sort of white privilege. I don't know about you guys, but in the Upper Midwest and East Coast that I'm familiar with, WASPs are at the top of the pile, with Catholics and ethnic minorities falling in behind, then racial minorities at the bottom. Obviously these lines are not as clearly demarcated as they where during my youth, but they still largely hold true.

 

There's definitely more than just that as a factor when it comes to Paniro, considering that the majority of we Black males, both younger and older, on this site seem to have seen or experienced various incidents of racism on some level at one time or another and he repeatedly claims to not have encountered any much less is willing to acknowledge that it exist.

 

it's possible he really never encountered it or realized it happened. One of my best friends is like that. He's only heard about shit on tv and swears that he's less threatening because he has light skin so it shields him from racism. Some people don't get it until it knocks them upside the head.

 

And in all fairness, racists don't manifest it uniformly with all black people. Its intensity varies on whether or not you're in job competition with them, if they're in a position of authority over you, in the police force, etc. Lots of variables.

 

I understand and agree with what's being said in both of these posts. I once worked with a black guy when I was younger whose family could be looked at as the token black family living in an all white very upscale mid class neighborhood and to better fit in they pretty much adopted the insular opinions and attitudes of all their white neighbors to the point as an adult this black individual not only didn't see himself as black but also couldn't relate to any black people or minorities because he only ever would associate with like mined white individuals. He only ever would reluctantly associate with other blacks or any other minorities at work if they were on friendly terms with some of the white people that he associated with, which is how I and others came to learn of his somewhat unique background and upbringing.

 

Everyone's experience with race and racism is different, since we're all from different backgrounds and environments. But what it really highlights to me is how stupid racism ultimately is.

 

I call Black folks in America, Black Americans, but if they refer to themselves as AA, I'll call them that. Whatever they want to be labeled as, I'll respectively do so, but if I have to describe someone ethnically or continentally, I refer to people from the Caribbean as West Indian, people from Africa (not Black American) as African and Afro-Latinos for those of Latin decent.

 

Rep added. We thank you. ;-)

 

I thank you!

 

anyone who has a problem being called an African American is full of self hate. If you are of African decent....whats wrong with that? weird

 

Based on my family name, I'm of German descent and I don't know when my family came to America. I was born here. I don't want to be called a German American. I know nothing of my German ancestry. That doesn't make me filled with self hate. Why then should it be so for a black person born in America? *smh*

 

Black/African American it really doesn't matter to me. I have other things in life to worry about.

 

Problem I have with being called A "Black Man " is the fact, I'm no were near the color black. And for the reason the color black is associated with things of negative nature or stereotypes. I had a few buddies in school that were somewhat close to the color, but I'm more of a brown golden complexion. So About 2 years ago I started trying to figure out what we should be called, and I realized how we are the only group of human beings that don't have a formal " Title ". I understand clearly the reason why, and it's all good, but it's pretty interesting, especially when the topic comes up. When you reach the level of true Freedom and Understanding that I have today, it really doesn't matter anymore. I'm me. All I know is the one fact that I know nothing. So with the little time I have here on this place I never had a clue of anyway, I can't get caught, waisting time creating a title for a group of human beings that favor any other group of human beings. WHile one is waisting time trying to figure out what to call himself, " The Big Boys " are starting shit, dropping bombs, selling you wolf tickets, and you buying it because your focus is on poppycock rhetoric. In my opinion, to even entertain the subject, shows just how controlled a very large group of people are in this world. Walk as one, talk as one, love as one, and that will be the day all confusion, misunderstanding, and fatuity on our humanity will end. I'm just saying......

 

my dad is from england. i'm now going to call myself a pozzie. half pom, half aussie

 

I'd have to agree with you. It's probably an unpopular view on the forum though.

 

Good answer!