Dare To Ask Talk And News About Our Differences - This topic has 20 replies, 21 voices, and was last updated 17 years ago by
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- I'm 12 but act and look very mature for my age. Some people even say I look 14 to 18. I'm an honor student and am quite popular. Some students say I act 'white' because I tend to use a proper voice. But I also have my 'ebonic' voice because I live in the South and am around mostly black people. I don't know where I got my proper voice from. Also, some students say I have 'white girl' hair. It used to be nappy with the best of them, but I trained it and now it's very straight, and I can swing it like the women on television. Am I a sellout, or am I'm just different?
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Name : Afftene, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Christian, Age : 12, City : Bessemer, State : AL Country : United States, Occupation : Student, Social class : Middle class,be who you want to be,i must say i am white female in my 30's and because i am very observant i have noticed that you get more respect from white people when you use what you call your proper voice.mostly because white people see you as 'educated' We are not offended by your speaking 'white' although we do not understand why other blacks put you down(and us) by saying you are trying to be white.We do not see it that way, we see it as being an educated individaul(?)And i must say white people are able to better understand you when you speak in your proper voice.good luck you smart girl!User Detail :
Name : leah26112, Gender : F, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 39, City : bartow, State : FL Country : United States, Education level : High School Diploma,Your speech and hair do not define you as a black young woman. The proper English you refer to is associated with white people because that is who we so often hear speaking that way. But that doesn't make proper English the domain of white people any more than ebonics is the language of blacks. They are languages and speech choices that can belong to anyone. It is wonderful that you are able to speak proper English and ebonics. You can converse with a wider range of people in a way that makes both groups feel comfortable. As far as hair, you are choosing to alter your hair texture to make it straighter. If you like it, then go for it. If it's more managable, then so be it. I relax my hair because I like the way it looks and feels. The changes you make and the way you speak are choices you make. You are not a sellout for being yourself. And being yourself is doing what you choose to do.User Detail :
Name : Butt Lover, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : African-American/Caucasian, Age : 22, City : Oakland, State : CA Country : United States, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class,It is common for people to try to box others into a nice little category. Don't feel like you have to label yourelf as a 'white girl in a black girl's body.' You are not a sellout; you are unique, and just because you speak English in the proper sense doesn't mean you are betraying anyone or anything. Too often it is thought that African Americans all share the same culture, but do you think a black living in Altanta will have the same culture as a black living in El Paso? African Americans are not the homogenous group they are made out to be. Just like Caucasian Americans, things such as traditions, religion, appearance or food preferences vary depending on factors such as class, education and health, to name a few.There is no one way that you should look or act, so don't think you are anything less than you are: a unique individual who shouldn't be forced to box herself into a premade label.
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Name : Deeders, Gender : F, Age : 19, City : Tallahassee, State : FL Country : United States,Talking properly isn't anything to be ashamed of, regardless of what ethnic background you come from. You sound like you have a very good head on your shoulders for a 12-year-old. Be smart and be yourself.User Detail :
Name : Ben, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Agnostic, Age : 25, City : Morgantown, State : WV Country : United States, Occupation : salesperson, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Lower middle class,You are not a sellout for simply being smart and utilizing your own potential. As far as looking 4 to 6 years older, that's no surprise; girls mature much faster than boys.User Detail :
Name : Andres, Gender : M, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Catholic, Age : 25, City : Chambersburg, State : PA Country : United States,Don't let anyone define you. There is no correct way of being black. Think about it a minute - you're accused of 'acting white' because you're articulate and do well in school? (Let's forget the hair thing for now, that's a whole different can of worms.) Are your critics implying that inability to speak proper English and doing poorly in school is acting 'black?' It sure sounds like that to me. As black people we've got to stop this. Continue to conduct yourself with pride and confidence - you'll be fine.User Detail :
Name : Missy-B, Gender : F, Race : Black/African American, Age : 46, City : San Francisco, State : CA Country : United States, Education level : 4 Years of College,A sell-out thinks that speaking standard American English, being on the honor roll and being able to swing your hair about somehow makes you better than other people. Ask yourself if you think you are better than other people by virtue of these qualities you mentioned, and you'll have your answer.User Detail :
Name : M.J., Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Multi-racial, Religion : Agnostic, Age : 33, City : Brooklyn, State : NY Country : United States, Occupation : Musician, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class,Wheather you act like briney spears , or little kim. It doesn't matter with what the outside world thinks. If your happy with the way you are with out the influence of those categorizing you, then be yourself, if you feel your not happy with things change it! but make sure your happy with yourself. That's all that really matters!(really)User Detail :
Name : David Rogers, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Nigerian, I don't consider myself black, Religion : Pentecostal, Age : 19, City : Upland, State : CA Country : United States, Occupation : Student, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Upper class,I've had the same thing said to me before about being mature for my age. When I was 14 I was often mistaken for a young college student. I think one reason people think your voice sounds 'white' is becasue you are more mature tahn some of the people you hang out with. Your hair also has nothing to do with being more 'white' than 'black'. I know many of my African/American friends who have 'smoother' hair than others. It's nothing to worry over. Your not a sellout. yeah you maybe be different but were all different no one person is alike. So don't let those comments put you down about your race or the way you speak or your hair. Besides be happy you can swing your hair, it's a good thing. Congradulations on being an honor student and it's always good to have lots of friends! But the way you look and act isn't everything, okay? Take advantage of your intelligence and focus on your studies and going to college and getting a great job. Those things will get you furthure than the straightest hair will. And someday maybe you'll be one of those women on television!User Detail :
Name : Katie26713, Gender : F, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 15, City : St.charles, State : IL Country : United States, Occupation : Student, Education level : Less than High School Diploma,If you are born black you are black, if you are not born black then you are not black. Nothing more, nothing less, as easy as that. The color of your skin, the color of your hair, or the way you speak makes no difference. If people tell you it's a flaw, then they are the ones with the flaw.User Detail :
Name : Mewelau-H21814, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Episcopalian, Age : 18, City : Miami, State : FL Country : United States, Occupation : Student at UM, Education level : High School Diploma,Be who you want to be. Don't let those jealous of your accomplishments and potential drag you down. And don't get pregnant!User Detail :
Name : JJ21166, City : Oakland, State : CA Country : United States,If you want to go by the STEREOTYPE that black = uneducated ghetto ignorance, then yes you are a sellout. I choose NOT think of myself in that manner. My skin color and hair texture are just that... skin color and hair texture; physical features. It should not be assumed that how I look racially is the determinate of who I am as a person.User Detail :
Name : Kristina26269, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Christian, Age : 22, City : Washington, State : DC Country : United States, Occupation : Transcriber, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Middle class,I am also 12 and can relate to your problem. People say I act like I am white because I talk different from the way they do. I also get straight A's. All I can say is that you cannot change other people's minds. But I will say, that if anyone says you act white, say, how can you act white or black, or any other race? It makes no sense, at all. Just hold your head up high, and know that you are black, educated and will get somewhere in life. As for your other friends, racial categorizing will get them in low places of society.User Detail :
Name : Makallay, Gender : F, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Christian, Age : 12, City : Greenbelt, State : MD Country : United States, Education level : Less than High School Diploma, Social class : Lower middle class,No that does not make you white - I speak proper, I can understand ebonics but I choose to speak proper; it's just a language. I mean some whites speak ebonics and that doesn't make them black. Some people are just simply intimidated by your proper talk but that's their problem don't let them discourage you from doing so.User Detail :
Name : Angel, Gender : F, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Christian, Age : 24, City : Jacksonville, State : FL Country : United States, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Middle class,
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