Race/Ethnicity Questions 81-90

THE QUESTION:
R90: I was watching the Keenan Ivory Wayans Show and they were talking about “Hoochy mommas.” What is a Hoochy?
POSTED MARCH 24, 1998
Rod, Leamington, Ontario, Can.

ANSWER 1:
A hoochy, usually spelled hoochie, is a woman of easy virtue. The term is used a lot in hip-hop lyrics, but dates back to the blues. Hoochie cooche refers to the sex act. Ref. Willie Dixon’s “I’m Your Hoochie Cooche Man” and Rick Derringer’s “Rock ‘N’ Roll Hoochie Koo”
Jay B., black male <jayboyd@ameritech.net>
Detroit , MI

FURTHER NOTICE:
A “hoochie mama” is a sexually attractive woman, with the connotation of promiscuity.
POSTED MARCH 28, 1998
PombaGira, 35, African American female, Detroit, MI
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THE QUESTION:
R89: I’ve been exposed to a lot of children who are the product of interracial couplings. Growing up, I was taught these children were “black.” However, there are many who now consider these children to be bi-racial, or ‘”mixed.” I was wondering, would such a child ever be considered white? Especially in the white community. Or is that child not “allowed” to use such a designation?
POSTED MARCH 24, 1998
Apryl P., black <apryl@mail-me.com>, Oak Park, MI

ANSWER 1:
I’ve never known of anybody in white America who would consider a mixed-race child to be white, no matter what the races of the parents.
POSTED MARCH 25, 1998
Michael S. <edit15@aol.com>, Stone Mountain, GA

FURTHER NOTICE:
I think you’ve asked a very profound question, the foundation of which is that race is a cultural, not a biological reality. In racist America, there is what’s called “the one-drop rule,” which means that if someone has any black/African/Negro blood at all, that person is “black.” South Africa has a similar tradition. Lots of light-skinned people from black families “pass” as white to escape the trials of racism. We think of them as being “really” black, but what reality are we talking about here? Henry Louis Gates Jr. has a wonderful book called “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Black Man.” I recommend the whole book, but specifically it contains an essay about Anatole Broyard, a book reviewer and essayist for the New York Times, who was born into a black family and spent his entire adulthood passing. Gates’ thinking is highly original here, and he gives some very thought-provoking perspectives on the nature of race.
POSTED MARCH 25, 1998
Will H.; white, 48, Dallas, TX

FURTHER NOTICE 2:
I am one of the leaders of the national Multiracial movement who helped achieve the legitimization of acknowledgement of Multiracial children on the upcoming U.S. Census.  I think your question is great. We have a Bill of Rights we go by written by Maria Root.  Within it, we advocate any mixed person who chooses to identify white.  We believe it is an individual choice and this is just as acceptable as a mixed person choosing to identify black.  However, in the past, this was referred to as passing.  I would welcome any other questions on this subject.
POSTED MARCH 25, 1998
B.J. Winchester, President, Unity, a Multiracial Social Group, Jacksonville, FL
White Mother of Multiracial Children <bjwinchester@pmgnet.com>

FURTHER NOTICE 3:
It has to do with the law. I don’t know the exact wording, but if you are I think 1/16ths black, you are considered black. Maybe someone can help me out here. You think they would be half-white or half-black or half whatever, but that is not the case.
POSTED MARCH 28, 1998
Jeffrey S.,black, 42 <starkej@aol.com>, Pensacola, FL

FURTHER NOTICE 4:
It doesn’t really matter how much “black” is in them – for white America’s purposes, if you’re part black, you’re black. My kids are multi-racial, but most people consider them black.
POSTED MARCH 31, 1998
Alex, 39, white <aleavens@mindspring.com>, Lawrenceville, GA

FURTHER NOTICE 5:
My son is interracial (black and white). I have taught him that it is important to honor all of his ancestry – because his black father has not been with us, I made it a point to place him with black sitters when he was young so that he would not identify exclusively with his/my white ancestors. (Unfortunately, his black family has almost completely ignored his existence, so he could not get that from them.) People ask me whether he is adopted because he resembles his father strongly. He is not, and I am proud of all aspects of his heritage. Right now, as a teen, he chooses rap music – and the kids in our mostly Native American school assume he is black until they see him with me. I guess if he feels forced to choose one or the other, he chooses black because of his appearance – but I would like people to quit making him feel he has to choose one half or the other of his background. It’s all his!
POSTED OCT. 28, 1998
Joan <jscott@cybertrails.com>, Chinle, AZ

FURTHER NOTICE 6:
My daughter is biracial, and her African-American father has not been a part of her life since she was an infant. However, that does not stop me from exposing her to the African-American culture and making her aware of her ethnic background. I am proud of any decision she makes, whether she decides to identify herself as a Caucasion or an African American. Either way I will stand behind her and support her. I think if we spent a little less time trying to classify people as to what color they were the world might be a better place to live in.
POSTED NOV. 28, 1998
Lisa, 30, Hanover, MA
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THE QUESTION:
R88: Why does it seem that when black people are in groups, they tend to be very outspoken, i.e. laughing, shouting, dancing, etc.?
POSTED MARCH 24, 1998
Michael S., 21, white <Mdsmith@online.emich.edu>
Highland, MI

ANSWER 1:
I don’t think it has anything to do with race. I believe it is more of a question of age and the self-esteem issues you deal with as a teenager. I have yet to notice a group of older black men (or men of any race) carrying on in such a manner.
POSTED APRIL 13, 1998
Tracy R., 20, white <H0LE@aol.com>
Flint, MI

FURTHER NOTICE:
Some excellent research I have read on various cultural issues addressed this question. American whites tend to have the “Puritan” ideal of propriety – meaning soft voices and modulated tones. To do otherwise indicated ignorance and courseness. If you look at other, non-Anglo cultures (German, Italian, Spanish) as well as at those of people of color, you will normally see a robustness or loudness. So, in actuality, the question could be “Why are white people so quiet?”
POSTED JULY 15, 1998
Anita W. <anita@wdg.dreamhost.com>, Denver, CO

FURTHER NOTICE 2:
People generally let their barriers down and act louder and more outgoing around their friends, family and people they are comfortable with. Think of how you act when you leave work and meet up with your friends. For black people in a primarily white environment, especially corporate America, it is a comfort factor to be around people who look like you who may understand your issues and share your interests, when you have probably have had to defer to the mainstream culture all day. It’s often just a celebration of self and culture. But please remember that although black people can sometimes have a rapport with other black people they don’t know, they wouldn’t normally meet strangers and start laughing and dancing and talking loudly; these groups you see are most probably friends and family.
POSTED JULY 22, 1998
R. Lewis, 26, black <rnl525@hotmail.com>, Philadelphia, PA
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THE QUESTION:
R87: As a white male of 40 years, what can I do to improve race relations in my neighborhood? I teach my sons to treat everyone as an equal. I really don’t know many people of other races in my area
POSTED MARCH 24, 1998
Bill H. <liam1957@usnetway.com>
Wilkes Barre, PA

ANSWER 1:
I had always wondered that myself, but have finally found avenues. (1) Start or join a group with that purpose. Ours is called Citizens Upholding Racial Equality. (2) Hold study circles on race relations. Materials are available free from the Topsfield Foundation Study Circles Resource Center. (3) Go to an NAACP meeting. (4) Attend a predominantly black church and become a participating member. (5) Attend special events such as Martin Luther King Jr. memorial services. (6) Read books by black writers. (7) Never, never let a hint of a racial slur go past you without politely giving your point of view, even if it’s a total stranger, your mother-in-law or your boss. (8) Make eye contact with, greet and smile warmly at passersby. (9) Don’t belong to any clubs or organizations unless they have a racially and ethnically diverse membership. (10) Any time you serve on a committee or board, make sure it has a diversity representative.
POSTED MARCH 25, 1998
Molly, 52, white <jbfails@AOL.com>
Ohio

FURTHER NOTICE:
I agree totally with Molly’s fantastic answer. People who recognize diversity as something to be valued and cherished, as opposed to those who are neutral or antagonistic towards it, almost have an obligation to put themselves in situations such as Molly suggests, in which they can connect with different races. I am also involved with Study Circle programs, discussing race relations. We plan to continue with a ripple affect, involving more and more people in the community. The groups themselves are enjoyable, and we feel it’s a great start in getting diverse people together. I recommend it highly.
POSTED MARCH 28, 1998
Susan, 60, San Diego, CA

FURTHER NOTICE 2:
As someone from South Africa, where I think we have had so much history of racism, I have to stress that when you view these people, don’t regard them as different because of the color of their skin. How would you approach meeting people of the same color as you are? Don’t treat these people any differently. In the same way as we accept the differences among white people, like Jewish or Catholic friends, we should also accept that black people may have different cultures in the confines of their family, but these differences should be respected, while not clouding our thinking when we approach these people. I would urge everyone not to make an issue about our differences, but simply respect everyone as you find them.
POSTED MARCH 28, 1998
D. James <mogul@icon.co.za>
Johannesburg, South Africa

FURTHER NOTICE 3:
As an African-American (I really don’t like that term, but it seems to be the flavor of the month) female, I applaud Molly’s answer. All of those things make for a balanced racial landscape. The one thing I picked up on from Bill was “in my area.” He will have to go out of his way to accomplish his stated goal. I would also like to suggest encouraging children to do volunteer work at hospitals, missions, soup kitchens, etc. It’s an invaluable lesson in learning that all life is precious and valuable.
POSTED MARCH 28, 1998
T. Green, Miami, FL
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THE QUESTION:
R86: Around town I’ve seen some younger, black males with picks or combs in their afros. Is there a specific reason for this, or do they just like the way it looks?
POSTED MARCH 24, 1998
A.B., white male, Ann Arbor, MI

ANSWER 1:
It might be interesting to ask them why, if you wouldn’t be afraid to or aren’t opposed to doing so. I asked two different white guys how they got their hair locked. If you ask in a way that’s not judgmental, you can find some interesting info.
POSTED NOV. 16, 1998
Siobhan, black woman <siobha_101@hotmail.com>, Baltimore, MD
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THE QUESTION:
R85: I am a white female and I am wondering if blacks enjoy “black people” sitcoms (i.e. The Fresh Prince of Bel Aire).
POSTED MARCH 24, 1998
Dee Smith, Detroit

ANSWER 1:
As a black male, I find sitcoms with predominantly black characters highly entertaining. I also find them far more humorous than Jerry Seinfeld.
POSTED MARCH 28, 1998
Michael, 31, Ypsilanti, MI

FURTHER NOTICE:
For me, it all depends on the sitcom. If it sucks, no matter how black the cast, I’m outta there! For example, I happened to like “The Fresh Prince of Bel Aire.” But I only watched “Family Matters” if someone else wanted to see it. And shows like the thankfully defunct “Homeboys In Space” I wouldn’t ever watch for love or money. Not because they weren’t “black enough,” because they weren’t my taste or they were just bad!
POSTED MARCH 28, 1998
Jay B., black male <jayboyd@ameritech.net>
Detroit, MI

FURTHER NOTICE 2:
I like some “black people” sitcoms, others I really dislike. The same goes for “white people” sitcoms. If the sitcom is funny to me, it gets my vote whether the people are green, black, white, yellow, red or purple.
POSTED NOV. 16, 1998
Siobhan, black woman <siobhan_101@hotmail.com>, Baltimore, MD
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THE QUESTION:
R84: Why do blacks ask for a glass of hot water in a restaurant for the silverware?
POSTED MARCH 24, 1998
George T., Wood-Ridge, N.J.

ANSWER 1:
The persons you observed probably wanted to make sure the silverware was clean before using it. All blacks don’t do this. I’ve noticed others do this as well.
POSTED MARCH 25, 1998
Rain, Dallas, Texas

FURTHER NOTICE:
Have you ever seen what goes on in the kitchens? I always ask for hot water to wash my silverware. I can’t tell you the times I have gotten a dirty fork or spoon.
POSTED NOV. 9, 1998
Jimmy, white female, 30, Arkansas

FURTHER NOTICE 2:
The first time I encountered this, I was having lunch with a white girlfriend. I had no idea why she was ordering a glass of hot water. Then I incorrectly assumed (you know what they say about that) that she had a teabag with her to make tea. When she placed her eating utensils in the glass, I was still puzzled. She asked if I didn’t do that. Call me dense, but I was still unaware of what she was doing until she removed the silverware and wiped it with a napkin, explaining half-jokingly that she didn’t know where they’d been. She told me she’d done that for years. I felt kind of strange that in all my years of dining out, I’d never seen this before. I’d always just wiped my utensils with a dry napkin.
POSTED NOV. 16, 1998
Siobhan, black female <siobhan_101@hotmail.com>, Baltimore , MD
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THE QUESTION:
R83: I heard a black friend of mine refer to another black friend as “blue black.” Am I correct to assume this was in reference to his skin tone? If so, where did this phrase come from?
POSTED MARCH 24, 1998
Annie, white, Ann Arbor, MI

ANSWER 1:
Yes, blue black is a term for skin tone that is so very dark black it seems to have a blue tint.
POSTED MARCH 25, 1998
Rain, Dallas, Texas

FURTHER NOTICE:
Blue black is an expression to denote that someone is so black that there is a bluish (Navy blue or midnight blue) cast to their skin. This is usually in reference to someone who is from Africa and is very dark. Since 70 percent of African-Americans have a white ancestor, skin tone tends to be more brown than black in African-Americans.
POSTED MARCH 25, 1998
BJ Winchester, Cultural Diversity Trainer, Jacksonville, FL

FURTHER NOTICE 2:
Try spending some time in a mainly black country sometime. When I was in the Caribbean, I enjoyed seeing the majority of people who were “Africa black.” Not all were blue-black, some were more black-black. I found that, even on tropically sunny days, some people’s facial features remained invisible to me until they walked quite close – their skin reflected so little light.
POSTED MARCH 29, 1998
Will H., white, 48, Dallas , TX
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THE QUESTION:
R82: Why is it all right in the United States to have organizations, magazines, etc., solely for black people, but when white people try to have an exclusively white organization, it is called discriminatory or racist? Examples include Black Entertainment Television, Miss Black America, Ebony Magazine, NAACP, United Negro College Fund, just to name a few.
POSTED MARCH 24, 1998
Andrew V., 32, San Diego, CA
(Similar question posted July 24, 1998, by 26, white, <bgreen@msn.com>, Atlanta, GA)

ANSWER 1:
What you are not taking into consideration is that if it is not spelled out, it is assumed to be white. ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, WB and UPN don’t need to call themselves white stations, but for the most part, they usually wind up being just that. This has been the case since the inception of broadcast television.You’d be hard-pressed to open a magazine, or watch a TV show, and find no whites included. This is usually the case for blacks, Asians and Latinos. And yes, there are programs, networks and events for more than just blacks. I wonder: Why does it bother you that there is a designation for blacks?
Apryl P., black <apryl@mail-me.com>
Oak Park, MI

FURTHER NOTICE:
Because most of the magazines, TV shows, etc. were for years exclusively white. Why wasn’t it racist for magazines to never include black people?
POSTED MARCH 28, 1998
Alex, 39, white <aleavens@mindspring.com>
Lawrenceville, GA

FURTHER NOTICE 2:
It is because of the existence of the white publications and institutions you mention that black people have “special” magazines, etc. To us, these things are not “special” Want to see black women/men who epitomize beauty in our eyes? We know better than to go to Cosmopolitan, Vogue or Mademoiselle or view the Miss America pageant, etc. Need help with college costs? Because we do not have a local Kiwanis club, and The Daughters of The American Revolution hasn’t had any scholarship drives for us lately, the United Negro College Fund is the first place to look. The organizations you mention have always been there for the support of white folks. Their black counterparts are here for the voice and support of black individuals
POSTED MARCH 28, 1998
Catherine, 36, black, Brooklyn, NY

FURTHER NOTICE 3:
Historically, blacks were excluded from events such as Miss America; therefore, blacks created their own pageants to acknowledge and celebrate the beauty of the black woman. Should we as black people give up our now “traditional” pageants because mainstream America has now included a few black contestants? There are 50-plus women vying for Miss America, and of that 50-plus I’d say four or five at most are black.
POSTED MARCH 28, 1998
Michael, 31, black <Notlad2@webtv.net>
Ypsilanti, MI

FURTHER NOTICE 4:
I don’t think the person asking the questions was questioning why white people weren’t included. But if white people were to start a NAAWP, there would be an outcry. Same with White Entertainment Television, or scholarships for people who were only of Caucasian descent. (Director’s Note: It should be noted that there is a National Association For The Advancement of White People.)
POSTED MARCH 29, 1998
DB, 31, MI

FURTHER NOTICE 5:
I agree with DB. It is not that white people are offended that black people have specifically black organizations, it is that if white people were to do the same, (like The National Association For The Advancement of White People), it would automatically be considered a racist organization and would on the receiving end of a lot of hatred, misplaced or not. On the other hand, the specifically black organizatons don’t seem to follow those same unspoken rules. Although they are great organizations, why aren’t they considered racist, the same as white clubs would be?
POSTED APRIL 1, 1998
Kristen, white, MI

FURTHER NOTICE 6:
(Confidential to B.T.M.: The NAAWP still exists (there is a chapter right here in Jacksonville), so we are unclear about your request regarding the following posting. We cannot locate your email address, so please email us at yforum@yforum.com with your address again, so we can continue the discussion. Thanks.)
In response to Kristen, D.B. and the original questioner, Andrew V.: For starters, the NAAWP is virulently racist, as were fellow organizations such as the White Citizens Council, the John Birch Society and the Ku Klux Klan. The reality is that “whiteness” and racism are synonyms, according to the chief progenitors of the terms, such as Rudyard Kipling (White Man’s Burden) and J.F. Blumenbach (Hierarchy of the Races). If there were magazines solely based upon the various cultural groups of which Euro-Americans belong (Irish, French, etc.,), no one would take issue, especially the conscience of those celebratory Caucasians such as yourselves. However, when the wagons circle around “whiteness” or even “America,” and there is no black and/or Native American presence, it is safe to say that, considering the sordid, opprobriously cruel history of this country, overt racism is being exercised. Texaco is a perfect example.
POSTED APRIL 4, 1998
B.T.M., black male, Detroit, MI

FURTHER NOTICE 7:
An additional note: The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People announced this year that it will try to serve the interests of people of all colors (including white).
POSTED APRIL 6, 1998
Colette, 32, white <inkwolf@earthlink.net>
Seymour , WI
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THE QUESTION:
R81: I’ve noticed in Africa many blacks wear woolen caps even in the hottest weather. On returning to the United States I see this phenomenon more often. Why the caps?
POSTED MARCH 24, 1998
Roberto H., 65, Hispanic <cfpcrbmacody@juno.com>
Milwaukee, WI
(Similar question posted April 14, 1998, by Mike C., white, of Clinton Township, MI)

ANSWER 1:
Black men/boys wear woolen caps to keep the curl down in their hair, or, if they have an afro or just removed cornrows, their hair is kind of scuzzy, and it’s easier to slap on a cap. The saddest reason is that it can be part of gang attire.
POSTED MARCH 28, 1998
Eponya, Detroit, MI