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Getting Real : Speak your peace
Racial Culture! | from Fish - Thursday, September 27, 2007
accessed 1065 times Recently I keep reading about ‘culture’. Not ‘culture’ in the sense of a fabulous work of art or a national tradition, but culture as ascribed to race. The phrase “acting black” or “acting white” seems to be considered socially acceptable. The inherent idiocy of this concept annoys me about as much as Japanese TV, which is to say, a good deal.
Take the idea of “acting black”. How does one go about doing this? If I were seized with the desire to “act black” where would I start? Should I wear a florescent jersey several sizes to big and walk with a limp? Should I listen to rap and refrain from forming proper sentences? Are these assorted behaviors part of “black culture”?
What if I wanted to “act white”? How would I manage that? Should I surf the internet relentlessly, ware clothing that fits, read books and refrain from looting?
Perhaps I wish to “act (racially) Japanese”. I could start by being good at math, making up words that have no logical meaning, dancing around like an idiot when I drink, acting racist towards all non Japanese, while vacillating between cringing like a frightened animal and bullying those around me.
How can any of the above behaviors be ascribed to race? The entire concept of “racial culture” is so blatantly racist and stupendously imbecilic as to leave me speechless.
How is it that it’s considered acceptable for a popular public figure to accuse a presidential candidate of “acting white”? This bizarre accusation implies that there must be some kind of preordained “black” behavioral pattern and that to act otherwise is to ‘betray one’s race’. How does one go about ‘betraying one’s race’? Am I a traitor to “white people” because I act somewhat Japanese?
I’ve worked with several black people, and none of them limped or wore jerseys. I know many Japanese who are not racist and whose sentences occasionally make logical sense. I even know a few white people who are computer illiterate.
I sincerely doubt that any of the above described behaviors are racial. Being an idiot is generally a result of environment or personal choice; to ascribe negative behavior to race is racist. Endeavoring to excuse idiotic behavior or bad tastes by ascribing them to a “racial culture” is even worse. If some white guy likes clothing that fits, it’s because he likes clothing that fits, and not because he is white. If a black person likes oversized florescent jerseys, it’s because they like oversized florescent jerseys, not because they happen to be black.
I wish I could get my hands around the throat of whoever started the idiotic idea that there was such a thing as “acting black”(or whatever) Of course there is such a thing as “acting American” or “acting Russian”(or whatever) This is an entirely different concept as it concerns environment rather than skin color. From this angle, one could argue that someone who “acts black” is in fact simply “acting like a low class American from the inner city”, as they were likely raised in a low class, urban environment.
I was raised in Japan and in many ways I “act Japanese”, but I certainly don’t “act racially Japanese” as I happen to be white.
In summation, I propose that there is no such thing as “racial culture” or “racial behavior”. I submit that the vast majority of behavior associated with race is learnt from the environment rather than inherent to a skin color. This is simple common sense, and when stated this way it seems absurd to think otherwise, yet inexplicably these labels persist.
I would be interested to hear what anyone has to say on the matter. (and please don’t give be that Chris Rock shit, I’ve heard it, and it wasn’t clever or funny.) |
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Reader's comments on this article Add a new comment on this article |  from this is funny
Saturday, October 13, 2007 - 12:17
 (Agree/Disagree?)
Subject: Women Knowing Their Places....
A point of view... Barbara Walters of Television's 20/20 did a story on gender roles in Kabul, Afghanistan,
several years before the Afghan conflict..She noted that women customarily walked 5 paces behind their
husbands.
She recently returned to Kabul and observed that women still walk behind their husbands. From Miss
Walter's vantage point, despite the overthrow of the oppressive Taliban regime, the women now seem to
walk even further back behind their husbands and are happy to maintain the old custom.
Miss Walters approached one of the Afghani women and asked, 'Why do you now seem happy with the
old custom that you once tried so desperately to change?'
The woman looked Miss Walters straight in the eyes, and without hesitation, said, 'Land Mines..'
MORAL OF THE STORY:
BEHIND EVERY MAN IS A SMART WOMAN.
(reply to this comment)
| | | |  From roughneck
Saturday, October 13, 2007, 18:31
(Agree/Disagree?)
I realise you're humour-impaired and all, but the aboveposter said "this is funny", not "this is true!". -A subtle difference there, I know. Perhaps it would be more obviously a joke to you if s/he'd used a newscaster you'd never heard of?
That being said, as far as the more barbaric cultural practices engaged in by the less civilised go(like FGM & polygamy, for instance) it really is the women who are their staunchest defenders. Look it up for yourself if you don't believe me. (reply to this comment) |
| | | | | | | | from roughneck
Friday, October 12, 2007 - 06:27
(Agree/Disagree?)
Personally, I could care less what colour your skin is, if you look, speak and act "ghetto", I will assume that you wish to be treated as a common thug. No more, no less.
I think it's a crying shame that so many young people idolize and emulate the worst that so-called "Black culture" has to offer. But at the end of the day, being visually and auditorily indistinguishable from a gangbanger is a deliberate lifestyle choice, and one that I feel zero guilt whatsoever about discriminating against.
And don't even get me started on the bubbleheaded stupidity that is your average white kid's "culture". There's a reason that the Chinese and Indians are taking over, and it's not just that they're cheap to hire, they actually (as a culture, generally) value hard work and education, not just what Paris-bloody-Hilton's wearing this week.
(reply to this comment)
| from the IRS tax scam
Friday, October 05, 2007 - 05:59
(Agree/Disagree?)
Wake up and say no!
http://www.the7thfire.com/Politics%20and%20History/IRSisFraud.htm
http://www.thematrixhasyou.org/no-tax.html
(reply to this comment)
| From Nick
Friday, October 05, 2007, 07:30
(Agree/Disagree?)
It's so true where she wrote....
"Do you realize that the so called black leaders make millions of dollars every year playing the "us against them" role - keeping blacks focused on the race card and away from the real issue"
That is exactly what All Sharpton, Jessess Jackson and all that crew are all about. Making money by keeping racism alive. (reply to this comment) |
| | from rainy
Thursday, October 04, 2007 - 06:17
 (Agree/Disagree?)
If there's one thing growing up in the family has taught me, it's that culture is about environment, not race. We were all races mashed together, sometimes one family with three or more races in the children, and there was never one particular race of kids who were more worldly, more disobedient, more into the word, etc. It was completely random. Racism is something I only learned after living with a man of another race on the outside, and seeing the world through his eyes. Before that I hadn't thought being of another race was any different than having a different eye or hair colour. He was raised with racism. I definitely believe our culture is taught.
(reply to this comment)
| From GoldenMic
Thursday, October 04, 2007, 14:20
(Agree/Disagree?)
Well said. In trainings where I teach about culture, I always note that the broad definition of "culture" is "any group that I think of as my people, where we have a shared use of language, a history, and shared rituals and ceremonies". In that sense, we are all simultaneously part of many cultures, past and present. I also note that the central issues in working through cultural barriers, fears, and misunderstandings is the consistent apllication of patience, bridge-building, and the development of a mutually understood use of langauge. (reply to this comment) |
| | From well put
Friday, October 05, 2007, 04:42
(Agree/Disagree?)
there are so many ways and means that divide people (from birth in this world) --class, money, culture, religion, colour, groups, cults, secret societies, age, sex, sports, fashion, --that nurture that us and them mentality in a never ending cycle it seems.
These are false differences/images. We are all one. And all these irrelevant divisions just keep us divided in all ways on the micro and macro level-on the spiritual and physical realm.
We need to find ways to teach children the importance of individuality and self direction. Rather than ego building, fear orientated, outerdirected compliance and black and white thinking.
a good film which touches on this
http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/
(reply to this comment) |
| | from sar
Wednesday, October 03, 2007 - 13:53
(Agree/Disagree?)
I haven't yet heard the phrase 'racial culture' used in intellectual discussion. 'Culture' refers to learned behaviour patterns and is by definition environmental.
(reply to this comment)
| | | | from Nick
Wednesday, October 03, 2007 - 07:36
(Agree/Disagree?)
Al Sharpton is a racist bigot and I am appalled that his "acting white" comment about Obama was allowed to slide. If that was any white reverend, (And I use the word reverend very loosely with this guy) that made a comment about acting black, Al Sharpton wold have been the first one condemning him. Just like he did with the "nappy headed hoes"
Since when did society start letting it be OK for a black to be raciest and act criminal towards whites, but when white person does something to a black man its twice as bad?
Take the Jena six. This kid has a long rap sheet of violent offenses, him and 5 kids beat the crap out of a loan white kid and all of a sudden he is a poster child for black freedom? How in the world is that fair?
(reply to this comment)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | from thatata
Tuesday, October 02, 2007 - 14:27
(Agree/Disagree?)
I agree of course with the idea behind it which is race is race, culture is culture; its like common sense.By the way how do you act Japanese? Im talking bout how you act, not, how the math wizes act.
(reply to this comment)
| from clark
Tuesday, October 02, 2007 - 10:59
(Agree/Disagree?)
I agree and disagree with you. I never noticed one's race until I became employed at a restaurant where the staff and most of the clientell were black. I am in the SE US. I know it is extreem for me, but that was a shocker. I really was surrounded by a black culture. If that is not the proper word, then theremust be another one to define it.
I consider myself openmided but living here has changed my perspective. I thinkuntil you actually live among the black "culture" it's hard understand it. It is so much more that oversized jerseys and wrap music.
I find myself getting irritated when the blacks here complain about "racial profiling when their minority is responsiible for most of the crime in my city. Don't get me wrong, I have had good friends that are black but just as the japanese culture is everywhere for you, so it the black one here.
(reply to this comment)
| From thatata
Tuesday, October 02, 2007, 15:09
 (Agree/Disagree?)
"I agree and disagree with you. I never noticed one's race untill I became employed at a restaurant where the staff and most of the clientell were black. I am in the SE US. I know it is extreem for me, but that was a shocker. I really was surrounded by a black culture. If that is not the proper word, then theremust be another one to define it."
I think Fish would say low class black American culture.
"I consider myself openminded but living here has changed my perspective."
So you're not openminded.
"I thinkuntil you actually live among the black "culture" it's hard understand it. It is so much more that oversized jersey and wrap music"
Rap* music.
"I find myself getting irritated when the blacks here complain about "racial profiling when their minority is responsible for most of the crime in my city. Don't get me wrong, I have had good friends that are black but just as the japanese culture is everywhere for you, so it the black one here."
You're white spell correctly, or cease a sense of superiority.(reply to this comment) |
| | | | | | | | from Lemmiwinks
Monday, October 01, 2007 - 16:17
(Agree/Disagree?)
Here's an interesting take on race & culture from The Jerk, where white boy Navin Johnson (Steve Martin) has been adopted by a black family and doesn't know he's white until he finds his own groove:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0zftzr-lg4
(reply to this comment)
| from ErikMagnusLehnsher
Monday, October 01, 2007 - 15:48
(Agree/Disagree?)
Acting black is easy...when you go to a restaurant just yell, "M-F-er, I want more Iced Tea!"
Sincerely,
Bill O'Reilly
P.S. I'm offended at your dismissiveness of my alter ego's wisdom. I assume you're referring to this timeless gem on racism by Mr. Rock.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=utnK4o-jvzk
(reply to this comment)
| from cheeks
Saturday, September 29, 2007 - 14:29
(Agree/Disagree?)
I take it you do not live in the States rather in Japan and you are limited to what behavior patterns you have seen there.
(reply to this comment)
| | | | | | | | | | From cheeks
Wednesday, October 03, 2007, 12:09
(Agree/Disagree?)
Yes, poorly traveled smuggler of soviet goods. Poor white people and poor black people act differently. In fact rich ignorant black people and rich ignorant white people act differently too. Take Paris Hilton and Michael Vicks for example. It is not racism to observe the difference in races or cultures. In this day and age my opinion is we are too politically correct. I am not a racist if I say a black person acts differently than I do. So does a Hispanic person. So does an Asian person. We have different heath problems, different genes, why shouldn't we act differently? Why do we all have to act the same to be politically correct? (reply to this comment) |
| | From Fish
Wednesday, October 03, 2007, 17:26
(Agree/Disagree?)
Yes, you have been to Africa? If so, you ought to have noticed that the black people their act in entirely different from their racial counterparts in the new world. This would strongly indicate that I'm right, in case that somehow went over your head. (Yes, I spent time in Africa, dumbass)
Of course their are genetic differences between races, but hardly enough to comprise a "culture" or "pattern of behaviour". If a Hispanic, Asian or Black person acts like they are from a different culture, its probably because they are, and not because of some relatively minor genetic differences.
I'm getting tired of answering your rather whimsical, and frankly, stupid comments, and unless you can come up with something concrete, will here desist. (reply to this comment) |
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