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I think I'm close to another Brainfertilizer Socio-Political Law:
Something like: '"Acts like me" is far more important for acceptance than "Looks like me."
Something like: '"Acts like me" is far more important for acceptance than "Looks like me."
You see, in the United States, way back in the 80s, we already had overcome most of our racism, and were able to identify with on-screen characters in disregard of race.
In the 70s, Bruce Lee wasn't able to star in "Kung Fu" because the executives didn't think anyone could identify with a Chinese guy.
but by the mid-70s, "The Jeffersons" was a hit show.
Eddie Murphy was quite popular. White America learned from his character's frustration with racism in 48 hours (another movie that would need profound revision to be made today). Whites cheered for him in Beverly Hills Cop, because his *values* were understandable and normal.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air made Will Smith a household name. He went on to be a popular movie star.
Not because he was entertaining, but because viewers of all races *liked* him.
Not because he was entertaining, but because viewers of all races *liked* him.
I understand the "minstrel" argument, where racists like blacks for entertainment, but still don't want them moving in next door.
But I think white Americans *embraced* the black characters showed on TV and movies. We identified with their struggles, in disregard of race.
But I think white Americans *embraced* the black characters showed on TV and movies. We identified with their struggles, in disregard of race.
I remember "Courage Under Fire" as being fairly popular, and I think it was because we understood Denzel Washington's character's struggle with alcohol and duty.
His *values* resonated with us.
His *values* resonated with us.
Maybe black actors hate that sort of acting.
Maybe they feel they aren't being true to black culture by portraying characters that are "safe" to white people.
But that's the point.
Maybe they feel they aren't being true to black culture by portraying characters that are "safe" to white people.
But that's the point.
"Act like me" is far more important to acceptance than "look like me".
If someone acts like you, demonstrates the same values as you, then you are more likely to trust them. You believe (correctly or incorrectly) that you can predict their behavior.
If someone acts like you, demonstrates the same values as you, then you are more likely to trust them. You believe (correctly or incorrectly) that you can predict their behavior.
One of the biggest problems in race relations right now is the lack of trust.
Too many whites don't know how to act around black strangers. They have to be far more careful with words they use, for fear of causing offense.
Too many whites don't know how to act around black strangers. They have to be far more careful with words they use, for fear of causing offense.
If the white person causes offense, they don't know what the reaction will be.
There is insufficient understanding. There aren't enough identified common values for trust to form.
There is insufficient understanding. There aren't enough identified common values for trust to form.
We need to stop segregating races with language, with symbols, with offenses, with expectations of behavior.
The social segregation Democrats of all races advocate, the soft bigotry of low expectations and special categories of treatment, all exacerbate the lack of understanding
The social segregation Democrats of all races advocate, the soft bigotry of low expectations and special categories of treatment, all exacerbate the lack of understanding
And lack of understanding absolutely causes lack of trust.
Apocryphally, "Acting white" is an insult in black culture.
If that's actually true, it needs to stop.
If that's actually true, it needs to stop.
Because Acting White isn't actually acting like white people.
White people in Texas don't act like white people in Montana or white people in NYC or white people in the Appalachians.
White people in Texas don't act like white people in Montana or white people in NYC or white people in the Appalachians.
Acting White isn't acting like white people any more than Acting Black is acting like black people.
Acting White is the behavior that successful whites embody.
Acting White displays behavior that demonstrates values that are embraced by the majority culture.
Acting White displays behavior that demonstrates values that are embraced by the majority culture.
If you want to be embraced by the majority culture, and not marginalized, you have to ACT LIKE the majority culture.
This is Humanity 101.
Humanity 101 reveals that almost everything in the whole Marxism course series (101, 201, 301, and 401) is bullshit.
This is Humanity 101.
Humanity 101 reveals that almost everything in the whole Marxism course series (101, 201, 301, and 401) is bullshit.
So let's say you act like the majority culture, and are most accepted, but people still say shit behind your back or say passive aggressive comments that make you feel stupid.
That means they're racist, right?
Nope. That's how people on the inside treat each other.
That means they're racist, right?
Nope. That's how people on the inside treat each other.
The Good Old Boy Network helps each other out at times, because they recognize each other and trust each other.
But in any area where there is competition, they are still cutthroat and vicious.
But in any area where there is competition, they are still cutthroat and vicious.
Women always establish a pecking order in their clique and viciously peck on lower status women.
It's always been this way.
If you've been accepted into the clique, it isn't racism when you aren't treated with kid gloves, it's acceptance.
It's always been this way.
If you've been accepted into the clique, it isn't racism when you aren't treated with kid gloves, it's acceptance.
Life sucks, and people are selfish, petty, impatient, callous, irritable, vengeful, etc.
If you are on the outside, you don't see it.
If you are on the outside, you don't see it.
This is why Asians are often considered "honorary whites":
They demonstrate values that the majority culture understands and approves of:
Raise well-behaved kids who study hard to get a good STEM degree to be upper middle class and have a nice house and nice car.
They demonstrate values that the majority culture understands and approves of:
Raise well-behaved kids who study hard to get a good STEM degree to be upper middle class and have a nice house and nice car.
If you do that, you will be accepted by the majority culture, which is majority white.
If you don't want to do that, if you want to be accepted on your own terms, it probably won't work.
But it isn't racism.
But it isn't racism.
