How to be "black enough":

[Tony Mozzarelli 80]

Firstly, Obama is just as Caucasoid as he is Negroid. And secondly how does he not act like a typical person of his race? This is a crucial point to understand the inherent racism of the subject. What is it about Obama's behaviour which sets him apart from a 'typically black' person?

 

And finally, you may be aware that there isn't anything wrong with being black, but the black people claiming Obama is too white, seem not to share your knowledge. They are the people perpetuating these stereotypes you have seen posted here today. As a white man, why am i not offended by the claim that Obama is too white?

[Wanted Assailant]

Coming from an African-American, I find this topic very racist. Alot of you may think it is funny to post images of black people at their worst, but at the same time it paints a severely stereotypical picture of the African-American race.

 

Black people are not just the ghetto, gangsters you see in music videos, we as a people are strong. Anything, we want to achieve we persevere to  meet our goals.

 

So before you try to be funny and post something as ignorant, and insensitive as some of the things I have seen here, learn your history and don't follow the crowd.

It's the black people who accuse Obama of being too white who you really ought to be mad at. Not the white people who are just poking fun

I do not care about how black Obama is. It is a stupid thing to even think about. One African-American is no more black than another. Black cannot be defined as a simple list of stereotypes, as there are many different forms of any person, black or any other race.

 

My problem is the blatant racism gere being categorized as "poking fun". This is in no way, shape or form "fun". It just goes to show you how ignorant some people may be.

Yes, but you have also forgotten that this is the internet.

 

We, or at least I, know that it is a stereotype and nothing else. I at least poke fun at the stereotypes, and I wouldn't think stereotypes can be deemed racist. Although I agree there are some out that just can't switch their minds on these stereotypes.

 

Racism is thinking your race is superior to others. There's none of that sh*t here.

 

 

 

 

 

You may not care how black Obama is, but there are plenty of people within the black community who are openly criticizing him for not being black enough.

 

But he still gets the majority of their vote.

 

Obviously this topic has turned into an Obama hi-jack.

 

[Tony Mozzarelli 80]

 

 

 

 

 

 

You may not care how black Obama is, but there are plenty of people within the black community who are openly criticizing him for not being black enough.

 

But he still gets the majority of their vote.

 

Obviously this topic has turned into an Obama hi-jack.

But votes are not the issue i'm addressing here. Why am i hearing in the media that many members of the black community, view Obama as not being black enough? What is it about his behaviour which is at odds with his being black?

 

There is an inherently racist assumption behind this which not many people are seeing and it is perpetuated by black people against themselves. I know it isn't all black people but the amount is significant enough that i heard about it, and i'm not even from the USA

[Lega_c]

Damn, my mind just got blown, some good points you made there Tony.

 

I still believe the media has blown the whole "Obama isn't black enough" debate out of proportion. I don't even think the amount of people who feel this way is significant enough to be newsworthy.

Edited August 12, 2008 by Lega_c

[Tony Mozzarelli 80]

 

Damn, my mind just got blown, some good points you made there Tony.

Yeah it just bothers me when i see this kind of thing and i'm not even black. But the prevailing attitude is that black people are somehow inferior, and it's not just perpetuated by white people, some black people are just as guilty of it. They are allowing themselves to be seen in this light, by the very fact that they see themselves that way. All black people will have to break free of this attitude before any real progress can be made, they must regain their dignity, which i appreciate has been downtrodden, and negativity about themselves has been drummed into them. But they must first be comfortable with themselves. Only then will it cease to matter what i, or any white people might think about them

 

 

 

 

Oh yeah well i guess that's possible that the media blows it all out of proportion. But still it's an issue which needs to be addressed. If black people can solve this issue within themselves, then the day will come when white people will stop using these derrogatory terms and stereotypes, because they will no longer be effective.

Edited August 12, 2008 by Tony Mozzarelli 80

[Wanted Assailant]

 

But votes are not the issue i'm addressing here. Why am i hearing in the media that many members of the black community, view Obama as not being black enough? What is it about his behaviour which is at odds with his being black?

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. He doesn't act the like the stereortypical fashion.

 

2. Or maybe it's because he is not full black, and is given racism because of it. Who knows? It coul mean a lot of things I don't feel like explaining now. Maybe because not many people feel like Obama could be in the same shoes many black folks are in.

 

 

Anyways, the updated polls already suggest that it's the blacks that support Obama the most. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

 

 

[Lega_c]

Yes African-Americans do support Obama most. This is why it is hard to believe that the majority of his supporters think he isn't black enough. It just doesn't add up.

[Tony Mozzarelli 80]

I have no idea about the polls to be honest, but the question i'm asking is what is it about Obama's behaviour which does not conform to 'acting black' ?

[Lega_c]

I have no idea about the polls to be honest, but the question i'm asking is what is it about Obama's behaviour which does not conform to 'acting black' ?

Basically, just the normal stereotypes associated with black people. Not much more.

[Tony Mozzarelli 80]

I have no idea about the polls to be honest, but the question i'm asking is what is it about Obama's behaviour which does not conform to 'acting black' ?

Basically, just the normal stereotypes associated with black people. Not much more.

But what are these stereotypes?

 

As you said above, these stereotypes are not what black people are, so the very fact that black people would castigate Obama for not conforming to them, is unbelievably detrimental to the image of black people, wouldn't you say?

[Lega_c]

I have no idea about the polls to be honest, but the question i'm asking is what is it about Obama's behaviour which does not conform to 'acting black' ?

Basically, just the normal stereotypes associated with black people. Not much more.

But what are these stereotypes?

 

As you said above, these stereotypes are not what black people are, so the very fact that black people would castigate Obama for not conforming to them, is unbelievably detrimental to the image of black people, wouldn't you say?

sh*t man, you are destroying my brain cells with this.

Read any of the posts on the first page.

 

Those are the stereotypes. I think the majority of people complaining are those who live in a ghetto mentality. This gives them the false image that Obama does not represent us well.

[Ronnyboy]

Sorry if I sound like a hippy, but we are all the same. I just never understood why people see that since his skinner is darker than mine, he is different. I mean, I don't hate the black pride groups, but for gods sake, you are no different then the white guy you passed going down the street. I realize your ancestors come from a different part of the world, and they adapted to the America's after years of slavery and torture, and are like any other American to date; but we are all the same. We are all men and women no matter what our color is, or how we act or think. We are all the same, and there is no such way to become "blacker".

 

We are all the same, but different in our special ways, that is what makes us human.

Edited August 12, 2008 by Ronnyboy

[ryuclan]

Honestly, a few of the comments in this thread surprised me. Although I expected a lot of these comments from some of the members who have posted here, I find it perplexing that so many people have come here to...enlighten us on the finer points of "being black." Apparently chicken, and gold chains are major staples of the black lifestyle. It's all in fun right? I guess.

 

 

Obama is viewed as "not really black" by a lot of black people because of where he lived and how he lived. Nothing more. Having a white mother does not qualify you as "not black enough."

 

 

@Ronnyboy:I don't come from a different part of the world and I haven't adapted to anything here really since I was born and raised here. Black American, not African American. Not trying to be offensive tha'ts just how i see it.

Edited August 12, 2008 by ryuclan

[Iminicus]

I have no idea about the polls to be honest, but the question i'm asking is what is it about Obama's behaviour which does not conform to 'acting black' ?

Basically, just the normal stereotypes associated with black people. Not much more.

But what are these stereotypes?

 

As you said above, these stereotypes are not what black people are, so the very fact that black people would castigate Obama for not conforming to them, is unbelievably detrimental to the image of black people, wouldn't you say?

sh*t man, you are destroying my brain cells with this.

Read any of the posts on the first page.

 

Those are the stereotypes. I think the majority of people complaining are those who live in a ghetto mentality. This gives them the false image that Obama does not represent us well.

Obama doesn't represent those people. He isn't from the ghetto. He isn't black. he is half and half. he is a mutt. He is a cross between white and black. He is milk chocolate not dark chocolate.

 

OBAMA DOESN'T REPRESENT THE POOR BLACK AMERICAN.

 

What he represents is the successful, educated, Black American. People like Jesse Jackson, Micheal Jordan, etc. People that have proven the American dream through education is achievable by all. Though, Obama isn't even African - American in the usage Black Americans think it applies. He is half African ( His father is Kenyan ) and his mother is a white American. However, there is some legal disputes of his birthplace and the fact his mother herself wasn't recognized as a US Natural Citizen, since she was under 18 when she gave birth to Obama.

[Tony Mozzarelli 80]

I have no idea about the polls to be honest, but the question i'm asking is what is it about Obama's behaviour which does not conform to 'acting black' ?

Basically, just the normal stereotypes associated with black people. Not much more.

But what are these stereotypes?

 

As you said above, these stereotypes are not what black people are, so the very fact that black people would castigate Obama for not conforming to them, is unbelievably detrimental to the image of black people, wouldn't you say?

sh*t man, you are destroying my brain cells with this.

Read any of the posts on the first page.

 

Those are the stereotypes. I think the majority of people complaining are those who live in a ghetto mentality. This gives them the false image that Obama does not represent us well.

Yes all these stereotypes, seem to revolve around an unhealthy obssession with gold chains, so is it wrong that Obama does not appear to concern himself with 'bling'. Ghetto mentality is not inherently black. it is being used to systematically destroy black people's self esteem. I would hope that you, as a black man see how insulting that is, to suggest that living in poverty and acting like a thug are somehow black characteristics, and that anyone who doesn't is somehow a traitor. And i would think you would find it upsetting that black people themselves are saying this

[Lega_c]

@Iminicus-Exactly, that is why I believe it is the poor black american deeming him unfit to be black.

 

@Tony- Yes I find it hurtful that my own race would consider this man "not black enough because they are rather insecure about themselves

Edited August 12, 2008 by Lega_c

[ryuclan]

 

@Iminicus-Exactly, that is why I believe it is the poor black american deeming him unfit to be black.

I've never heard anyone say he was "unfit to be black."

 

Anyway I don't feel Obama represents African Americans. I feel he represents Americans...as in everyone...like a presidential candidate is supposed to.

[Iminicus]

@Iminicus-Exactly, that is why I believe it is the poor black american deeming him unfit to be black.

 

@Tony- Yes I find it hurtful that my own race would consider this man "not black enough because they are rather insecure about themselves

Black is just a label. A label that they constantly apply to themselves. They think this label was given to them by White people. It wasn't. It wasn't given to them by themselves. They need to look beyond what 'labels' they think they fall into and prove the world and themselves they aren't black, but just humans.

 

f*ck all the labels.

[Ronnyboy]

@Iminicus-Exactly, that is why I believe it is the poor black american deeming him unfit to be black.

 

@Tony- Yes I find it hurtful that my own race would consider this man "not black enough because they are rather insecure about themselves

Black is just a label. A label that they constantly apply to themselves. They think this label was given to them by White people. It wasn't. It wasn't given to them by themselves. They need to look beyond what 'labels' they think they fall into and prove the world and themselves they aren't black, but just humans.

 

f*ck all the labels.

That's what I am kind of saying. We all need to accept each other that we are the same! But it will never happen, do to the ways of the world, and the ways of the human.

[ryuclan]

@Iminicus-Exactly, that is why I believe it is the poor black american deeming him unfit to be black.

 

@Tony- Yes I find it hurtful that my own race would consider this man "not black enough because they are rather insecure about themselves

Black is just a label. A label that they constantly apply to themselves. They think this label was given to them by White people. It wasn't. It wasn't given to them by themselves. They need to look beyond what 'labels' they think they fall into and prove the world and themselves they aren't black, but just humans.

 

f*ck all the labels.

I'm not trying to be on the offensive, but I just want to say something.

 

I consider myself a black man. Why? Because I feel thats what I am. There's no problem being a black man, or white, or asian or hispanic, whatever someone wants to call themselves. We aren't calling ourselves black to perpetuate stereotypes, but to distinguish ourselves as a group of people. People in Africa are African, people in Mexico are Mexican, people in Japan are Japanese, people descendant of the slaves from Africa brought to this country are black. You don't have to be a darker skin color to be black. People just assume such things because it's the obvious thing to do.

[Tony Mozzarelli 80]

@Iminicus-Exactly, that is why I believe it is the poor black american deeming him unfit to be black.

 

@Tony- Yes I find it hurtful that my own race would consider this man "not black enough because they are rather insecure about themselves

Black is just a label. A label that they constantly apply to themselves. They think this label was given to them by White people. It wasn't. It wasn't given to them by themselves. They need to look beyond what 'labels' they think they fall into and prove the world and themselves they aren't black, but just humans.

 

f*ck all the labels.

I'm not trying to be on the offensive, but I just want to say something.

 

I consider myself a black man. Why? Because I feel thats what I am. There's no problem being a black man, or white, or asian or hispanic, whatever someone wants to call themselves. We aren't calling ourselves black to perpetuate stereotypes, but to distinguish ourselves as a group of people. People in Africa are African, people in Mexico are Mexican, people in Japan are Japanese, people descendant of the slaves from Africa brought to this country are black. You don't have to be a darker skin color to be black. People just assume such things because it's the obvious thing to do.

Iagree totally that there's nothing wrong with accepting the fact that you are a black man, i am a white man. but it's when you start to think that's what defines you is where a problem arises

[Machida]

Argh, I don't pay any attention to these white/ black labels. I think you would catergorise me as being white, but I'm sure as crap not white.

[Typhus]

You see, comments such as "Obama is not black enough" are the result of basing a subculture around something as pathetic as skin colour. Black sitcoms, black music, black churches.

This kind of racial segregation results in mutual hostility. It's happened in America, it's happening in England and it will continue to happen until people stop putting so much importance on their flesh. Because at the end of the day we'll all look the same, motionless inside a pine box with worms crawling out of our eyes.

[nutboy]

I may be young but I know for a fact one of the best ways to avoid being confused with stupid steryotypes is to visit the country you camme from often,make friends there and understand that place. Before I spent 2 years in Nigeria I was being pulled into the steryotypes due to several people telling thats how I should act. Hell Ive always been pushed around at school fof no appearent reason it just happens. Just be close with your originl land and PROPER culture because it looks like these steryotypes arent going anywhere for a while....

[Hart]

Funny black guy (the best kind)

 

Badass black guy

 

Blacker than black guy (literally)

[makiaveli777]

Being a stupid white guy, from a cornfield, can someone explain to me what people mean when they criticize someone (i.e., Obama) for not being "black enough"? I'm assuming other black people are most likely those who would say this as some sort of criticism ... but I don't understand exactly what this means. ((I'm not just limiting the discussion to Obama, use any example you want, this is just the only person that came to mind)).

 

Ok Ok - I'm assuming that if someone (jessie jackson, say) said that Obama may not be "black enough" --- first, I would be confused - that's why I'm here.

Next, I would take this to mean, that the person must be acting white or eurasian or something other than "black".

So, does acting more "black" mean acting less "everything-not-black"?

I have never heard someone saying that, maybe some people say hes not black enough because hes not african-american.

 

@ Iminicus

 

Why would black people have to prove they are not black? what you just said was racist.

 

 

[Iminicus]

Being a stupid white guy, from a cornfield, can someone explain to me what people mean when they criticize someone (i.e., Obama) for not being "black enough"?  I'm assuming other black people are most likely those who would say this as some sort of criticism ... but I don't understand exactly what this means.  ((I'm not just limiting the discussion to Obama, use any example you want, this is just the only person that came to mind)).

 

Ok Ok - I'm assuming that if someone (jessie jackson, say) said that Obama may not be "black enough" --- first, I would be confused - that's why I'm here. 

  Next, I would take this to mean, that the person must be acting white or eurasian or something other than "black".

So, does acting more "black" mean acting less "everything-not-black"?

I have never heard someone saying that, maybe some people say hes not black enough because hes not african-american.

 

@ Iminicus

 

Why would black people have to prove they are not black? what you just said was racist.

They have to prove they don't fit into the stereotypes that are associated with black people.

 

Now, on the racist remark. I wasn't being racist. I was telling an observation. If you believe that to be racist, I would say your misuse of the word Machiavelli to describe an uninspiring rap musician as racist. Also, it is a butchering of my native language, which could be seen as racism against England.

 

So stick that in your pipe and smoke it.

[Woody510]

How can people overlook the fact that McCain is not white enough?

 

[Wanted Assailant]

I may be young but I know for a fact one of the best ways to avoid being confused with stupid steryotypes is to visit the country you camme from often,make friends there and understand that place. Before I spent 2 years in Nigeria I was being pulled into the steryotypes due to several people telling thats how I should act. Hell Ive always been pushed around at school fof no appearent reason it just happens. Just be close with your originl land and PROPER culture because it looks like these steryotypes arent going anywhere for a while....

That's why many, need to diverse their knowledge on different cultures and not rely on the same and overused stereotypes.

[makiaveli777]

 

Being a stupid white guy, from a cornfield, can someone explain to me what people mean when they criticize someone (i.e., Obama) for not being "black enough"?  I'm assuming other black people are most likely those who would say this as some sort of criticism ... but I don't understand exactly what this means.  ((I'm not just limiting the discussion to Obama, use any example you want, this is just the only person that came to mind)).

 

Ok Ok - I'm assuming that if someone (jessie jackson, say) said that Obama may not be "black enough" --- first, I would be confused - that's why I'm here. 

   Next, I would take this to mean, that the person must be acting white or eurasian or something other than "black".

So, does acting more "black" mean acting less "everything-not-black"?

I have never heard someone saying that, maybe some people say hes not black enough because hes not african-american.

 

@ Iminicus

 

Why would black people have to prove they are not black? what you just said was racist.

They have to prove they don't fit into the stereotypes that are associated with black people.

 

Now, on the racist remark. I wasn't being racist. I was telling an observation. If you believe that to be racist, I would say your misuse of the word Machiavelli to describe an uninspiring rap musician as racist. Also, it is a butchering of my native language, which could be seen as racism against England.

 

So stick that in your pipe and smoke it.

what on motherf*cking earth have 2pac and machiavelli to do with this, you sound like a retard! now stick that up youre ass and enjoy it. BITCH!!!