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.

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?

**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?

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.

I find this really sad. My parents taught me not to shirk from a challenge, and worry later about how kids/family fit into my profession. I have many friends who are MDs and JDs and have small kids. What they sacrifice is not family but free time.

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.

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.

I find this really sad. My parents taught me not to shirk from a challenge, and worry later about how kids/family fit into my profession. I have many friends who are MDs and JDs and have small kids. What they sacrifice is not family but free time.

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?

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?

Yes, it grosses me out. Any residue grosses me out in my own hair. I use olive oil in my hair and a product by the Curls brand called Creme Brulee.

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.

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?

Hair grease? Moisturizing lotion?

Black hair can get VERY dry and must maintain some sort of moisture to avoid looking dull, breaking off, etc.

The window smear is usually the result of someone falling asleep. I'm not a fan of touching someone else's "waste", so to speak, so I do find it gross. BTW, the person leaving the smear doesn't have to be black. Plenty of white people use product that could leave a smear (mousse, gel, etc).

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?

Well, they are biracial, so I wouldn't have a problem with them identifying as such. I find them claiming to be "white" a bit off-putting though.

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?

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

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?

Black woman adventure seeker again. I don't know why this, of all the stereotypes asked about in this thread, sticks in my craw the most. I just haven't found it to be true. My brother and i are both avid travelers. I do whitewater rafting. He used to race motorcycles. I have several black friends who have done skydiving, climbed kilimanjaro, etc.

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.

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?