Race/Ethnicity
Questions 581-590
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THE
QUESTION:
R590: I've noticed that while white children often have black
sports heroes, and certainly black children have black sports heroes,
I've never seen or heard of black children having white sports
heroes. Is it considered "uncool" for them to do so? Would they be
thought of as a "traitor" to their race? POSTED FEB. 1, 1999
Ken M., white male, Philadelphia, PA
ANSWER 1:
There is much to your observation. I believe this
"phenomenon" that you observe may be directly related to basic human
nature and to the heavily racially stratified society in which we
live. It is human nature to identify with someone more "like
yourself," whether that likeness is cultural or physical. In a
society that has made a practice of devaluing black humanity (today
most notably in its mass media), black children have few real heroes
to choose from. They can most easily identify with the black sports
hero, who, in spite of the deck being stacked against him, has risen
to equal footing, if not dominance in some sports, with his white
counterpart. Most white children don't live in a culture that
promises them glass ceilings and discriminatory hiring practices, and
that offers them a second-class citizenship, so they can feel
comfortable choosing heroes of any color. This is not to say that
black children never choose white sports heroes; they are not blind
to the excellence of the likes of Joe Montana, Larry Bird, or Mark
McGwire.
POSTED FEB. 4, 1999
Sam, 30, male, brown American, Toni Kukoc fan
<SamAlex67@aol.com>,
Chicago , Il
FURTHER NOTICE:
While it may seem more obvious that back children have
more black heroes in general, you need to look at the makeup of the
professional sports leagues they watch. The NBA is 75 percent black,
the NFL is about 60 percent black. So of cours they have mainly black
role models. Baseball, a predominantly white/Latino sport, is just
not as popular with most black people. I know some of those fans,
however, according to their team affiliation, have heroes like Cal
Ripken Jr., Mike Piazza and Jeff Bagwell.
POSTED FEB. 4, 1999
Erik, black male, 47
<erikdb1@go.com>, Denver ,
Co
FURTHER NOTICE 2:
I believe that years ago, when sports were
white-dominated, that black kids did have white sports heroes and
probably weren't shy to admit it. I am only 26, so I can't readily
name any of them. I'm sure there are black kids who admire Mark
McGuire and John Elway. We are, however, very supportive of our own,
which might explain why it appears that we don't idolize (for lack of
a better word) others. On a separate, but related note, have white
men given up on playing in the NBA?
POSTED FEB. 4, 1999
R.G., black female, 26, Richmond, VA
FURTHER NOTICE 3:
It has been my experience, just in listening to the local
black leaders, that blacks feel very strongly about black children
having black role models. And as an outsider looking in, it seems to
stem from the days of slavery. Remember, blacks weren't always
treated as equals in this country. So today it is understandibly
important that blacks have and want black role model. It spurs
further success and heightens the heritage. What is equally
important, though, is that blacks also be taught that it is OK to
have a white, Asian, Hispanic, etc., role model. We should be
evaluating the role model based on his or her qualities, not color.
Given the proper course, role models of every color will abound, and
if we're cautious about not rushing the process, we should be so
lucky to end up with those of the highest possible qualit.
POSTED FEB. 4, 1999
B.Green, 29, Gloucester , VA
FURTHER NOTICE 4:
I can't comment on sports because I don't follow them. But
it has been my experience that it is not acceptable for black people
to express admiration for white writers, actors, bands, etc. If I had
a dollar for every time another black person jeered or laughed at me
because of my interests, I'd be able to pay off one of my student
loans.
POSTED FEB. 9, 1999
Heather 24, black female, NJ
To
respond
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THE QUESTION:
R589: Although I am a descendant of slaves, I would find it
inconceivable for the U.S. government to attempt to give descendants
of slaves the "40 acres and a mule" the federal government promised
but never delivered to the freed slaves.What do Jewish people think
about the movements to return art taken from Holocaust victims to
their heirs, and to repay those forced to work for no pay in German
factories during World War II?
POSTED JAN. 28, 1999
Tony W., gay black male
<tonyway@yahoo.com>, San
Francisco, CA
ANSWER 1:
While unkept promises by the U.S. government are
reprehensible, they have nothing to do with redressing other wrongs -
two wrongs don't make a right. But there are differences: The biggest
is that the Holocaust is still within living memory, and compensation
for slave laborers who were forced to work for the Germans goes to
people who were actually slaves - not their heirs. As far as
returning stolen property is concerned, I can't see any reason why it
shouldn't be pursued. If someone killed me and stole my house, should
my family just forget about it? I can't see the logic in this. I
think it's great that those who profited immorally from murder,
racism and theft should be made to pay for it. In fact, I believe
compensation should be paid for the countless slave laborers who are
not still alive to collect it - and that the money should go into a
fund to help victims all over the world. Unfortunately, no matter
what restitution is made, no amount will ever bring the millions
murdered back to life.
POSTED JAN. 29, 1999
Gregg, 45, white Jewish male
<gregg1@alumni.ksg.harvard.edu>,
Boston, MA
FURTHER NOTICE:
I think it's totally appropriate to return stolen property
to its rightful owners and to compensate people for wrongs done to
them. And it shouldn't matter whether those victims are the
still-living survivors of the Holocaust or the descendants of black
slaves. For what it's worth, some people think Affirmative Action
programs are a form of compensation for past wrongs. I don't
necessarily agree with that - it's a simplistic position, and there
are other logical public policy reasons for Affirmative Action - but
some people do think that.
POSTED JAN. 29, 1999
Andrew, 35, Jewish male
<ziptron@start.com.au>,
Huntington , NY
To
respond
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THE QUESTION:
R588: It has been my observation that white women often look
older than their true age, whereas black women often look younger. I
would like to know if anyone else has noticed this and could explain
why. (I have noticed this in people of all complexions, so I don't
think it is due to tanning).
POSTED JAN. 26, 1999
Gregory, 21, black male
<december@brigadoon.com>,
Olney, MD
ANSWER 1:
I'm an African-American woman of 34 and constantly
receiving looks of shock and surprise when I tell folks my age (most
think I'm at least 10 years younger). I believe that it has something
to do with the melanin and elasticity in black skin. I had this same
conversation with a 24-year-old white co-worker who noticed the same
thing.
POSTED JAN. 27, 1999
Samm, 34, African American, female, Boston, MA
FURTHER NOTICE:
I'm afraid it does have something to do with tanning, but
basically the fact is that white people have less melanin
(protection) in their skin, which causes more skin damage, i.e.,
wrinkles, etc. Since black people have more melanin, they are less
likely to wrinkle as badly. Also, one's weight (not related to race)
makes them more or less wrinkled. I rarely see a heavy person with
wrinkles, but watch them lose the weight and then you see them!
POSTED JAN. 27, 1999
White female, 43, Orange, CA
FURTHER NOTICE 2:
African Americans in general age very well. Look at Ossie
Davis and Ruby Dee; they are in there late 70s and early 80s and look
extremely good.
POSTED JAN. 27, 1999
Janet, 31, female, African American, Capitol Heights, MD
FURTHER NOTICE 3:
I agree. I find black women to be very attractive, and one
of the features I like is the the healthy look of their complexions.
Tanning doesn't produce the same result - in fact, tanning generally
causes white skin to age.
POSTED JAN. 28, 1999
Gregg, white male, 45
<greggas@geocities.com>,
Boston , MA
FURTHER NOTICE 4:
As a plastic surgeon, it is my experience that there are a
combination of factors: The amount of collagen, elastin, thickness
and other components of the skin varies with race, age, care and
other factors. The answers above show that people mostly take in
consideration that only melanin is responsible for the younger
appearance of black skin. This is partially true, because it is a
protection against sun damage, which can cause early signs of aging.
But there are many other differences that are responsible,and that is
why black, Asian and Spanish descendants' skin usually looks
younger.
POSTED FEB. 2, 1999
Rosi, FL
FURTHER NOTICE 5:
I too nave noticed this physical trait in white women, but
have also noticed that many white women exhibit (in my opinion)
unparalleled inner beauty and benevolence, coupled with a more
defined sense of femininity and demurity, which I attribute to their
Puritanical upbringing. I do not usually prefer women with attitude,
black or white, but when I meet a black woman with the aforementioned
disposition, I find myself very attracted to her inner soul.
POSTED FEB. 12, 1999
Alonzo C., 32, black male, Jacksonville, FL
To
respond
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THE QUESTION:
R587: Why would blacks allow other ethnic groups to do
business in their communities, when black entrepreneurs have not been
given the same opportunities (outside of mainly government contracts)
in other ethnic communities?
POSTED JAN. 20, 1999
Cindy M., white female, Somerset, NJ
ANSWER 1:
I don't think it's a question of "allowing" people of
other races to build businesses in the black community. A lot of
times it is just that African Americans don't have the capital to
purchase that empty store on the corner and begin a business, or that
blacks have not been offered the opportunity to learn what it takes
to start and run a business. At many of the high schools here in
Chicago (at least up until about 10 years ago) most of the students
were steered toward the service or trade professions (laborers and
such), and they weren't taught the rules of business. Therefore, I
think there is some trepidation on the part of blacks to invest such
a great amount of money and time into owning their own business.
Also, blacks have not taken advantage of the networking that can
be used to start a business. Many of the small businesses are the
result of families pooling their resources to open a store. Asian
families, for instance, often form "investment" groups, where each
family will put money into the pot and let the first family use it to
start a businesses. That family will then put a larger sum of money
back into the pot, and the second family will start their business,
and so on. And finally, many of the empty storefronts in
less-affluent black neighborhoods are relatively cheap, allowing
other groups to get them for practically nothing. As for blacks
building stores in other neighborhoods, there are a lot of factors,
including the ones mentioned above, as well as the reluctance on the
part of some real estate developers to sell to blacks, and the
general animosity and reluctance to shop there on the part of some
whites in the neighborhood, which would make the business
unprofitable.
POSTED FEB. 15, 1999
Ken G., African-American male
<KennyG9@yahoo.com>,
Chicago , Il
FURTHER NOTICE:
Blacks do not have the opportunity or the economic power
to make such determinations.
POSTED FEB. 15, 1999
Black Female, Dallas , TX
FURTHER NOTICE 2:
No community can pass an ordinance banning a particular
business based on the race of its owner. That's unconstitutional. I'm
sure you wouldn't advocate harassment, vandalism or theft in the name
of civil unrest. And if you are suggesting a boycott, consider that
despite all sweatshop horror stories in the news, you can't get the
average American to even look for a "Made In The USA" label on
clothes (not that that's a guarantee, anyway).
What you are proposing could have a great deal of economic impact
to a huge number of people, some of whom may not even share your
cause. Have you considered the additional cost and inconvenience to
the members of these African-American communities? Besides, if a
Caucasian- or Hispanic- or Asian-run business locates itself in an
African-American community, provides a valuable service at a fair
price, employs African Americans from the neighborhood and
contributes taxes and fees to help support community efforts, why
would you feel the owner of that shop should be punished for any
reason?
Finally, all Americans, including African Americans, are free to
live where they wish, attend school where they wish and start and
conduct business of whatever type and in whatever location they wish,
subject only to the same laws that all Americans must follow (unless
you're rich enough to hire a good lawyer, but as we've seen African
Americans can do that as well, and besides, that's another argument).
It seems to me that your questions are really getting at "Why
doesn't the black community respond to the racism directed at them
(and there is plenty of that to be sure) with racism directed at
others?" The answer is that they do, but no racism is justifiable,
and none should be encouraged. Two wrongs do not make a right.
POSTED FEB. 15, 1999
Mark, 32, white male, Alexandria , VA
FURTHER NOTICE 3:
To Ken G: If black people are able to put Nike, McDonalds,
etc. on the map as viable business institutions, then why don't they
have a few hundred million dollars to invest in their own economic
advancement? Are not black people in the United States the most
educated and richest persons of African descent on the planet? What
is keeping them from moving their money toward their own economic
benefit?
To Mark: I do not believe blacks are "free to live where they
wish" due to the fact that the majority of whites will not accept
integration beyond 8 percent. Whites have decided not to allow them
to live and attend schools in their all-white neighborhoods. Also,
what "racism" do you think black people have practiced against whites
or any other ethnic group in this country? Did black people ever pass
laws restricting your people's human rights? Did they force your
people into enslavement? Hang your ancestors from trees and
balconies? Redline your community? Has an unarmed white man ever been
shot at 41 times in his home by a black police officer? Did black
people ever force whites to adopt African names, religions and
cultures as their own? Do black people have a history of bombing
and/or burning white churches? And has there ever been a black person
who kidnapped a white man, tied him to the back of a truck and
dragged him, causing his body to sever into pieces? Have these things
ever happened to a white person in this country's history?
POSTED MARCH 17, 1999
Cindy M., white female, Somerset, NJ
To
respond
BACK TO TOP
THE QUESTION:
R586: Why do blacks continue to support integration in schools
and residential housing when statistics show that whites will not
allow the overall percentage of blacks in their neighborhoods or
schools to go above about 8 percent?
POSTED JAN. 20, 1999
Cindy M., white female, Somerset, NJ
ANSWER 1:
Whites and blacks do not have a shared definition of
integration. For example, most whites tend to interpret integration
as "the personal and systematic threat of contamination by blacks"
while blacks see it as "a strategic means of attaining necessary
social and environmental resources." In fact, for blacks, integration
has less to do with a desire to be more intimate with or in closer
proximity to whites and more to do with the need for economic and
educational security and preparedness. Hard-working, goal-oriented
and civic-minded persons of all colors have in common a desire to
live free, safe and uninterrupted. However, because of skin
differences and cultural misunderstanding, it is difficult to
convince even the most open-minded that whites and blacks can
co-exist cooperatively. Poverty erodes both institutions and spirits,
yet has little effect on intelligence or ability. On the other hand,
wealth and resources tend to enhance the environment and contribute
to achievement and health within communities (it is no accident that,
on average, those who have more struggle less). Population studies
indicate that blacks and whites have an equal fear of living near one
another. However, most blacks do admit they are willing to make
"cultural sacrifices" for the sake of their children's education and
future security. The reality of integration and the need for equality
is harsh. I've said enough. What do other people think?
POSTED FEB. 15, 1999
Dee W., black female,
<westde@hiram.edu>,
Cleveland, Oh
FURTHER NOTICE:
I don't know if it's entirely true that blacks still
wholeheartedly support integration. I think blacks, like whites,
support their own self-interest. Moving into areas with the best
housing, jobs and schools becomes more a matter of plain economic
good sense rather then a broader integrationist agenda. If the best
areas happen to be mostly white, and a degree of integration occurs,
so be it.
POSTED FEB. 15, 1999
S.F., black, male
<sfinley@wans.net>,
Naperville, IL
FURTHER NOTICE 2:
Blacks in the United States have been begging the white
man for acceptance since the beginning of slavery. And it's for some
twisted, ignorant reason - like if we change our looks to resemble
whites and start acquiring things like them, they'll have no choice
but to accept us (sickening). We've tried skin-bleaching to make us
look white, we've straightened our hair with hot irons, we've added
weaves to make it flow, we've changed our eye color with contact
lenses, we've shopped where whites shop, we've even tried to move
into their neighborhoods so that we can be side by side.
What blacks in the United States have to realize is that we are
who we are, and no matter what we do, we cannot make any other race
or society accept us if they already have their minds made up not to
(and believe me, whites in the United States have had their minds
made up for well over 450 years).
We'll never be accepted until we stand up and start fighting and
killing for our rights. We have to acquire respect before acquiring
acceptance.
POSTED FEB. 15, 1999
Charles, black male, Washington, D.C
FURTHER NOTICE 3:
I'm taking advantage of the inalienable rights we are
endowed with, among them, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Unfortunately, not so long ago, these were denied us. I've been a
15-year resident of an all-white neighborhood, and in that time two
families moved because of fear. They periodically come back to visit
old friends and have admitted they were afraid we would "run the
neighborhood down." I support integration because you can't run from
it; there's just so much real estate in the United States. What ya
gonna do? Attach a barge to the Florida Keys?
POSTED FEB. 15, 1999
A.A.W. 43, black female
<anabwi@aol.com>,
Plantation, FL
FURTHER NOTICE 4:
Should they just give up and accept being ostracized, shut
out and banished? Or should they continue to work for acceptance of
what they can offer to society? I think it's ridiculous to not allow
a family to buy a house in my neighborhood just because they're
black, or Jewish, or whatever. It has been proven that black children
benefit from school integration. They get better grades, learn
better, etc. They just want what everybody else wants - a place to
live, with nice people, and good schools for their kids. Would you
deny them this?
POSTED FEB. 15, 1999
Kerry, 28, bisexual female, CA
FURTHER NOTICE 5:
Charles has stated part of the problem. You won't get
respect from a dead man. Respect must be earned. It is not an
entitlement. Respect shouldn't be confused with fear. I live in a
racially mixed neighborhood, and I like most of my home-buying
African-American neighbors. There are a few who think that I and some
of their "brothers" owe them something extra. These are the ones who
would agree with Charles. They are the ones who play the loud music
at all hours, throw their beer cans everywhere and think they own the
streets. They are also the reason that the majority of African
Americans don't get respect. How can you respect a man like a famous
basketball player's father, who brags about fathering 140-plus
children? Can he support them, educate them, nurture them, give them
the attention and discipline they need? He can't control his own
impulses. He's a leech on society. Almost half the people I work with
are African Americans. They are almost all college-educated. I know
for a fact that several are from the worst public housing areas in
town. They took advantage of what was offered to them and made the
best of it. I respect them more than the whites who have made it on
"Dad's money." It's funny - as a whole I would have to say they are
conservative, or at least on the conservative side of moderate. It
must come with the education. And they're not having children out of
wedlock, either. They have my respect, as well as everyone else's in
the office.
POSTED FEB. 23, 1999
D.A.F. Sr., white male, 51, Memphis, TN
FURTHER NOTICE 6:
Most white people do not want a bunch of blacks in their
neighborhoods. The result of a bunch of blacks moving in is an
increse in drugs, crime and a general deterioration of the
neighborhood. I grew up in a neighborhood that was a great place for
children to play in. Everyone felt safe and respected each other. The
neighborhood is now almost all black. There are burglar bars
everywhere, and you will risk your life to walk down the street.
There are junk cars and trash piled everywhere, and the property
values went down to almost nothing. This is a fact of life; look in
your own community or talk to anyone in law enforcement and they will
tell you the same thing if they are honest. Statistics do no lie.
POSTED FEB. 24, 1999
T.O., white male, FL
FURTHER NOTICE 7:
To A.A.W.: Why is it that your "inalienable right" hinges
upon living next door to white people? Can you still exercise your
rights and freedoms in secure and clean communities administered by
blacks? With regard to "running away from integration," I believe
that is exactly what whites have done. They have decided only to
merge with blacks to the point of "acceptable levels." Consequently,
what is your solution? Would you force yourself on a group of people
who, in my opinion, are repulsed by your very presence?
POSTED MARCH 17, 1999
Cindy M., white female, Somerset, NJ
To
respond
BACK TO TOP
THE QUESTION:
R585: I notice that most interracial dating involves a white
person and some other minority. Is dating a white person a status
symbol for minorities?
POSTED JAN. 19, 1999
D.L.P.
<hape1264@aol.com>,
Philadelphia, PA
ANSWER 1:
Dating a white person is no more of a status symbol for
blacks as it is for whites who date blacks. Where interracial couples
are concerned, people tend to underestimate that relationships are
built upon a complex set of circumstances and conditions (e.g. shared
values, timing, mutual emotional attraction, physical attraction,
intellectual appeal, etc.) rather than purely a preoccupation with
skin tone and race. The age-old myth that whites, women in
particular, are delicate trophies or showpieces, has been replaced by
open-mindedness, freedom of expression and a new generation of people
who are neither interested in nor comprehend society's antiquated
preoccupation with race. Perhaps the greater status comes from both
individuals being true to themselves and dating whomever they
please.
POSTED JAN. 21, 1999
Dee W., black female
<westde@hiram.edu>,
Cleveland, Oh
FURTHER NOTICE:
I am a black female and have dated a lot of Persian men
and Latin men, and a few white men. I don't agree with you.
POSTED MARCH 24, 1999
Brigit, black female, Inglewood , CA
To
respond
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THE QUESTION:
R584: Is it true that black people do not get lice?
POSTED JAN. 19, 1999
Heather, female
<Heeterme@aol.com>,
Indianapolis, IN
ANSWER 1:
Though it's very rare, we can get lice, too. I went to
camp one year where the mattresses hadn't been properly treated, and
almost all the white people got lice, and none of the black people
did. The nurse said lice don't like short hair (guys with their hair
cut really low) and that the reason we girls didn't get it was
because of all the oil-based products we used (many black people
don't have the natural oil in our hair that most white people
have).
POSTED JAN. 20, 1999
Timora D., 18, black female, Detroit, MI
FURTHER NOTICE:
I read in Consumer Reports magazine that head lice
in this country have adapted their legs to hold on to straight hair
and cannot grip the curly nature of "black hair." The article
continued to say that the opposite is true in African countries: The
head lice there are adapted to curly hair and cannot attach to
straight or "European" hair.
POSTED JAN. 21, 1999
White Male
FURTHER NOTICE 2:
I heard the same thing in my childhood, and in fact, I
never have heard of any black person contracting lice in their hair.
I'm not an expert on bugs, so I don't know whether hair type (curly
or straight) has anything to do with susceptibility. The reason, I
believe, has to do with grooming habits, but I do not agree it is
oil-based products. I was always told that the frequent use of
heat-styling (hot combs) and chemical perms used to straighten black
hair kept lice away. The chemicals used in hair perms are at least as
strong if not stronger than lindane, the pesticide used in lice
shampoos. Many black people use heat combs and chemical perms in
their children's hair, making them less susceptible, whereas many
white parents tend to let their children wear their hair in its
natural texture.
POSTED FEB. 2, 1999
Ebonique, 27, black female
<Ebonique@msn.com>,
Queens, NY
To
respond
BACK TO TOP
THE QUESTION:
R583: I drive about 100 to 150 miles a day in Southern
California, and I have noticed something: Many Asian women wear
gloves as they drive. The gloves don't appear to be driving gloves,
but rather, they appear to be white and somewhat elegant. I was
wondering if anyone else has noticed this, and if someone can explain
why it's done.
POSTED JAN. 18, 1999
Douglas, male, San Fernando Valley, CA
To
respond
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THE QUESTION:
R582: Until recently, I lived in Sydney, Australia, a city
with a large Asian population, including people from China and all
parts of Southeast Asia. There was one behavior that annoyed me -
pretty trifling, but what the hey: When traveling on buses, many of
the Chinese, men in suits particularly, put their briefcases beside
them on the seat, and you'd have to ask them to move the case if you
wanted to sit down. Why is this done? Fear of theft? Maybe it was me,
but then I'm reasonably hygienic for a dirty white boy!
POSTED JAN. 18, 1999
Ben, 30, white Australian male
<bscaro@hotmail.com>,
Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
ANSWER 1:
I've never come across this, and Toronto has a huge Asian
population with two distinct Chinatowns. I've noticed the opposite:
That the subway and streetcar behavior at the Asian epicentres of our
city operate much like the transit system in Hong Kong - people
pushing and shoving each other (not aggressively, mind you ... they
all seemed to agree with the idea of being crammed into a small
space) to get in the trains, overcrowding in the trains and buses,
and general scurrying and milling about.
At first, I was irritated when I had to take the subway on a
regular basis from these stops and had to deal with being pushed and
squished against a wall of people. Being only 5'2" it's not fun being
crammed into a crowded streetcar or subway train - you tend to feel
like a sardine. I worked as a tour guide at the CN Tower in Toronto
for quite some time, and noticed the same crowding and pushing
behavior in the elevators (which are only supposed to carry 20 guests
at a time). I'd have 30 to 40 Asian tourists shove their way into a
jammed elevator, where there was barely enough room for me to operate
the switchboard. Upon querying the tourists each year I worked there,
I was told this phenomenon of pushing and cramming oneself into
trains, buses, etc., is reminiscent of the transit systems in various
Asian metropolitan areas, where the ratio of people to trains/buses
is high. I guess it's a matter of efficiency, because I'd personally
prefer to wait an extra 5 to 10 minutes for a less-crowded train than
to be so close to my fellow commuters as to know what shampoo they
used that morning.
POSTED JAN. 19, 1999
Taneia, mixed female, 25
<taneia@sprint.ca>,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
FURTHER NOTICE:
I would have to agree with the questioner. I too have
noticed this, and although I have noticed it among many races, I have
also noticed it mainly among Asians. However, it is only among the
ones who dress like the upper-class. I take the bus daily, and we
have a large Asian population where I live. Iif it's an older Asian,
he or she will not do this, but if it is a businessman or woman in a
fancy dress, they will put their bags on the seat next to them, even
when the bus is full, as if their bags are more important than
letting someone else sit down, and when you do ask them to move the
bag, they give you an exasperated and disgusted look. I don't know
why, though.
POSTED JAN. 21, 1999
White male
To
respond
BACK TO TOP
THE QUESTION:
R581: One argument against multiculturalism is that people who
support it "make-believe" that Egypt and its pyramids are an
important part of African-American heritage. What are some arguments
that Egypt is not a legitimate part of black culture?
POSTED JAN. 14, 1999
Diane, black, 44, female, Durham , NC
ANSWER 1:
I think the main argument is that the Egyptians were
essentially Semitic or Middle Eastern people rather than what
Americans usually think of as "African;" that is, the black peoples
of Central and Southern Africa. Most Americans who look like the
people who probably built the pyramids would be more likely to call
themselves perhaps Arab or Middle Eastern than African American. I've
also been interested in this question, and I've had a hard time
finding good, solid data. Some writers seem to be racist ("Let's not
let anybody think those black people created such a splendid
civilization"), while others seem to be equally blindly Afro-centric
("We must prove that we black people did create a splendid
civilization"). Fortunately, there were a few other splendid
civilizations a bit south of Egypt, and they were unquestionably
black. They haven't gotten as much good press as Egypt,
though.
POSTED JAN. 18, 1999
Will H., Euro-American male
<tccwill@flash.net>,
Dallas , TX
FURTHER NOTICE:
The pyramids and Egyptian culture are part of African
history, but not necessarily black history. The peoples of North
Africa (the Magreb and Egypt/Lybia) are of Semitic origins and not
black. I remember working as a substitute teacher and having a black
student tell me about Cleopatra and Egyptian mathematicians.
Cleopatra (and I'm sure I've misspelled it and the following names)
was actually of Greek descent. Egypt had been conquered by Alexander
the Great, and after his death, three of his generals divided the
empire among themselves. The Ptolomy dynasty (of which Cleopatra was
a member) was decended from this general. If you're looking for black
African history, you need to look to sub-Saharan Africa - the
kingdoms in the area of present day Ghana and Zimbabwe would be good
areas to start studying.
POSTED JAN. 18, 1999
Matt, male
<mroberts@stlcc.cc.mo.us>,
St. Louis , Mo
FURTHER NOTICE 2:
It probably also helps to remember that Egyptians - no
matter what their ethnicity - did not actually build the pyramids.
They merely ordered their Jewish slaves to build them.
POSTED JAN. 19, 1999
Andrew, 35, Jewish
<ziptron@start.com.au>,
Huntington, NY
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