"OMG, I Just Love Black People!"

[PJaye]

If they think you're safe, i.e. "not mean", they will ask you everything they ever wanted to know about Black people. If you tell them you don't know about something they think you should know, they will quickly tell you that you're "not really that Black". My sister takes pride in the fact that White folks don't play with her like that, but they can just tell she's mean (she really is), lol.

So am I, which is probably why I'm rarely approached by inquisitive "others."

 

[kmn1980]

I remember being a teen in a summer honors program and the facilitator asked the Black kids if when we bathe, the Blackness comes off and then regenerates when we dry off. She had a straight face too.

I said, "have you ever seen a Black person in a swimming pool?" Yes. "Okay, so why would you ask such a ridiculous question?" Crickets. The sad part is that some of the other Blacks had the nerve to tell me I was wrong for owning her like that. *********!

When I got to college white girl tries to say she thought all Black people were athletes or entertainers and when everyone looked at her like she was Boo Boo the Fool, she pled ignorance..."I'm from a small town with not that many Black people." Bullsh*t!

"Do you have a television?" Yes. "Do you see Black people on television?" Yes. "Are the Black people you see on television kicking a ball or singing?" Crickets.

See, white people get passes from minorities for all kinds of dumb sh*t when the fact of the matter is that if we did and said the same stuff to them as they do to us, they'd be ready call the FBI, CIA, Interpol and throw out terms like "reverse racism". At the least you'd just be dumb. Ignorance is when you truly don't know. Babies are ignorant. Retarded people are ignorant. The stuff that comes out of white people's mouths is just pure stupidity fueled by a social structure that lets them get away with doing and saying whatever the hell they want to. They dress that mess up to make you think they're just naive and really curious.

They get no passes from me. We live in the information age. I don't care if you're from Bucktooth, Mississippi, you know what's up.

 

[loonggood]

LOL!HAVE A GREAT DAY

 

[Curly Lee]

I remember being a teen in a summer honors program and the facilitator asked the Black kids if when we bathe, the Blackness comes off and then regenerates when we dry off. She had a straight face too.

I said, "have you ever seen a Black person in a swimming pool?" Yes. "Okay, so why would you ask such a ridiculous question?" Crickets. The sad part is that some of the other Blacks had the nerve to tell me I was wrong for owning her like that. *********!

When I got to college white girl tries to say she thought all Black people were athletes or entertainers and when everyone looked at her like she was Boo Boo the Fool, she pled ignorance..."I'm from a small town with not that many Black people." Bullsh*t!

"Do you have a television?" Yes. "Do you see Black people on television?" Yes. "Are the Black people you see on television kicking a ball or singing?" Crickets.

See, white people get passes from minorities for all kinds of dumb sh*t when the fact of the matter is that if we did and said the same stuff to them as they do to us, they'd be ready call the FBI, CIA, Interpol and throw out terms like "reverse racism". At the least you'd just be dumb. Ignorance is when you truly don't know. Babies are ignorant. Retarded people are ignorant. The stuff that comes out of white people's mouths is just pure stupidity fueled by a social structure that lets them get away with doing and saying whatever the hell they want to. They dress that mess up to make you think they're just naive and really curious.

They get no passes from me. We live in the information age. I don't care if you're from Bucktooth, Mississippi, you know what's up.

I really like you! lol You perfectly articulated everything I think.

 

[ConstantlyDynamic]

Another thing I don't think "black people food" is offensive, because we say Chinese food, Italian food...etc. It's the same.

because there is no such thing as "black people food". as a Haitian-American, i wouldn't eat the same things as an African-American who doesn't eat the same things as a Nigerian-American or an Ethiopian-American. there is no unifying food between the race. plus southern whites love soul food just as much as southern blacks and they cook it too i'm sure

but yeah i get those "black people have such cool hair" comments too. makes me laugh

 

[Nasdaq_Diva]

I don't care if you're from Bucktooth, Mississippi, you know what's up.

Wow, not BUCKTOOTH though...

 

[ConstantlyDynamic]

They get no passes from me. We live in the information age. I don't care if you're from Bucktooth, Mississippi, you know what's up.

you just spoke the truth

harmless questions for sure but i never understood why people couldn't use their common sense to figure the answers out

 

[Danniquin]

Yea but those are actual countries w/ specific types of food. I am black and I don't eat "soul food" because my family is not from the states. So basically he is an idiot. He could have said soul food, or southern food, or whatever because "black people food" in my house is bacalao.

Yeah but how else would he describe the type of food that he likes if it is indeed "soul food"?

 

[empressri]

My friend and I call ourselves "Non-offensive negroes" because some white folks will come up to us and just ask you anything, and let's be real, if you are a shade too dark and your hair a tad too kinky, I don't know if that's intimidating...hell let's not bs I know it is and they'll be damned to even look at you much less start asking you stupid questions.

 

[Bnster]

I was about to state no such experience (thinking hair), but my ex-coworker use to state I was too white, meaning my personality. What the.... I am just me and my colour of my skin is brown and I am my own individual. The black race is so diversified it cannot be classified and that is a joke in itself when stereotyping any race.

 

[CurliDiva]

I don't know how un PC this next comment is going to be...
but why is it that clear girls think they can bond with me out of nowhere.... pulling out pictures of their mixed children, which means they have black spouses....

We'll just be chatting about the weather... or work... and
"HEY!!! wanna see my daughter she's soooo cute... so um.... Do you like to eat currygoat too? cuz my boyfriend sure does...he's a dred you know...."

I get this ALL THE TIME....white women confessing that they have had BLACK d**K........like we should bond becuase of this one fact!

None of this chicks have married the black guy in question, but they feel like this proves that they are cool!

 

[CurlyMoo]

Another thing I don't think "black people food" is offensive, because we say Chinese food, Italian food...etc. It's the same.

Well, Chinese and Italian are not races. Those are ethnic groups. The Japanese have a different diet to the Chinese as do the Germans to the Italians. Black is a race. And it's pretty ignorant to say "Black People Food." I'm not terribly offended, I just feel the need to educate. There are many different types of "Black" Food. There are various types of food all over Africa. There is the Afro-Latin foods.

The term is called Soul Food. Or They could say Black American food/African American food. Southern Soul Food is more exact. But yeah, I love it too.

 

[CurlyMoo]

Well, a lot of Black people don't know this but many races do admire us or just curious of our skin colors, hair textures and expressive body language/facial expressions. Just like there are those whom are totally repelled by it. They just don't say how much they love and admire us. I'm guessing the people who say this are pretty young or foreign.

 

[Geminigirl]

I get this kinda, it just doesn't bother me at all. I get the same kinda "black people hair is cool", "what do black people eat", and "are you mixed"?

I don't care because I live in PA and my school is mostly white people so most of them are just genuinely curious. I really never got the feeling of them being rude or anything just curiosity.

The food thing does sound a little shady but it was because I was trying to describe Italian cheeseburgers and ox tails, something they have never heard of.

Getting asked if I am mixed is valid because I am light, but now that I think of it mostly black girls ask that.

I will admit that I probably am viewed as a safe one though, I'm not sensitive to stuff like that.

bwwwwaaaahhaahhaaahhaa OK.


Yes I used to attract these kind of yt people when i was younger as well.

 

[SmilingElephant]

I hate when you do something new to your hair...especially when you flat iron it or do some spiral curls...white ppl say "CAN I PLEASE TOUCH YOUR HAIR?!?!"...WHILE reaching out to touch it. They're like moths to a lightbulb...its so annoying!

Let me chase you down and ask can i please touch your hair!!

 

[SmilingElephant]

I definitely get that a lot. My favorite line is one that happened recently by a WF in my office. Background: I was looking at pics of braids and other PS when she walked up but was wearing my hair down (it had been wrapped): "Woooow!!! I love black people's hair. You guys can wear such cool styles. [touches my hair] Wait, why does your hair feel like mine?" I didn't know what to say besides, "the real question is why does yours feel like mine" *Kanye Shrug*

^^Super Funny!!!!^^

 

[Nova]

Out of curiosity and ignorance; I can see WP asking the afore-mentioned questions. However, the following questions coming from Blacks?

Because my oldest daughter use to have 4a BSL hair, she was often asked "what race are you?" Or, "you must be mixed." Or (and this one is the killer) "Are you part-Oriental?" My daugh. complexion is brown-caramel color and she truly looks African-American. It's like we can't have long hair without being the product of mixed relationship. My youngest daugh. is dark complexioned but she was born with auburn-colored hair. She's oftened accused of lying when asked is that her natural color hair and she answers yes. Again...this question often asked by our people.
Go figure!

 

[Danniquin]

bwwwwaaaahhaahhaaahhaa OK.


Yes I used to attract these kind of yt people when i was younger as well.

ummmm what?

 

[LittleLuxe]

Awww. I think it's cute.

Realistically some people haven't had a lot of experience hanging out with black people and those they have spent time with they couldn't be very honest with. I've had it happen to me and in a weird way I take it as a compliment.

Even though they don't necessarily know how to phrase their statements what they are expressing none the less is admiration and curiosity.

I say let em speak! You never know what you might e teaching or helping them with without realizing.

 

[FeelinIt]

I don't see anything really offensive about it. Hey I want to know what Indian and Nepalese, etc people do, I ask questions, I am curious. I think some folks are quick to think something negative.

I usually associated black people food with soul food.

Girl you know we're sensitive as hell. I think it's strange some black folks only wash their hair 1-2 times a month. I'd ask that question too.

 

[washize]

I live in PA and I get those stupid questions. Perssonaly I find it offensive after a while, I used to think, "oh they don't know any better" But after a while, I just realized white people sterotype far too much. I have hung out with Asian and Latino's and none of them have ever asked me those questions. The white people don't ask the Asians or Latino's questions like that either. In my opinion if you have been friends with someone for a while, you should know what they are like, what they do and what they don't do and even after knowing a person, if you are still sterotyping them because of their ethnicity, I do think something is wrong with you, and normally it is true. For example I had a best friend of 6 years who was white and she would always ask me if I washed my hair, or if water just slid off of my hair, or why black people were so angry and blah blah blah. The reason I find it so offensive is because even though you've known me for months, years, you still obviously think I'm just a sterotypical black person.

 

[doll-baby]

I haven't really experienced this, I think that white people in Chicago are use to black people so they feel they know enough about us or either they make up their own conclusions.

 

[Geminigirl]

Yeah but how else would he describe the type of food that he likes if it is indeed "soul food"?

Ummm how bout SOUL FOOD

ummmm what?

nothing really, i just found it funny that you think because your light it's a valid reason to be asked if you were mixed.

 

[Danniquin]

Ummm how bout SOUL FOOD




nothing really, i just found it funny that you think because your light it's a valid reason to be asked if you were mixed.

well in my neighborhood it is, and most of the mixed people I know are lighter-skinned so for me it's a valid reason

Oh and he did say soul food, but this whole thread is odd to me maybe because I live in a white neighborhood...

 

[Storyteller]

Hey, DH and I lived in Rochester for 3 years during the early '90s! We used to call it "them armpit of the North" Only good thing about Rochester was it's proximity to Toronto. We never met anyone (Black) who was native to the city the whole time we were there - weird.

Did you guys live in a suburb of rochester? Like irondequoit, or chili? That might be why, because if you lived in the inner city "real rochester" as some call it you would've met quite a few. But when I think about it a lot of people move here to get away for a few yrs then head back home.

As for us being the armpit of the north....its true. lol We're hidden away in all of our stinky shame only getting a glimpse of attention when someone finally makes it out. lol

 

[EccentricRed]

Girl! I grew up in the surburbs! I thought something was wrong if I DIDN'T hear such foolishness at least once of week. I don't get angry by it in most instances. Especially if it is a person who is comfortable enough to talk about Black topics.

I will admit that it does get annoying at times! I won't lie.

 

[bimtheduck]

I'm not offended by most of the questions I get, I just find it annoying that I have to answer the same ones over and over. I agree with Washize, I feel that if you're my friend you should know me well enough, see me as an idividual and not group me in with millons of other ppl just bc I share the same ethnicity. I guess its better than them running around with some crazy, wring idea in their head, or even worse, repeating these crazy assumptions and misinforming others.

If a friend wants to ask questions about me specifically that's fine but the "why/ what/how do black ppl...?" questions are tiresome. There's no newletter, we don't have secret mtgs, we don't all know each other and just bc a guy is black does NOT mean we would make a great couple. So certain questions out of curiosity are fine and somewhat welcomed but, I do think ppl should use some common sense before they ask questions. The only thing I really hate is when I get "you're like the whitest black person" or " you're so white" as if its some sort of compliment as if white is something I should aspire to be. I get this from whites and blacks. I think the ppl from both groups who make those types of comments have a negative idea of blackness. So if you don't raise your voice in public, have multiple children out of wedlock and by different fathers, roll your neck, or speak ebonics (basically what they've seen on Maury or something) you're not black and you MUST want to be white.


Not that I make a habit of watching Tyra but there was an episode awhile back where she gave the audience the chance to ask 5 different comedians (each representing a different race or ethnic group) any questions they had about other groups. It was informative and ppl were put at ease a bit by the humor.

 

[Tamster]

This thread makes me uncomfortable. Maybe it is because it brings up so many bad memories of kids touching my hair, saying it smelled different (see various ORS - Afro - Racism - News threads), asking what I was all the time.... and I got so messed up in the head when I was younger for it.

Add on top of that a kid saying that I was smart only because I wasn't a regular black person, that because my family was from the islands... that we were 'bred' to be smart. ugh. yeah. I've been around white people for so long in my life, and a lot of my friends have been white, but the damage they can do from their feigned curiosity, ignorance, and YES racism (let's just be honest, it is systemic and IT IS there ALL the time) can do too much to a person. Especially a young person trying to come up with their identity... you don't have time or energy or answers for the dumb **** people ask about your skin, hair, food, EVERYTHING. Its not fair or right. We shouldn't have to bother with their dumbassness. Read a ****ing book, preferably one that tells you not to ask dumb questions. That's what I tell people now.

Sorry, I'm in some kind of mood right now

I hope these vents on lhcf don't get me in trouble in the future....... sigh.

 

[drappedup]

Okay, I only read the 1st page, but I just have to comment, even if it's a super minority opinion (compared to what's on the 1st page)......I don't get some of the complaints (i.e., black food is the same as saying Chinese food, and asking if someone is mixed is not offensive, I think it's better to ASK then assume one or the other). Also, it seems like people are complaining about generalizations of black people and yet there are generalizations of white people in the SAME POSTS.

And honestly I have seen silly wtf type questions from everyone about someone else's culture. I'm not trying to be that person who is purposely disagreeing with everything, but after looking at the 1st page, I definitely couldn't go with the majority on this one.

edit: to clarify on the black food thing, I know Chinese is not a race, before it's pointed out. I was vaguely trying to make the point that I have heard simple foods like white rice be labeled Chinese Food. There is nothing specifically special that makes white rice Chinese (uh, especially if the source of said white rice is not), just like nothing which makes watermelon black food. But people improperly use both. Not saying it's right or can't be offensive, but it's something that's kind of abused for many different culture foods...

 

[drappedup]

Not that I make a habit of watching Tyra but there was an episode awhile back where she gave the audience the chance to ask 5 different comedians (each representing a different race or ethnic group) any questions they had about other groups. It was informative and ppl were put at ease a bit by the humor.

Just wanted to post and say, I saw this episode! Definitely one of my favorites. Probably the funniest Tyra ever, plus it was informative.