Black People : Acting White

Istari

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Sep 17, 2010
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African American Students and Education By Edward Rhymes Ph.D.

I have heard a lot of static concerning African Americans and their supposed disregard for education. “Our black kids look down on education” say many of the black pundits, “they tease the black kids who are doing well school and say they are acting white.” I’ve heard this repeated over and over again by African-American personalities and celebrities (none of which, by the way, have any extensive, classroom teaching experience). Let me also add, that in all my years as an educator and youth program specialist, I have never heard any student equating scholastic achievement with whiteness. Nevertheless, this assertion is usually made without challenge, rebuttal or explanation. This is yet another sign of the reactionary times that we now live in, here in America – with a pit bull-like tenacity we lock on to what is being said without examining why it’s being said. I, in the course of this writing, will endeavor to unmask this widely-held misconception.

I would like to outline, briefly, my experience in education and youth development:

1. I have taught high school social studies, history, sociology and special needs.

2. I have taught college sociology, philosophy and history.

3. I have taught graduate courses in education (my students were k-12 teachers & guidance counselors – in other words I’ve taught teachers).

4. I have served on the Board of Directors of a teachers’ union.
5. I create and develop educational curriculum and programs.

6. I have worked for a number of years, in fields of education and social youth development programs.

I’m not flaunting or bragging about my qualifications, but I am merely pointing out that I do have a basis (rooted in experience) for forming my views on this particular subject. There are four areas that I will be focusing on: 1. Popular Culture, 2. Curriculum, 3. Honors/Advance Placement classes and 4. Ethnicity of Teachers.


Dr. Edward Rhymes, of New Bedford, Massachusetts, is a consultant in the areas racism, equity & diversity, education and adolescent development. He is also a Visiting Asst. Professor at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth. Be sure to check out the Rhymes Reasons page on his website, http://mysite.verizon.net/vze48hqr/rhymesworld

http://www.blackcommentator.com/100/100_cover_acting_white.html

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I remember being told that I acted white for the first time when I was in the 5th grade by this classmate...I was in private school and when she told me this I felt really hurt and confused because I thought I was just being myself...I knew I was black but I never thought I acted different from anyone else other than being myself.
It was crazy, because to the white kids I was too black and they would say things like "Oh you're from the ghetto..." But I never was and then the black children would say the opposite and would try and make me feel bad for where I came from and how I lived...
I literally lost my identity when I was 14 and thought I was supposed to a certain way to be accepted by my peers who were black...And what I perceived from them was defiance. I had to be this tough person with this rough exterior...My grades dropped, I was locked up, and kicked out of school...For what? The wrong acceptance for not being "black".....
 
It was crazy, because to the white kids I was too black and they would say things like "Oh you're from the ghetto..." But I never was and then the black children would say the opposite and would try and make me feel bad for where I came from and how I lived...
I literally lost my identity when I was 14 and thought I was supposed to a certain way to be accepted by my peers who were black...And what I perceived from them was defiance. I had to be this tough person with this rough exterior...My grades dropped, I was locked up, and kicked out of school...For what? The wrong acceptance for not being "black".....
yeah, i know this song - it's the total reason that i come off sounding like i do. seen as "showing off" or being something other than what i was supposed to be (spent most of my life trying to accommodate that, but it never worked) - or shunned because of wanting to read all the time (put them books down and go out and play! - can't spend all your time in the library!)

spotted the "alternative" you chose and decided that i'd just spend my life without friends rather than get locked up and stuff. totally frustrating; catch flak for trying to use my intelligence in/of/for myself, but catch even more if i don't drop everything i'm doing right now and solve everybody else's silly little problem ... and, of course, since i do solve their problems for them, every time, it's "you just think you're so smart". and the other one: "why you gotta be right all the time?!" ... duh! because i don't open my mouth unless i have something useful to add.

being intelligent ain't "acting white" - "acting white" is being an animal that can't/won't avoid making messes in it's own nest - which, when one looks around this planet, obviously ain't the smartest move on the board, now is it?

(touched a nerve - sorry for the mini-vent)
 
When I was coming up, for the most part, we (around my way) did not
necessarily equate being smart or having a broad vocab with "acting white".

If you were smart, we'd just called you a nerd, which really didn't have
much of a negative connotation, for if you were cool and or down, then
it was all good, nerd and all. Perhaps the movie "revenge of the nerds" may
have helped in that regard, lol.

For some of us, "acting white", had much to do with your mannerisms and
quite possibly interest. Generally, many black folks do things/have interests
that are different from many white folks. Nothing wrong with that. For much
of it has to do with exposure and opportunity. For example, if black folks had
as much exposure to hockey as we do a basketball court, we'd most likely
see more black folks playing and taking an interest in hockey.

Culturally and socially we have many differences and interest.
It's not negative. Its not positive. It just is...
 
I remember being told that I acted white for the first time when I was in the 5th grade by this classmate...I was in private school and when she told me this I felt really hurt and confused because I thought I was just being myself...I knew I was black but I never thought I acted different from anyone else other than being myself.
It was crazy, because to the white kids I was too black and they would say things like "Oh you're from the ghetto..." But I never was and then the black children would say the opposite and would try and make me feel bad for where I came from and how I lived...
I literally lost my identity when I was 14 and thought I was supposed to a certain way to be accepted by my peers who were black...And what I perceived from them was defiance. I had to be this tough person with this rough exterior...My grades dropped, I was locked up, and kicked out of school...For what? The wrong acceptance for not being "black".....


I can identify.

What's really sad is when you see adults doing this to their children, and to each other.
 

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