Ask Lemmy

I'm hesitant to answer such an odd question, but let's go for it. Before answering, I think it's important to establish two things. One, I was born and lived the vast majority of my life in the USA, tho I have spent over 2 years collectively outside of the country. Two, I'm white of skin, but ethnically Latino. I'm so white looking, that I can be in a social group of mostly Latinos for 3 months before anyone realizes I'm Latino myself.

My entire life, I've been around Black people. My 2nd friend ever was a Black Panamanian kid. I went to a school in Opa Locka, FL which is practically 99% Black. My high school girlfriend would technically be considered Black, who I saw her as her and if I had to label her race, she'd be "mulata" to me. Btw, "muIato" is not in anyway an insult in Latino culture. If anything, it's a term of endearment. Moving on, I joined the military and worked along side and served under Black people. I currently have several friends and acquaintances that are Black. My neighbor is Blacker than midnight on Broadway and Myrtle. Jk, that's an awesome Mos Def lyric. But seriously, my neighbor's skin is like legit black as in the color, and I'm one of his maybe 3 total non-Black friends (he's exclusive for a reason) and maybe the only white-skinned person that has been inside his house in the past 2 years. I spent this recent New Year's with him and his friends at a party. I was the only non-Black person there. Also, I have teammates in my hobby and acquaintances in the larger social circle that are Black.

This is how I see it...

Black people aren't Black people. They're people. Nothing about them makes them Black. They're just there being themselves. If you ask a little kid if they're Black, they will look at their skin and answer based on their objective perception. As such, Black people vary in every characteristic just like any other set of humans that are grouped by a physical feature.

However, Black are Black people because of history and current state of society. African-Americans are representing a group of people that have a common history, ascribed place in society, and resulting culture. That's what makes them Black: the way they were treated for centuries, the way they are treated now, and the way they endure it. The way I personally understand it in my head, Black people are the expression of a group of humans that have been singled out, used, and treated poorly by the rest of society based on a completely irrelevant physical characteristic that cannot be hidden.

As far as immigrants, Black people that come to the US often find themselves in an odd situation. They don't fit in well with dominant White people because of their skin color, and they don't fit in well with Black people because of their culture. Not all White people are racist, but some are. Some are overtly racist, while others are more covert or even unaware. Being racist is generally understood as an immoral thing, so some racist people learn to hide it. Others that are trying their best to be just, think they aren't racist, but are based on their values and behaviors. What I mean by this is that they may hold values that are incompatible or oppressive of the Black community, yet have absolutely no problem with anyone based solely on their skin color. A supervisor at work may have no issue with anyone's skin color, but rate their employee's performance in part by their use of "proper English" and attire. Due to covert racism, most people of color start to become mistrusting of White people because they don't know who is and who isn't racist at face value. Back to focusing on immigrants, African-Americans think that many immigrant Black people haven't endured life in the US as Black enough to fit in. Immigrants in general come with a different set of values, and in particular, a strong belief that hard work results in economic success. This belief often clashes with the experience of African-Americans. The conflict results in a disconnect between African-Americans and Black immigrants.

I've always been someone that cheers for the underdog. I don't know what it is, but I do. Maybe it's my 'tism, always having felt like an outsider and being bullied, I'm forced to empathize with underdogs. Regardless, to me, Black people are the shit. The way they have adjusted to society has lead them to develop awesome perspectives, skills, and contributions. For example, they were historically given the least favored food, so they learned how to make that delicious which made them amazing cooks. They are marginalized and neglected by society, so they created counter-culture such as blues, rock, hip-hop, and jazz to express injustice, pain, and pride in overcoming hardship. Almost any popular music that has come out of the US has its roots in the African-American community. They are oppressed in the workforce, so they became amazing athletes in which success is extremely objective. It makes no sense to oppress Willy Mays when he's blatantly the one carrying the team.

They have also developed an extraordinary sense of social awareness. Whenever I go somewhere and there aren't any Black people around, I get concerned. Either the place I'm at is actively restricting their participation, or they know something I don't and are choosing to stay away. I could be wrong, but I still notice when it happens.

Additionally, as ethnic outsiders with justified and necessary collective hyper-vigilance, they are aware of what other ethnic groups do differently. So, when they talk about it, I find it interesting because it teases apart what is universally American and what is based on sub-group ethnicity.

They have also developed a sense of community I haven't seen in other ethnic groups. Black people take care of each other, and as long as someone isn't a problem to the group, no one from their group is excluded based on undesirable characteristics (mental issues, substance dependence, criminal history, etc.). They all accept each other and seem to have an understanding that life is hard, so of course people adjust in unhealthy ways sometimes. In fact, my neighbor definitely has his issues, but he still has visitors more days than not. And they always come with some sort of gift. I've luckily fallen into his social circle a little, and they check up on me sometimes too. I have never had this experience with other neighbors.

Something else I've noticed among Black people is that they are more emotionally free and fun. In contrast, White people seem controlled and restricted. It's like White people have a standard for emotional control and respect. It's considered rude to be emotional and wild. Black people don't really follow that. If they feel excited, they will yell. If they have a lot of energy and there's a good beat, they will dance. If they lose someone, they will cry and yell in pain. I'm not saying White people don't do those things, but it's different. Let me illustrate with an example. If someone is dancing at a White party, it's either very good dancing moves that were practiced, or something soft and individual or with one other person. If someone is dancing at a Black party, it's more likely to be extravagant, full of emotion, and collective with a group. Of course, there is overlap, such as rural White people and line dancing, so I'm having difficulty explaining it. I guess my running observational theory is that White people dancing are saying "look at what I can do" and Black people are saying "look at how I feel".

That's it from me. If I insulted anyone or was incorrect, please let me know. My only goal was to express how I saw things and encourage further conversation. I would be happy to receive respectful critique as I know I am not perfect and always looking to continually grow.