Why do most people assume racism is derived from...?

Question

an ignorant upbringing/childhood? It seems that the people who claim this are really the ignorant ones.

I was brought up in a non-racist environment, attended integrated schools, played on the basketball team (which was mostly black), etc.

Nowadays , it seems like black youth just want to be "gangstaz", thugs, etc. It is extremely common for the black kids/teens in my area to get into not show respect and get into trouble with the law.

Seeing black people's response to Hurricane Katrina, various riots, overall acceptance of the gangster lifestyle (to include all kinds of immorality) has made me prejudice. Not my parents, not my "ignorance" (feel free to dispute that)- I try to keep an open mind.

Obviously, I am not going to say ALL black people are like this, but I can definately understand why some prejudiced whites feel the way they do.

Mature responses only please.

Answer 1

You said it yourself. You are prejudiced but still cannot bring yourself to condemn all black people. A racist doesn't distinguish between "Good" & "Bad" Black people. The concept of judging anyone by their appearance is abhorrant to me. I don't understand the mentality of being judgmental based entirely on skin color. I was raised in that kind of environment and still despise my parents for it.

Answer 2

I understand what you are saying, and the answer is basically a result of what the media portrays to them as being cool.  It's as simple as that, but the funny thing about it is that all races are affected by it and suburbs as well as ghettos are reaping the consequences.  I work in juvenile detention and I see it with my own eyes.  You have Gangster Rappers who indoctrinate our youth with their words and glorified life stories.  You have idiots such as Marilyn Manson who does the same.  Being upset about what's going on is normal, but being prejudice about the ones who are involved is childish.  Consider ways that you could help change the problem, because "Corrections" hasn't been proven to be successful.

I used to be one of those troubled youth who you are prejudice about.  But someone took time out to work change into my life.  Now I have a bachelor's degree, I'm working towards my master's degree, I go to church willingly, and I'm a State employee.  On top of all of that... I still dress the same as I did back then.  "Men look on the outward appearance..."  Try not to be the average person, but please know  and understand that every black guy with baggy pants is not selling drugs alright brotha.  That man might be the one who gets you out of a "jimmy" one day.

Answer 3

yes it all comes down to upbringing, and  WHAT YOU BELEIVE IN, LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING , IAM WHITE OK, AND A MANY YEARS AGO, I WAS A NEWLEYWED, I WAS 19 YEARS OLD, AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD I LIVED IN WAS HLF AND HALF, WELL I WAS LONLEY, AND MY MOMMA ALWAYS TOLD ME TO BE NICE TO BLACKS, AND TREAT THEM JUST THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED THAT THERE IS GOOD AND BAD IN EVERYBODY, EVEN IF THEY ARE RED BLACK BLUE OR YELLOW, SOO ON WITH THE STORY, A NICE BLACK WOMAN GOT MARRIED DOWN THE STREET WERE I WAS AT, AND I WENT DOWN THE STREET WENT INTO THE HOUSE AND CONGRATULATE HER, I GAVE HER A HUG, AND WISHED HER WELL, SHE CRIED, AND THE NEXT DAY, HER PEOPLE WERE ALL AROUND MY HOUSE AND SAID THANK YOU TO ME AND THANKED ME BECAUSE I WAS THE ONLY WHITE PERSON WHO CONGRATULATED HER, THEN ALL THE WHITE PEOPLE MY PEOPLE WERE MAD AS h**l, THAT ID DID THAT, THEY SNUBBED ME AND THEY WOULDNT TALK TO ME, WELL AFTER THAT WE MOVED, BUT DAMMIT, I FELT GOOD, THAT I DID THAT, AND I WENT ON WITH MY LIFE, I HAVE SOME BLACK FRIENDS IJ MY LIFE, AS A MATTER OF FACT MY BOSS IN ONE SHE IS HALF AND HALF, AND WE JOKE ALOT, SOO YOU SEE ITS NOT THE COLOR ITS WHAT YOU ARE ON THE INSIDE

Answer 4

Well you sir, are not rascist. You understand that not all blacks are the same. Your prejudices are your own problem to be dealt with by yourself. Blacks are not going away. Sad to say but neither are gangs and violence. However in the interest of being fair, I must point out that at rapidly enlarging number more of todays white youth have also tried there hand at destruction, vandalizm, violence, drugs, immorality. Its mostly masked by daddys money and therefore white youth dont have to do jail time. One point that is up for debate would be the idea that some blacks are simply allowing nature to run them instead of their own minds. What I mean by that is the concept of self preservation. They are blinded from right/wrong because they see a road of crime and think it will help them stay alive. Joining gangs for protection and also to feel involved and loved, stealing to eat, and the entire kill or be killed mentality. Some do it because they feel they have to others because they want to. White youth are doing the same things black youth are doing but because they are out there in smaller groups and dont call themselves gangs althought thats what they are they get off easier. Search you tube for those boys in Scottsdale Arizona walking through an underground parking lot smashing evertyones windows with their skateboards and breaking into vending machines for fun and fame. This is a small example of what im describing to you. Black feels they have to while White youth do the same or worse and are let off because thats just "making dumb choices, when being a kid." Those white kids didnt need to break into the vending machines to eat they just wanted candy. They didnt need to get from one place to another they just broke into some 20 cars and smashed all the windows out for destruction.

I dont mean to rant, however my point is simple. Anyone cant point the blame at black youth and get away with it because its more publisized and no ones paying to keep it quiet. But the real problem is the parents of ALL youth. Get control of your kids black and white and raise them better. Your not the one that was raised wrong, it's these kids in 2008 that are being raised wrong and thats what created your feelings of prejudice. Just keep your eyes open because its not blacks shooting up universities and going on rampages. Its not all blacks robbing stores and stealing cars. Just because they organize into what society calls gangs doesnt mean their criminal activity is any worse then the white children.

Answer 5

Its not that all Blacks want to become gangsterz or so, even whites or brown, people want to be gangsterz, its the time , bad is cool good is bad