Black men reclining in their car seats

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  • #4438

    Jim
    Participant

    While driving in Detroit and surrounding areas, I have observed a rather high percentage of black men leaning way back in the driver’s seat, to the point where they are almost lying down. It is not due to their height, as I have seen five-foot-tall males get out of their cars after having been reclined so far back. Why would this be? It can’t be answered by simply a ‘personal preference’ response, because it is decidedly black males who exhibit this behavior.

    User Detail :  

    Name : Jim, Gender : M, City : South Lyon, State : MI, Country : United States, 
    #33306

    Tobias
    Participant

    I have seen this also, and the only conclusion I can draw is that the drivers believe it looks ‘cool.’ However, they should be made aware that this style of driving is irresponsible and will undoubtedly cause road accidents.

    User Detail :  

    Name : Tobias, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Atheist, Age : 37, City : London, State : NA, Country : England, Education level : 4 Years of College, 
    #46945

    Dan27172
    Participant

    It’s a ‘cruising’ thing, I guess you could say. Laid-back, low and slow, etc. Some people find this position more comfortable, others thinks it makes them look cool. I guess it started with urban car culture in Los Angeles (lowriders, etc.) and it’s not really relegated to any one minority. However, one could also venture to observe how ‘white folks’ huddle up close to the steering wheel with their necks craned forward; or with charm-school posture, proper hand placement and upturned nose. It’s all a matter of preference.

    User Detail :  

    Name : Dan27172, Gender : M, Race : Hispanic/Latino (may be any race), Religion : Pentecostal, Age : 22, City : Los Angeles, State : CA, Country : United States, Occupation : Student, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Lower middle class, 
    #31710

    Mike
    Participant

    This is a phenomenom I have observed as well. All I can tell you is that it is cool or hip to do it – why I don’t know. I suppose it is ‘driving like you’re white’ if you have both hands on the wheel at ten and two, with your seat properly inclined,as opposed to driving almost from the backseat. It’s like flossing or relaxing in your car, windows down, sound system booming. The message being sent is that I am in a bad-ass ride and am straight chillin’ while I drive. The same message is being sent by white people with long hair in a convertible – they want their hair to blow around and be seen. My seats don’t recline on my pickup, and if they did, I would not be in the backseat trying to drive (it’s not very safe, and none of these drivers are wearing seat belts), and I think that driver’s ed programs should work hard to discourage these behaviors. All it would take would be a 25-mph crash to turn your average player into yuk-mouth because he could’nt reach the brake quick enough and was not properly restrained. Yeah, you’ll get attention then, but not the kind you want.

    User Detail :  

    Name : Mike, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Baptist, Age : 23, City : Chicago, State : IL, Country : United States, Occupation : Ed. Admin. and Law School Student, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Lower middle class, 
    #16625

    Jennifer
    Participant

    I found this message particularly humorous because my friends and I often make fun of others who drive like this. I can say that I have seen many Asian-Americans driving the exact same way. It doesn’t make much sense to me either as to why they prefer to drive in this unsafe position but it’s not confined to just one race.

    User Detail :  

    Name : Jennifer, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Asian, Religion : Christian, Age : 21, City : San Francisco, State : CA, Country : United States, Occupation : Professional student, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Upper middle class, 
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