Questions I’ve always wanted to ask a black person

Tyler HurstBlog56 Comments

In case you’re an angry Portlander hoping to make me look bad, know this was written in response to http://verysmartbrothas.com/questions-youve-always-wanted-to-ask-a-white-person/ and was meant to be a discussion on race. If you’re really going to go after a white guy for reading a black dude’s blog, liking a post, and then asking if he could do his version of it, go for it.

The Champ, blogging at VerySmartBrothas.com, is a treasure trove of humor. Hilarious reading every damn time he posts, and this is from a white guy who grew up in the Northwest who has very little knowledge of what I would consider black culture, namely the southern and east coast states, where what seems like a majority of black people live. His latest, Questions You’ve Always Wanted To Ask A White Person, prompted my ass to get out of bed and write back.

Now you know (that was my attempt at sounding black, but f*** it) my answers got to be a little too long, so I’m going to take them up here and add my questions I’ve always wanted to ask a black person. If you’re easily offended, stop reading right now and go oppress some other race.

1. Do you think and talk about us as much as we think and talk about you?
Nope. Very rarely do people of any race come up in a conversation centered around such. Those of us who grew up in the corners of the US feel a little weird when the room is 99% white, but it’s not a thing.

2.”Why are (an admittedly small but still sizable percentage of) you all so obsessed with being able to say “nigger”?
Because they think that by trying to act like or oppress black people, they can be like them. Many white people really, really want to be black. Not friends with blacks, but actually black. To them, being black is cool. Which is weird, because most people think what black people do or say is cool and want to emulate, not straight imitate, them. Also, racists love showing their ignorance.

3. What’s the deal with young white women and cigarettes?
White women are very impressionable. Because they don’t have any cultural heritage to draw from, they turn to Hollywood. People magazine is the white people’s barbershop.

4. Is there a person whose art induces as much of a stark difference in opinion from “educated” whites as Tyler Perry does from “educated” blacks?
F*** Dane Cook. F*** most of the reality TV bullshit that comes out.

5. We know how black men feel about being stereotyped as violent and hyper-sexual and how black women feel about being thought of as perpetually aggressive and antagonistic, but how do white men feel about being accused by many as the root, cause, catalyst, and impetus behind all the world’s evils?
Not a helluva lot we can do about this.

6. Generally speaking, are you as concerned with definitions of “whiteness” and staying true to it as many of us are with blackness?
Nope. We’re way more ashamed to be white than anything else. What the hell is whiteness, anyway?

7. Aside from what’s usually cited (black music, soul food, the exuberance exhibited at many of our churches, Tracy Morgan, etc) is there anything about African-American culture you genuinely envy?
Lots of white people think most black people are friends just because they’re black. Whether or not this is actually true, we’re still jealous of it. Seldom will you see a white guy get into a group because he’s white.

8. Do you code-switch?
Had to look that one up and no. We stick to one language, because we assume everyone should speak it. If I don’t know what the hell I’m talking about, then pretend I never asked this question.

9. Why don’t most of you all seem to be as scared to death of harmless germs as we are?
I think we accept being sick as some kind of punishment we all must face. That and we know the white doctors will be sure to save us.

10. Kate Moss? No, seriously: Kate Moss?
No, that’s Hollywood.

If you're not watching Psych, you should be.

Now for questions I’ve always wanted to ask a black person….

1. Are you really friends with people just because you’re all black?
I’m going to assume that you must have more in common than skin color, but I sure as hell don’t know what it is.

2. How much does it suck to be a poor athlete?
Seeing as how most of society expects you to be able to dunk, what’s it like being an average athlete?

3. Do other black people really look down or shun you because you talk white?
You know what I mean here. Is it really even talking or acting white?

4. What the hell is up with Ebonics? Was that planned?
Uh…seriously. WTF.

5. Do you actually like white women or do you like that they like you?
Again, broad assumption here, but it seems to be true more often than not.

6. Does it ever piss you off that you have to shape, rather than style, your hair?
While this seems convenient, it seems that it would get old after a while.

7. What is the f***ing deal with you and ice or water?
From what I gather, black people tend to use lotion more often than white people, meaning water SHOULD bead off a bit more. This obviously doesn’t matter in a pool, but why are you so afraid of it? Why no hockey? There are black people in Canada, right?

8. Are barbershops as cool in real life as they are shown on TV?
I really don’t know. Help me out here.

9. Why are you so concerned with your blackness?
What does it even mean to keep it real if you didn’t grow up in the ‘hood or in a gang? Is that even a part of being black?

10. Why do none of your TV shows have at least a token white guy?
White shows are careful to have token characters from every race, but most black shows star only black people. Are they really places where you NEVER interact outside your race?

Would love to know your comments, regardless of race, ethnicity or gender, but don’t be a dick. And if you think you’re being a dick, you probably are, so don’t do it.

Tyler HurstQuestions I’ve always wanted to ask a black person

56 Comments on “Questions I’ve always wanted to ask a black person”

  1. The Champ

    1. Are you really friends with people just because you’re all black?

    No. I am just friends with people because we both played basketball, though, and being black (probably) had something to do with me playing basketball, so, well, what was the question again?

    2. How much does it suck to be a poor athlete?

    Not as much as it sucks to have a tiny penis (I’m assuming, of course)

    3. Do other black people really look down or shun you because you talk white?

    All intelligent and educated black have the ability to talk “white”, and usually do so if needed. What we find odd is when we meet a black person who’s completely unable to code-switch, but it’s more of a “They still make you?” than an actual shunning.

    4. What the hell is up with Ebonics? Was that planned?

    Ebonics is the same as any other regional or cultural deviation from perfectly proper English. (Which no one outside of Michael Caine and Jeffery from “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air” actually speaks)

    The only thing separating Ebonics from, I don’t know, suburban Dallas dialect is that Ebonics has a name.

    5. Do you actually like white women or do you like that they like you?

    While the vast majority of us would prefer to be with a black woman, like all other men, black men like attractive and available women who are into them. And, like all other men, we take pleasure in sticking it to the man.

    6. Does it ever piss you off that you have to shape, rather than style, your hair?

    LOL, there are a few of us who need to style their hair. Even with braids there are literally thousands of different (and daily) variations.

    With that being said, for those of us who keep a shorter cut, the hair continuity is a good thing. I’ve personally had the exact same haircut for 15 years now. With all the stuff already on our minds (racism, sneakers, David Stern, etc) it’s one less thing to worry about.

    7. What is the f***ing deal with you and ice or water?

    This is the first I’ve heard of an issue we have with ice (Maybe it reminds us of Vikings? I don’t know), but as far as water and (I assume) swimming, it’s very complex. (I know this is a bullshit answer, but the complete response will probably get me Drop Squad-ed)

    8. Are barbershops are cool in real life as they are shown on TV?

    No. They’re at least 10 to 25% cooler. Seriously. If you knew how cool barbershops were you’d all have caesars (closely cropped hair) with waves within a week

    9. Why are you so concerned with your blackness?

    Because of that whole annoying slavery thing, we (African-Americans) are an extremely unique and extremely lonely people. The uniqueness is something you’ve probably read/hear about myriad times, but the loneliness probably isn’t something most whites are privy to.

    To expound, while many of us feel a kinship with the idea of Africa, the fact that the majority of us can’t pinpoint exactly what part of that big ass continent we’re from makes that kinship somewhat superficial. Most of us don’t have the luxury of going to, say, Denmark and finding the village our great-great grandfather came from.

    Anyway, when you combine this with our complicated relationship with America, you start to understand how we (generally) have a bit of a circle the wagons collective mentality. We’re staunchly protective of anything African-American, our images, our culture, our creations, ourselves, and if we’re suspected to have relinquished or renounced that, it can make you feel like Judas.

    Oh, and Al Sharpton told us that we have to be.

    10. Why do none of your TV shows have at least a token white guy?

    Don’t know if I can agree with that. Aside from the Tyler Perry TBS shows (which I haven’t watched enough to comment on), all of the most popular “black” shows in the past decade (ie: The Wire, The Game, Girlfriends, The Evening News, etc) had recurring white characters.

    Plus, we still let Eminem eat. Is that not enough?

    1. Chuck Reynolds

      Just to question 10 and your answer, because the true answer has eluded me as well… There’s a whole channel for ONLY black shows and actors… BET. need I say more? It just seems to me it’s too hot button of an issue so tv politicians or whatever they are just said give them a channel so they can’t complain anymore… but then every show on other channels have to have a token black guy and a token asian guy… it’s just weird.Anyways, thx for this post.. actually nice to see people talking about this normally not pointing fingers and throwing race cards around.

      1. The Champ

        Chuck,

        BET exists largely because MTV wasn’t showing music videos from black artists. (just how HBCUs exist because blacks weren’t admitted to white colleges, Ebony and Essence exist because mainstream magazines ignored black news, etc, etc). Basically, it wasn’t made to exclude whites but to give attention to excluded blacks.

        Anyway, the majority of the programming on BET today does actually involve white actors, entertainers, and musicians. That channel is about as “black” as ABC is “white”.

    2. ProudlyofAfricandescent

      I hadn’t read your response before posting mine but I enjoyed the similarities and the humor you imposed. Way to go brotha!

  2. Liz

    I love this post! Thanks for participating! I think my answers will differe from Champ’s but it’s good to see what’s on your mind 🙂

  3. B. Brown

    1. Are you really friends with people just because you’re all black?

    Not a chance. Makes it easier to become acquaintances, but flaw comes in every color.

    2. How much does it suck to be a poor athlete?

    Since dunking was the noted criterion, I guess I can answer this: it’s not that bad until you go female-hunting.

    3. Do other black people really look down or shun you because you talk white?

    I was looked down upon (and derisively called ‘white boy’) because I didn’t smoke weed. At 15. Being shunned for talking falls far down the list when you deal with stuff like that.

    4. What the hell is up with Ebonics? Was that planned?

    It’s like the name thing (Lashanquanesha, Demartavious, etc). Just fools trying to be different.

    5. Do you actually like white women or do you like that they like you?

    A little of both, as is the case with all other women.

    6. Does it ever piss you off that you have to shape, rather than style, your hair?

    Only when I mess up. Then I have to go with a zero.

    7. What is the f***ing deal with you and ice or water?

    Ice is cold. Flip that. As far as water, well…for the sisters, it messes up their hair something serious. Brothers too, if they like waves. So it’s mostly hair-related, from what I know. Hockey doesn’t work because most of us live in/are from the south. No ice, no skating. No skating, no hockey.

    8. Are barbershops as cool in real life as they are shown on TV?

    If you’re a regular and have lots of time to waste, yes. I say this as someone who cuts his own hair, though.

    9. Why are you so concerned with your blackness?

    Since our identity was stripped from us, we work hard to establish and maintain a sense of one. Therefore, it means a lot to us. Along with that comes the idea of what it should be, shunning of people who don’t meet our criteria, and all that other stuff.

    10. Why do none of your TV shows have at least a token white guy?

    All the ones I’ve seen have a white person somewhere (although on Living Single there wasn’t a regular white character).

    1. Bromeliad

      Help. I’m an ignorant white woman and I’m confused. Most of the answers to number 9, “Why are you so concerned with your blackness?” seem to have more to do with why the black community is concerned, and no one has answered the the question “why are YOU concerned?” As an individual of the 21st century, how has your identity and heritage been stripped from you? Are black people still being oppressed? I don’t know, maybe they are. My own ancestors were French and I feel no compulsion to eat crepes and wear powdered wigs so it’s hard for me to understand. It seems to me most white people pick their own style or cliche based on personal preference or peer pressure and it’s confusing to me that someone would base their style on the color of their skin, particularly when black people, rightly, expect equality and not to be prejudiced against. By no means am I saying “don’t be black”, but it almost sounds, from the answers told here, that the pressure from other black people to be “black” has more to do with this decision than old heart aches, as a sort of self oppression. I’m sorry if that sounds ignorant, I’m not trying to be rude. This is something I really have always wanted to ask a black person (I’ve never heard of most of the other questions here).

      Also, pertaining to number 6 on the other questionnaire, it has never occurred to me to be ashamed of being white. Sorry, but I only am what I am.

      1. bromeliad

        “By no means am I saying “don’t be black”, but it almost sounds, from
        the answers told here, that the pressure from other black people to be
        “black” has more to do with this decision than old heart aches, as a
        sort of self oppression.”

        Edit: I meant, as a sort of self oppression to be a certain way, as in, you don’t get to chose what and who you want to be.

        1. B. Brown

          Speaking for myself (of course), I took the ‘you’ in Q9 to mean the collective. Oddly enough, that’s part of the answer. Our individual cues on blackness come from our communities – forget that ‘media portrayal’ nonsense, we give them the sounds and images. We’re taught that certain things, both good and bad, are part of a universal standard of blackness that most of us try to maintain. All that said, I personally am not concerned with my blackness. I’ve always considered my blackness to be found in my melanin and nothing else.
          As far as identity and heritage being stripped, it’s been stripped the same way it was stripped from previous generations. The fact that we have identified ourselves as black Americans does not take away from the fact that many of us (myself included) cannot trace our ancestry back to a country or region the same way you can to France.

          Concerning the oppression part, I think we’re getting further away from that as we move further away from the civil rights movement. Back then, our parents and grandparents had largely the same circumstances and situations. Now the composition of black America has much more variance. We have black people of island descent. We have black Republicans. The twentysomething generation wears a lot of A&F and Hollister. My favorite music group is Maroon 5. As we have become a part of American culture, we have embraced different aspects in the mainstream culture.

          The biggest example of this is the rise in the number of interracial relationships over the last 20 years. They were frowned upon in the black community as my generation grew up. Now most of my same-generation relatives are in LTRs (marriages and co-parenting situations) with partners of different races. People of all races are moving forward, and I expect that trend to continue.

          Hope that helped somewhat: if it didn’t, I’ll blame it on a longer-than-expected drive back from Atlanta (the trip to which being what delayed this reply).

      2. SuperShrug

        Well.. It’s really hard to wear a sweater vest without looking like Carlton from “Fresh Prince of Bel Air” and I don’t like how any photographs of my face look when I’m wearing blue. Other black coworkers will negatively comment mildly as my hair grows from mid-length until it is long enough to pull back into a puff. There are boundaries because of a notion of “one represents all”

        Looking around though, things seem like they are fragmenting into subcultures and I’m not sure if they have names. Like groups that wear skinny jeans and neon colors, but then there are groups that have baggier clothes and loud patterns, the mohawks and hipster glasses.. I mean, look at Wiz Khalifa’s hair. It is change and it is awesome.

  4. Pingback: 10 Things a White Guy Has Always Wanted to Know About Black People — Very Smart Brothas

  5. MP

    1. Are you really friends with people just because you’re all black?
    No.

    2. How much does it suck to be a poor athlete?
    As a female, not much.

    3. Do other black people really look down or shun you because you talk white?
    It depends on a variety of factors. For example, not all Black people are American, so I don’t expect them all to speak AAVE. But in short, yes this is real in terms of the fact that as The Champ said, we expect African Americans to be bilingual and code switch.

    4. What the hell is up with Ebonics? Was that planned?
    My answer is the same as The Champ’s. In short, the same thing that’s up with Spanglish or any other dialect. Please read Spoken Soul. Old cultures don’t automatically die when people step on American soil, they mutate.

    5. Do you actually like white women or do you like that they like you?
    I’m not really into women 😛

    6. Does it ever piss you off that you have to shape, rather than style, your hair?
    We all can style our hair if we want to, so no.

    7. What is the f***ing deal with you and ice or water?
    My hometown borders Canada. I still don’t like the cold. I’ve been ice skating a couple of times, but I prefer to skate indoors on wheels where I don’t have to bundle up and falling doesn’t have an extra layer of pain. I’ve loved swimming since I was in pre-school, so there is no deal with water for me personally. Someone else gave you the other major reasons.

    8. Are barbershops as cool in real life as they are shown on TV?
    I concur, that they are in fact, cooler than they are on film.

    9. Why are you so concerned with your blackness?
    Blackness is not about ‘hoods or gangs. In the U.S. it’s a major part of my identity. If I was from somewhere else, perhaps it would not be. Anyway, I think I’d need to write an essay or book to explain this. I’m sure someone else probably already has.

    10. Why do none of your TV shows have at least a token white guy?
    As already stated, this is false.

  6. Yonnie

    1. Are you really friends with people just because you’re all black? I thought this was a ridiculous question until I read your answer to Champ’s question “what do you envy about Black people.” Hmmm… learn something new everyday. Well, I can definitely see how you might think this. At my last job, a large southern conservative bank, all the Black people knew each other. We arranged lunches, had happy hours, etc. We weren’t all friends (in the true sense of the word), but we definitely had a community. This is b/c our office experience is different from non-Black peoples’ office experience and it’s nice to get together with people who understand (and “office” can be replaced with almost any other place or organization). Black higher ups mentor those lower in the ranks b/c as you can see, Black higher ups are rare. Plus, sometimes it just feels good to say, “Chiiile, I ain eeem worried ’bout that TPS report.” I can definitely see how my white co-workers would think, “all the Black people at the bank are friends b/c they’re Black” and that “all Black people know each other” (which is 97% true).

    3. Do other black people really look down or shun you because you talk white? VSB did a post on this before. Based on the comments, we’ve all had different experiences. Moving from UT to FL at the age of 6, I definitely got picked on for talking white, tryna act (or ak) white, and thinking I was white. Basically this is what some Black people from lower socio-economic backgrounds say to explain other Black peoples’ proclivity for seeking knowledge, exercising decorum, and speaking proper English. Yes, I do realize how bougie that just made me sound.

    7. What is the f***ing deal with you and ice or water? Why no hockey? There are a lot of factors: A) economics – homes and neighborhoods with pools are in ritzier neighborhoods where not a lot of Black people live, Black people don’t own boats, don’t summer at the lake, etc., 2) Water is like cryptonite to most Black womens’ hair. Perm or no perm. I’m natural and while I don’t run from the rain, if I just spent several hours doing 2 strand twists, a pool will definitely fcuk up my do, (this also ties into economics. The average woman with a perm pays $50+ to get her hair done), and D) parents have to protect their children. If I don’t swim, I don’t want my kids around water b/c if something goes down, there is nothing I can do to save them. So I’m scared. My kids see my fear of the water and figure there is something to be afraid of. Now they’re scared of water. The unfortunate cycle continues. As for hockey, at a 1970s national NAACP meeting, we decided that it was only fair to let ya’ll have that one. Sorry about that whole golf thing.

    9. Why are you so concerned with your blackness? What does it even mean to keep it real if you didn’t grow up in the ‘hood or in a gang? Is that even a part of being black? 1st of all, Blackness ≠ hood or gang. Other than that, I’ll just roll with Champ’s explanation.

    10. Why do none of your TV shows have at least a token white guy? What shows are you watching? I loved Friends, but the only minority character they had of note was Aisha Tyler. Seinfeld NEVER had a minority character unless their race or ethnicity was directly tied to the storyline (i.e. the soup nazi, the African marathon runner, etc.). On VSB somebody already listed a ton of Black shows with a token white guy or girl, but they usually have them.

  7. Cheekie

    *waves to tdhurst* Great post! It was pretty cool of you to tackle these. I answered these over at VSB, but decided to put them here too!

    1. Probably not in general, but I ain’t gonna lie…there is a special bond between someone of the same race. But yeah, if they’re Black and an a*shole, it’s not like I’mma give em “same race!” points. There’s enough of us to go around.

    2. Does the same apply to Black chicks? Probably not. Well, maybe in tennis.

    3. Yeah, like Champ said, that’s where code-switching comes in. And YES, if you happen to use a word bigger than 2 syllables in some circles, you will be called an “oreo” up the ying-yang. Ish is STOOPID, but I’ll live. Oh, this doesn’t apply if the person in that circle is a rapper or something because he stay lookin for new vocabulary. So, he’ll actually appreciate your lexicon.

    4. Um…Black folks love to make up sh*t?

    5. I’m assuming this is also for dudes. *whistles while walking to the next ques*

    6. I would say this is only for dudes, but them chicks in hair shows obviously shape their hair. Into like octagons and whatnot. That ish is spectacularly ridiculous. I still don’t understand why it’s an entire show for it, but it’s…interesting.

    7. When you asked this, I thought you meant ice water. I’m like, ice water is the BOMB. Not sure if that’s a Black thing. But, I guess I know what you mean. Um…our ancestors are from a dryer, warmer climate? There we go.

    8. Dude, they are WAY cooler. The interaction within a barbershop is so dayum watered down in movies, it’s hilarious.

    9. I think it’s a reaction to melanin. LOL, seriously, I think since we were stripped of significant chunks of our culture via slavery, we try to keep as much of it close to home as possible. Or ya know, what Champ said.

    10. Champ named them. Hell, even on BET (which a lot of white folks were angry about it existing; but now, Black folks are angry about it existing) features TONS of white folks. Viacom to name one. 😉

  8. AnonyMiss

    Glad you responded and weren’t offended by the VSB post. I’ll gladly answer your questions regarding black people in general.

    1. Are you really friends with people just because you’re all black?
    I can see where you would get that idea but no… Growing up I had a lot of close friends of other races… mainly Asians but it seemed like the older I got the more I started to flock towards my own race… I guess most black people just tend to have more in common with other black people…not just interests/hobbies but i think culture plays a big role as well.. at least for me. and in settings where there are a few black people.. the black people will likely flock towards each other which may make it appear as if they are friends but its more like a wanting to be close to what’s familiar thing… and if you think we’re bad just watch how two latinas act after JUST having met one another lol

    2. How much does it suck to be a poor athlete?
    Well, I’m a woman so I could care less about that sort of thing but I think it sucks for the dudes

    3. Do other black people really look down or shun you because you talk white?
    Some black people do but most of the people I come in contact with don’t.. keep in mind I spend most of my time on a university campus so most of the black people talk the same way I do or at least understand the need to code switch and aren’t ignorant to the fact that not all black people grew up in homes where ebonics was used. i am a child of african immigrants and my mother is a teacher so for the most part proper englsh was used in my home… except for my own mothers improper way of saying things due to learning english in an african country

    4. What the hell is up with Ebonics? Was that planned?
    Haha. If you read up on your history it really makes a lot of sense how it came about… Lmao @ “was that planned”

    5. Do you actually like white women or do you like that they like you?
    As a black woman I can rightfully assume this is directed towards black men…. so on to the next question

    6. Does it ever piss you off that you have to shape, rather than style, your hair?
    I don’t understand this question?? Black people can do pretty much anything to our hair. It’s far more versatile than any other hair type…

    7. What is the f***ing deal with you and ice or water?
    Lmao… well I along with many black people despise cold weather. And hockey is just boring… I do love swimming though but lots of black women have their precious hair to worry about

    8. Are barbershops as cool in real life as they are shown on TV?
    Another funny one… well I used to frequent the hair salon and you do always get some good laughs going in there but not enough to make me want to sit down 8+ hours just to get my hair did! I suppose this is less of an issue for men

    9. Why are you so concerned with your blackness?
    This question is really “white”…lol. I consider myself to be a very racially conscious individual and in all honesty if you’re black there is no way to not be aware of your blackness. It’s just a shame when some black people shy away from their race out of shame. As a member of an oppressed/hated race it is very important that we take pride in our blackness and our community and work together to bring up our race as a whole. I don’t think there is a certain criteria for exuding your “blackness” and keeping it real simply means acknowledging things for what they are and acting accordingly

    10. Why do none of your TV shows have at least a token white guy?
    Because realistically what would a white guy be doing in any of those black shows (at least the one’s i can think of). And come to think of it there is sometimes a random white character that pops up every now and then.. There’s a white woman in “The Game”…

  9. lauren

    Ummmm… thanks for speaking on behalf of all white people. It’s one thing to speak in generalities, but to say that white people are ashamed to be white is a bit of a stretch. I’d say you may have a bit of white guilt. I’m white and guess what.. I have no shame in it. Why should i? I’d love an explanation if there is one.

    1. tdhurst

      Because for years the ruling white class routinely exploited other races for personal gain without any sort of renumeration and hardly an apology.

      And you’re welcome for speaking on behalf of white people.

  10. EmDottie

    1. Are you really friends with people just because you’re all black?
    No, but black people just kind of gravitate towards each other. It’s like when you were a kid and all the black kids sat together… We just go where we’re the most comfortable I guess (shrug)

    2. How much does it suck to be a poor athlete?
    Ummm… I can’t answer that. ( I run, did track, cheerleading, dance and gymnastics…. Sorry)

    3. Do other black people really look down or shun you because you talk white?
    Those black people who shun educated blacks for speaking proper English usually own 10 teeth, and are on welfare. So I could really careless about their shunning.

    4. What the hell is up with Ebonics? Was that planned?
    Your guess is as good as mine.

    5. Do you actually like white women or do you like that they like you?
    I’m a female. Can’t answer that.

    6. Does it ever piss you off that you have to shape, rather than style, your hair?
    As a Black woman, trying to explain the difference between my hair, a weave, a white womans hair and braids gets tiring….

    7. What is the f***ing deal with you and ice or water?
    I like ice, I’m fine with water when my hair isn’t straight. I don’t have the luxury of having naturally straight hair, with or without water.

    8. Are barbershops as cool in real life as they are shown on TV?
    Yes, yes they are (according to my brother).

    9. Why are you so concerned with your blackness?
    Basically, Black people need to have a sense of history. So we cling to anything that we perceive as Black. It’s too long to explain. Email me if you feel the need.

    10. Why do none of your TV shows have at least a token white guy?
    Black shows aren’t seen as racist if we don’t have a token White, Latino, Asian guy. So we don’t usually include them. Plus White Hollywood is 97% of the industry anyway.

  11. M_ack777

    White ppl always remember all blacks are not the same. Even though to some of you we will all be niggers in your racist eyes. Alot of your questions don’t apply to me. I like all colors of women but whites give the best head. Also I don’t befriend every black person I see having the same skin color doesn’t mean I know or trust a person. In short America it’s 2012 and bottom line racism against each other will always exist. Black on black. White on black and etc. Nothing really you can do about it.

  12. Rideblackcowboystudbrett1953

    I’d like to know some things about black women…why would you prefer un ugly,no-nothing thug over a life-size Brett doll-in my case,a boyishly handsome,58-year-old black Canadian lad said to resemble a handsome black cowboy IN my Wranglers and LAY IT DOWN LIKE ONE OUT OF THEM?-such as Yours Truly?Why do you girls insist on calling yourselves “thick” when the VAST MAJORITY OF YOU ARE JUST PLAIN FREAKIN’ FAT????
    Finally,to every black lady with a great body:Do you love Country music,dancing-EXCEPT LINE DANCING!!!!rodeo and as a buxom black cowgirl between 27 and 40,would you like to lasso a handsome older but STILL VERY RANDY black Canadian cowboy?

  13. Theonenother

    1. Are you really friends with people just because you’re all black?I wouldn’t take it that far. If we have alot of things in common aside from being black. I think we can get down.

    2. How much does it suck to be a poor athlete?It doesn’t suck that much. alot of my friends like to hoop some skate some play football some did track an field. id rather skate, i never put much into team sports.

    3. Do other black people really look down or shun you because you talk white?When I was younger it was a “thing” but as i got older none of it makes a difference now.

    4. What the hell is up with Ebonics? Was that planned?
    I think that has to do with black people’s migration from the south. I also think it has to do with african language an the way that slaves had to adopt a new language. There are still traces of african language in different regional dialect. ex Gullah People

    5. Do you actually like white women or do you like that they like you?I like nice people. If she’s nice we can get down. Honestly I don’t see any white women chasing after me.

    6. Does it ever piss you off that you have to shape, rather than style, your hair? not really. when i had dreads i would style my hair. but it’s like so many different variations of black hair, you could style an afro into a frohawk, spikes or any kinda thing you could do with yours.

    7. What is the f***ing deal with you and ice or water?well my moms made me take swimming classes when i was younger at our ymca an it was a class we had to take at my highschool which was predominantly black. There are a whole bunch of black/mixed hockey players in the nhl. I feel like your not looking hard enough. I personally tried out for a local team when i was younger. didnt make it though.

    8. Are barbershops as cool in real life as they are shown on TV?I haven’t really kicked it at a barbershop in a really long time. They’re alright, but then again I guess it depends on which ones you going to.

    9. Why are you so concerned with your blackness? With alot of shit that goes on in our communities and the negative way people perceive us from the outside, it’s hard to keep your head. by no means does blackness = gangs/streetlife that just outside media portrayal of us. We are trying to gain a sense of self worth and dignity that’s always being fucked with ever since people deem us inferior.

    10. Why do none of your TV shows have at least a token white guy?
    There are tons of black shows with white characters. American an British. I kinda feel like your not looking hard enough.

  14. Rideblackcowboystudbrett1953

    ”kEEPIN’ IT REAL????Oppressed and excluded????(Well,historically VERY MUCH SO!!!!;today,well,except for Tea Bagger like racist reality TV and some other venues,genres,not so much.The ONLY REALLY TRULY OPPRESSED FOLK ARE US LIFE-SIZE BRETT DOLLS,-i.e.,im my case,a boyishly handsome,58-year-old black Canadian lad who won’t be seen on TV or heard on radio because of my looks,vocal inflection,musical,re-creational and wardrobe tastes-DEFINITELY
    NON-URBAN!!!!!!genius-level IQ and desisreire of long-haired,big-breasted white,preferably blonde
    and Latin ladies,25-45,5’3″,110-5’7″,140 lb.,bra,34C-42D,gals!!!!)

  15. Rideblackcowboystudbrett1953

    Just one thing:What do you white racists and “authentic,keepin’ it real” blacks think of a life-size Brett doll-in my case,a boyishly handsome,58-year-old black Canadian lad said to resemble a
    handsome black cowboy in my Wranglers and LAY IT DOWN EVEN BETTER OUT OF THEM!!!!-who thinks you’re ALL FREAKIN’ NUTS,and is an avid Country music,dancing-EXCEPT LINE DANCING!!!!-and rodeo buff who can’t resist a buxom blonde or Latin lady-her bra,34C-42D-
    between 25 and 45?How ’bout some feedback,folks?

  16. Rideblackcowboystudbrett1953

    I don’t think barbershops are cool-EXCEPT MINE,THAT IS!!!!Mostly,they’re frequented by going-nowhere dudes with fat,fugly,frigid,b***hy wives or girlfriends,s***ty jobs,if not actually unemployed and a need for their like-situated loser buds to validate them.

  17. Rideblackcowboystudbrett1953

    B. Brown,if you think this boyishly handsome,147-165 IQ-possessing-GENIUS LEVEL,BUDDY BOY!!!!-
    58-year-old black Canadian lad gives two craps about your “criteria for black men’s behaviour and presentation,” you’re probably as big a crack-head as my 40-year-old second cousin!!!!

  18. Serenity A 12

    1. Are you really friends with people just because you’re all black?

    Only about 25% of my friends are black. That being said, most of my friends are other minorities(i.e. Asians, Hispanics, foreign kids, etc). It is a minority mentality. That is why Asians flock with asians and latinos to other latinos. There are things that only minorities and people of your own ethnic background can understand and relate to you with. The people of your ethnic group are the only ones who KNOW your culture. You can try but most of the time, white people “just don’t get it”. But I have a good number of white friends because my choice of friends mainly has to do with personality. I’m not  going to be friends with some loud and obnoxious hood rat just because he/she is black.

    2. How much does it suck to be a poor athlete?

    Considering I was raised to value academics over athleticism and I make sure people know that, me being an average athlete holds no bearing on how people treat me. Plus, I’m female.

    3. Do other black people really look down or shun you because you talk white?

    All depends on where you live. I’ve never lived “in the hood” so I don’t know how black people in that area would treat me. So, from my experience living in a city, you may get teased a lot(in fact, I get teased by my white friends as well) but most black people really don’t care as long as you aren’t a self-hater. The ones that do shun you are the ones who feel inferior to you. It’s the same reason why when some people shun the overly intellectual people. “They think they are SO much better than us!”

    4. What the hell is up with Ebonics? Was that planned?

    Slave masters did not take the proper time to teach their slaves proper English. Therefore, blacks wove in some of the grammar forms of West African languages with their English to create Ebonics(the term did not exist until 1973)Ebonics continued to be passed down generation out of generation. Even though we have proper education now some people believe it is apart of black culture and should be used.
    I believe its apart of black history and should be treated as history.

    5. Do you actually like white women or do you like that they like you?

    I’m female so I can’t really answer this question because we aren’t stereotyped for having a “thing” for white guys. However, I will say that I find all ethnic groups attractive. There are  sexy white men just as there are sexy black men, sexy Latino men, and sexy Asian men.

    6. Does it ever piss you off that you have to shape, rather than style, your hair?

    Most girls style their hair because it is relaxed. However, me being natural, it does get frustrating sometimes when my hair won’t shape up right.

    7. What is the f***ing deal with you and ice or water?

    Never heard about ice. There is a small percentage of black people in Canada(I think there are more Asians there than blacks anyway. Correct me if I’m wrong).
    Anyway, for GIRLS, we are stereotyped for not going to pools/not knowing how to swim because most blacks girls have their hair relaxed to keep it straight. If your hair gets wet then your hair frizzes up.

    8. Are barbershops as cool in real life as they are shown on TV?

    Never been to a barber shop and I rarely go to a hair salon so I can’t really answer this question. However, I will tell you that hair salons(and most likely barber shops) have a great sense of family and community.

    9. Why are you so concerned with your blackness?

    Haha. Because the media brainwashes kids to believe its cool to be a thug. This is why you see some white kids act stupid and wannabe-thuggish.
    To answer the REAL question, it is because of the years of oppression and heart ache black people have been through. Most say “Hey! We survived through all this bull and are proud of it!”

    10. Why do none of your TV shows have at least a token white guy?

    All the black shows I’ve watched have white people in it

  19. Bo Peep

     1. Are you really friends with people just because you’re all black?

    I’m a Black woman and my best friend is Asian.  My other best friend is white.  Most of my close friends are multiethnic.

    2. How much does it suck to be a poor athlete?

    I’m a Black nerd, a Blerd.  Yes it does suck.  I’m athletic in the gym but I don’t excel at traditional American sports (baseball, basketball, football)  I’m better at martial arts and swimming.

    3. Do other black people really look down or shun you because you talk white?

    Yeah, but only uneducated Black people shun me.  I usually make fun of them to their face, for making fun of me because I don’t speak with “dialect.”  Then they get mad and accuse me of being stuck up and I keep cracking jokes.

    4. What the hell is up with Ebonics? Was that planned?

    Oh there’s an actual book about this called, “Black rednecks”  you should purchase this book, it explains the linguistics of Ebonics and how it started in the deep South about two hundred years ago or less.

    5. Do you actually like white women or do you like that they like you?

    I’m a Black woman and I’m heterosexual.  So I guess I can’t answer this one.

    6. Does it ever piss you off that you have to shape, rather than style, your hair?

    Not really.  I have fun with my hair.

    7. What is the f***ing deal with you and ice or water?
    I hate cold weather.  Anything below 65F, and I have to vacate the premises.  So that is my explanation about ice and snow.   I LOVE water though. I’m a swimmer and I enjoy water sports.

    8. Are barbershops as cool in real life as they are shown on TV?

    Barbershops are AWESOME!  You should start getting your haircut at a Black Barbershop every month and you’ll see how great it is.   

    9. Why are you so concerned with your blackness?

    Believe it or not, I don’t think about being Black that often, unless I’m faced with discrimination.

    10. Why do none of your TV shows have at least a token white guy?

    I know that “The Game” has a token White woman and I know that Black shows had token white characters in the past.   I think, “The Game” is the only current show with a white character.  BTW, Tyler Perry and his shows and movies suck.

  20. Bill

    Yeah, dude, this just sucks. Please learn go and learn some sort of trade because you sure as hell aren’t funny.

  21. Miranda

    1. Are you really friends with people just because you’re all black?

    No, I associate with people who are amiable. Not all black people are friendly and not all black people are rude. I love my race but find that I cannot be friends with every single person of it (because that is not how life works). That being said, there are still only certain things that your own race, ethnic group, etc. can relate to. Sometimes you feel as though you have a special bond with your own race and you can connect on a deeper level. Our relationships with one another are not always pointless or forced.

    2. How much does it suck to be a poor athlete?
    Lol it doesn’t suck at all. Not every black person wants to be or cares about being an athlete.

    3. Do other black people really look down or shun you because you talk white?

    Sometimes they do and sometimes they don’t (wouldn’t go as far as shunning). I suppose it depends on who you talk to. Many of them who do are trying to maintain an image or are uneducated. Not every person (black, white, yellow, or green) is going to like everything about you. The only opinion that matters are the people who you truly care about. Plus, people in general tend to shun or think negatively about things that are different.

    4. What the hell is up with Ebonics? Was that planned?

    Hahaha how should I know? It is an old habit and can be fun when talking to the right people. I’m sure Ebonics isn’t the only “slang” that exists.

    5. Do you actually like white women or do you like that they like you?

    I’m a girl 🙂 but sure I like white women. Do I think they like me? Why not? I’m like-able.

    6. Does it ever piss you off that you have to shape, rather than style, your hair?

    But I do style my hair! A lot of black women do 🙂 Our hair is so unique and diverse; there are many styles or shapes that can be applied to it. It should be seen as a blessing rather than a curse.

    7. What is the f***ing deal with you and ice or water?

    Never heard of an ice problem (maybe except my mom seems to eat a lot it). The water problem is simple: our hair takes a lot of money and time to maintain. Water destroys our efforts. However, it’s not like we shun water in general. I love swimming, taking showers, washing my hair, etc. lol If it gets wet we just blow dry or air dry, style and go about our day.

    8. Are barbershops as cool in real life as they are shown on TV?

    Idk about barbershops but hair salons are the place to be! I just call it the shop. My old shop did have a barbershop down the hall and it seemed really cool.

    9. Why are you so concerned with your blackness?

    It’s really complicated and tiring sometimes. Especially in my case, considering that I’m light skin. Trying to prove my “blackness” to darker kids or any kid (of any race) as a child was basically me having to explain that yes, I am black, no, none of my parents are white, asian, or hispanic, and that yes, there must be traces of white within me but a lot of black people have white ancestors. I don’t do this anymore and this does not apply to every black person. However, I think the proving “your blackness” that you’re talking about is a little different. Like I said, it’s really complicated and I think everyone already did a really good job explaining the details.

    10. Why do none of your TV shows have at least a token white guy?
    Lol because black people are funnier. No, I’m kidding. There are many pre-dominate black shows that have characters of multiple races.

  22. kofybean

    #3. Yes!

    Growing up I was constantly teased for talking “white”, for studying, and for reading. Yes, reading. I dont know if it is the same today, I grew up in the 80’s. My parents fought hard to get me into white school because the schools around us so dismal and pathetic.

    Think about Fresh Prince of Belaire. A popular sitcom during that time where the comedic relief is the educated Black man Carlton and the cool “I blow off school” black man is the star.

  23. Shanique Cairon

    1. Are you really friends with people just because you’re all black?

    It’s more of a similarity thing between cultures like any other race. More than likely your going to listen to the same music, like the same artists, go the same places, like similar boutiques etc. So friendship is easier to make because you can be yourself. However Im dark as they come, and am friends with lots of whites and hispanics as well as blacks.

    2. How much does it suck to be a poor athlete?

    Ummm I wouldn’t know …. i was good lol

    3. Do other black people really look down or shun you because you talk white?

    When I was younger they definitely did, but as i’ve grown and gone to college i’ve found a lot of blacks like me, but when Im around those that talk “black american” I feel out of place.

    4. What the hell is up with Ebonics? Was that planned?

    That’s black american shit, and as a Jamaican we hate it and make fun of those “yankies” who speak it.

    5. Do you actually like white women or do you like that they like you?

    Im a black woman so ill invert the question. Yes I actually like/love white men, that aren’t racist. They are more caring, more apt to try different thinks like bun-jee jumping or eating some weird food, they have more respect for their women and don’t call them “bad bitches”, I can talk about art with them, they have a good concept for the value of money… the list goes on. And this is not to say that black men don’t do this, because I have found a number that do, but overall the amount of white men that are like this is greater.

    6. Does it ever piss you off that you have to shape, rather than style, your hair?

    Only at times, mostly when I was younger. I have dreads now. I love my hair texture, the thickness, the softness, the sponginess, how I can transform it into any style/shape I want and it’ll hold. I hate seeing black women in weaves because it looks like self hate, white women aren’t going out to Africa and buying afros. We need to love ourselves first before someone else can.

    7. What is the f***ing deal with you and ice or water?

    lol we’re black fool! There is less moisture in our skin and hair, water internally = healthy body and skin. Water externally = Ashy due to dried out skin

    I don’t get the part about the ice though.

    8. Are barbershops as cool in real life as they are shown on TV?
    Yes, it’s like a family. Jokes and gossip

    9. Why are you so concerned with your blackness?
    What does it even mean to keep it real if you didn’t grow up in the ‘hood or in a gang? Is that even a part of being black?

    I personally don’t think it applies to being hood, as much as afrocentric. To me keeping it real means embracing our culture, being ok with our wide noses, or thick hair, and phat ass etc.

    10. Why do none of your TV shows have at least a token white guy?

    I wondered that too. But they use whites to play the lawyer or doctor I’ve been noticing lol. But I’d like to know why they can’t use blacks that speak english. I don’t talk the way they do. This is freaking America and I speak english damnit. Hate the misrepresentation.

  24. Cartel

    White people scared of black people and its not even that try scared of the unknown so they never really tell the true story and as far as them wanna be black it is true white wants to b like black.they tan and look it black try beat white at everything they do sports governement everything as long as they let us in we take over.and whites scared of us look what happen in haiti during slaves revolution

  25. whiteguy

    This is simply retarded. Where did you find these fucking people. The white guy answering the questions is a fucking moron who has no white friends. Clearly.

  26. ProudlyofAfricandescent

    From a 31 yr old (power to the people) black woman –

    I so enjoyed your post; now to answer your questions:

    1. Are you really friends with people just because you’re all black?

    Sometimes just being black in America creates enough of bond to love and be friendly toward one another because we understand each others struggle. Sometimes, yes, just being black is enough.

    2. How much does it suck to be a poor athlete?

    Not sure about this one but I think because of the stereotype most black people expect to be great athletes and do feel below par when they’re not. We need to realize that though we do naturally excel in physical strength, we possess other strengths as well.

    3. Do other black people really look down or shun you because you talk white?

    Yes. It’s sad that well spoken, educated black people are said to speak white; as if intelligence is a white thing. Television and radio teaches us that it is cool to be ignorant and lame to be smart. (ie. Fresh Prince of Bel Air)

    4. What the hell is up with Ebonics? Was that planned?

    LOL!!! Well, as the original people on this planet, we also developed the original language, Medu Neter. Though we have long forgotten much of our African ancestry, there lies subconsciously within us the understanding of frequency and vibrations of spoken words. We subconsciously reject the English language forced upon us and instinctually seek to create new languages as we created the original Medu Neter and other languages of Africa. (examples are jive and other slangs)

    5. Do you actually like white women or do you like that they like you?

    I believe all ethnicities love black women. However, the system of Western society has made it difficult for black men and women to have successful loving relationships and reward us for mating with whites. Furthermore, Christianity has brainwashed our people to praise whites and denounce their own.

    6. Does it ever piss you off that you have to shape, rather than style, your hair?

    LOL!!! I do have natural hair which I shape at time and style at others. I wear many many many different styles in my natural hair and love and appreciate the versatility in it that women of other ethnicities do not have. I find the hair of other ethnic women to be boring. As far as the brothas, I don’t know how they feel about their hair. Never really thought about it from their perspective.

    7. What is the f***ing deal with you and ice or water?

    You are hilarious and I find it refreshing that we can ask and answer these very honest inquiries. The idea that black people are afraid of water comes from white people. I don’t know a single black person afraid of water. I swim very well and most of the black people I know do too. The idea that we don’t like water I think comes from when black women began straighten their hair before relaxing was the norm. If we straighten our hair with heat, water will cause it to curl back up ruining our straighten style. Otherwise, water helps our hair. I usually where my hair in it’s natural state and wet it every morning when shaping or styling it. Also, in Kemet, when the Nile use to flood yearly (before damning) our people performed ceremonies of praised for the water which would feed the crops and renew life yearly. It was also the Nile river which carried civilization up south through Kemet.

    8. Are barbershops as cool in real life as they are shown on TV?

    Yes, I have a son and dated two barbers before. The brothas cut up in the barber shops for real. It is a riot!

    9. Why are you so concerned with your blackness?

    We are concerned with our blackness because there are soooo many attempts to take it from us and because far too few of our youth have cultural pride. Unfortunately, because it is hard for us to connect to our roots of origin as every other cultural people are able to, we identify our blackness with the ghettos and hoods many of us were placed in and/or created for ourselves. We should continue efforts to keep our blackness (Africaness) but should become educated on the more positive aspects of it.

    10. Why do none of your TV shows have at least a token white guy?

    Really dude? No. Really!!???? Though whites are the minority ethnicity in the planet, you’d be hard pressed to find a channel, show, movie, cartoon, whatever without the majority white people. Do we really need to have white people in our shows? Also, I’ve seen shows which do not feature a single black person. (I pay attention to this when I watch TV which I seldom do)

    Also, believe it or not, yes there are some black people who do not interact with white people on a regular basis just like their are white people who rarely interact with black people.

    I enjoyed answering your questions from a sistas perspective. Hope you read and enjoy my answers. Hotep!

  27. SuperShrug

    I’m gonna just leave this here…

    1. Are you really friends with people just because you’re all black?
    No, I don’t know many black people that aren’t family. However it is much easier to pick a seat next to another black person on the metro, or ask another black person ANYTHING after sunset without feeling like the other person is on edge. You see how that works? It’s not deliberate, it’s a response.

    2. How much does it suck to be a poor athlete?
    I wouldn’t know. My friends were always frustrated with me in high school because I’m a B+ student in any sport, and when we took weight training I became defined much faster.

    3. Do other black people really look down or shun you because you talk white?
    When I was a kid, yes. As adults, most understand that it is a survival mechanism.

    4. What the hell is up with Ebonics? Was that planned?
    Diaspora and being killed for knowing how to read and write warped the language. Someone ironically decided it was time to make it special by giving it a name. I prefer the term “African American Vernacular English” or “Black Vernacular English”

    5. Do you actually like white women or do you like that they like you?
    I did when I was younger, but I was perhaps one of perhaps a dozen black people in my school. I never liked the match maker game where they’d automatically pair me up with the only other black female, and often she felt the same way. Eventually, in college I met an Asian woman whose father is cool.

    6. Does it ever piss you off that you have to shape, rather than style, your hair?
    I used to grow it out and relax it straight. Then I had a “natural phase” and grew a bigass fro. I learned that I have loose curls and got comfortable with having longer hair, so I just grow out corkscrew tendrils until motorcycle season. I never get it shaped when it’s chopped down although they ask, just close and natural. It is what it is and I don’t fight it anymore.

    7. What is the f***ing deal with you and ice or water?
    I used to be an ice skating arena guard. However, a LOT of people that worked at the rink were openly racist. Looking back, that was the most prejudiced environment I’ve worked in. WTF is that about? I’d probably be playing hockey now if not for that atmosphere.

    8. Are barbershops as cool in real life as they are shown on TV?
    I need to find one. All of the shops around here are Asian-owned and I only drop in a few times a year anyway.

    9. Why are you so concerned with your blackness?
    Because I have no sub-cultural language, ancestral home, nor do I have any family history longer than perhaps three or four generations before it all becomes rumor, and the census alone isn’t too much help when your ancestors were property on one, and tenants ten years later, and yet shared the same surname. Who boinked who? All that is concrete, is my experience with my immediate family, and the tragedy that history generally imparts. “Black” is just a stand-in for what was likely many nations mixed and matched for a few generations for maximum efficiency. In reality, there probably is no country I could claim definitively, only a sense of void.

    10. Why do none of your TV shows have at least a token white guy?
    What is Jim Carey doing now?
    It’s kind of hard to have a “token” of the “model.” However, Chappelle’s Show was co-written by Neal Brennan, the guy whose head explodes when Clayton Bigsby reveals himself from under the hood.

  28. TryMeTrue

    1. Are you really friends with people just because you’re all black?
    Not quite but I feel a tighter bond with other black college-educated folks who can identify with professional environments. I think we have a unique set of experience that creates a bond, unless said black person is an a-hole of course. That said 75% of my friends are non-black but my tightest inner circle is all either family or “buppy”

    2. How much does it suck to be a poor athlete?
    When I was 6′ tall at age 14 and unable to dunk that sucked, although I had a decent below-the-rim game. Having no rhythm sucked a whole lot around the same age. Being expected to be able to dance sucked, but post high-school it wasn’t as issue. Having coordination and style was expected in my environments as a youngster.

    3. Do other black people really look down or shun you because you talk white?
    That ignorance was around when growing up, and I was occasionally on the wrong side of it (not sounding white but making fun of those who did). Again, as an adult it’s a non-issue. Almost every black person interested in employment has to be able to code switch, and after being around white people all day for years will sound whiter than they did as a 16-year-old.

    4. What the hell is up with Ebonics? Was that planned?
    As others have said and hinted it’s basically a Southern accent with a twist. Black Americans originated in the South.

    5. Do you actually like white women or do you like that they like you?
    Champ’s response was so dead on I didn’t realize I was thinking it all these years. Always had a preference for black women, but liked more upscale, “whiter” bars/clubs hence had a run of dealing with almost exclusively white women… until I basically became more picky, then focused almost exclusively on black professional women.

    6. Does it ever piss you off that you have to shape, rather than style, your hair?
    Never thought about it. Keep my hair pretty short. I think it’s simpler actually

    7. What is the f***ing deal with you and ice or water?
    I actually enjoy swimming but am no freaking good at it. Some have said it’s because I don’t float in water.

    8. Are barbershops as cool in real life as they are shown on TV?
    If you have extra time absolutely.

    9. Why are you so concerned with your blackness?
    I won’t speak for the culture here, just myself. I enjoy the hell out of the blackness part of my identity, would not trade it for anything. I grew up in predominantly black environments through high school and am dark-skinned so it’s inescapable. Mostly I like being tougher than my educ/prof background suggests to inner-city black people and smarter than I look to white people.

    10. Why do none of your TV shows have at least a token white guy?
    I think BET shows nowadays have a white character, and so did the 2-3 Tyler Perry movies I’ve been forced to see. But this has been true throughout the years hasn’t it? The Jeffersons had Bentley and Tom, Dr. Huxtable always had some white friends, A Different World had Marisa Tomei.

  29. kamau exom

    I think that blackness is not the right term to use. Let’s say culture. Generally speaking not all black people act or react the same. Example: African Americas (AA) in St. Louis may like Air Force 1s, meanwhile, in Atlanta, they like No 11 Jordans. Everything is based on culture. When a European American (EA) wears or reacts hood like, they’re not trying to be black, they are trying to be hood. Last time I checked the hood is heavily populated with all kinds of nationalities. Acting hood is a culture, “acting white is a culture”. So I’ve come to understand that when somebody is saying you’re acting white that means that you are not adhering to the culture around you. You are then looked upon as a rebel and since they are ignorant of any other culture then they default to white.

    Don’t question the people. Question the culture to get real answers. Because we can only answer to what our culture would do, not what any entire race would do.

    Because not all whites talk clearly or look presentable.

    If you’re good at math, nobody is going to say “you’re acting Asian.” (you see what I did there)

    So I can’t answer for all, but I can try to answer for my culture.

    I am black, I am a nerd who loves astrology and science. I was raised in the hood. I’ve traveled the world. I’ve lost a lot. I’ve gained a lot. I know racism still exist and not just with whites and blacks, but between other races all over the world. I’ve been married to the same woman for over 14 years. I know how to be. I am on time most of the time. I want to climb the corporate ladder without using anyone as a stepping stool. I am fair. I am kind. I am forgiving. I am enhanced by making other people happy. I am who I need to be when I need to be. I am faithful, and I am more.

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