A racial double standard

Why is it that when a black person (or other racial/cultural minorities, like Hispanics or Muslims) does something bad, people say, "That kind of behavior is what gives black people a bad name!"

Yet when a white person does something bad, it's just that individual.

It's like some people are perfectly willing to adopt a collectivist mindset when it comes to blacks.

There are always going to be black people that act badly, so if somebody ascribes to the "these badly behaving blacks are making them all look bad!" mindset, blacks will always look bad because some blacks will always do bad things. Why do blacks in general need to be accountable for other people's actions? If we are every to get past the issue of race, we have to put an emphasis on individuality over race.

I'm not saying everybody engages in this kind of double standard, but alot of people do.

Disclaimer: Keep in mind that I'm not trying to call everybody who uses the "these people make blacks look bad" phrase racist. I don't think they neccesarily have bad intentions. I just think they're not thinking about the implications of their words, which we're all guilty of at one time or another.

Your sentiments describe what the muslim community is facing on a daily basis

Your sentiments describe what the muslim community is facing on a daily basis

Nayef_shroof

Yeah, definitely. Perhaps I should have focused on minorities in general (tho I did edit my OP to include your point). It's just that I have the most personal experience with the double standard as applied to blacks.

What people say that?KiIIyou

You've seriously never heard that?

In fact, somebody said that in that thread about the elderly man getting hit by the truck, which is what prompted me to make this thread.

Check out other threads in which a black person is doing something bad and you'll probably here the same thing.

[QUOTE="KiIIyou"]What people say that?GreySeal9

You've seriously never heard that?

In fact, somebody said that in that thread about the elderly man getting hit by the truck, which is what prompted me to make this thread.

Check out other threads in which a black person is doing something bad and you'll probably here the same thing.

it is the other way around minorities getting always away with stuff in the media

its often the normal people of the majority who think that way about minorities but then again they are the majority why should they think that all 70% are bad for a view?

it is the other way around minorities getting always away with stuff in the mediaHFkami

What's an example of this?

its often the normal people of the majority who think that way about minorities but then again they are the majority why should they think that all 70% are bad for a view?

HFkami

I'm not sure what you mean. Can you clarify?

What's an example of this? GreySeal9

O.J, Simpson, Michael Irving, Chris Brown... want more?

O.J, Simpson, Michael Irving, Chris Brown... want more?

z4twenny

OJ Simpson got acquitted because the prosecution didn't prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The media treatment of him definitely was not light.

Chris Brown? Are you serious? Chris Brown was not given light treatment in the media. I'd really like to see some evidence of that.

I'm not familar with Michael Irving.

This thread set black people two steps back.ZumaJones07

How so?

blame the white devil!!!pygmahia5

This is pretty extreme on your part.

well 60% of the people in prison are part of a racial and ethnic minority*. that probably doesn't with help with public perception; especially given the USAs history of institutionalized racism.

that said, it's pathetic for these generalizations to persist as long as they have. an individual's actions should not be held accountable by the community.

edit: let me clarify on that last part. simply because ted bundy was a serial killer, rapist, necrophiliac; it doesn't mean all white people are the same.

*source: http://www.sentencingproject.org/template/page.cfm?id=122

if you don't like hearing that then don't listen to what bill cosby has to say.

if you don't like hearing that then don't listen to what bill cosby has to say.

Riverwolf007

If Bill Cosby has said that, then I think he is just as misguided on that particular view.

well 60% of the people in prison are part of a racial and ethnic minority*. that probably doesn't with help with public perception; especially given the USAs history of institutionalized racism.

that said, it's pathetic for these generalizations to persist as long as they have. an individual's actions should not be held accountable by the community.

*source: http://www.sentencingproject.org/template/page.cfm?id=122

SirWander

Yes, but think about the percentage of the black population that are in prison, not how many in the prison are black. Blacks criminals are more likely to get caught doing crimes due to being black.

[QUOTE="z4twenny"]O.J, Simpson, Michael Irving, Chris Brown... want more?

GreySeal9

OJ Simpson got acquitted because the prosecution didn't prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The media treatment of him definitely was not light.

Chris Brown? Are you serious? Chris Brown was not given light treatment in the media. I'd really like to see some evidence of that.

I'm not familar with Michael Irving.

White people don't do as many shady things for starters.

well 60% of the people in prison are part of a racial and ethnic minority*. that probably doesn't with help with public perception; especially given the USAs history of institutionalized racism.

that said, it's pathetic for these generalizations to persist as long as they have. an individual's actions should not be held accountable by the community.

edit: let me clarify on that last part. simply because ted bundy was a serial killer, rapist, necrophiliac; it doesn't mean all white people are the same.

*source: http://www.sentencingproject.org/template/page.cfm?id=122

SirWander

I agree with you. There are sociological reasons that a big chunk of the prison population consists of minorities, but it doesn't help public perception of said races because alot of people refuse to get out of a collectivist mindset.

[QUOTE="GreySeal9"]

What's an example of this? z4twenny

O.J, Simpson, Michael Irving, Chris Brown... want more?

In what way did these people get away with stuff in the media?

White people don't do as many shady things for starters.

CaveJohnson1

And your evidence for this statement is?

[QUOTE="GreySeal9"]

[QUOTE="z4twenny"]O.J, Simpson, Michael Irving, Chris Brown... want more?

fueled-system

OJ Simpson got acquitted because the prosecution didn't prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The media treatment of him definitely was not light.

Chris Brown? Are you serious? Chris Brown was not given light treatment in the media. I'd really like to see some evidence of that.

I'm not familar with Michael Irving.

I definitely think he was guilty, but no, the prosecution did not prove it beyond a reasonable doubt.

White people don't do as many shady things for starters.

CaveJohnson1

LOL oh man I can't believe you just wrote that.

[QUOTE="GreySeal9"]

[QUOTE="z4twenny"]O.J, Simpson, Michael Irving, Chris Brown... want more?

fueled-system

OJ Simpson got acquitted because the prosecution didn't prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The media treatment of him definitely was not light.

Chris Brown? Are you serious? Chris Brown was not given light treatment in the media. I'd really like to see some evidence of that.

I'm not familar with Michael Irving.

No, when one of your key witnesses is caught lying on the stand and then all but admits to planting evidence you have not proven your case beyond a reasonable doubt.

White people don't do as many shady things for starters.

CaveJohnson1

Enlighten us.

White people don't do as many shady things for starters.

Generally said statement is made towards those contributing to a stereotype.

White people don't do as many shady things for starters.

CaveJohnson1

Double posting is kinda shady.

Generally said statement is made towards those contributing to a stereotype.

coolbeans90

I know it is, but those people wouldn't "make black people look bad" if we simply thought of people as inviduals.

And like I said, I've never heard the "[people doing bad things] makes [race] look bad" applied to white people.

Lets be real when a white person gets into trouble they get a slap on the wrist,black person gets into trouble,let's make an example out of them

Whites are usually made to feel guilty for things they have no control over now days like Hitler the klan and slavery while blacks love playing the role of the racially oppressed victim. If black people stopped confirming these stereotypes, on an all too often regular basis, then maybe the so called double standards would stop.

Why is it that when a black person (or other racial/cultural minorities, like Hispanics or Muslims) does something bad, people say, "That kind of behavior is what gives black people a bad name!"

Yet when a white person does something bad, it's just that individual.

GreySeal9

Those people are probably saying it because they are aware of the stereotypes that exist about (to go along with your example) black people.

If there were stereotypes for white people (and I am sure there are some for specific things - maybe less offensive compared to the ones about other groups of people) they'd probably say the same thing.

Also the above doesnt mean they believe those stereotypes are true - they are actually pointing out the opposite: that they are generalisations.

Whites are usually made to feel guilty for things they have no control over now days like Hitler the klan and slavery while blacks love playing the role of the racially oppressed victim. If black people stopped confirming these stereotypes, on an all too often regular basis, then maybe the so called double standards would stop.187umKILLAH

[QUOTE="GreySeal9"]

Why is it that when a black person (or other racial/cultural minorities, like Hispanics or Muslims) does something bad, people say, "That kind of behavior is what gives black people a bad name!"

Yet when a white person does something bad, it's just that individual.

Teenaged

Those people are probably saying it because they are aware of the stereotypes that exist about (to go along with your example) black people.

If there were stereotypes for white people (and I am sure there are some for specific things - maybe less offensive compared to the ones about other groups of people) they'd probably say the same thing.

Also the above doesnt mean they believe those stereotypes are true - they are actually pointing out the opposite: that they are generalisations.

They may not believe that the stereotypes are true, but they are, in the cases I've seen, justifying the idea of collective perceptions by blaming the actions of a individual for tainting the image of a race.

I don't see how it's not a double standard. If the behavior of one or a few black people can make the whole race look bad, then of course the same things should apply to whites. The fact that the stereotypes exists and is re-inforced by the actions of some blacks (which never seems to apply to whites) is the double standard. And to blame the badly behaving individual for perpetuating it is to justify thinking collectively.

Whites are usually made to feel guilty for things they have no control over now days like Hitler the klan and slavery while blacks love playing the role of the racially oppressed victim. If black people stopped confirming these stereotypes, on an all too often regular basis, then maybe the so called double standards would stop.

187umKILLAH

Oh boy. Where do I start?

First of all, the "racially oppressed victim" bit is a pretty nasty generalization.

Secondly, you're proving my point. Why does the actions of some black people confirm the stereotype? Why not just hold inviduals accountable for their actions instead of the entire race? Why do you insist on this kind of race-based collectivism?

Also, there are tons and tons of black people who don't "confirm" the stereotypes?

[QUOTE="187umKILLAH"]Whites are usually made to feel guilty for things they have no control over now days like Hitler the klan and slavery while blacks love playing the role of the racially oppressed victim. If black people stopped confirming these stereotypes, on an all too often regular basis, then maybe the so called double standards would stop.VanHelsingBoA64

Agreed.

Whites are usually made to feel guilty for things they have no control over now days like Hitler the klan and slavery while blacks love playing the role of the racially oppressed victim. If black people stopped confirming these stereotypes, on an all too often regular basis, then maybe the so called double standards would stop.

187umKILLAH

Why don't you target the black individuals pulling out the race card and conforming to stereotypes rather than lumping every black person into the same category? Why is that so hard to do for some people?

Why is it that when a black person (or other racial/cultural minorities, like Hispanics or Muslims) does something bad, people say, "That kind of behavior is what gives black people a bad name!"

Yet when a white person does something bad, it's just that individual.

It's like some people are perfectly willing to adopt a collectivist mindset when it comes to blacks.

There are always going to be black people that act badly, so if somebody ascribes to the "these badly behaving blacks are making them all look bad!" mindset, blacks will always look bad because some blacks will always do bad things. Why do blacks in general need to be accountable for other people's actions? If we are every to get past the issue of race, we have to put an emphasis on individuality over race.

I'm not saying everybody engages in this kind of double standard, but alot of people do.

Disclaimer: Keep in mind that I'm not trying to call everybody who uses the "these people make blacks look bad" phrase racist. I don't think they neccesarily have bad intentions. I just think they're not thinking about the implications of their words, which we're all guilty of at one time or another.

[QUOTE="GreySeal9"]

Why is it that when a black person (or other racial/cultural minorities, like Hispanics or Muslims) does something bad, people say, "That kind of behavior is what gives black people a bad name!"

Yet when a white person does something bad, it's just that individual.

It's like some people are perfectly willing to adopt a collectivist mindset when it comes to blacks.

There are always going to be black people that act badly, so if somebody ascribes to the "these badly behaving blacks are making them all look bad!" mindset, blacks will always look bad because some blacks will always do bad things. Why do blacks in general need to be accountable for other people's actions? If we are every to get past the issue of race, we have to put an emphasis on individuality over race.

I'm not saying everybody engages in this kind of double standard, but alot of people do.

Disclaimer: Keep in mind that I'm not trying to call everybody who uses the "these people make blacks look bad" phrase racist. I don't think they neccesarily have bad intentions. I just think they're not thinking about the implications of their words, which we're all guilty of at one time or another.

shadowchronicle

And what are these historical reasons you speak of?

As far as I know, different members of a race act different ways.

Your second point is intellectual dishonesty. I never stereotyped white people. I simply said that you don't ever hear people saying that the actions of whites makes the whole race look bad. Where in the world is the stereotype?

If I had said "white people buy into the stereotypes" that would be one thing, but I simply pointed that a certain kind of logic doesn't seem to apply to them in society.

[QUOTE="shadowchronicle"][QUOTE="GreySeal9"]

Why is it that when a black person (or other racial/cultural minorities, like Hispanics or Muslims) does something bad, people say, "That kind of behavior is what gives black people a bad name!"

Yet when a white person does something bad, it's just that individual.

It's like some people are perfectly willing to adopt a collectivist mindset when it comes to blacks.

There are always going to be black people that act badly, so if somebody ascribes to the "these badly behaving blacks are making them all look bad!" mindset, blacks will always look bad because some blacks will always do bad things. Why do blacks in general need to be accountable for other people's actions? If we are every to get past the issue of race, we have to put an emphasis on individuality over race.

I'm not saying everybody engages in this kind of double standard, but alot of people do.

Disclaimer: Keep in mind that I'm not trying to call everybody who uses the "these people make blacks look bad" phrase racist. I don't think they neccesarily have bad intentions. I just think they're not thinking about the implications of their words, which we're all guilty of at one time or another.

And what are these historical reasons you speak of?

As far as I know, different members of a race act different ways.

Your second point is intellectual dishonesty on the highest level. I never stereotyped white people. I simply said that you don't ever hear people saying that the actions of whites makes the whole race look bad. Where in the world is the stereotype?

Have y'all ever watched this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNu-WZdHzaABucked20

That's **** outrageous.

[QUOTE="Teenaged"]

[QUOTE="GreySeal9"]

Why is it that when a black person (or other racial/cultural minorities, like Hispanics or Muslims) does something bad, people say, "That kind of behavior is what gives black people a bad name!"

Yet when a white person does something bad, it's just that individual.

GreySeal9

Those people are probably saying it because they are aware of the stereotypes that exist about (to go along with your example) black people.

If there were stereotypes for white people (and I am sure there are some for specific things - maybe less offensive compared to the ones about other groups of people) they'd probably say the same thing.

Also the above doesnt mean they believe those stereotypes are true - they are actually pointing out the opposite: that they are generalisations.

They may not believe that the stereotypes are true, but they are, in the cases I've seen, justifying the idea of collective perceptions by blaming the actions of a individual for tainting the image of a race.

I don't see how it's not a double standard. If the behavior of one or a few black people can make the whole race look bad, then of course the same things should apply to whites. The fact that the stereotypes exists and is re-inforced by the actions of some blacks (which never seems to apply to whites) is the double standard. And to blame the badly behaving individual for perpetuating it is to justify thinking collectively.

Now for those stereotypes that do exist about white people, I wouldnt be much susprised if the same phrase was said about them. Maybe in a more joking manner because white stereotypes arent as serious (in the sense that they dont claim very offensive things). At least that's what I've seen.

[QUOTE="Bucked20"]Have y'all ever watched this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNu-WZdHzaAGreySeal9

That's **** outrageous.