What Exactly Is "Acting Black and Acting White?"

I haven't heard that expression since highschool. I feel sorry for anyone who thinks that way. They are far behind the rest of us. They assume that hip hop fashion is Only for black people . And that rock n roll is Only for white people. They are so wrong.I bet they think any person of color who can use proper English and who likes to read is " acting white". Like it is not cool to want to get a good education.I say everyone has the right to be as smart or in their cases as dumb as they want to be. I feel sorry for them because they are limiting themselves. Most of us are beyond these stereotypes and we are free to like what we like and dress the way we like regardless of color.

I think it is the dumbest most ignorant thing in the world and I get all fired up each and every time I hear it. We fought long and hard for civil rights and this should not be happening in this day and age. I see it mostly with older adults and not so much with the younger people. There are some old people that are just so stuck in their ways.

you know I have to agree with you. We now live in a world where it is ok to be who you are and when you really let loose and be yourself people think you are trying to be something you are not. It really drives me nuts when people do that. When I look as people I dont see color or race I see a human who is being true to them selves.

Ah, the old acting "black" or "white" thing. I've been told that I act white many times. I tell people that first of all, I can't act like a color, but if I could, I'd be acting black because I am black and I'm acting like myself. Just because it may not be what other people would see as black doesn't mean anything. Some people have very limited ideas of what it means to act like a member of a race. If I "acted black" by some people's definition of what that is, I wouldn't be true to myself. I suppose the only time that expression has any merit is if you're talking about someone who purposely is *trying* to act the way they think people of another race acts. And, even then, they're only acting like certain members of that race.

It's a stupid stereotypical thing to say. And I think everything that you are saying is right! We are all who we are.. and color has nothing to do with it. Sheesh.

Completly agree with you. I dont think that we can act like anything other than themselves. I mean who says that a white person cant wear baggy clothing? I dont get it really. Its the year 2008 and there are people that still see colors. I dont get it. We are all people. Thats what matters. People matter, colors dont. Great post.

although there are certain races and cultures who have their own cultures distinct to them, I think it shouldn't matter if one admires or copies "a culture" of another. Referring to them derogatorily if they act or dress in a certain way woud imply that either you aren't good enough for a certain culture or a culture is not good enough for you. doing so, is racist and stereotypical and just shows how shallow you are.