Acting White Vs Black Stereotypes Essay

During the 2004 Democratic National Convention, our current president Barack Obama was speaking about fixing inner-city neighborhoods and explained how we must “eradicate the slander that says a black youth with a book is acting white.” “Acting white” refers “Blacks who use language or ways of speaking; display attitudes, behaviors, or preferences; or engage in activities considered to be White cultural norms (Bergin and Cooks 2002; McArdle and Young 1970; Neal-Barnett 2001; Perry 2002; Tatum 1997)” This is one stereotype that America encompasses- acting white versus black. A process developed by Bobbie Harro, an author of Readings for Diversity and Social Justice, explains people in society are initially shown what to believe by our first socialization, which includes the people we love and trust, such as family. Then, we learn from institutional and cultural socialization, which include education, religion, government, media, language, and patterns of thought. One major way people encompass such perspectives are through entertainment sources. The standard stereotype on social groups are clear in many books and movies, however some sources attempt to display the opposing side of stereotypes; Long Division by Kiese Laymon …show more content…
Two examples of characters in Long Division that do not resist the stereotype put on Blacks are City’s coach and City’s friend LaVander. City wanted watermelon and his coach elaborated on the idea that he “don’t eat eat no watermelon in front of no white folks.” Coach tells City this in order to avoid labels by whites. Moreover, the coach explains to City that “Niggas are less than white folks n they eyes (Laymon).” City’s coach insist that City obeys his advice and does not fight against the way society is. Another example when Laymon delivers the racial divide in America is when, LaVander,