Race/Ethnicity
Questions 551-560
Feel free to browse the following questions, some of which may
still await answers. You can then post an answer or counter an answer
that has already been posted. Please read the
guidelines for answering questions
before making a posting.
Previous 10 this topic
area 
Next
10 this topic area
THE
QUESTION:
R560: I'm curious to know why so many black people use
profanity in public. In the last few weeks, I have witnessed many
black women (and men) swearing loudly at each other and generally
bringing attention to themselves.
POSTED DEC. 16, 1998
David, 44, white male, Minneapolis, MN
ANSWER 1:
I think it may be more of an age thing than a racial one.
I find "some" black and white youths to use profane language in
public as mere acts of rebellion and common adolescent behavior.
POSTED DEC. 21, 1998
Shawn, black male
<smoore15@aol.com>,
Baltimore, MD
To respond
BACK TO TOP
THE QUESTION:
R559: I have heard many racial slurs, usually made by white
people. What slurs do black people use for other races? How about
people who are minority but not black? It seems to me that white
people have (and use) more of them.
POSTED DEC. 15, 1998
T.A.S., 35, white male, Hobe Sound, FL
ANSWER 1:
I don't think I've ever heard a black person use a racial
slur toward another race, especially one on the level of the N-word.
I've never heard my mother use a racial slur, even though I am pretty
sure she, as a child growing up in the Jim Crow South, had bad
experiences with white people. Nor have I heard any of my friends use
any. At the risk of sounding naive, it seems the worst thing you
could call a white person today is "racist." "Cracker" and "honky"
went out with bellbottoms and disco (though bellbottoms did make a
comeback).
POSTED DEC. 16, 1998
RG, black female, 26, Richmond, VA
FURTHER NOTICE:
There are slurs about white people you have probably never
heard. Be warned, you won't like these: Crackerbastard (male),
crackerb***h (female), crackerf**k (any white), blackcracker (a white
who acts black or a black who acts white), dog stringed b***h or
bastard (the opposite of nappy-haired nigger), crackerjack (to rob a
white), and nigger (a blatant reversal of the most despised slur
coined by whites back onto whites).
POSTED DEC. 16, 1998
Anonymous black male
FURTHER NOTICE 2:
You are just itching to get your feelings bruised, aren't
you? I have heard extremely ugly words I wouldn't use myself, but
here goes: Honkyf--k, white cave b---h, dog-haired cracker, and a
term I've yet to figure out, nigger, and its oxymoron, white nigger,
referring to white people.
POSTED DEC. 16, 1998
Black male, New York
FURTHER NOTICE 3:
Latinos have some very ugly racial slurs for blacks and
Indians, often used by some with black or Indian ancestry themselves.
A black is a "miate," a black bug. There is also an ugly saying "Soy
un negrito a ti?" meaning: Am I a little darkie to you? i.e. someone
you can ignore. "Indio" for Indian also means a hick or a dumb
animal. Those for whites were actually originally for the "pure"
Spanish and later applied to white Anglos. They are mildly teasing
more than serious insults. "Guero" means light-skinned, "gabacho" is
a rutabaga and "bolillo" is white bread. Gringo is equivalent to
Yank, not an insult. I hope others will learn these not to use them,
but to know when someone is insulting them. Racism between non-whites
is something we must confront as much as the white variety.
POSTED DEC. 16, 1998
A.C.C., Mexican and American Indian, San Antonio , TX
FURTHER NOTICE 4:
To me, the term "white trash" is extremely derogatory
coming from anybody.
POSTED DEC. 18, 1998
Chris, 39, white female
<cnorman@startribune.com>,
Minneapolis, MN
FURTHER NOTICE 5:
Here's another one for white folks: "Mountain William" for
hillbilly. I think it's cute rather than derogatory - it doesn't
sound as offensive.
POSTED JAN. 5, 1999
C.L.F.,
<clflores@bellsouth.net>,
West Palm Beach, FL
To respond
BACK TO TOP
THE QUESTION:
R558: I have noticed that, in the obituaries in the newspaper,
the accompanying photos are always of African Americans and not of
other racial or ethnic groups. Why is this?
POSTED DEC. 14, 1998
Rayn H., male
<hetterscheidt.7@osu.edu>,
Columbus, OH
To respond
BACK TO TOP
THE QUESTION:
R557: I spent several years growing up in New York City.
During that time, I was beaten up on eight different occasions. Seven
of those beatings were by groups of young black males. I have always
been wary of young black males ever since. I don't trust them. I do
not have this same instinctive fear when I encounter black women,
elderly black people, etc. I have been told this is a racist position
and that I should "get over it." OK, maybe it is racist. But I often
hear African Americans saying they don't trust white people because
they've had bad experiences with them, but I'd never get away with
telling them to "get over it." Isn't this a double standard? I almost
got killed and I'm just supposed to forget it?
POSTED DEC. 9, 1998
Dan, white male, New York, NY
ANSWER 1:
In response to the "getting over it" part, we (Afro
Americans) do just that on a daily basis. You will never understand
what it's like to be black and to be discriminated against on a daily
basis, and I know you don't want to hear it (I'm sure you've seen the
20/20 and Dateline stories on the disparate treatments), but we
adjust and keep on living. Despite all the attention given to the
discriminatory practices toward all minorities, they still exist
because this is the kind of society we live in.
Now, to specifically respond to your statement/question, I don't
think you should have to forget your experiences; just don't transfer
the hurt or bitterness onto other young black males like myself.
Don't judge me based on your past experiences - you're being unfair
to me,because I didn't do anything to you, and you're being unfair to
yourself, because then you deprive yourself of maybe a very positive
and productive encounter with others like myself. One last thing: You
mentioned having an "instinctive fear" of young black males - that
suggests to me that this fear is like second nature to you, or
something you were born with. Not so. Prejudice is something you
learn, so please unlearn this way of thinking, and judge me for
me.
POSTED DEC. 21, 1998
Shawn, 29, black male
<smoore15@aol.com>,
Baltimore , MD
FURTHER NOTICE:
I feel it is silly and really counterproductive to
generalize from a small group of thugs to an entire group of people
because you've had bad experiences with those few thugs. I notice you
said black males were responsible for those beatings seven out of the
eight times - why not generalize about the group that beat you that
eighth time? Still, it is understandable to say that some fear on
your part is warranted in certain situations because of direct
experiences. Just know that all black males are not thuggish and out
to beat you to near death.
There is a bigger issue, though. And that is how the "angry, black
male'' stereotype affects us all. I, too, get fearful sometimes when
approached by groups of black males. I often catch myself allowing my
thoughts to run into that irrational world, but I usually rather
quickly dismiss those thoughts as the nothings they are. If we all
were allowed to be more honest without being labeled racist, etc.,
you would find out that not only whites, but blacks as well,
sometimes feel those types of fear of black males. The black male
stereotype generated through movies, television, newspapers and
magazines has a lot to do with that irrational fear, but too many
black males themselves (I'm included in this group) perpetuate that
stereotype by trying to prove their manhood through physical acts.
For some reason or another, too many people think a group of white
thugs is just a group of white thugs, while a group of black thugs is
indicative of all black males. Stereotype any group and you are bound
to be incorrect.
In response to the first answer, I don't have to "get over it''
everyday because on most days I'm not faced with racism, direct or
otherwise. I'm pretty certain that some blacks are faced with that
everyday, but not all of us. And I also believe if we stopped saying
that people can't possibly understand what we go through, then they
might actually try to understand what we go through. We as blacks
don't own discrimination or feeling put-down, as we sometimes seem to
think, and as soon as more of us admit that, then maybe we would have
a much better chance at true racial dialogue. And yes, whites have to
realize that if millions of black people are yelling and screaming,
saying something is wrong, then it would serve them well to at least
honestly investigate the notion that something actually could be
wrong.
POSTED DEC. 22, 1998
Issac B., 25, black male
<ibailey@thesunnews.com>,
Myrtle Beach , SC
FURTHER NOTICE 2:
This question raises the greatest diversity question of
all: How does an individual reconcile behavior that is rational and
justifiable from a personal standpoint, yet harmful to others and
society at the same time? The ability to discern patterns from
limited data is a sign of intelligence and a survival skill. Yet it
is also a form of stereotyping. Of course it is rational for a man
who has been mugged seven times by groups of young black men to avoid
or fear groups of young black men. Simultaneously, it is unfair to
the large majority of young black men who would never commit violent
acts. The difficulty is that in order for the questioner to perceive
the individuals as individuals, he first must get close enough to
expose himself to potential assault. Another example is a storeowner
who may experience frequent shoplifting by groups of teenagers. Does
she tail teenagers throughout the store to protect her livelihood,
which would be unfair to the many law-abiding teenagers, or ignore
the pattern and lose thousands of dollars? To respect the dignity of
the many means exposing oneself to the harm caused by the few. I can
image thousands of years ago, men would have had to identify a
stranger at a distance as a member of one specific clan or another,
complete with stereotyped assumptions as to risk of violence and with
big consequences for being wrong. Obviously, caution would rule over
giving everybody the benefit of the doubt. How do we get beyond this
in a multi-cultural society?
POSTED DEC. 22, 1998
B. Hale, white male
<halehart@aol.com>,
Hartford, CT
FURTHER NOTICE 3:
It is a double standard. I'm sure blacks who've
been physically attacked by whites feel the same way. I just won't
take the chance again. I steer clear of black people whenever I can.
I'm sure I'll get some hate mail for this, but that's fine.
POSTED MARCH 18, 1999
Tim, 30, single white male,
<Fafnir777@hotmail.com>,
FL
FURTHER NOTICE 4:
I don't think it is wrong to choose the groups of people
you prefer to be around, especially in a case (like the one
presented) where a group has harmed you individually. I think we
should have the freedom to be close to the people who make us
comfortable and to stay away from the people who make us
uncomfortable. I don't like people who put an undue amount of
importance on material wealth. There is no reason I should have to be
around those people.
The danger arises when the desire for isolation or separation
begins to affect one's actions toward another group. As long as the
person who has been hurt by young black men doesn't allow his
feelings to interfere with the lives of other young black men (i.e.
by harrassing them using your own professional status - police,
salespeople) then I think it's OK to choose whom you want to be
around. The opposite line of thinking has led us to the ugliest forms
of political correctness and forced integration.
POSTED APRIL 21, 1999
Randy H., African American, male, agnostic, Silver Spring, MD
To respond
BACK TO TOP
THE QUESTION:
R556: Is it wrong for a white man to be interested in only
Asian women?
POSTED DEC. 7, 1998
John Y., male, San Francisco, CA
ANSWER 1:
It depends on why you are only attracted to Asian women. I
will make the assumption from your question that you believe Asian
women of are attractive due primarily for their appearance rather
than other qualities. That is understandable to a certain degree if
you just find Asian women more physically appealing. But, if you find
Asian women more attractive overall because you think that due to
their skin color, they will have certain personalities, you may be
missing out on a world of women whom you may find yourself being
attracted to if you got past your stereotypes.
POSTED DEC. 16, 1998
Boa, female, CA
To respond
BACK TO TOP
THE QUESTION:
R555: I am a white, middle-aged female. Lately, young black
people ages 11 to 20 go out of their way to walk toward me for no
apparent reason. I think they want to provoke or test to see what
kind of reaction I will have. Where have they learned this behavior,
and why are they doing this?
POSTED DEC. 7, 1998
WGN listener, white female, Dolton, IL
To respond
BACK TO TOP
THE QUESTION:
R554: What does "black dutch" mean?
POSTED DEC. 7, 1998
C. Pine
<abqteachr@netscape.net>,
Albuquerque, NM
ANSWER 1:
The "Black Dutch" were actually the Sephardic Jews who
went to the Netherlands after being kicked out of Spain in 1492. But
there are also many people with American Indian (especially Creek or
Muscogee) ancestry who chose to "pass" as Black Dutch for the same
reason light-skinned blacks passed as white: To avoid prejudice and
have more opportunity.
POSTED DEC. 9, 1998
A.C.C., Mexican and American Indian, San Antonio, TX
To respond
BACK TO TOP
THE QUESTION:
R553: As a person very proud of my Southern heritage, I
advocate displaying the Confederate Flag and things associated with
it, but I am strongly against racism or prejudice. Is there a way I
can show my Southern pride without offending people who associate the
Confederate Flag with racism (since Hollywood and uneducated people
have made the two synonomous)?
POSTED DEC. 4, 1998
Stacey M., 21, white female
<smcabee@coj.net>,
Middleburg, FL
ANSWER 1:
I guess I'm one of those ignorant people, since I indeed
associate the Confederate Flag with racism. The Confederate Flag was
the symbol of the Confederate States. The Confederate States were
dedicated to the right of white Southerners to own other human
beings. I find it incredible that an unbiased person would not find
the flag of the Confederacy a shameful reminder of man's inhumanity
toward their fellow man. Regarding Southern heritage, I don't feel
the flag of the Confederacy is anymore represenative of what is good
and worthy of the South than the Nazi flag would be of Germany.
POSTED DEC. 7, 1998
S.F., black male
<sfinley@wans.net>,
Naperville, IL
FURTHER NOTICE:
Display your flag. It's how you treat people that counts.
If you're turning up your nose at blacks just as you step from your
flag-draped pickup, then I can see why you would be considered
racist. Other than that, live ya life, girl.
POSTED DEC. 7, 1998
A.A.W., 42, black female
<ANABWI@aol.com>,
Plantation, FL
FURTHER NOTICE 2:
In a word, no. People are ignorant like that, and nothing
you can do will change that. Interesting enough, I believe
Mississippi's current state flag is the original Confederate
Flag.
POSTED DEC. 7, 1998
J. Sin, 18, white male, GA
FURTHER NOTICE 3:
Stacey, please do not classify us who view the Confederate
Flag as a racist symbol as "uneducated." Most of us who view it as a
racist symbol do so because it is affiliated with the Ku Klux Klan.
This is not an "uneducated" assumption; this is fact. Also, many
black people remember that it was waved in the Civil War (yes, I know
slaves fought on the Confederate side also) and view it as a sign of
oppression. Hollywood does play a major role in the linking of racism
and the Confederate Flag. However, when portrayed, the flag is
usually in the hands of a KKK member. Pretty historically accurate to
my way of thinking. And, not as many of the movies Hollywood makes,
i.e. "A Time to Kill", non-fictional movies, "Mississippi Burning,"
"Rosewood," "Roots," "Ghosts of Mississippi," etc., are as
exaggerated as some people may think. In fact, judging from what my
grandmother and great-grandmother (an ex-slave's child) have told me,
the movies are really close to actual happenings.
POSTED DEC. 7, 1998
Whitney T., 19, black female
<scrumpies@juno.com>,
Oxford, MS
FURTHER NOTICE 4:
Actually, you have the KKK, other racist groups and the
Confederacy itself to blame for making the flag synonymous with
racism. Just like the swastika, St. Andrew's cross started out as a
non-racist and religious symbol. Then racist movements chose to
appropriate them and they will probably be permanently associated
with those beliefs. You and other white Southerners need to be asked,
Why can't you find another, less-hostile symbol to stand for your
heritage? We all know the Confederacy fought for the right to buy and
sell human beings based on their color. Doesn't it tell you something
obvious when no black or brown Southerners want anything to do with
this flag, and white racists embrace it? How can you even claim not
to be racist when you display the symbol of a regime that had white
supremacy explicitly written into their constitution and declaration
of independence, and who also committed mass treason against this
nation?
POSTED DEC. 7, 1998
ACC, Mexican and American Indian, San Antonio, TX
FURTHER NOTICE 5:
I believe that if you stand firm in your beliefs, and keep
in your heart what you know is right, then being proud of your
Southern heritage shouldn't be a problem. If you live your life in a
way that reflects your beliefs and convictions, then the actions
should offend no one. But you must also remember, that even with the
best of intentions, a person may still be offended. Is there another
way to show pride in your heritage besides displaying a Confederate
Flag?
POSTED DEC. 7, 1998
Monica
<abqteachr@netscape.net>Albuquerque,
NM
FURTHER NOTICE 6:
Stacey, you mention a desire to display a symbol of your
"Southern pride," and do not understand why some might find it
offensive. The Confederat Flag, like most flags, is a symbol that
means different things to different people. By flying it with pride,
you are displaying all the meanings, positive or negative, that the
symbol carries. I believe your dilemma exemplifies the inherent lack
of logic in harboring feelings of pride (or shame) for things over
which you have had no control. You were not present to have an
influence on the slave trade, the Dred Scott Decision or the
institution of Jim Crow. But by flying the "Stars & Bars," you
inescapably align yourself with these aspects of "Southern heritage,"
as surely as you would the more benevolent aspects. While you have a
constitutional and moral right to display your symbol, be aware of
all the psychological and historical baggage displayed with it.
POSTED DEC. 14, 1998
Sam, 30, male, brown American
<SamAlex67@aol.com>,
Chicago, IL
FURTHER NOTICE 7:
Kudos, sister, for bringing out an important point. It is
very difficult to explain to people from outside the South that love
for our heritage and culture and love for our country (the old CSA)
is not synonymous with hatred and oppression of our black neighbors.
Unfortunately, the problem you will encounter with displaying the
Confederate Battle Flag in public is the preconceptions that are so
firmly entrenched in the minds of the flag's enemies. My suggestion
is to consider the original Bonnie Blue Flag or First National
Confederate flag as symbols of your Southern pride. Many people don't
recognize them, and they are not as inflammatory as the battle flag.
Most importantly, just live your life in such a way that that your
actions speak far louder than your symbols.
POSTED DEC. 22, 1998
Wallace, Confederate-American (love y'all!, serve y'all!)
<tdbuk@hotmail.com>,
Suwanee, GA
FURTHER NOTICE 8:
Sorry Stacey, but you are flying a flag with mainly racist
associations. The Confederacy wasn't for freedom - it was for the
right to deny freedom to blacks, the right to keep property from
women and the right to continue importing slaves. In addition, there
was no Confederate nation. There was an attempt, but the war was
lost, so no nation was formed. Your address says Florida. Perhaps you
should do some readiing on the wonderful Floridian history as a place
black slaves escaped to and lived free. Florida was a slave state
with a very mixed history. The majority of people in Florida did not
want to secede from the Union, but the few wealthy carried the state.
If you read about Florida history, you'd be amazed at how independent
and proud a history the state has.
POSTED DEC. 27, 1998
Barbara, 40, female, history buff
<newagent99@hotmail.com>,
FL
FURTHER NOTICE 9:
I too am very proud of my Southern heritage. However, I am
not allowed to display a Confederate Flag at school, and I get looks
and comments in public. I feel it stands for the brave men of all
backgrounds who fought to keep the rights that the Constitution of
the United State had given them. People are ignorant of what the
Confederate Flag stands for. If black kids at school are allowed to
wear Malcom X shirts, then I ought to be able to wear one with a
Confederate Flag on it, and I ain't whistling Dixie!
POSTED MARCH 10, 1999
Lil E., white female, 18, Dallas, TX
To respond
BACK TO TOP
THE QUESTION:
R552: Can someone please tell me why ethnic minorities in
Britain participate less in British soccer? I'm talking about soccer
at all levels, from recreational to professional. This is for a
college project.
POSTED DEC. 4, 1998
Scott C. <scott connelly
ic,@>, Kirkhill, Inverness, U.K.
To respond
BACK TO TOP
THE QUESTION:
R551: I've noticed that Asian-American women tend to be
over-represented in symphony orchestras and musical groups such as
high school bands. Why is this? Is it because of some inherent skill
in music, better training, etc.?
POSTED DEC. 4, 1998
J.C., white male, 40s, New London , NH
ANSWER 1:
It is not a question of inherent ability but one of family
environment. In my high school on the East Coast, which was about 50
percent Asian, I could literally count on one hand the number of
friends I had who had not taken piano lessons as a child. Most quit
due to lack of talent, but an early introduction to music does foster
an interest. In my high school orchestra, most of us had started with
piano and then went on to other instuments. I don't know about
symphony orchestras, but I think it's safe to say that if a higher
percentage of Asian kids take music lessons than non-Asian kids, then
Asians will "appear" to be over-represented in symphony orchestras in
the long run. But it is a matter of identifying and nurturing talent,
not one of raw talent within a given racial group. I've never noticed
the gender difference you point out. In the two orchestras I took
part in while in high school, there wasn't any Asian male/female
gender imbalance to speak of.
POSTED DEC. 7, 1998
Kae L., 25, Asian American
<kaelakim@hotmail.com>,
Los Angeles, CA
FURTHER NOTICE:
I am no expert in this subject, but I can share with you
what I observed as an Asian. Although there are many possible
explanations to your question, such as social prestige and cultural
values, I think the major reason Asians have a disproportionate
representation in music groups can be largely attributed to parental
encouragement. I grew up in a mixed racial environment: I had and
still have friends of different races. But I don't recall my white or
Hispanic friends' parents had the same degree of zealousness in
regard to pushing their child to learn musical instruments as the
Asian parents do. I actually can't find a single Asian female friend
I know who has not played the piano or violin sometime in their
life.
POSTED DEC. 7, 1998
J.C.
<jimmychou@bigfoot.com>,
South Pasadena , CA
FURTHER NOTICE 2:
Generally speaking, Asian parents place a great emphasis
on learning a musical instrument as part of the education process.
Violin, piano and cello are at the top of the list. "Lighter"
sounding brass instruments such as an oboe or flute are next. Guitar
or any rock instruments are not really accepted as part of bettering
oneself. However, unless they're a true militant parent, they'll
accept that as an honest effort (as long as they realize it's a hobby
and never a career - but hey, that's another question).
POSTED DEC. 7, 1998
Gary Z., Asian male
<mediaxing@excite.com>,
Danville, CA
To respond
BACK TO TOP