Visit Our Store!
What’s Black About You?
A Rapper Must've Told Him to Put His Hands in the Air
Thank whatever God you praise, we’re back and can talk about current events at length. 140 characters is so limiting. On the proverbial chopping block today – Senator Harry Reid. In case you don’t read or watch the news, I’ll give you an update: in 2008 Sen. Reid said that America is ready for a Black president – particularly one like Obama who is “light skinned” and lacks “Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one.” I’m not going to dive into the senator’s comments because this isn’t the first “mistake” made in referring to the first Black president nor it will be the last. Not to mention it’s a beaten topic. What is interesting in the dialogue coming out of all this. In particular the question – what exactly is Black?
It’s not really a new thought. When the Gumble brothers hit the scene there was quite the dispute whether they would be “claimed” by the darker skinned masses. Their more conservative dress, fairer skin and penchant to speak proper English with an air of confidence was an immediate turnoff to most Blacks. As was General Colin Powell and many other Black people like them. I remember in college I met a Black girl who spoke like she was from the Valley and sweared up and down that she wasn’t Black even though her melanin said different. In turn she wasn’t accepted in the fold. Granted she obviously had issues, but in all honesty she would’ve been an outlier even if she didn’t ostracize herself. Because most light skinned Black people who speak without grammar flubs or don’t have their sentences tinged with Ebonics are often viewed as weird. But do their appearance and speech detract from their actual race?
It depends on what you think Black is. I thought I was Black, but the image of Black according to America has me yearning to create my own race like Tiger Woods. Maybe I’ll call it “Jablackizilian”. Copyright pending. I was at work and someone tried to tell me a Black coworker of mine wasn’t really Black. With a stern look and a firm talking to he abruptly changed his mind. According to many folks like my coworker, you can add some trendy clothing, a touch of “swagger,” a knowledge of hip hop/r&b/jazz to any person and all of a sudden they’re down with the Blacks or at the very least just trying to be Black. Those often thrown in this category are folks like Justin Timberlake, Robin Thicke or the self appointed Rob Blagojevich. And those Blacks lacking those essential assets are forever lost to their race.
Is that right? I don’t think so. Those celebrities are who they are, and I respect them, but they aren’t Black. And I doubt any of those people would seriously agree to that far fetched realization. Unless they wanted to help boost our census numbers. Nor do I think that a Black person who doesn’t know about the rap battle between NaS & Jay Z or is unfamiliar with “In Living Color” is less Black. I may think they’re sheltered and I’ll give them a mixtape along with a subscription to Hulu, but they’re still Black. I don’t think there is a physical or mental criteria for being a brother or a sister beyond being your brothers’ keeper.
With all that said, what does revitalize this topic is that many people thought the election of Obama would widen the perspective of what the Black is. Not only White America, but Black America as well. Sure our president plays basketball, but he can also inspire a world of people, fly out to China kick it with the Communists and maintain a solid family. He doesn’t rap his speeches. He rocks a suit, not a tear away basketball suit, an actual suit. And he commands respect while rocking a dark caesar, not a du rag. And standing right alongside Obama are an influx of other Black men and women who break the stereotypical mold of what America thinks Black is. You and me included.
So what is Black? Is it our culture? Is it denigrated to just our vernacular and the way we walk and talk? Is getting an education and moving out the neighborhood still considered “White”? Is a brother who grew up in the ‘burbs still a brother? Is a sister who’s never had a perm a sister? Have we redefined what Black is once again or will we be searching for another term to replace African American? Tell me before I get fed up and just start writing in “Jablackizilian” on the next census.
Seattle – I Know What I Am, Do You? – Washington
72 Responses to “What’s Black About You?”
Comments
Read below or add a comment...
Leave A Comment...
RSS & Twitter
-
Maybe it’s because I don’t fit into the stereotype of what it means to be a black female, but I find such defining characteristics of black culture to be limiting to who I am and how I define myself.
I’m educated: graduated with a 3.42 last year in high school. I don’t write the same way I speak 90% of the time and have decent grammar, though if you spoke to me on the street, you wouldn’t know it because I grew up around people who don’t speak the ‘King’s English’.
I don’t just listen to hip hop and r&b. Heck I don’t even listen to exclusively English! I like Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Spanish, French, and the list goes on. No, I don’t know about the beef wars of rap artists because I could care less. If they aren’t creating music I can listen to and recite without having to bleep every other word, they don’t register on my radar. I shouldn’t have to censor myself at home or in public when it comes to my taste in music.
The color shade… You mean we haven’t progressed from this yet? Who cares whether someone is vanilla, butterscotch, caramel, cinnamon, milk chocolate, or dark chocolate? *rolls eyes*
My definition of Black:
Acknowledging my lineage and what the greats before me accomplished. i.e
The first civilization,
the first people to evolve from monkeys (or be created by whatever God you serve),
the most advanced cities of the B.C era,
coming from oppression under White rule,
battling discrimination even to this day,
being the creators of traditional dances in South America (meringue/bachata/salsa anyone?),
creating rock music along with jazz, blues, swing, hip hop, r&b
doing all this and still being the most diverse race ever POWER TO THE PEOPLE!!!
Reply
“Because most light skinned Black people who speak without grammar flubs or don’t have their sentences tinged with Ebonics are often viewed as weird. But do their appearance and speech detract from their actual race?”
If it does, I guess I’m not black.
Reply
Great post Seattle. I’m sure the demographic that comes to this site has run into the “what does it mean to be black” question a ton. I’ve gotten the “you think you’re white” or “oreo” statements because of how I talk enough that I’ve grown accustomed to not caring what people think of my racial identity. Here’s the thing though. Acting “Black” doesn’t mean anything anymore. People often would say a person was acting “White” when I was growing up. What do white people act like? The mainstream. The norm. Acting white meant acting other than a persons stereotyped ethnicity. America is changing though. Black has entered the mainstream. Through culture, art, athletics and politics, the Black culture has been not only accepted but assimilated into the American melting pot. We’re witnessing the end of Black thought and Black unity, just as in the same way there’s no White thought or White unity. There’s just too many recognized and accepted subsets of Black which don’t share common goals or viewpoints.
I’m proud to be Black, and I get more and more proud the older I get. I’ve come to realize that I don’t identify with every black person. There are different socio-economic groups of people who happen to share skin tones. Trying to identify with everyone who looks like me isn’t only unfair, but it does them a disservice. I can’t pretend to understand the depth of a hood cat’s experience, even if I can understand his mentality better than some of my white co-workers. As time goes on, the sterotype of what black means is changing. You got cats skate boarding now. Dudes wearing skinny jeans and lip rings. People associate black culture with urban inner city culture, but there are too many notable black figures for that to be the only representation of black for much longer.
Reply
Wow… Mr. Washington, you have me worked up at 5 in the morning… pause?
Without getting too far onto a Soapbox or having people believe that I am a conspiracy theorist (which I am) I simply believe that telling people that they are not Black enough is just another tool of oppression meant to keep Black people in a box.
Black people in America have been molested, abused, raped, prostituted, defamed, violated and enslaved for 450 years. Despite all that, we know how to go without and still be happy. We know how to have our cultures and families stripped from us and still succeed. We as a people have become adaptable beyond all comprehension. We are beautiful, strong and our true potential has yet to be tapped. For all this, we are threatening. If we ever knew the full extent of our power, we would be a force to be reckoned with…
Cue the oppression.
Oppression comes from 2 distinct groups: 1. From other cultures who are intent on keeping us down and 2. From ourselves. The second group is composed of those of us who believe the lies and have internalized the messages that fed to us. Those that believe they inherently cannot achieve, they too oppress their brethren out of fear, jealousy and spite (Crabs in an invisible, made-up barrel). Think about it, why do we bicker over light-skinned vs dark-skinned? Why do we claim that Black Culture is supposedly so rooted in the Church? Why do we find new ways to divide ourselves? Is that another form of oppression?
So there you are – Successful Black Soul being told that you aren’t Black enough by other cultures AND your own people. In theory, you have to make a choice, either change (revert) or separate yourself from (turn your back on) your culture. Either way, you release your power.
Think about it. What is “being Black”? It is a collection of characteristics that would not allow you to be successful in mainstream society. Characteristics like not being able to speak proper (textbook) English, dressing as though you don’t own an iron, being easily excitable, wanting something for nothing (living off the government) or not knowing the appropriate time or place for ANYTHING. Stereotypes given to Blacks are meant to keep us in a box, that will never allow us to speak about Peace with foreign dignitaries, will never allow us to take back our schools and educate our children or demand products that are For us, By us and Good for us.
I’m so over it. I am Black, Proud, Ivy-League Educated, Intelligent, Beautiful and Strong. Oh by the way, I look out for my people. I know my history and heritage. I strive to be an example for the youth and my future seeds. I am Super Black. And no racist Senator, BET (eff it – TV in general), Korean beauty supply, or Public School System can take that away from me.
Reply
max Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 9:12 am
I totally agree with Dot. To me it’s like we’re enslaving ourselves as Black people by putting such narrow limitations on ourselves. You don’t hear white people going around wondering if being too educated or speaking too properly makes them a traitor to their race. It’s one of the very few areas in life in which we could stand to take a page from their book.
Like other commenters, I’ve been called white washed, oreo, black barbie, white girl, uncle tom, blah blah blah because I grew up in a predominately white city and don’t speak (or think) the way other black people in Toronto (where I now live) do. But at the same time these Black people who look down on me for not being Black enough know nothing about Black history or Black culture, beyond what’s shown on BET. It’s so tiresome.
Reply
Toni Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 11:07 am
just got my daily dose of deepness from this post. let the church say amen!
Reply
Seattle Washington Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 11:41 am
At 5am?! …Dammit, I still got it!
You’re absolutely correct. It’s double edged sword and an argument I’ve heard since I was a kid. We act as crabs in a barrell and it makes it even easier for folks to surpass us.
At this point I don’t think we can have a general notion for what “Black” is. It’s all encompassing. Like you said, there are too many subcultures within the race. And because of that no one, I would argue us included, have the right to determine if someone else is truly “Black.”
Reply
MeteorMan Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 11:51 am
“Oppression comes from 2 distinct groups: 1. From other cultures who are intent on keeping us down and 2. From ourselves. The second group is composed of those of us who believe the lies and have internalized the messages that fed to us.”
I say that #1 will always exists as long there is land with people of multiple cultures on them… really not specific to our plight…
#2 is the crux. I just don’t agree with the source you defined. Think of the Elementary school exercise of everyone sitting in a circle and trying to circulate a single statement without changing what is said. Think of that across generations… Overtime things are indeed bastardized… Personal responsibility i where I stand… To me, its a worldly fact that someone, somewhere won’t like you and may try to retard your progress. This may stem from cultural differences, racial issues, material based jealousy, etc… Its a matter of personal responsibility to overcome it->period. In other words… So What? That’s no excuse…
Reply
Nice post Seattle! I feel that being Black is composed of two things 1) Having not too distant Ancestors of African descent and 2) Claiming your race and identifying with the Black struggle. There are some individuals out there who possess the former and lack the latter. Are they not to be considered black? That I’m not sure of. However, individuals that try to deny their heritage are essentially saying that being Black is not something to be proud of. After seeing how America portrays Black people, I can see why the miseducated would feel that way. We always have love for the rappers or ball players, but what about the Black doctors and teachers? We have to start re-defining, celebrating, and investing in what it is to be Black. I am Ivy League educated, perm my hair, have a deep appreciation for the brothers and sistahs that have struggled before me, and yes I talk in slang but I can tell you what a triple integral is….boo ya!
Reply
MeteorMan Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 11:54 am
“I am Ivy League educated, perm my hair, have a deep appreciation for the brothers and sistahs that have struggled before me, and yes I talk in slang but I can tell you what a triple integral is….boo ya!”
LOL. Go ahead and throw in an explanation on Jacobians while you’re at it. lol
Reply
There really isn’t any type of characteristic that makes you black besides maybe the two that Triple Threat pointed out because race is socially constructed. Obviously there are ignorant people, who another commenter pointed out, who have unfortunately internalized the stereotypes associated with blackness and project those stereotypes onto other people.
As for the mainstream “definition” of black changing, I strongly disagree. Obama and other people like him symbolize “non-threatening” black people for the mainstream. Meaning somehow others view them as outliers in contrast with the “typical” black person. This has been going on throughout black history; it’s not anything new. It’s just being viewed in the mainstream now because our president is black. The problem with this way of viewing certain black people is that the person still has negative views about all black people and as soon as that black person who was put on a pedestal does anything that the mainstream doesn’t agree with, that black person is lumped back with all the other “typical” black people. I know this first hand as I have experienced this and had this discussion with friends many times.
Reply
Very interesting topic; it just made me smile reading through this post. Unfortunately, I don’t have a very profound answer. For me, I am black because that is what I have always been. As with most I can sit around and play the, my grandmother was this & my father was that game but at the end of the day I have always just been black. Until I went to college I didn’t realize the many variations of black but at an HBCU you realize black people come in all sorts of packages. I don’t think there is anyway to make a blanket definition of what makes a black person black. Especially not when you add in how people like to split hairs on the issue. For example when people find out I am West Indian they say why didn’t you tell me you were Bajan and not black…wtf? And I get this from blacks, whites, Asians etc. Or people who want to classify themselves as African, Jamaican, Canadian, but not black etc. etc. I think the cause of this problem is the lack of unity from Black people. I don’t see any other group being forced to define themselves the way we are nor do I see any other group latching on to superficial things to define themselves. I truly think this problem will end when black people realize we can act, speak, and/or dress anyway we choose and still be united as a people. Until we realize that we don’t have to label or define ourselves and we demand that others stop trying to label & define us we will be asking this question. It just pisses me off that we even have to ask this question…I mean what other group sits around wondering this same thing?
Reply
MeteorMan Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 11:57 am
“Until we realize that we don’t have to label or define ourselves and we demand that others stop trying to label & define us we will be asking this question. It just pisses me off that we even have to ask this question…”
Thanks. co-sign.
Reply
First, The Harry Reid Debacle:
Everything, everything that originates in Washington, DC is political. The timing on this is extra sus(pect). Additionally, is anybody really mad at Harry? I mean are any black people, who can be real about the situation, upset? He was right. Maybe he shouldn’t have used “Negro” but since “Negro” was chosen on the 2000 census so much they’re going to put it back on the 2010 census, I can’t say I don’t exactly miss where he pulled the word from.
One of the most striking things I ever learned in college was in my freshman year when my professor told my (race) class that when a person has a perception, stereotype if you will, about another group of people and they meet someone from that group who doesn’t match the stereotype, they believe the person to be an exception to the rule. White people who think dark-skinned people who speak with the Negro dialect don’t look at President Obama and suddenly realize the error of their ways. They note that he’s half white, spent a lot of time outside of the continental US and what time he did spend in the US he was surrounded by buppy white people at Ivy League universities. Essentially, they note that he’s not black at all.
Of course, all of us who play the middle — we turn our negro dialect on and off, went to college (Ivy League or no) know that Obama is nothing new or special — but, then again, all of our white colleagues like to tell us, too, that we’re not “really black…”
If the mainstream socially accepted definition of black changes, there’s a whole host of other things that will have to change first; chief among them, white folks ceasing to make money off ridiculous representations and depictions of black life in America (e.g. I sold dope, now I don’t, I make my money rapping about how I sold dope).
I say, ultimately, you are who you want to be. Those girls I went to college with who couldn’t be bothered with us reg’la black folks (and some of them did think they weren’t really black) get to be whatever they were; Tiger Woods gets to be Cablanasian, Justin Timberlake gets to be black whenever he’s not throwing Janet Jackson under the bus, etc… I gave up trying to prove my blackness long ago; it’s tiring and frustrating. Especially when, whenever I achieve the status I’m working towards, everyone’s going to try to tell me I’m not “really black” anyway. LOL. It’s crazy when you think about it.
Reply
Being black is some b.s or at least people’s definition of it. I dont know what it is about us but if people dont act inside a predetermined box Rap (check) basketball (check) ebonics (check) all of a sudden you are kicked out of the black community and/or your opinion is not valid because you never “struggled”. I asked one of my homeboys what being black was he said it was ” to struggle and be poor”. So does that mean you want your kids to be poor? and if they are not poor are they no longer black
Reply
Slim Jackson Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 9:33 am
Sadly, depending on who you talk to, being black and being “hood” are often considered the same thing. You see this a lot in music. You’ll find intelligent and non-poor artists dumbing themselves down (No Lupe…kinda) to maintain an image of “blackness” or “hoodness”. I remember in elementary and middle school, kids used to say I spoke too white because I could actually pronounce words the right way. **Sigh**
Reply
MeteorMan Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 12:01 pm
“As long as there Niggas, Bitches and Hoes, we will [continue to] rap about Niggas, Bitches and Hoes.” -T.I.
lol.
Reply
BLaCk Bruce WaYnE Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 12:53 pm
Very good point Dondadda…
HAAHHAHAHA…Starbucks good one!!
This post actually makes me want to read this to my father. My upbringing was huge on speech, appearance, attire; aspiring to be better than average but no matter what “You are still Black, no matter how much money you make, degrees or your speech. That’s how you’ll always be seen son, PERIOD!” That was the realest line my pops taught me at the age of 12.
I think being realistic of the world we live in especially when it comes to complexion is more than enough way to measure how black you are. I’m sure some of you can remember when you were followed in a store or harassed. All I know is I wake up black and go to sleep black. I like hip hop music/70s soul/Hi-life but at the same time I can listen to Hall & Oates/Guns N Roses from back in the day. I like Brooks Brothers but I’m a sucker for Nike exclusives/Jordan sneakers.
If I ever forget I’m black which I doubt, I’m sure someone in this world will remind me.
Lastly, I think its sad that we always have to equate poor, struggle upbringing as being more black than someone else. SMH…WTF!?!
“Everybody wants to be black but nobody wants to be black” (Paul Mooney)
Holding up a mirror to Tiger Woods’ face,
-BBW
Reply
Whew! I’ve struggled my whole life with this. “All my life, I had to fight…” LOL!
I grew up in white neighborhoods/schools. My dad was a military officer, and my mom alternated between staying at home and being a teacher. Both my parents went to college and I read a lot of Sweet Valley High and Baby Sitters Club, thus I talked spoke proper English or “like a white girl.”
I was regularly teased for this, but managed not to be too traumatized since the kids teasing me weren’t on the Honor Roll like I was. I thought something was wrong with THEM.
I knew I was black. I’m the color of milk chocolate. I had a perm (no more). We listened to Earth, Wind & Fire and Motown Christmas while eating chitlins during the holidays. My daddy drank gin & juice. I mean dang, what else I gotta do??
But seriously, I usually had a tough skin about it and it only occasionally hurt my feelings. By the time I was 16, I was like, “Eff yall. My white girl talk is gonna get me a good job one day. You better get on my level.”
Now at 25, I have a job where I write and speak to and for a bunch of white people for a living. In fact, I work in PR, so I tell the white execs of huge companies WHAT to say and HOW to say it. While it’s not a stretch for a black person to do my job, I’m glad I’ve been doing this my whole life, so it’s not as big of an adjustment for me as it would be to some of the kids who were hell bent on “sounding black.”
When I run into a black person that says I talk like a white girl, they get the MAJOR side eye from me. Seriously? It’s 2010 – is your experience with black people so limited that you think we should all look and sound the same?
White people are allowed to be nerds, rednecks, jocks, goths, preps and anything in between and you’re telling me all black people have to sound like Plies or their “Black Card” gets revoked?! GTFOHWTBS!!
That type of crabs in a barrel mentality will keep us down and out. We don’t have to fit into some mold that says we have to look and sound a certain way to be black. In fact, giving in to the idea that we should sound and look ignorant is exactly what “the white man” wants. “Keep ‘em dumb, that way we can always control them.”
Black is beautiful, smart, innovative and DIVERSE.
Reply
ASmith Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 9:53 am
When I run into a black person that says I talk like a white girl, they get the MAJOR side eye from me. Seriously? It’s 2010 – is your experience with black people so limited that you think we should all look and sound the same?
Co-sign. You sound ignorant/stupid calling someone an “oreo” or saying they “talk white.” Those comments typically require no response at all.
I’m running into more and more people who want to use my percieved lack of blackness to enhance their own. I get criticism from people I went to the same private high school as me for not being black enough and I get it from people who went to the same private university as I did. It’s like, “Well, you’re less black than me because you do this…” It’s ridic.
Reply
CHeeKZ Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 2:45 pm
Next time a ninja tells you that you talk like a white girl, tell them you get paid like a white man….
it will make them think twice.
Reply
Ash Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 5:15 pm
Love this!
Reply
I havent had my coffee and cig yet, but I just want to add some fuel to the fire:
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/01/10/harry-reid-shouldnt-have-said-it-out-loud-but-how-many-think-i/
Our “first black president” had some interesting comments about Prez Obama. If you’re a lazy reader just scroll down towards the bottom of the article.
Parliament funk time baby!
Reply
Seattle Washington Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 11:02 am
So did you get your own coffee or did you have another Negro in the office get it for you?
Reply
The Award Winning RightCoastLexSteele, Uncaffienated Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 11:32 am
Another negro? In this office? Another?
Oh Seattle…
Reply
Seattle Washington Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 12:09 pm
That’s right. You too are the Jackie Robinson of your office.
Reply
Xtreme lol @ the post pic/caption…that’s just wrong but so right!
I think that the definition of being black and black culture will constantly be remodeled, redefined and put into question because we have essentially had to start from scratch. But the danger in all this constant redefinition is that any hint of individualism or uniqueness is automatically dismissed or chastised. If there is no hint of Ebonics-laced, hoodmatic, shucking and jivatories…we have been conditioned to get nervous…very nervous->true story
But I think Triple threat stripped it down to the bare essentials and K.I.S.S’d -ANCESTORY & IDENTITY WITH THE STRUGGLE
If you got those two then fuk what anyone else thinks.
-“Black is the new white”
Reply
MeteorMan Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 12:07 pm
“But the danger in all this constant redefinition is that any hint of individualism or uniqueness is automatically dismissed or chastised.[…] we have been conditioned to get nervous”
oooooo! That was kinda Hot “right therrrrrr!” lol
Reply
My President is black. And I am too. If you don’t think so, then dammit, eff you!
Reply
Seattle Washington Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 11:10 am
Oh shit, are we picketing son?!
Reply
Black and Trapped in Toronto Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 11:18 am
LIKES THIS!
Reply
LOL at Jablackizilian.
I hate labels. Defining someome as acting black or white is mileading. Mainly because black is not an all encompassing term in regards to culture.
Black is a color. My jacket is black, yet it is an inanimate object. It has no culture. My bff is black, but her culture is totally diffrent from mine. She is Jamaican and I’m American. You can be black and from Cuba, but not “black” culturally speaking.
The way a person speaks or behaves should not be chalked up to being “black.” I don’t use slang terms or do the stank walk. That doesn’t make me any less “black” than my cousins who do.
And why is an educated person acting “white?” World history tells of the Ancient Greeks and Romans coming to study and learn in Africa, which had some of the best universities. Therefore I’m just being true to my roots by being educated.
And don’t even get me started on African American.
Reply
ASmith Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 10:48 am
And don’t even get me started on African American.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9zPRVKQvIM
I got put on to this yesterday… Smokey said that!
Reply
I think people have in fact created two definitions of black whether or not we really think about it. We have the skin color/ lineage black (as in “even if Megan hangs out with all white people she’s still black!”) and we have full of assumptions/stereotypical cultural black. When we say Robin, Justin, Bill Clinton are black we mean they are culturally black. Unfortunately other races (and many of ourselves) have taken the cultural and tried to merge it with the racial and now we’re at the point where Rod is probably legit thinking he’s one of the crowd.
Reply
Yeah, I hate the thought that educated speak isn’t Black. Folks who say that have no idea they just insulted themselves instead of insulting the “not Black enough” person they allegedly put on blast.
In order to add a little light-hearted-ness to this comment I wanted to point something out. What I always found interesting though is that regardless of any hood-speak or whatnot, about 95% of the time, I can tell when I’m talkin’ to a sista/brotha on the phone. It has nothing to do with slang or whatnot — in fact, they’re usually using their corporate voice — it’s just something I can’t put my finger on.
Even when a Black chick tries the valley girl talk, I can usually tell it’s just a Black chick doing it instead of a White girl. Or Carlton from Fresh Prince. You can kinda tell he was trying to emulate his classmates in terms of speaking. Why is that? Is it because it’s not “natural” Are they trying too hard? Then again, what does that even mean? Even though Blackness is a culture, aren’t our overall experiences based on subcultures such as neighborhood, family, etc? I mean, sure they are things that all Black people can relate to, but our subculture is what makes us all different, I think. That’s why there’s such a variety of us. We don’t all speak the same, walk the same or even like the same things. There are certain things where the majority of us can relate, but the variety and diversity is what makes us beautiful.
As far as my hood card goes, I’m the best of both worlds in that I can yuck it up with the corporate and educated folks and I can chill with hood folks as well. Both are me. It’s not trying to be someone I’m not. One just happens to be me more refined and the other is me more chilled.
Oh, and by the way, I’ve been called “oreo” by my cousin from Milwaukee. From Milwaukee. Yeah, if you know about over there, I bet even Jay-Z is a dayum oreo. lmfao
Reply
I have serious issues with black “counterculture” and its roll in crippling our black youth into thinking they’re not “black” enough if they speak proper English, wear “preppy” clothes, or display any form of intelligence (get good grades, behave well, etc.). I acknowledge the historical and social reasoning behind it: most black Americans are unaware of our “African” culture since it was stolen from us, so we try to find defining characteristics that make us unique from other Americans, such as clothing, languauge, food, and traits. I just think its time we change our cultural characteristics to reflect that of intellect, hard work, and other positive qualities. If we change the mins of our children, they will grow up thinking “proper is the way black people talk and dress, and we can define our culture in other ways, such as music, dance, food, and traditions.
I’m over it now, but growing up it was extremely difficult feeling rejected by EVERY race because I wasn’t dark or light enough, or I didn’t speak hick or poorly enough. I grew up on a black campus, went to every black event there was, my parents had all black (successful) friends, I’ve been to Africa several times and study black history and African culture more than most of my darker-skinned counterparts.
Everyone needs to just tell themselves it stops with our generation, and encourage our kids to accept ppl for who, not what they are. We have to hold ourselves accountable if they grow up thinking they’re anything less than beautiful and intelligent. Period.
Reply
Slim Jackson Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 12:36 pm
lol at only being black on even days.
Reply
Toni Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 1:25 pm
I think George Wolfe wrote it best in the Colored Museum with the line “Being black is too emotionally taxing; therefore, I will only be black on weekends and holidays.”
Reply
btw, I laughed out loud when I read the caption of that picture… You’re a fool.
and that kids hands are HUGE! He’s gonna be a ball player… uhhh I mean a scholar athlete… when he grows up.
Reply
Random overheard question… Should we think of folks as Black even if they don’t associate themselves as Black? i.e. Tiger Woods…
(via BlackBruceWayne)
Reply
Black and Trapped in Toronto Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 12:24 pm
The racial draft via 3ways..aint that something lol
Judging by his recent fall from glory and undeniable ancestory…I’d have to say yes, he is on team black.
Thats another point I’d like to bring up…..no matter how far away a black person runs from associating themself with the black struggle, the man as a clever way of reminding them from time to time of who they are….
Reply
Miss Jenkins Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 12:35 pm
IMHO, Tiger can stay right where he is. Check that cablanasian box.
But in some cases, its less about what we call ourselves as it about what society labels us as. For example, Tiger is in the books as a Black golfer, whether he likes it or not.
Reply
BLaCk Bruce WaYnE Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 4:17 pm
I was thinking the same thing when I tweeted that about Tiger…
I think its amazing how homie doesn’t consider himself as such but fails to realize that you are NIKE’s first golfer that they have ever endorsed. Why? Simply because of youth and ummmm the stated obvious…
I have a transgression to attend to so please excuse me if my words have offended Tiger followers old and new…
Reply
CHeeKZ Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 3:04 pm
society makes the rules.. and this rule made it all the way to the supreme court.
one drop of traceable black blood makes you black.
Reply
Ok…I see I’m going to have to be the dick today.
Let’s start with this. Yea, what Reid said is kinda messed up…I suppose. But let’s be real……………………..we all know that if Obama looked like Stringer Bell or that African dude that played the terrorist last season on 24, he wouldnt have even made it out of Iowa, much less to the general election. If he came out @ the 2004 DNC convention sounding like Method Man, he’d be a political footnote right now.
Honestly, I don’t know what Black is. But I do know what white is. And so does every single ethnic group that came to this country and were forced to assimilate to white. It happened to the Jews, the Italians, Asians and Mexicans. There are clearly obvious differences in skin color that may never allow blacks to be viewed in the same light as Italians and Jews that migrated over to this country, but in the grand scheme of things, there are some things that these people had to chalk up to the game in order for them to progress. And they are just some things that have been rejected by mainstream “black” culture that will always put them in this particular boat. Just think about some of things that earn you a “hood pass”. And deep down, a lot of us that inherited or earned a hood pass don’t want to lose it…for reasons which are beyond me. There is a distinct and undeniable “ghetto culture” that exists in our culture and unfortunately it has been associated with black people and more unfortunate is the fact that we continue to embrace it. Jews were actually some of the first people to populate “ghettos” but never embraced ghetto culture, which is probably why most Steins and Bergs have degrees. Of course, there are other circumstances that apply to when looking at ethnicity, but overall, lets not get pissed when the Harry Reid’s and Bill Cosby’s of the world start spitting some truth that we arent ready to deal with.
Reply
Seattle Washington Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 12:56 pm
Wow. So do you drink Starbucks, Dunkin or Blue Mountain coffee? Orange Juice obviously isn’t cutting it.
Reply
The Award Winning RightCoastLexSteele, Java'd the f*ck up Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 1:01 pm
Any self respecting coffee drinker knows Starbucks coffee is trash. America runs on Dunkin my friend.
Lattes on the other hand…Starbucks all the way.
Reply
Nik Reply:
January 13th, 2010 at 6:21 am
“Any self respecting coffee drinker knows Starbucks coffee is trash. America runs on Dunkin my friend.
Lattes on the other hand…Starbucks all the way.”
…poetry to my left-coast achin-for-a-DDchain-in-CA ears…
Reply
CHeeKZ Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
Congrads Lex…….
You have the first Co-sign of Oh-Ten.
You are like the New Years Baby… but bigger.
Reply
Seattle… Doesn’t this post seem a bit obligatory? No shots… Well written post (as always), (cue Irony) just kinda vanilla. lol No, its fine… just wanted to poke fun… (no pause)… lol
I think we confused ourselves… We say “Black” in terms of race and culture and even various random subcultures then we end up “disagreeing.” Not really disagreements, just “Verbal Arguments.”
Here’s the obligatory graceful answer: Black means beautiful, diverse, intelligent, and any other nice adjective that makes me feel like I’m undoing oppression or stabbing a KKK member in the eye…
Here’s the REAL answer:
Black means NOTHING. Not a damn thing… It’s sad. Children itching for a label, a title for their little club. Writing this title on a sign on the front of their club house, “Black.” Scratched out and re-written OVER and OVER. This sign is a sign of insanity. Thinking in its re-written form it would mean anything, the same damn word! smh
Why do YOU need this? I don’t associate myself as black (culture) nor do I disassociate myself with black (culture). And I may disassociate myself with some black people based on their actions regardless of how each of them define “black.” I don’t need these TRINKETS everyone else seems to choose to hold in their hearts in order to know who I am. We already know (black? white? Micheal Jackson?) people come from different backgrounds… So does it matter? No. (Thanks MJ)
All this is a sign of lack of identity. This is a demonstration of the confusion self. Let me spell it out: An apple tastes like nothing else but itself. There’s are different types of apples, all with different flavors, all different colors, but they all still taste like apples. That’s because an apple in itself is unique and thus doesn’t need to be qualified by some other adjective, some other descriptor. Why can’t “Black” be treated in the same way by us? Why do we need all these random adjective (the same ones, may I add) in order to validate our existence. It doesn’t even demonstrate our uniqueness!! And don’t go trying to cite anything that happened in Africa cuz you wasn’t there! It has no barring on our everyday other than our skin color. If people are starving for a definition of “Black,” something that can help them determine an collective identity, then I’ll give you all, cuz this ish you all doing fails: Black is self-explanatory. Black is black, like apple is apple and banana is banana. Not the color… the culture. It’s defined by its existence not by the qualities of the people of any time period. That’s why you all say, “Oh no… the definition changed… Media is telling us something else now *wimper* *wimper* *wimper* blah blah blah.” If you need this to empower you, then you was never empowered, and you chose to be weak. You can’t claim to be decedent of any power with the mindset that you need something else to empower you. You’re suppose to be empowering others out the gate. I’m a King. Not because of my ancestry like I need to say something to counter negative statements people say like I’m desperate for a comeback or the because I think it’s important that the first human was “black,” I mean dark-skinned, I mean sun burned (um… so the fack what? you can still be a dumb ass…). I’m a King because I see. Follow suite… Ten hut!
“In the land of the blind, the one-eye man is king.” -Nas who quoted Desiderius Erasmus, a dutch Guy, yes in Europe… STFU, truth is truth.
Reply
Seattle Washington Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
Meteor Man,
I don’t think Black means nothing. To me, it’s an all encompassing term needed for a people who struggle with an identity that was ripped from them centuries ago. While some may use it as a crutch, it is not. It should be a column to place the various identities of our newly found and still developing culture.
While it’s great that you think you know who you are and you are able to be an army of one, many in fact need to still identify racially and culturally. It’s a human need. That’s why you will find other races still identifying with whatever racial term they give themselves. While you and Stephen Colbert don’t see race, the rest of the world still does.
You’re right, Black people are constantly redefining what we are at our own dismay (Negro to Black to Afro American to African American to …). However I don’t think we lack an identity, we are constantly defining it to ourselves and in turn to everyone else. That’s what happens when you are still evolving. Black Americans are a young race.
I don’t think we should be continually redefining or searching for another word. Maybe my sarcasm was lost. However, I do think that we should realize that “Black” is everything. Negative and positive. Everything we have been searching for before. I think most of us in this generation are realizing that and we just hope the many faces of Black are reflected from here on out.
And not because the media tells us that it is so, but because it’s the truth.
Reply
MeteorMan Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
While you may feel we disagree, I’m confident that under all my sarcasm and irritability we agree. Even if we do disagree, I respect that. Just make sure its not by default. An active choice… That is all.
“I don’t think Black means nothing. To me, it’s an all encompassing term needed for a people who struggle with an identity that was ripped from them centuries ago.”
Currently, it means nothing in my eyes given we can’t say ‘what it is.’ (This is a proof) We use disjointed descriptors on what it means to them, while at the same time, ignoring all other forms of it… If there was a rain, we wouldn’t have an umbrella. There’s nothing demonstrating our uniqueness while unifying us. Hence, my solution I presented below my initial statement.
I wasn’t saying let’s find a new word, I was thinking ahead. If we came up with a new word, it wouldn’t have to qualified by any other string of descriptors. We would reach an understanding, regardless of each person’s experiences or origination. It would in itself be an abstraction of “Black” thus being to encompass everyone in a decent light without ignoring reality. Thus, people wouldn’t be so quick to judges oneself and other’s ‘blackness.’ Look here… The point isn’t the word, it’s the word’s use and the underlying understanding/internalization that either divides or unifies us.
Reaction to your 2nd paragraph:
I’m not the only one of our generation that agrees with me. Many of us are tired of the same ol’ same ol’ without any progress… Stagnation instead of origination. Not saying good stuff don’t happen, but on the front of the search of identity this ish fails. The whole approach is flubbery. We’re suppose to realize ourselves, not define ourselves. umm… wtf? Again this was not about terms, it’s about internalization and understanding that unities us. So whatever racial or culture terms is used by other races (why did you even mention this? who gives a fack about other races in this context man!?!?!), I’m want us to have an understanding that unites us. You SAY I apparently “don’t see race,” without knowing my background or experiences. Let me make it clear… YES, I do see race and had the experiences living in the south to go with those eyes. But that doesn’t mean that’s all I see. That doesn’t mean, that you have to not see race to see what I’m saying. This is about empowerment of us. So a Stephen Colbert comparison is fluff. Seeing race doesn’t have to be what determines how we progress and how we CHOOSE to see the world. We all know ish can be messed up on daily basis… But Why do allow it to DEFINE us? Why do we allow it to make who we are? Why is it negative for use to assume that we are more than oppression? This world is a will never be “post-racial,” but that doesn’t mean that we have to be enslaved by an oppression-filled past by conforming the the thought construct of “we are the products of slavery/oppression.” We are much more than that. We are much more than a distant ancestry in Africa given we are suppose to surpass our ancestors. Until most of us UNDERSTAND that, then we will never realize our identity or potential, we’ll just continue to talk about it and expect the next generation to do something about it. Wack-sauce
3rd paragraph:
OK let’s assume that we may have identity that no one is realizing. That’s indeed the same as not having one. We are “young” in the eyes of the world, we are evolving… And the next step of evolution is self-realization NOT self-definition. Definitions are simply just assigned and may not stick… hence the “re-definition.” Realization incorporates reality simply says ‘what it is.’ Since identity (Black) hasn’t been realized then there’s no meaning (e.g. what it is)… Thus, Black has no meaning (currently). QED Thanks for playing…
“However, I do think that we should realize that Black is everything. Negative and positive.” Key word: realize. I agree. Moreover, Black is self-explanatory. It compasses everything everyone said it means to them, yet unites us regardless of how the single statements between individuals may seem to contradict. You see, we really do agree under it all.
Reply
Seattle Washington Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
This may come across sarcastic, but I don’t mean it that way. So, do you consider yourself of any race then or are you just “Meteor Man”?
The term “Black” is obviously amorphous and encompassing. We differ in the fact that you don’t feel it has a definition and I feel that it does but you won’t see it clearly. Do you need to define it if we are what we are? It will continue to evolve so trying to nail it down to a piece of paper is moot.
We could say that we don’t need a word or term, but we do. I’m Black. My people are Black. I’d love to live in a theoretical world where things are just them, but like you said apples are apples, bananas are bananas and yes Black people are Black people.
And you’re right, we shouldn’t allow the term Black or anyone else to define us (which I think I alluded to in this post); however, we should actively continue to define it. Which is what we have been doing with our evolution over time. And is what we will continue to do. A Black man today isn’t what he was in the 60s. The core is the same, but other experiences have made him different. One would argue that is the same for other races as well. But that’s neither here nor there. Not my race, not my problem.
Our problem is we continuously search for another term, or in your case look to erase a term altogether, instead of just accepting what we are – Black.
You want to eradicate all words. I’m saying that may be great on paper, but in reality we should just accept that we all are Black.
In addition, you want to assume that none of us have realized what we are. I think we have. Self-realization and self-definition as you said are two different things. It’s clear that you don’t think we have understood ourselves while I think we have and are consistently looking to define what we are. Therefore donning the word “Black” and wearing it with pride without shirking it later for a “better term” is what we need to do next during our evolution.
Thanks for this discussion.
Reply
MeteorMan Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 4:41 pm
“This may come across sarcastic, but I don’t mean it that way. So, do you consider yourself of any race then or are you just ‘Meteor Man’?”
I am Black. To me it’s kinda ummm… self-explanatory. lol It’s an atomic term. Meaning that there are no smaller parts… Meaning that it is what it is in its entirety.
ON that note, I’ll even do you one better:
“Meteor Man, this is Seattle, you originally said:
‘I don’t associate myself as black (culture) nor do I disassociate myself with black (culture).’ WTF does that mean?”
Good question, it means I don’t have to claim to be Black given that it’s a building block of myself. Poetically, it claims me. lol
“Do you need to define it if we are what we are? It will continue to evolve so trying to nail it down to a piece of paper is moot.”
I’ve been saying that attempting to define it over and over doesn’t bring us closer to the goal of having a unifying identity. It will be itself regardless of what any human calls it or label it as. I don’t care what people write on metaphoric paper. What’s in our hearts is what will give us our identity, and that’s no metaphor.
“Our problem is we continuously search for another term, or in your case look to erase a term altogether, instead of just accepting what we are – Black. You want to eradicate all words. I’m saying that may be great on paper, but in reality we should just accept that we all are Black.”
Woah. Where are you getting this from? I NEVER said get rid of words. But I did say-> “The point isn’t the word, it’s the word’s use and the underlying understanding/internalization that either divides or unifies us.” So keep the word or not… I don’t care. Just self-realization…
I did say-> “There’s are different types of apples, all with different flavors, all different colors, but they all still taste like apples. That’s because an apple in itself is unique and thus doesn’t need to be qualified by some other adjective, some other descriptor. Why can’t “Black” be treated in the same way by us?” I’m saying instead of trying to slice n’ dice “Black” a thousand different ways just take it whole. All of it… Maybe I’ll quote you to prove to you we agree on this point: “I do think that we should realize that “Black” is everything. Negative and positive. Everything we have been searching for before.”
I feel like my point isn’t getting across… *sigh* Black is atomic. I treat it as unique within itself. It’s a basic building block of what we are. It helps make up each and every one of us regardless if we claim it or not. It’s indivisible. Really, just like that… The apple metaphor works and goes farther, but I’ll spare you…
Look. I’m NOT implying or saying words don’t matter and labels should be banned and we should all use sign language. I’m saying that regardless of how we chose to “define” it, there has to be a realization of self. Just like with individuals, they have this phase where they find themselves and realize who they are and what makes them unique regardless of any stigmas. The same has to be done for our people. It’s called growing up. You agree with this…
The only REAL disagreement we have is where we lie on this road to realizing our identity. Really… that’s our only disagreement… I’m forreal… No joking… You can trust me… lol
Reply
Seattle Washington Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 5:29 pm
I don’t trust you or the subtly snide tone, lol, but I’ll forgo the additional banter for the other points that I’ve seen and just go along with that sentiment. One, because I mentioned it in my previous comment and, two, I’m good on writing any further dissertations. Lol.
Have a glorious night.
Reply
This thing has always been an issue with black people. Once when i was in middle school ( yes i went to a mixed school) they asked us track our heratige past or grandparents and find out what country we are from. It was kinda sad that i was the only kid in class that had to “make something up” because well i didnt know. American black people are literally the only race in the world maybe of all time that do not have a definitive culture of there own. No specific holidays no rites of passage not even our own language.
Reply
Slim Jackson Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 2:20 pm
Damn. You speak the truth. But it kinda hurts. **Signing up for ancestry.com asap**
Reply
Black is a sense of culture, history, and pride. Preferences in music, entertainment, and literature don’t make you black.
That being said, I will NEVER consider TIger Woods to be black, because he doesn’t identify with us. Maybe this scandal will wake him up, but to me thats the definition of someone ashamed and misinformed about his true origin.
Reply
The dondadda Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
Streez. I wish i could agree with more people on the tiger thing but i dont. I mean think of it this way what possible made tiger feel this way? Lets all face it tiger is a corny dude and we all know that the black community was probably not giving him dap and throwing him parades when he was in school ( first grade thru college) because he was so corny and “talked white”. I mean i know so many sisters that say ” thats what he gets for being with a white girl”. I have never heard them comment on how hot he is or how they want him. I may be getting off subject. but the black community as a whole has a problem ostracizing those who dont act a certain way and i can def see that being what happend with tiger.
Reply
Streetztalk Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 3:15 pm
“Lets all face it tiger is a corny dude and we all know that the black community was probably not giving him dap and throwing him parades when he was in school ( first grade thru college) because he was so corny and “talked white”.”
My rebuttal is in the following clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOY9CbIK9zk
No matter what people say you KNOW WHO YOU ARE! Check the clip and feel free to say “THIS!”
Reply
The dondadda Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 3:20 pm
They have banned me from youtube at work so you win this round (damn you Help desk your no friend of mine). Im not saying its right or wrong all im saying is i can understand how some one call feel out of place in their own race especially with black people. Who goes around saying i dont feel “asian enough” or “indian enough”?
Reply
The Award Winning RightCoastLexSteele, Java'd the f*ck up Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
Oh I’m having a moment….
“Carlton doesn’t exactly exemplify what a Phi Beta Gamma is…”
MY BROTHERS! I SAID MY BROTHERS! WHAT IS A GAMMA?!
A GAMMA IS WHAT A KAPPA AIN’T, WHAT A ALPHA WANNA BE AND ALL THE OMEGAS HATE!
I’m sorry….I had a moment.
Carry on.
Reply
Seattle Washington Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 3:59 pm
Y’know, I had that whole episode in mind when I wrote this post. Good to know assholes think alike.
Reply
Streetztalk Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 4:24 pm
Carlton is the epitome of a black person who doesnt “act black” but doesnt let others define what his race means. He lives in a bubble at times (remember the episode when him and Will got racially profiled by 5.0 in the benz?) but he knows who he IS!
Reply
Black and Trapped in Toronto Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 4:27 pm
Carlton, put down the gun…man I saved yo life!!!!
Reply
Cheekie Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 5:29 pm
YOU OWE ME!!!
Reply
I agree with every point made in this post!
I feel like I could have written this myself.
Great post!
I don’t think “Blackness” is defined by speech or dress or where you’ve grown up. A person is born Black. You cannot give it back nor declare it upon yourself!
Reply
One thing people forget is that there is also a moral code that goes along with being a culture. I’m not saying we believe the same thing, however if you polled black people about how they feel about certain issues atleast 60% for us would agree on these topics.
The real ‘oreos’ (hate to offend those who have be incorrectly labeled as such) should be saved for those should be saved for those who live outside of the black prespective.
Now some people (namely black republicans) will say that this idea of a black moral code is equal to the concept of talking with ebonics or being ghetto. I think that is naive and ignorant. Every culture passes on personality traits to its children. Not every black trait encourages gansta rap and baby-mamas. But when you are on the outside of certain principles, speaking good english can’t protect you from being a FABP (Failure As a Black Person):
Larry Elder
Micheal Steele
Lynn Swann
Carlton Banks
Reply
The Award Winning RightCoastLexSteele, Java'd the f*ck up Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 4:30 pm
Watch ya mouth, Mike Steele is my cousin.
Reply
I am Black and Black is me. Say it loud I am Black and I am proud. Black is not a homogeneous group. The adjectives are limitless. We are not to be defined. It so sad that so many young folk believe that Black is negative. As a third generation college graduate ( the first was in 1944) with ancestors that owned their own business, and included, professors, engineers, lawyers and doctors. Black is everything and black is me. I would say being Black is having a connection to the mother land. There is no shame, be proud. Differences in Black folk are due to many things, socioeconomic being one.
Reply
As much as I disagree with Steele. Personally, I believe he is more an opportunist, he has every right to his opinions and he is still very Black. Black is not a homogeneous group!!!!
Reply
As a darker skinned black woman my appearance alone has always been easily accepted as “Black” but when I open my mouth and speak articulately, sing along with Miley Cyrus, discuss my level of education or mention how I’d like to start playing golf again, I’m automatically questioned or simply labled “bou-gie”(sp?)
I’ve honestly always felt our lack of a solid definition of “Black” is rooted in the fact that we have no physical ties to a nation (at least one that accepts us).
We’re oppressed in the U.S., outsiders in most African nations because of a general lack of destination (esp since some of us still refer to Africa as a country, smh) and generally are not blessed enough to know enough about our direct lineage to connect to a place or even a language.
The things that unite black Americans “culturally” are constantly twisted, absorbed or satirized to a point beyond recognition. These go-to characteristics that probably popped into everyone’s head upon reading the question at hand (like rhythm, swagger, fluency in Ebonics and affinity for hip-hop) are so easily transferred to the Korean kid next door that we become lost amidst it all.
I just want to live in a world where I can still be well versed in The King’s English & Ebonics, have Sophocles & EJD on my bookshelf and hear Maroon 5 & Jill Scott back to back on my iPod and not have my “blackness” questioned ANYONE, esp my own folks.
Reply