Black Youths Are Slaves to Stereotypes

[brimidd]

Slavery in the United States of America was officially ended in 1863 by Abraham Lincoln with the Emancipation Proclamation. This new world order encourages individuality for all people, no matter the race, ethnicity, sex, or nationality. Unfortunately, the Black youths across the United States have failed to promote individuality by continuing to promote negative stereotypes of the Black community. With all of the negative images being produce about the Black community by the Black youths I believe that Black people are slaves, not in the sense of whips and chains, but slaves to false ideas, beliefs, and stereotypes. With TV programs and urban music reinforcing these slaves mentality, millions of Black youths are falling victim to these idol jabbers. Unless a sincere effort is made to end this neo-slave system, the Black community will face an extremely difficult and frightening future.
Stereotypes of the Black community date back hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Most of these stereotypes were, of course, negative. The claim that gold teeth, dreads, and the way they talk is a part of the Black culture is just one of many stereotypes that Blacks, especially in the South, try relentlessly to live up too. Culture is usually consistent over the course of hundreds of years and is generally considered the way of life for an entire society. While style, on the other hand, changes drastically very often and is usually sporadic. Gold teeth and dreads have only been popular within the American Black community for roughly 25 years and have only been extremely popular for the last 10 to 15 years. That would easily classify gold teeth and dreads as part of a current style, not a part of culture. A majority of Black youths feel as if they must be slaves to these false ideas and worship this new plantation system that is commonly referred to as style.
Another stereotype that Black youths strives to promote is the idea that if you don’t act like the “typical” Black person then you are a sell out. While I will admit that it is very disappointing to witness a Black person turn his or her back on their people, that should not be considered in the same class as striven to be something more in life than an adult “posted” in front of a bodega, in the flea market, or some random parking lot for hours at a time. Unfortunately, most people forget that diversity is the key to a unified people living in peace and prosperity. When we forget to champion diversity we help lay the foundation for catastrophe within our society and help keep our future locked in slavery. A sell out is somebody who runs from the problems that faces their people, thus landing them in the category of slaves. An emancipated revolutionary addresses and attempts to solve the problems of his or her people, while those people are still lost in the darkness.
One would think that with STDs, HIV, and AIDS prevalent within the Black community that sex education and safe sex, or at least, abstinence would be promoted, but it isn’t. The idea that if you are a Black male and not promiscuous then you are less of a man or gay is the belief. When does being a whore make you more of a man? It does not, it just help to spread disease among already afflicted people. A real man doesn’t sin for six days and nights and then try to play dress up on Sunday mornings. Being a whore should not be taught to the younger generation; rather, the idea that a real man does not get married then break his vows a year later should be promoted.
The Black community helps to promote theses stereotypes to the world and to Black youths by sending the wrong message through music and movies. The Black youth in America are basically imitations of what they see on BET and other networks. The idea that material wealth and vulgarity is the corner stone of life and should be the top priority sends the wrong message to our future. Now that the youth are imitating what they see on television, they are misrepresenting an entire group of people to the American public. The public sees this and then adds fuel to the fire of discrimination toward the Black community. This causes entertainers to further promote their lies to the lemmings
The Black community interest in the elevation of Blacks has been in steady decline since the beginning of the 1980’s, shadowing all the advancements of the 1960’s and 70’s. Up until 2004, Blacks were the largest minority in the United States, a title held for nearly 60 years, but made very little political or economical progress. Unfortunately many in the Black community, especially the youth, are satisfied with being sub par economically, politically, and socially. How can I honestly make the claim that Blacks are satisfied with their current slave status? Simply looking at our achievements in the past 20 years gives me verification to justify my claims.
Education and awareness are essential tools to breaking the chains of this neo-slave system that we are helping to create. I still believe that Blacks, no matter the ethnicity, will one day work together to help form a better and brighter future. As the old Buddhist proverb states, “You already know the answer, you just don’t know the question.”, I believe that the solution to the Black community problems are right in front of us, we just don’t know what we are looking for. If we don’t start making a change now I am afraid that the Black community will continue to lose its place in the American voice and further our own destruction. I pray every night that this is not the fate of the Black community, destroyed by the slave system that we created.

[Jack]

You seem to only be addressing a segment of the Black community, the one that's the most visible and obvious. I'd be willing to bet that in the average U.S. city, you'd walk past ten Black kids dressed in ordinary clothes behaving like ordinary kids, and never mentally register the fact they were Black. Then you would see the one kid dressed and acting like you describe and most likely the first thing you'd notice would be his race.

With TV programs and urban music reinforcing these slaves mentality, millions of Black youths are falling victim to these idol jabbers.

With very few exceptions, TV shows and music aimed at the Black audience are created, directed, produced and marketed by non-Blacks. The mentality you mention is induced, but not self-induced.

Now that the youth are imitating what they see on television, they are misrepresenting an entire group of people to the American public.

You don't have to perceive them in any particular fashion. You are responsible for the way you perceive Blacks, and any other group of people. Society is to blame (if your postulation is true) for allowing the actions of a few to affect the way they relate to Blacks.

This causes entertainers to further promote their lies to the lemmings

How is that any less true for teenagers as a whole? The vast majority of teens are mini-sheeple who don't change much as they evolve into adults. The media is a substitute to thinking for most people.

Up until 2004, Blacks were the largest minority in the United States, a title held for nearly 60 years, but made very little political or economical progress.

This sounds like blaming the victim. Are they solely responsible for their plight?

[Osborn F Enready]

Isherwood said: The vast majority of teens are mini-sheeple who don't change much as they evolve into adults. The media is a substitute to thinking for most people.

Wow, good quote.

I agree also, and I find the most disturbing thing is that some people admit to it....without shame.

[PatrickHenry]

Conformity is a mass-cultural phenomenon. Do some black kids exhibit a stereotypical conformity?

Well, yes. But so do a lot of white bread Americans of all ages. The worship of Uncle Sam, inability to see the trends in politics, bigotry towards those who are different. It's hopeless.

The best way to reach black kids with reality is one at a time. Be a friend.

[Compugasm]

Quote by: PatrickHenry The best way to reach black kids with reality is one at a time. Be a friend.

Que music... and.... that's a wrap! Nice job everyone.

[Kamehameha34]

The vast majority of teens are mini-sheeple who don't change much as they evolve into adults. The media is a substitute to thinking for most people.

Someone should tell them that teen rebelliousness is more effective when they all don't rebell.. in the same direction :)

[abub]

Quote by: brimidd Slavery in the United States of America was officially ended in 1863 by Abraham Lincoln with the Emancipation Proclamation.

wrong. the emancipation proclamation of 1863 freed the slaves of the confederate south who were still in rebellion, thus, didn't free anyone at all.

the 13th amendment of 1865 officially ended slavery.

[Kamehameha34]

Slavery in the United States of America was officially ended in 1863 by Abraham Lincoln with the Emancipation Proclamation.

Southerners were breaking the law.

[abub]

not quite. seeing as the law was enacted by the united states federal government, not the confederacy, southerners were exempt from it.

nonetheless, slavery remained legal in four of the five border states - delaware, maryland, missouri, and kentucky - until the 13th amendment was ratified.

[Cephus]

Quote by: Kamehameha34 Someone should tell them that teen rebelliousness is more effective when they all don't rebell.. in the same direction :)

What, you mean it's silly to all claim to be individuals by being exactly the same as everyone else? :)

[Aimee]

I agree with the fact that stereotyping does not only apply to black people, but rather to all sectors of society, including gays, whites, latinos, etc. However, I think that, in the case of the black community (as well as the latin community), the stereotypes could be very harmful because when children are young, they are like sponge, absorbing everything they see, and they don't have yet the intellectual abilities (no offense to anyone's children) to logically say "this or that behavior are stereotypes and I can choose something else for myself". By the time they develop this ability, many of them will have internalized the stereotypes. Then what is the responsibility of the media?

[grandpa]

Quote by: Aimee I agree with the fact that stereotyping does not only apply to black people, but rather to all sectors of society, including gays, whites, latinos, etc. However, I think that, in the case of the black community (as well as the latin community), the stereotypes could be very harmful because when children are young, they are like sponge, absorbing everything they see, and they don't have yet the intellectual abilities (no offense to anyone's children) to logically say "this or that behavior are stereotypes and I can choose something else for myself".

The problem is that individuality does NOT always give people peace of mind.
It's not like there are no excuses to fall into the crowd, even for those who are intelligent enough to do otherwise.

Being ostracized can hurt like hell.

Grandpa h.

[Specusci]

I've always thought the same as the topic starter, I've just never given the idea continued consideration.

While it is very true that this is merely the most audible and visual stereotype of african-american youth, I only know a small number of african-americans that don't live up to this stereotype, and all of them have family members that do. Also, the vast majority of modern african-american music artists are rap or rap variations with crude or at least uncouth lyrics and language.

I would consider it a problem, and it should be addressed. African-americans, in my opinion, feel pressured into this stereotype because of some concieved prejudism in society. This prejudism probably hasn't existed for about 20-30 years.

[Compugasm]

Quote by: Specusci I would consider it a problem, and it should be addressed.

Crab bucket mentality. Anything deemed "too white", calling BIll Cosby an Uncle Tom, and "keepin it real" is a profitable racism machine.

[Fonceai]

I think the opening post demonstrated more ignorant prejudice than most care to express.

brimidd was quite one-sided in his representation of Blacks and Black youth. No offense intended, but that kind of ignorance is usually caused by upbringing.

There is also more to the stereotype than meets the eye.

If you drive through a predominantly Black neighborhood and see a group of 6 or 7 teenagers standing around on the sidewalk, are you scared? What if they are actually wearing gang-affiliated colors and specific items of clothing?

When I was home on leave a couple years ago I was doing deliveries for my mother-in-laws business (fruit flowers thing). This group of stereotypical Black teens saw what I was carrying and came walking over.

Like a normal person, I said hi and asked where the recipient lived. Turns out that it was a nice little old Black lady, like the neighborhood grandmother, receiving the fruit flower arrangement. The teens showed me which house was hers, looked at the arrangement, commented on it, and were very polite. The woman wasn't home but the teens told me where to leave it and they said they'd make sure she got it.

Sure enough, the next day there was a message on the shop answering machine that the women loved the arrangement. So she obviously received it.

Looking from the outside-in gives you only a part of the whole story. From the inside, there is more to it.

[Cephus]

Quote by: Fonceai If you drive through a predominantly Black neighborhood and see a group of 6 or 7 teenagers standing around on the sidewalk, are you scared? What if they are actually wearing gang-affiliated colors and specific items of clothing?

Nope, not at all. Should I be? Now if I see 6 or 7 teenagers carrying machine guns, that's a different story, but I don't care what their skin color might be in that case. The fact of the matter is that skin color shouldn't make a difference and to me, it doesn't. People are people and stupid people come in all colors. I'm not afraid of anyone because of the amout of melanin in their skin, if I'm afraid at all, it's because of how they act, not how they look.

[Fonceai]

So few are capable of making that distinction.

[Epistemologist]

Well, I think the misconception here is that racism is so often confused with color-ism. I think that's wrong. When we look at one's race, we look at his/her way of life and culture, and his/her skin color is only an initial indicator of that race.

For instance, we see so many whites who are actually of the black race per se e.g. Eminem and those suburban white kids who listen to rap and speak ebonics. We also see many blacks who are of the white race e.g. those who live in suburbs surrounded by stereotypical white folk.

Quote by: Cephus I'm not afraid of anyone because of the amout [sic] of melanin in their skin, if I'm afraid at all, it's because of how they act, not how they look.

This stance can thus be considered racist if the conception of the black ghetto culture is that it is criminally violent and sadistic. You would probably be scared because of your preconceived notions of the black race and not actually the black skin color. Of course, you associate all these feelings with the color because of dominance of visual sense perception and your neuronic associations.

So, when Martin Luther King said people shouldn't be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character, in a sense he still left the avenue open for racism.

[Fonceai]

I agree.

The "wigger" culture is just as bad in its stereotype.

[kubedawg]

To the OP, actually, everyone, regardless of race is some form of stereotype, whether anyone would like to admit it or not. I'm a nerd because I like technology. I'm a gamer because I like to play video games. I'm unproductive because I'm heavy.

Everyone is exposed to some type of stereotype or generalization and it's in my opinion, stupid to bring up a topic about how just young black people are stereotypes. Your topic provides flame against young black people by talking about just young black people. Women are also made into a stereotype, to have a desk job, rather than one in construction, or to always have to look good for men. Men have to look rugged and act tough to say that they are men. Native americans have some sort of automatic tie with a casino in the area that they didn't know about... Asian people are often refered to as chinese or japanese, when they are in fact, korean or filipino. Hispanic people are automatically called aliens and people from Pakistan are automatically called terrorists.

You need to take a look again at whom you think are stereotypes because every living person is one, unless they don't let what other people think of them, affect them. That is how people rise above all the hatred and bigotry.