As promised, The Conference Call presents to you the counter to, “Ask a White Guy.” Today, white people get to ask the questions.
This is how a dialogue on race should go in America.
And with that… Ask a Black Guy:
1. Define “black.”
Kev: Traditionally, I would define black as someone of African descent. Historically, mixed people, who have a parent of African descent, are considered black. So you can be a dark-skinned person, of African descent, born & raised in France your whole life… and still be considered “black” and not European. That’s what history says… one drop of “black” blood makes you black. History also says black people tend to be more soulful. So anyone who shows any semblance of being soulful is considered black or “being down.” See: Justin Timberlake (before he bailed on Janet), Eminem, Joss Stone, etc.
Trillionaire Wood: Black to me transcends race. It’s a culture. It’s a culture of people that obviously have African ancestry. From there I believe black would be a group of people that have endured a struggle to gain their rightful place as equals in this country. Through that struggle we have had those that thrive and become better citizens and we have those that have become bitter citizens. Some productive, some not, some were proud, some were not. From that black culture you have several subcultures… Hip hop, blues, northern blacks, southern blacks…etc. All of these things have their place in the main culture of being black. And some of these cultures have accepted other races as a part of them.
2. Are there degrees of “blackness?” Why?
Kev: If this is my politically correct answer, then no. See #1.
Honestly though… YES. You have:
1) Clarence Thomas black aka Uncle Tom – blacks who seem to have forgotten the historic struggles of black people, and who “act white.” Also, see: Uncle Ruckus from The Boondocks.
2) Barack Obama black – This type of black is the embodiment of MLK. Honest, hard working people who are aware of the historic struggles of black people, and actually do something about it. But it doesn’t begin and end there. This type of black is aware of the greater good in the world, and works toward that. Race isn’t an issue. . They can attend an NAACP & NRA meeting in the same day, and leave to hang out with their white friends at a bar. Basically, we’re just trying to make it like you.
3) Overly-Militant Blacks: See Ku Klux Klan and state militias in Montana, Michigan, and Mississippi… but they’re black.
4) N*ggas – the black equivalent to white trash. I’m sure we’ve seen both on Maury, but Maury likes to show one more so than the white counterpart.
Trillionaire Wood: I believe you meant this question to mean by being of a lighter or darker shade does it make your more or less black. That question is hard to answer. I will say it depends on who you ask. There has always been a battle inside of our culture based on shades of darkness. This can go back to slavery time when lighter skin blacks did not have to labor as hard as darker skinned blacks. I think people who try to credit being black with having a struggle would say yes because they believe lighter skin blacks have it easier than darker skinned blacks. The fact that you mention lighter skinned blacks when naming women you found attractive would perpetuate that stereotype. They think lighter skinned black women have it easier in the world because they are more accepted. There are also the people that believe that there are certain levels of acting black. If you listen to rock music and watch certain shows you are not “black enough”. I find both of those things a load crap. Like I said before being black is a culture. Even if we have differing degrees of struggle that doesn’t make you less black and because you like certain things that aren’t the norm in your culture doesn’t make you less black. The only time I would say there are degrees of blackness would come from your level of pride in who you are. If you try to forget that you are black then you are less black to me. Why? Because at that point you are pushing away your culture.
3. Do you believe that if you work hard, you can succeed at whatever you put or set your mind to? Do you believe that most other Black people agree or disagree with you?
Kev: Of course. That’s the American Dream. I believe most other Black people agree, but there is a subconscious reality that we have to work twice as harder. Some just totally cop out and blame it on “the man.”
Trillionaire Wood: I believe I can because I know who made me and with that what I’m capable of. I would say it’s 50/50. I think at one time most Black people did feel that way. But you have to understand only 45 years ago we weren’t equal citizens in this country, so it would be hard for people to get out of that mindset. I think since Obama has become president the ideas of black people being able to do what they set their mind to is become more of a reality. But again that goes back to your degrees of blackness. Some people believe he was only able to get their because of his degree of blackness.
4. How have you encountered racism personally?
Kev: I’ve encountered racism from subtle to overt.
Trillionaire Wood: Yes, I have both subtly and outright. I have been called everything from the “n” word to a “coon”. And there are times when people have not treated me the same because of my skin color.
5. Why is every disagreement or criticism automatically labeled as racially motivated? Is it the perception of the black people or media sensationalism?
Kev: Let’s look at it this way. Blacks and America have a funny relationship. We were once your sex slaves (slavery). Then you decided to date us, but treated us like crap (segregation and Civil Rights struggle). Then you married us, but still treated us like crap (Civil Rights passing). Now we’re still married, but every once in a while you come in around 5:00 AM, but ask us to trust you. So it’s not that everything is racially motivated. It’s just that the wound is kind of, sort of still healing. The media is just the nosey neighbor in the middle of our marital woes.
Trillionaire Wood: I don’t think “every” disagreement or criticism is labeled that way, but quite a few do. And I think that goes back to the idea that we know racism exist and you have to call those things out to keep them from slipping through the cracks. I think it’s a little of both. Black people’s perception which I think has diminished of the years and Media sensationalism that has increase by an alarming rate.
6. Chicken and waffles?
Kev: Yes. Also chicken & spaghetti. It’s great.
Trillionaire Wood: I have never had them together. But they are both very tasty.
7. Stereotypes exist for a reason. Agree or disagree? Is there a difference in the validity in good stereotypes, i.e. “Black people love chicken and watermelons” vs. “Black people are better at sports?”
Kev: I agree. But the reasons aren’t good. You may assume the black guy in baggy jeans who just walked into your store is going to shoplift. I may assume that the white manager is cooking the books. Stereotypes should be thrown out, and we should look at each person on a case-by-case basis… as hard as it sounds… easier said than done. But as MLK said, we should judge each man by the “content of his character.”
Trillionaire Wood: Yes stereotype exist for a reason. They exist to keep people close-minded. I think any generalization is bad whether it talks up a race or talks down a race. There are always people who break the norm. By stereotyping you close the door to meeting a lot of good people and doing a lot of good things. (BTW I love chicken and watermelon and if you don’t I have to wonder about you.)
8. What is your biggest criticism of white people? Of black people?
Kev: White people seem to have an underlying sense of entitlement.
Trillionaire Wood: I think white people take stuff to lightly. I think black people take stuff that doesn’t matter too seriously and stuff that does matter too lightly.
9. What do you see as black people’s greatest strength?
Kev: See #5. We’re strong. And despite what this country has put us through, we’re loyal.
Trillionaire Wood: Perseverance.
10. What must young black people do to break the cycle?
Kev: Young black people need to become as successful as possible, and reach back to lend a hand or pass knowledge down to those who need it. Each one should teach one.
Trillionaire Wood: What cycle are you referring to?
11. What do you feel that “white people,” “the government,” or “society” owes black people for historical wrongs?
Kev: White people, the government, and/or society owe us nothing… nothing but a fair playing field. We just want the same opportunity to succeed as the next man. We have made great strides in leveling the playing field. Some believe that unleveled playing field never existed. Some believe the playing field is finally leveled being that we have recently elected our nation’s first black president.
Trillionaire Wood: I don’t think anybody owes us anything. I wasn’t around when it happened and neither were the “white people” ,”the government”, or “society” that exist now. And there are numerous tools out there now for black people to get ahead so they just need to take advantage.
12. Your thoughts on white women and interracial relationships? 3 you find attractive.
Kev: I don’t discriminate. There are beautiful women of all races, colors, etc. So of course, I’m all for interracial relationships as long as you and that person are right for each other.
Three white women I find attractive? Mila Kunis, Hayden Panettierre, and Jessica Biel. I need to throw an older woman in there, so I’ll go with Diane Lane.
Trillionaire Wood: Only three? Hmmm…
Christina Hendricks
Jessica Biel
Scarlet Johannson
… And there you have it. Join the conversation. What questions have you always wanted to ask a black person?
