Race/Ethnicity Questions 501-510

THE QUESTION:
R510: I’m a nursing student and we are doing a presentation of Mexican culture in order to better understand their health care needs. Could anyone provide some information on one or more of the following subjects? 1) Mexicans’ view of time: Past, present, and future; 2) Gender roles; 3) Rites of passage (child to adulthood); 4) Health belief systems; and 5) Mexicans’ feelings on male patient/female health care provider, female patient/male health care provider scenarios.
POSTED NOV. 5, 1998
Susan R., R.N., 43 <srice7@tds.net>, Hyden, KY
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THE QUESTION:
R509: Do minorities believe that every white person is privileged?
POSTED NOV. 5, 1998
M.J. Tiedemann, 34, white male <hoboin98@aol.com>, Richmond, VA

ANSWER 1:
Well, not all of you but the majority, yes. I see it like this: If I see a white person and they live in my neck of the woods or close by, then no, they’re not privileged. But the ones you see on the highway with brand-new, E-class Mercedes Benzes who look no older than 25, yes, they are privileged. Most black people will tell you that once in their lives they wished their mother was white and nice like the ones you see in the mall spending $500 on their kids while you and your mom are at the clearance rack. Sad but true. Black people see white kids as spoiled brats even when they’re, say, 19, and their mom still buys them everything. Black kids want that. Also, some white mothers are very passive. They are very timid, so the kids rule them. You’ll never see go on in a black household.
POSTED NOV. 9, 1998
A. Bailey, Bridgeport, CT

FURTHER NOTICE:
Ms. Bailey: Your generalizations about white mothers being passive and white teens being brats in my mind border on being racist. It is apparent that your interaction with whites has been very limited. All black households do not have strong, disciplinarian, matriarchal figures. And what do you think of blacks who drive nice cars, shop at Saks and live in the suburbs. Are they privileged or lucky, or sellouts?
POSTED NOV. 12, 1998
Zawadi, black female, 33, Detroit, MI

FURTHER NOTICE 2:
To Zawadi: While you make several cogent points in your response to Ms. Bailey, you fail to keep in mind that the original question was not black privilege vs. white privilege, it was about black people’s views on white privilege. And for the most part, Ms. Bailey is correct. Of course we know that not all white kids lead privileged lives and not all black kids lead under-privileged ones, but most black kids think white kids are spoiled. Period. They are far more likely to talk back to parents, be handed things (cars, large allowances, etc) and their parents are often more forgiving. And, you must admit, more often than not, when a kid gets a brand new BMW for his/ her Sweet Sixteen, that kid is white. And that isn’t a negative trait; any family that has the ability to provide like that does so.
POSTED NOV. 23, 1998
Gregory, 21, black male <december@brigadoon.com>, Olney, MD

FURTHER NOTICE 3:
Gregory, when you say the question is about black views toward white privilege, you’re wrong. The question is about minority views towards white privilege. Why is it you feel that only blacks are considered minorities in America? As a half-Japanese, half-Sri Lankan female, I am also considered a racial minority. I do not feel all whites are privileged. I did not suffer from lack of access to a good education, nor did my parents have to deal with being unable to provide for their children financially like many others in America do, regardless of color. I feel incredibly lucky and grateful for what I have been given because it was very apparent to me my entire life that many of my friends did not have the same luxuries I did, and many of these friends have been white.
POSTED NOV. 27, 1998
M.D., Cupertino, CA

FURTHER NOTICE 4:
Thanks Greg. I couldn’t have said it any better. Zawadi, I’ve been looking for another posting from you. Let’s elaborate on this subject a little more.
POSTED NOV. 29, 1998
A. Bailey, Bridgeport, CT
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THE QUESTION:
R508: I have found that in the Southern California region, more Mexican people than any other race have a lot of fake teeth. Why is this, and is it just an aberration where I live?
POSTED NOV. 5, 1998
183, 12 <LDB2002@aol.com>, Oak View, CA
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THE QUESTION:
R507: I’m 55, female and white. Most white men consider me overweight. Several black men, especially those who see me in workout clothes, consider me appealing. Is this a racial thing?
POSTED NOV. 3, 1998
Susan P., 55, white feminist <susanwrites@mindspring.com>, Philadelphia, PA

RELATED QUESTION:
I am originally from the South, but I have been living in Southern California off and on for my whole life. I have noticed a trend that may or may not be true: It seems to me that black men seem to be attracted to overweight white women. I see a lot of couples like this. I have several overweight girlfriends, and they say they are approached almost exclusively by black males. Has anybody else witnessed this?
POSTED NOV. 10, 1998
G. Mills, 25-plus, white male <TW@sprynet.com>, San Diego, CA

ANSWER 1:
It is not racial, but cultural. African-American males prefer (desire) heavier, well-proportioned women. This is why you receive compliments. I believe your white contemporaries are comparing you to “Cosmo” women, which makes big, beautiful, women look overweight. Regarding workout clothing, they accentuate your “voluptuous” curves.
POSTED NOV. 9, 1998
Alonzo C., 32, African American, Jacksonville, FL
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THE QUESTION:
R506: We spent last Fourth of July in Virginia Beach. Being white, we were a definite minority during that holiday. When walking down the strip in the evening, black people were walking four and five abreast, forcing us white people to squeeze by, sometimes even having to step into the street to get around. They made no effort whatsoever to step even partially aside to let us pass, some even seeming to dare us. A few times, either myself or my husband was “bumped” fairly hard, by a shoulder from a black person coming the other way. Only once did anyone apologize, and from the tone of the man’s voice, and what he said, it was far less than sincere. Am I right to be wary and distrustful after this experience? This was not an experience with a few individuals, but almost, if not all, of the black people coming down the sidewalk in the other direction.
POSTED NOV. 2, 1998
Jinny L. white, middle-aged professional <poolchamp@usa.net>, Cincinnati, OH

ANSWER 1:
I don’t think you should be wary or distrustful of black people. These were the actions of a few mean-spirited black people. Not all of us are like that. I know you’re saying the majority did this, but that is only the majority who live in/vacation near Virginia Beach. They only make up a small percentage of black people. If I blamed all white people for the actions of the “majority” from where I live, I would be missing out on the friendship and love of a lot of dear friends. I, however, realize these are the actions of a few people and don’t stereotype the whole race. I think you should try and get to know some black people. I’m sure you’ll find that most of us are friendly and don’t mind sharing the sidewalk.
Whitney T., 19, black female who shares the sidewalk <scrumpies@juno.com>, Oxford, MS

FURTHER NOTICE:
The reason no one stepped aside and that they seemed to dare you is that you were in a personalized dominant/submissive game of “chicken.” Concerning bumping, what is hard to you may be a “tap” to someone else. I have given you the physical explanation, but will leave the psychology to another.
POSTED NOV. 3, 1998
Anonymous, FL

FURTHER NOTICE 2:
Your question could be answered better if you defined the age and sex of the black people you are talking about. Were they younger black people, male or female? I think the greater issue here is your seeing only black people and not black teenagers, or young adults.
POSTED NOV. 5, 1998
Bob <kabob@fishnet.net>, CA

FURTHER NOTICE 3:
Psychologically speaking, I believe the black people you encountered subconsciously saw the oppressed approaching, which became an indirect factor causing them to consciously act (resist). I feel they knew what they were doing but were unaware of the underlying factors involved.
POSTED NOV. 12, 1998
Alonzo C., 32, African American, Jacksonville, FL

FURTHER NOTICE 4:
I could relate the same experience about dozens of white frat brothers at the university I attended. I suspect that any time young men (of any race) gather, there will be a certain number who have to demonstrate how “tough” they are.
POSTED NOV. 12, 1998
White male, 26
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THE QUESTION:
R505: Why do many black people seem to be terrified of large dogs, even the known gentle breeds like Labs and Retrievers?
POSTED NOV. 2, 1998
Stephen, 50s, white guy <rexman@ameritech.net>, MI

ANSWER 1:
Ever had a large dog unleashed to attack you just because you’re black? It happened to my brother while he was a college student in the ’60s protesting segregation.
POSTED NOV. 3, 1998
A.A.W., 42, black female <anabwi@aol.com >, Plantation, FL

FURTHER NOTICE:
I don’t see your observation about “many black people” as true; here in Atlanta it seems like the only kind of dogs black people have are really big dogs like mastiffs that look like they could bite your head off. Here it seems to be a combination of big dogs being popular, big dogs being used as personal protection and big dogs being a status symbol.
POSTED NOV. 5, 1998
Wendy, 24, white <wiebke@juno.com>, Atlanta, GA

FURTHER NOTICE 2:
I have never seen what you are speaking of. Every black person I know has/wants a large dog, preferably Rotweilers or pit bulls. Maybe in your town this is true, but not where I live.
POSTED NOV. 23, 1998
T.A., Newport News, Va
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THE QUESTION:
R504: Why does multiculturalism appear to focus primarily on the African-American culture and not on all cultures? I am an educator in Baltimore. I find that whenever multi-culturalism is taught to the students, only African-American culture is addressed. While Baltimore is predominantly populated by African Americans, it has many cultures to its credit.
POSTED NOV. 2, 1998
Aime B., 41, white <abrayton@qis.net>, Baltimore, MD

ANSWER 1:
As an education major who has been placed in many different school districts, I have found that the school district’s individual multicultural curriculum tends to focus on the minority group present in the community. Districts containing many African Americans are of course going to focus their attention on that culture. I don’t think there is an intended neglect toward other cultures.
POSTED NOV. 5, 1998
Nicole, 21, <nicole_1976@hotmail.com>, N.J.
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THE QUESTION:
R503: As a white male, my male friends and I have often commented on how wonderfully sexy and erotic Japanese women are. Do white women find Japanese men similarly sexually exciting?
POSTED OCT. 30, 1998
K. Larrson <klnx@spidernet.com.cy>, Nicosia

ANSWER 1:
I’ve lived in Japan for seven years and know many white women dating or married to Japanese men, so there are definitely women attracted to Japanese men. However, I don’t think as many white women are specifically attracted to Japanese men the way white men are attracted to Japanese women. For many men, it’s a fetish. I think the women who go out with Japanese men are going out with a particular man they like, who happens to be Japanese. Another reason is the way Japanese men are portrayed in the media – overworked salaryman, ninja, sex-crazed rapist, sneaky businessman, samurai, geeky science student, poor English-speaker, etc. How many of these stereotypes come to mind at the thought of “Japanese man”? There aren’t so many positive images, which is unfortunate. Last reason: While short and slender is considered attractive for women, it is not for men. Most Japanese men are this body type, which white women may not find as attractive.
POSTED NOV. 12, 1998
Brian B., 30, white male married to Japanese <bajuk@pop17.odn.ne.jp>, Nishinomiya, Japan
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THE QUESTION:
R502: Is it possible that disproportionately high rates of violence in African-American communities – that is, after poverty has been figured out – result partly from a greater tendency among black parents to use corporal punishment?
POSTED OCT. 30, 1998
M.W., white <ed375@cleveland.freenet.edu>, Cleveland, OH

ANSWER 1:
No. First, let me say there is great difference between spankings and beatings. I’ve never been beaten, but I’ve been spanked too many times to count, and I think I’ve come out the better for it. From personal experience, those of us who received spankings seem to be more well-behaved than those who did not. This does not hold true for all black people, it just seems so for me and my friends. There may be many things to blame a high ratio of violence in a particular area on, but I do not believe it is because parents spank their kids.
POSTED NOV. 2, 1998
Whitney T., 19, former recipient of “capital punishment,” black female <scrumpies@juno.com>,Oxford, MS

FURTHER NOTICE:
Corporal punishment stimulates the body, which counsels and instructs the mind to correct the body (behavior). Psychological punishment stimulates the mind to correct the body. In both cases, the same objective of “correction” is achieved. With this knowledge, we can see that corporal and psychological punishments produce similar results. Physical punishment says “if I do wrong, it will discomfort me,” while psychological punishment says “if I do wrong, there are consequences to be reaped.” African Americans use both forms of punishment. We do not relentlessly inflict physical punishment, but will administer it in appropriate circumstances deemed instructively necessary at the discretion of the parent(s). Moreover, corporal punishment, instructively delivered, drives out lawlessness/violence yet simultaneously teaches lawfulness/temperance. I believe the reason you feel violence in African-American communities is disproportionately high is that the media portrays black violence disproportionately to the proportion of white violence.
POSTED NOV. 2, 1998
Alonzo C., 32, African American, Jacksonville, FL

FURTHER NOTICE 2:
Nope, I was spanked by parents and grandparents and have never committed any crimes, nor have any of my siblings. We were lectured as to what was expected from us as a member of our family, and I can proudly say we all followed through and are doing well.
POSTED NOV. 2, 1998
A.A.W., 42 black female <anabwi@aol.com>, Plantation, FL

FURTHER NOTICE 3:
I’m not sure what you mean about “figured out,” but if you mean “factored out,” then I believe your question proceeds from a flawed premise. When looking at a social tendency such as violence, there is no way to factor out poverty. Poverty is just one of the symptoms of the oppression that has plagued the African-American community throughout this country’s history. Violence is often a byproduct of oppression. Certain political or ethnic groups feel the figurative foot on their neck, then rise up to strike back. For examples of this, one can look to the Middle East, Central America or even our own country’s birth. Unlike these other situations, however, black Americans have undergone generations of psychological conditioning, from slavery to Jim Crow to the current pop culture propaganda (i.e. “gangsta” rap). Blacks in this country have largely been taught to hate ourselves and each other; so, instead of lashing out at our oppressors, we all too frequently turn the violence upon each other. The connection of corporal punishment of children may have a peripheral connection, if any.
POSTED NOV. 2, 1998
Sam; 30, male, brown American <SamAlex67@aol.com>, Chicago, IL
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THE QUESTION:
R501: Some African Americans, in the Y? Forum and in the media, express anger over being “forced here” through slavery. Yet it was their ancestors, not them, who were enslaved. Are there African Americans today who would really rather live in Africa (Rwanda, Ethiopia, Sudan, Nigeria, etc.) than in America, even if slavery could be erased from history?
POSTED OCT. 28, 1998
B., 22, white male, Kokomo, IN

ANSWER 1:
I am well aware of all of the terrible things that have happened to our people here in America. But I can still say that this is the greatest country in the world. When you hear Africa Americans complain about being “forced here,” they are not expressing a desire to be living somewhere else. More accurately, they are venting about what went along with being forced here (the forcing of a new culture/language/religion upon their ancestors, not to mention the many other evils). Now, in the case of speculating about what Africa would be like if slavery had never happened, in that case, yes I would rather be in Africa with my original language and culture. Contrary to still-popular beliefs, Africa had plenty of culture before the slave traders/colonists arrived. They were not illiterate pagans wandering around in the jungle. They had text books, scientists and monotheism. But that is a whole different story.
POSTED NOV. 2, 1998
B.A.W., 28, black male <bluebox7@hotmail.com>, Atlanta, GA

FURTHER NOTICE:
Very good question. Personally, my anger comes not necessarily from my ancestors having been forced from their home, but the destruction of cultural ties. Most Americans can identify their heritage (whether or not they know who their ancestors are), but most Americans of African descent can neither identify ancestors nor culture that has been passed through the generations. Much of our culture today is based on our existence in this country. Once in a discussion over ancestry (I was the only one of African descent), I commented that I could only trace back three generations as records of Africans were rare. The discussion suddenly ended. I explained that this was simply a fact of life for many people of African descent. It goes to show that even though slavery ended more than 100 years ago, it still affects us today. Maybe my anger would subside the day that there is a day celebrated like St. Patrick’s Day, except for Africans.
POSTED NOV. 3, 1998
D. Nichols, 34, Seattle , WA

FURTHER NOTICE 2:
Unfortunately, what is perceived as complaining is actually frustration related to navigating in a society that’s neither compassionate nor responsible in its dealings with you as an ancestor of a culture this country was built on the backs of. No one is saying they don’t want to be here, just “do unto me as you would have me do unto you.” Is that really so hard?
POSTED NOV. 5, 1998
Black male, Akron, OH

FURTHER NOTICE 3:
To D. Nichols: I don’t understand what you have to be angry about. Many other descendants of Americans were also brought to the Americas as slaves, including indigent Europeans and Irish, to name only a couple. All races took from the Indians, destroying their culture in America. Although I do not agree with slavery, I have never been rude to any race or felt that their culture was unimportant. I feel that a hundred years of playing on the sympathy of others concerning your relatives being slaves is enough. I do feel bad that many people, not only African Americans, have been and continue to be tortured and mistreated. If you truly wanted to move to Africa to “enrich” your knowledge of your culture, you would have done so by now. As the original question stated, do you really want to live in Rwanda, Ethiopia, Sudan, Nigeria, etc.? I think if you were to go there, you would find that life in the Americas is not so bad. Sadly, African Americans are suppressed worse in Africa than in the Americas. As far as your comment about having a national holiday for African-American culture, there is Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday and Black History Month, to name only a couple. The only other “ethnic” holiday for other cultures celebrated nationwide is the one you mentioned – St. Patrick’s Day.
POSTED NOV. 9, 1998
C.S., New Orleans, LA

FURTHER NOTICE 4:
While not claiming to truly understand the effects of slavery, I’d like to point out that many white Americans, looking at their own family’s history, can find a similar story. My ancestors were Irish, horribly oppressed by the English at the time. They were forced to come to the United States against their will when they were at the point of starvation in Ireland. I hate what the English did to my Irish ancestors, but there is no other place I’d rather live than the United States. (Again, what my ancestors faced was certainly not slavery, but the situation is analogous.) I suspect that many African Americans have similar feelings: They hate what happened to their ancestors, but love where they live now.
POSTED NOV. 12, 1998
White male of Irish ancestry

FURTHER NOTICE 5:
To C.S.: With all due respect, African Americans have much to be angry about. To compare the plight of any other culture to ours is at best to be ill-informed and at worst, disingenuous. For example, an estimated six million Jews were slaughtered during Hitler’s reign in Germany. An estimated 600 million persons of African descent globally have been either slaughtered, enslaved or have suffered physical/psychological/financial repercussions as a direct or indirect result of the global slave trade and continued modern-day racial discrimination. As an aside, the Japanese and some Native American tribes were paid financial restitution as an apology for America’s transgressions. Need I remind you that freed slaves were to be awarded 40 acres of land and a mule (each) by congressional decree in 1867 (we’re still waiting), and that based on a historical rate of land value appreciation, every living African-American citizen would be a millionaire if that had been done (assuming it wasn’t lost during the Depression)

No other race has had its leaders systematically assassinated (allegation or fact, depending on who you believe), had the activities of its leaders spied upon or had narcotics funneled into its communities by its own government with the sole intent of circumventing a growing political force (J. Edgar Hoover’s counter-intelligence program against the Black Panther Party, the CIA’s surveillance of Dr. Martin Luther King and the Nation of Islam). Consider also the continued disproportionate funding of public primary and secondary education schools vs. their white counterparts and the legally laughable prosecutions/verdicts of hate crimes (Rodney King in Los Angeles, Lenard Clark in Chicago, just to name a couple).
POSTED NOV. 16, 1998
R. Mitchell, black male <rdm2@vwarch.com>, Chicago, IL

FURTHER NOTICE 6:
There are black scholars and historians who legitimately and rightfully analyze social problems and issues from a historical framework. These formally educated men and women often have access to the media and thus often emphasize the delicate connection that exists between the institution of slavery and contemporary conditions of black people. For black scholars and theologians, slavery is a well-researched and relevant scholarly topic. This is because, unlike most people, they have a comprehensive knowledge of the slave market and its results on humanity. They defend strongly issues related to it and advocate immensely for a sense of recognition of past wrongs and injustices. Slavery today has nothing to do with going anywhere except ahead. The belief is that we cannot move forward until we fully come to an understanding of our past (all of us, white and black). The average black person does not long to “return” to Africa and is intelligent enough to know the issue is no longer linked to property and ownership. Slave discussions have more to do with dealing with the psychological and emotional outcome of knowing your ancestors were owned, bred, purchased, sold, abused and systematically maligned. “They say it didn’t happen to me … or did it?” Give blacks some credit for being able to analyze a problem.
POSTED NOV. 17, 1998
Dee W. <westde@hiram.edu>, Cleveland, Oh

FURTHER NOTICE 7:
One thing that must be understood about present-day Africa is that it is also a reflection of the affects of slavery and colonialism. Many of Africa�s strongest, best and brightest were either enslaved or killed during the slave trade. Remember, Europeans, not Africans, controlled Africa for most of the past few centuries. And Africa was the center of knowledge for the world prior to slavery. Most modern-day sciences, math and philosophy originated there. Pythagoris, Aristotle, Socrates, Plato – they all studied in Egypt. Egypt, Nubia and Timbuktu are a few of the advanced and prosperous African civilizations known and respected throughout the world prior to slavery. So consequently, if slavery had not occurred, I am certain the Africa of today would be a much different place. And just as most Germans prefer Germany, French prefer France and Brits prefer Great Britain, I am certain the majority of Africans would prefer Africa if the affects of slavery could be undone.
POSTED NOV. 17, 1998
M.K.M., 44, African-American male, Detroit, MI
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