blackpeopleloveus.com
1 - 17 of 17 Posts
Yeah, I heard about this and that it upset a lot of people. My first reaction is that it is really funny. It points out a lot of the stereotypes we have about each other, and the akwardness we have of actually getting to know each other as people. The people who wrote letters had some good comments about the site (and some stupid things).
This letter reflects much of what I appreciate about the site:<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">I must say, I never appreciated the depth to your site until my second visit. At face value I thought it was a page written by a white couple who had a high percentage of black friends who found this fact worth parading. I didn't really take too much time to read the comments though; I just chucked at the humorously exaggerated pictures.<br><br><br><br>
However when I visited a second time, I read the comments from your "black friends" and realized the point that you are trying to make ever so subtly: Many white people make the assumption that they are not racist simply because they have black friends. They believe they are open minded and get up on their high horse to defend their black friends from the evil racists while acting with prejudice among their own friends.<br><br><br><br>
This unfortunately hit home for me. As a white person, I pride myself on being open minded and non judgmental, however as much as I consciously suppress racism, it manifests itself in my behavior around my African American friends. I find myself using altered speech, mimicking the way they talk despite it being quite out of character for me. I guess that subconsciously this is my way of trying to relate, but I realize now that it will only make my friends feel more different and that I should simply be myself around them.<br><br><br><br>
For those of you that come to this site and are offended, you are missing the point. For those of you that come to the site and think it is humorous obviously are missing the point as well.<br><br><br><br>
Read the quotes on the front page: "You're so cool, you're different, you're not like other Black people!" Every one of the quotes is a textbook example of things that white people say to their black friends to make it apparent that they are not racist, like they deserve some prize for that. The message that this website is trying to convey is that these comments do not help, and this type of thinking only promotes prejudice. This is satire...read: sarcasm.<br><br><br><br>
I appreciate the insight into myself and hopefully I will come away a better person. I hope that others will take the opportunity to realize this often ignored problem.<br><br><br><br>
Peace,<br><br>
-Anonymous in Atlanta</div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
Basically I think it comments on how even with the best of intentions, the way white people interact with blacks is very often influenced by a black's race and subconscious or conscious ideas about race (especially when we know little else about them).
<div class="quote-block">I must say, I never appreciated the depth to your site until my second visit. At face value I thought it was a page written by a white couple who had a high percentage of black friends who found this fact worth parading. I didn't really take too much time to read the comments though; I just chucked at the humorously exaggerated pictures.<br><br><br><br>
However when I visited a second time, I read the comments from your "black friends" and realized the point that you are trying to make ever so subtly: Many white people make the assumption that they are not racist simply because they have black friends. They believe they are open minded and get up on their high horse to defend their black friends from the evil racists while acting with prejudice among their own friends.<br><br><br><br>
This unfortunately hit home for me. As a white person, I pride myself on being open minded and non judgmental, however as much as I consciously suppress racism, it manifests itself in my behavior around my African American friends. I find myself using altered speech, mimicking the way they talk despite it being quite out of character for me. I guess that subconsciously this is my way of trying to relate, but I realize now that it will only make my friends feel more different and that I should simply be myself around them.<br><br><br><br>
For those of you that come to this site and are offended, you are missing the point. For those of you that come to the site and think it is humorous obviously are missing the point as well.<br><br><br><br>
Read the quotes on the front page: "You're so cool, you're different, you're not like other Black people!" Every one of the quotes is a textbook example of things that white people say to their black friends to make it apparent that they are not racist, like they deserve some prize for that. The message that this website is trying to convey is that these comments do not help, and this type of thinking only promotes prejudice. This is satire...read: sarcasm.<br><br><br><br>
I appreciate the insight into myself and hopefully I will come away a better person. I hope that others will take the opportunity to realize this often ignored problem.<br><br><br><br>
Peace,<br><br>
-Anonymous in Atlanta</div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
Basically I think it comments on how even with the best of intentions, the way white people interact with blacks is very often influenced by a black's race and subconscious or conscious ideas about race (especially when we know little else about them).
Joined
·
10,763 Posts
Yes I thought it was a cute humor page, Tame.<br><br><br><br>
I am quite certain that I have made rude remarks -- some that I realized later; perhaps there are more that I never noticed later. And I have noticed similar remarks made by others, relating to my own ethnicty.<br><br><br><br>
Having been raised by people who were openly racist, and having been "protected" all during my childhood from having to interact with any black people at all, I would have been surprised if, as i tried to interact in the world as a young adult, rude remarks didn't escape my mouth, even though I intended to try and reject my racist upbringing and instead treat each person as an individual. Because I have largely stayed at home alone, and had no life, and had little opportunity to interact with people first hand, despite my advanced age, I would not be surpised if such things still come out of my mouth.<br><br><br><br>
However i think that errors of etiquette, are not the same thing as intentionally racist remarks. While it is fun for humorists and entertainers to point out how silly some of these remarks are, in real social situations, when people make such remarks related to my ethnicity, I think it is better not to make a big production out of them, and rather, just let them slide. It only makes things worse if you point out someone's etiquette error. You have to let them figure things out by themselves. Perhaps there are ways to help them do this without pointing them out directly. But I think that correcting the etiquette of others, who you only know casually, is itself, a breech of etiquette. In an entertainment medium, fine, or a discussion among close friends -- one can focus on the humor in inconsiderate remarks, and the underlying "meaning" behind them. But in real social situation -- correcting someone's etiquette is itself a breech of etiquette. Art imitates life; life should not always imitate art.<br><br><br><br>
I think we have to pick our fights. It seems to me that there is more than enough mean-spririted intentional deprivation of people's rights based on racial and ethnic discrimination, that needs to be fought against; I would think perhaps that I don't have much time to fight against poor manners.
I am quite certain that I have made rude remarks -- some that I realized later; perhaps there are more that I never noticed later. And I have noticed similar remarks made by others, relating to my own ethnicty.<br><br><br><br>
Having been raised by people who were openly racist, and having been "protected" all during my childhood from having to interact with any black people at all, I would have been surprised if, as i tried to interact in the world as a young adult, rude remarks didn't escape my mouth, even though I intended to try and reject my racist upbringing and instead treat each person as an individual. Because I have largely stayed at home alone, and had no life, and had little opportunity to interact with people first hand, despite my advanced age, I would not be surpised if such things still come out of my mouth.<br><br><br><br>
However i think that errors of etiquette, are not the same thing as intentionally racist remarks. While it is fun for humorists and entertainers to point out how silly some of these remarks are, in real social situations, when people make such remarks related to my ethnicity, I think it is better not to make a big production out of them, and rather, just let them slide. It only makes things worse if you point out someone's etiquette error. You have to let them figure things out by themselves. Perhaps there are ways to help them do this without pointing them out directly. But I think that correcting the etiquette of others, who you only know casually, is itself, a breech of etiquette. In an entertainment medium, fine, or a discussion among close friends -- one can focus on the humor in inconsiderate remarks, and the underlying "meaning" behind them. But in real social situation -- correcting someone's etiquette is itself a breech of etiquette. Art imitates life; life should not always imitate art.<br><br><br><br>
I think we have to pick our fights. It seems to me that there is more than enough mean-spririted intentional deprivation of people's rights based on racial and ethnic discrimination, that needs to be fought against; I would think perhaps that I don't have much time to fight against poor manners.
Tame is African-American?? For real?? How can you really tell? I assumed but didn't really know if he was or not. I mean, just because of his avatar doesn't really mean he is, I mean my avatar is a fairy...Honestly, it had crossed my mind that he wasn't. Then again, it doesn't really matter if he's purple to me (although I like a nice deep shade of purple) <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/grin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="
"> .
"> .<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block"><i>Originally posted by spud</i><br><br><b>Someone once started a rumour that Tame is a bald white middleaged family man but i still love him anyway <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/love.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""></b></div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
Don't forget his pasty vegan children. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/grin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""><br><br><br><br><br><br>
ETA for newbies: This is a reference to Tame's hilarious comments in an old thread about another veg website.
<div class="quote-block"><i>Originally posted by spud</i><br><br><b>Someone once started a rumour that Tame is a bald white middleaged family man but i still love him anyway <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/love.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="
"></b></div></div>
<br><br><br>
Don't forget his pasty vegan children. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/grin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="
"><br><br><br><br><br><br>ETA for newbies: This is a reference to Tame's hilarious comments in an old thread about another veg website.
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block"><i>Originally posted by spud</i><br><br><b>Someone once started a rumour that Tame is a bald white middleaged family man but i still love him anyway <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/love.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""></b></div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
Damn that Kreeli!
<div class="quote-block"><i>Originally posted by spud</i><br><br><b>Someone once started a rumour that Tame is a bald white middleaged family man but i still love him anyway <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/love.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="
"></b></div></div>
<br><br><br>
Damn that Kreeli!
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block"><i>Originally posted by MsRuthieB</i><br><br><b>Tame is African-American?? For real?? How can you really tell? I assumed but didn't really know if he was or not. I mean, just because of his avatar doesn't really mean he is, I mean my avatar is a fairy...Honestly, it had crossed my mind that he wasn't. Then again, it doesn't really matter if he's purple to me (although I like a nice deep shade of purple) <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/grin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""> .</b></div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
Yes Virginia, there is a Negro on the board. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/grin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""> (Just playin' y'all!)<br><br><br><br>
And damn, I thought you were a fairy... <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/wink3.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="">
<div class="quote-block"><i>Originally posted by MsRuthieB</i><br><br><b>Tame is African-American?? For real?? How can you really tell? I assumed but didn't really know if he was or not. I mean, just because of his avatar doesn't really mean he is, I mean my avatar is a fairy...Honestly, it had crossed my mind that he wasn't. Then again, it doesn't really matter if he's purple to me (although I like a nice deep shade of purple) <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/grin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="
"> .</b></div></div>
<br><br><br>
Yes Virginia, there is a Negro on the board. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/grin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="
"> (Just playin' y'all!)<br><br><br><br>And damn, I thought you were a fairy... <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/wink3.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="
">I thought the site was amusing and fairly well done.<br><br><br><br>
As many of you know, I am not PC and I don't often get offended by racial issues. It doesn't bother me when white friends of mine do things like the ones on blackpeopleloveus.com, as I know they mean well. I even excuse you all for not being able to jump or dance. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/pimp.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":tame:"><br><br><br><br>
BTW, if anyone doesn't know, it is a white couple that made the site. I also believe one of the creators made something known as the Rejection Phone Number (or something like that.) It was a number that women could hand out that when dialed, gave the caller various ways of accepting rejection from the woman.
As many of you know, I am not PC and I don't often get offended by racial issues. It doesn't bother me when white friends of mine do things like the ones on blackpeopleloveus.com, as I know they mean well. I even excuse you all for not being able to jump or dance. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/pimp.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":tame:"><br><br><br><br>
BTW, if anyone doesn't know, it is a white couple that made the site. I also believe one of the creators made something known as the Rejection Phone Number (or something like that.) It was a number that women could hand out that when dialed, gave the caller various ways of accepting rejection from the woman.
Joined
·
10,763 Posts
Tame writes:<br><br>
====================<br><br>
...the brother posts in the thread again and everybody leaves?<br><br>
====================<br><br><br><br>
This could be a result of an improvemnet in my observational abilities, rather than a change in what I am observing, but in my years of people-watching, it has occurred to me that it appears to me that, these days, a greater percentage of young black people have a very good understanding of the overall North American cultural milieu, than young black people did, say 35 years ago (and most of them also understand Freed-American culture too, are bi-cultural). It also appears to me that there still are a sizable number of young black Americans who haven't figured out what is going on culturally and economically, overall, in North America, but who limit their interests to a small circle of friends and their own culture. I think some of this may be due to fear or discomfort about learning the ways of "foreigners," rather than lack of opportunity to learn. I find it hard to believe that they find narrow cultural knowledge to be preferable, better, for their well-being. What I've noticed is that the Freed-Americans with more understanding of the overall milieu, seem to fare better economically. And that those with narrow cultural knowledge not only don't fare as well economically -- but express unhappiness with the fact. Beyond that, I don't think I can add much to this conversation, as I am myself, am culturally and economically removed from the overall milieu. I know a lot of things about lots of subjects, but unwritten cultural phenomena and unwritten rules of behavior, are not things that I know much about. If something can't be spelled out in no uncertain terms -- I tend to have trouble understanding it. And I don't show up to be verbose about it.
====================<br><br>
...the brother posts in the thread again and everybody leaves?<br><br>
====================<br><br><br><br>
This could be a result of an improvemnet in my observational abilities, rather than a change in what I am observing, but in my years of people-watching, it has occurred to me that it appears to me that, these days, a greater percentage of young black people have a very good understanding of the overall North American cultural milieu, than young black people did, say 35 years ago (and most of them also understand Freed-American culture too, are bi-cultural). It also appears to me that there still are a sizable number of young black Americans who haven't figured out what is going on culturally and economically, overall, in North America, but who limit their interests to a small circle of friends and their own culture. I think some of this may be due to fear or discomfort about learning the ways of "foreigners," rather than lack of opportunity to learn. I find it hard to believe that they find narrow cultural knowledge to be preferable, better, for their well-being. What I've noticed is that the Freed-Americans with more understanding of the overall milieu, seem to fare better economically. And that those with narrow cultural knowledge not only don't fare as well economically -- but express unhappiness with the fact. Beyond that, I don't think I can add much to this conversation, as I am myself, am culturally and economically removed from the overall milieu. I know a lot of things about lots of subjects, but unwritten cultural phenomena and unwritten rules of behavior, are not things that I know much about. If something can't be spelled out in no uncertain terms -- I tend to have trouble understanding it. And I don't show up to be verbose about it.
Joined
·
16,090 Posts
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block"><i>Originally posted by Michael</i><br><br><b>I guess people just want you to stay at the back of the post.</b></div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
LOL.<br><br><br><br>
Loved the website.
<div class="quote-block"><i>Originally posted by Michael</i><br><br><b>I guess people just want you to stay at the back of the post.</b></div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
LOL.<br><br><br><br>
Loved the website.
1 - 17 of 17 Posts
Join the discussion
Join now to ask and comment!