I'm an African American. Ask me anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:**Raising hand**

I've got a question!

I live in a gentrifying part of DC, and every few weeks some long term resident posts a message to the local neighborhood mailing list complaining that "white people never say hello".

I've noticed that, when I'm walking down the street, I'm usually met with a grim glare by black people coming my way. When I dutifully say "Good morning!" the response is usually one of three variations:

a) The other person gives me a look as if my head has been sculpted out of dog poop.

b) I get no response whatsoever.

c) I get a smile and a good morning in return.

Given that "not saying 'hi'" appears to be one of the major complaints about the "newcomers", one would think that 'c)' would be the most common, but in fact, I see a lot more of a) and b).

Do you have any idea what's going on? Is this an elaborate practical joke? Or is it possible my "old timer" neighbors might have deeper resentments and that "white folks don't say 'hi'" might just be a fig leaf to cover those up?

Are the people you're greeting your black neighbors? If not, I'm not really sure why you're blaming them for a random stranger's response.

Also, I highly doubt you're getting a "grim stare". Some white people just think that some blacks are "boogey-men/women" out to get them. While I don't walk around with a constant smile, I also don't give people the stink eye. Nor have I ever encountered another black person giving me one.

re: no response. Sometimes people don't hear you. I've never ignored a "hello", but I have greeted people and rec'd no response. Sometimes I get a bit miffed; other times, I figure they didn't hear me.

BTW, I was born and raised in DC. I almost never greet random strangers on the street. Honestly, it comes off as a bit nutty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you think of biracial people who have one AA parent and choses to identify as biracial regardless of how they look?

This is me, kind of. I identify as black because I get referred to that way and if I constantly correct people it would drive me insane. My mother is also biracial and identifies as Black although people will say things like "You can't be or Nooo, really??!!" ignorant things to her because she looks like a caucasian olive skinned brunette. I feel no special way about those that say that they are both races though.

If your Mom is biracial, wouldn't that make you something more like "multiracial"? Are you 25 % or 75% black. When I think "bi", I think exactly half and half. After that....I'm confused. Do you just go with the "dominant" race percentage?

Most black people are not "full black" whatever that means anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd like to re-ask an earlier question: How do you think we can encourage more ambitious AA students to pursue STEM careers (versus Medicine, Law, Banking, etc.)? I can't cite the statistics, although I believe I've read studies that support this, but my impression is that AAs (along with women) are underrepresented in the field.

I will address this question and not your former to avoid duplicate answers.

I was interested in law school, but ultimately didn't pursue it. Some of the drawbacks included: long hours and cost to attend. Not interested in having huge debt and working 60+ hour weeks. The "race to partner" does not appeal to me at all. If I ever practiced law, it would be family law and/or something dealing with civil rights.

My daughter (who is 16 and will be a senior next year) is interested in medicine. She was interested in being a doctor but decided against it because she's afraid of having the responsibility of someone's life in her hands, so to speak. She also didn't want a career that she felt would sacrifice having a family. She's decided to pursue being a physician assistant instead.

PP here. First just want to clarify that the initial 'nerd' poster wasn't me - I just didn't see it answered.

Secondly, while I appreciate your responses, they don't address my question. You explained why your family didn't / won't pursue Law / Medicine. What I am curious about are the reasons why smart, talented AA students prefer careers in Law/Medicine/etc. over Science/Tech/Engineering. And the corollary to that- how these factors can be addressed to have more sucess at recruiting qualified AA students into these fields.

[Anonymous]

ManHere wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there a reason that a lot of black people don't know how to swim or don't want to? Is that a stereotype or true?

For one explanation, see the hair discussions.

LOL; Agreed! Plus, I remember an incident in a summer program where kids were kicking water in my face. I dimly recall being pushed in a pool by a kid. I've been a bit afraid/wary of pools ever since. I'm trying to break this cycle with my kids. Would be great to learn to at least be comfortable in water myself, but I'm not that keen on getting my hair wet so much.

Lots of black people swim. I just think that the odds of them continuing to do so as they get older (see the hair discussion) starts to lessen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you think of biracial people who have one AA parent and choses to identify as biracial regardless of how they look?

This is me, kind of. I identify as black because I get referred to that way and if I constantly correct people it would drive me insane. My mother is also biracial and identifies as Black although people will say things like "You can't be or Nooo, really??!!" ignorant things to her because she looks like a caucasian olive skinned brunette. I feel no special way about those that say that they are both races though.

If your Mom is biracial, wouldn't that make you something more like "multiracial"? Are you 25 % or 75% black. When I think "bi", I think exactly half and half. After that....I'm confused. Do you just go with the "dominant" race percentage?

Most black people are not "full black" whatever that means anyway.

I never said "full black". Will you answer the question I asked of you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you think of biracial people who have one AA parent and choses to identify as biracial regardless of how they look?

This is me, kind of. I identify as black because I get referred to that way and if I constantly correct people it would drive me insane. My mother is also biracial and identifies as Black although people will say things like "You can't be or Nooo, really??!!" ignorant things to her because she looks like a caucasian olive skinned brunette. I feel no special way about those that say that they are both races though.

If your Mom is biracial, wouldn't that make you something more like "multiracial"? Are you 25 % or 75% black. When I think "bi", I think exactly half and half. After that....I'm confused. Do you just go with the "dominant" race percentage?

Im PP in my case my parents are both biracial (black and white) and told us we were bi racial since they are equally black and white.p

[Anonymous]

"Why do you equate choosing a different less career oriented path as "shirking a challenge"? I really hope my daughter decides to go the doctor route, but I won't pressure her into it. Especially when I know that being a P.A. is a great profession. It also suits her personality more.

re: the free time sacrifice. That's HUGELY important for me. I do not live to work. I value my leisure time. I'm always looking for an excuse for a vacation. "

We are talking about why AAs aren't as ambitious as Caucasians. That's the context. If you aim to be a PA instead of an MD, you are not as ambitious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd like to re-ask an earlier question: How do you think we can encourage more ambitious AA students to pursue STEM careers (versus Medicine, Law, Banking, etc.)? I can't cite the statistics, although I believe I've read studies that support this, but my impression is that AAs (along with women) are underrepresented in the field.

I will address this question and not your former to avoid duplicate answers.

I was interested in law school, but ultimately didn't pursue it. Some of the drawbacks included: long hours and cost to attend. Not interested in having huge debt and working 60+ hour weeks. The "race to partner" does not appeal to me at all. If I ever practiced law, it would be family law and/or something dealing with civil rights.

My daughter (who is 16 and will be a senior next year) is interested in medicine. She was interested in being a doctor but decided against it because she's afraid of having the responsibility of someone's life in her hands, so to speak. She also didn't want a career that she felt would sacrifice having a family. She's decided to pursue being a physician assistant instead.

PP here. First just want to clarify that the initial 'nerd' poster wasn't me - I just didn't see it answered.

Secondly, while I appreciate your responses, they don't address my question. You explained why your family didn't / won't pursue Law / Medicine. What I am curious about are the reasons why smart, talented AA students prefer careers in Law/Medicine/etc. over Science/Tech/Engineering. And the corollary to that- how these factors can be addressed to have more sucess at recruiting qualified AA students into these fields.

Ahh...I get what you're asking. I was an honor roll/dean's list student, but was never interested in Science/Tech/Engineering, so I can't answer your answer. I did find these classes the most boring though. I just was never much into abstract stuff...I much preferred words and literature over graphs, figures and Math.

Perhaps other black folks can chime in. OP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you think of biracial people who have one AA parent and choses to identify as biracial regardless of how they look?

This is me, kind of. I identify as black because I get referred to that way and if I constantly correct people it would drive me insane. My mother is also biracial and identifies as Black although people will say things like "You can't be or Nooo, really??!!" ignorant things to her because she looks like a caucasian olive skinned brunette. I feel no special way about those that say that they are both races though.

If your Mom is biracial, wouldn't that make you something more like "multiracial"? Are you 25 % or 75% black. When I think "bi", I think exactly half and half. After that....I'm confused. Do you just go with the "dominant" race percentage?

Im PP in my case my parents are both biracial (black and white) and told us we were bi racial since they are equally black and white.p

Ahh..gotcha. That's actually very cute/interesting. Thanks! And sorry, I assumed I was responding to you in my 13:05 post.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Why do you equate choosing a different less career oriented path as "shirking a challenge"? I really hope my daughter decides to go the doctor route, but I won't pressure her into it. Especially when I know that being a P.A. is a great profession. It also suits her personality more.

re: the free time sacrifice. That's HUGELY important for me. I do not live to work. I value my leisure time. I'm always looking for an excuse for a vacation. "

We are talking about why AAs aren't as ambitious as Caucasians. That's the context. If you aim to be a PA instead of an MD, you are not as ambitious.

I disagree completely. They each have different roles that might suit a person's interest.

While I might want to be a police officer, I might not want to be a Captain and/or detective.
While I might want to be a teacher, I might not want to be a Professor and/or Principal.
While I might want to be a nurse, I might not want to be a doctor.

Has nothing to do with ambition.

BTW, in case you didn't know not all white people are ambitious and there are plenty of black people that are more ambitious than whites.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you think of biracial people who have one AA parent and choses to identify as biracial regardless of how they look?

This is me, kind of. I identify as black because I get referred to that way and if I constantly correct people it would drive me insane. My mother is also biracial and identifies as Black although people will say things like "You can't be or Nooo, really??!!" ignorant things to her because she looks like a caucasian olive skinned brunette. I feel no special way about those that say that they are both races though.

If your Mom is biracial, wouldn't that make you something more like "multiracial"? Are you 25 % or 75% black. When I think "bi", I think exactly half and half. After that....I'm confused. Do you just go with the "dominant" race percentage?

Im PP in my case my parents are both biracial (black and white) and told us we were bi racial since they are equally black and white.p

Ahh..gotcha. That's actually very cute/interesting. Thanks! And sorry, I assumed I was responding to you in my 13:05 post.

It's ok. Many people ask if I am biracial both AA and White people, I think multi racial is equally relevant to me though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:**Raising hand**

I've got a question!

I live in a gentrifying part of DC, and every few weeks some long term resident posts a message to the local neighborhood mailing list complaining that "white people never say hello".

I've noticed that, when I'm walking down the street, I'm usually met with a grim glare by black people coming my way. When I dutifully say "Good morning!" the response is usually one of three variations:

a) The other person gives me a look as if my head has been sculpted out of dog poop.

b) I get no response whatsoever.

c) I get a smile and a good morning in return.

Given that "not saying 'hi'" appears to be one of the major complaints about the "newcomers", one would think that 'c)' would be the most common, but in fact, I see a lot more of a) and b).

Do you have any idea what's going on? Is this an elaborate practical joke? Or is it possible my "old timer" neighbors might have deeper resentments and that "white folks don't say 'hi'" might just be a fig leaf to cover those up?

I experience the same thing in my NOVA environment. People are people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Money is not a driving force in my life. As long as my daily needs are taken care of, I don't have this overall obsession with getting "more". I equate high-powered positions with less time with my family and I am not interested in that trade-off. "

My question is why this attitude is more pervasive in AA culture than in "white" culture. I grew up solidly middle class, but am very ambitious and am now upper middle class as a white female.

Maybe because we are more grounded and raised to be more grounded. The most important thing in life, as stressed by many AA homes is Family. Not money, not fame, it's family. That is what we were raised on. Pursuing your dreams is fine but don't do it at the expense of family and your peace of mind. Life is short, we stop and smell the roses. And as one of those rappers eloquently put it, "mo money, mo problems"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are AA's more fearful to try new things in general?

Depends on what it is. But in my experience, yes. I don't have a driving need for adventure.Not a thrill seeker at all (except roller coasters).

Why do you believe AAs are not thrill seekers?

Not really sure. Just never been into being an adrenaline junkie and/or "cheating death". Bungee jumping, skydiving, etc don't appeal to me at all. I don't like being scared shitless...so I don't seek out ways to feel this way.

This!. I think this is more of a temperament thing and not racial. I don't get my kicks from being scared, it's just the way I'm made.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For both male/female AA's - since we are asking anything. What is all that suff in your hair and when you see said stuff smeared all over the windows on the bus or metro does it gross you out as much as it does me? Have you witnessed this mess?

It's called "hair lotion", there a many types of it and it moisturizes our scalp and hair. Sometimes people get tired and lay their head against a window to sleep which is how that stuff gets smeared on the windows.