mikaylaisbored
Rookie
- Jul 12, 2016
- 30
- 9
- 1
First off, I'd like to thank anyone who actually decides to read all of this. I think this gives a bit of enlightenment on America's current situation from someone with color. I have not been directly affected by the events taking place across the nation, but the negativity going around has definitely has taken a toll. Here's what it is like to be me as a black person, and my general opinion on the things going on currently.
You don't know how many people have stereotypes about my personality before they even meet me just because I'm black. I'd like to disprove a few stereotypes that I've been exposed to over the years:
1) "All black people are loud and obnoxious." I am actually very bashful and soft-spoken. I find it difficult to start conversations with other people because I'm so socially awkward sometimes. A teacher has never reprimanded me for being too loud. In fact, teachers have occasionally scolded me for being too quiet during oral presentations and group projects. A lot of people come up to me and expect me to have a ton of things to say, but they are disappointed when I hardly say anything at all.
2) "All black people are stupid." Actually I have straight A's, all honors and AP classes, and I am in the top 2% of my class. I'd like to think I am intelligent *wink wink*.
3) "All black people wear weave/ have short hair." My hair, when straightened, goes down to the middle of my back. Many people ask if they can feel my hair (so they can check for tracks). I used get annoyed by it, but it doesn't bother me so much anymore. People also assume that I am mixed because of it, which as far as I know, I am mostly black. I know some of my great grandparents were Arab, Dutch, and Native American though.
4) "Black people are easily offended." I can't speak for everyone, but I like dark humor and I don't really mind comedy sketches regarding black culture. Unless someone is directly attacking me, I don't see a reason to cause a riot over what was supposed to be a joke.
5) "Black people all listen to rap and hip hop." This one actually pisses me off. My own father (yes I have a both of my biological parents, what a surprise) even criticizes me because I don't really listen to rap. I prefer indie and alternative rock, new retrowave music, and even a bit of metal if I'm in the right mood. Music is not classified by race, and everyone can have a preference without "trying to be someone they're not". I will admit that growing up in mostly white schools could have influenced me, but so did my sister and she likes rap just fine. It's all bullshit to me, and that's why I think these stereotypes exist. It is just like a white girl being harassed because she only listens to rap, and everyone thinking she's trying to be black.
6) "Black people are a threat to society. They are criminals." Just because a small percentage of black people decide to become criminals, does not mean all are. Do you want to know who the real criminals are? People that commit crimes. I know statistics say this or that, but keep in mind, the prison population only represents a small portion of this nation, and environmental factors heavily influence these numbers, which makes a difference in such a small data sample.
This is just me speaking from the perspective of an African American 15 year old girl. I don't see color, and my friends come in all shades. Many people say I'm an "Oreo", or that I'm trying to neglect who I am as a black person. To me, I see it as my personality, and I never once thought of these characteristics as non-black specific. It sickens me that even my own father can't learn to accept that not all black people have to act the same way to be considered truly black.
As for my opinions about the "race war" currently going on here, it is not up to one person to change the direction we are heading, when the steering wheel weighs 30 tons. While I agree that a person with power, or a leader of some sort would be helpful, that is not going to fully change things. People with hatred are always going to have the loudest voice until we stand united, unable to be penetrated. That's why it takes everyone's help.
My advice is to try to have an equal amount of friends in every race, even if it means going out of your comfort zone. You may be surprised by the things you may learn. I've learned a lot from my white friends, and even if we disagree, it always makes a fun and healthy debate. You can't say you know something about a group of people by judging from a mile away, or just because you met one or two out of millions. Nor can you try to help a group of people if you don't even have a friend from that group to help. This can be said about any race. I also suggest that you look up the official procedure for getting pulled over by the police and when it is appropriate for a police officer to use a weapon in your state/county. If you ever get pulled over, have that in mind.
Finally, and most importantly, ignore those that only speak in the form of hatred. There is no reason to be hateful towards someone you don't even know, and those types of people are making a choice: to remain ignorant. They don't want to learn, and are only trying to further their agenda by attempting to cause a scene. People who want to learn/inform are respectful and polite about their opinions. Know the difference. Also, proving someone wrong with insults or by blaming another race is unnecessary, doesn't resolve anything, and makes you look just as bad. It will be an endless cycle. Get your voice everywhere. Don't just post on one place, post on every social media platform, forum, and comments section. Thank you and I hope this helped.
You don't know how many people have stereotypes about my personality before they even meet me just because I'm black. I'd like to disprove a few stereotypes that I've been exposed to over the years:
1) "All black people are loud and obnoxious." I am actually very bashful and soft-spoken. I find it difficult to start conversations with other people because I'm so socially awkward sometimes. A teacher has never reprimanded me for being too loud. In fact, teachers have occasionally scolded me for being too quiet during oral presentations and group projects. A lot of people come up to me and expect me to have a ton of things to say, but they are disappointed when I hardly say anything at all.
2) "All black people are stupid." Actually I have straight A's, all honors and AP classes, and I am in the top 2% of my class. I'd like to think I am intelligent *wink wink*.
3) "All black people wear weave/ have short hair." My hair, when straightened, goes down to the middle of my back. Many people ask if they can feel my hair (so they can check for tracks). I used get annoyed by it, but it doesn't bother me so much anymore. People also assume that I am mixed because of it, which as far as I know, I am mostly black. I know some of my great grandparents were Arab, Dutch, and Native American though.
4) "Black people are easily offended." I can't speak for everyone, but I like dark humor and I don't really mind comedy sketches regarding black culture. Unless someone is directly attacking me, I don't see a reason to cause a riot over what was supposed to be a joke.
5) "Black people all listen to rap and hip hop." This one actually pisses me off. My own father (yes I have a both of my biological parents, what a surprise) even criticizes me because I don't really listen to rap. I prefer indie and alternative rock, new retrowave music, and even a bit of metal if I'm in the right mood. Music is not classified by race, and everyone can have a preference without "trying to be someone they're not". I will admit that growing up in mostly white schools could have influenced me, but so did my sister and she likes rap just fine. It's all bullshit to me, and that's why I think these stereotypes exist. It is just like a white girl being harassed because she only listens to rap, and everyone thinking she's trying to be black.
6) "Black people are a threat to society. They are criminals." Just because a small percentage of black people decide to become criminals, does not mean all are. Do you want to know who the real criminals are? People that commit crimes. I know statistics say this or that, but keep in mind, the prison population only represents a small portion of this nation, and environmental factors heavily influence these numbers, which makes a difference in such a small data sample.
This is just me speaking from the perspective of an African American 15 year old girl. I don't see color, and my friends come in all shades. Many people say I'm an "Oreo", or that I'm trying to neglect who I am as a black person. To me, I see it as my personality, and I never once thought of these characteristics as non-black specific. It sickens me that even my own father can't learn to accept that not all black people have to act the same way to be considered truly black.
As for my opinions about the "race war" currently going on here, it is not up to one person to change the direction we are heading, when the steering wheel weighs 30 tons. While I agree that a person with power, or a leader of some sort would be helpful, that is not going to fully change things. People with hatred are always going to have the loudest voice until we stand united, unable to be penetrated. That's why it takes everyone's help.
My advice is to try to have an equal amount of friends in every race, even if it means going out of your comfort zone. You may be surprised by the things you may learn. I've learned a lot from my white friends, and even if we disagree, it always makes a fun and healthy debate. You can't say you know something about a group of people by judging from a mile away, or just because you met one or two out of millions. Nor can you try to help a group of people if you don't even have a friend from that group to help. This can be said about any race. I also suggest that you look up the official procedure for getting pulled over by the police and when it is appropriate for a police officer to use a weapon in your state/county. If you ever get pulled over, have that in mind.
Finally, and most importantly, ignore those that only speak in the form of hatred. There is no reason to be hateful towards someone you don't even know, and those types of people are making a choice: to remain ignorant. They don't want to learn, and are only trying to further their agenda by attempting to cause a scene. People who want to learn/inform are respectful and polite about their opinions. Know the difference. Also, proving someone wrong with insults or by blaming another race is unnecessary, doesn't resolve anything, and makes you look just as bad. It will be an endless cycle. Get your voice everywhere. Don't just post on one place, post on every social media platform, forum, and comments section. Thank you and I hope this helped.
Yes, of course. Who else could I possibly be directing this towards? It's not like there are several other races that exist or anything like that whatsoever.
