While I was looking through my news feed on Facebook I came across a vine of the Fresh Prince of Bel Air titled "Black on Black Prejudice". Will Smith and his cousin Carlton are trying to join a black fraternity. The leader said that Carlton wasn't a good example of a black person, that he's a sellout because he has a big house and dressed like a white person. When Carlton hears about this he argues that the leader is a sell out because there isn't an authentic way to be black that being black isn't something you can try to be it's something that you are. Watching this vine made me think about the article titled 'Acting white' and being black? It's about president Obama and the experiences and labels people put on him in high school. And the idea he said when he talked "about how black Americans use this "group think" psychology to bully other blacks, keep them from expressing themselves as individuals and stop them from assimilating into the broader culture of America". Showing that people make it seem like there is a certain way a black person has to act when in reality there isn't a guideline to be black.
GREAT post and connections Cristian! I remember watching this episode of the FPOBA (first run, ahem.) It was eye-opening for me at the time and even moreso now as I think about all of the different "expectations" or labels that people of color in this country have to navigate. It must be exhausting. I've never once thought about whether I would be criticized for "acting" black or "acting" Latino or whatever... I don't even really think I know what that means...lol.
ReplyDeleteGREAT post and connections Cristian! I remember watching this episode of the FPOBA (first run, ahem.) It was eye-opening for me at the time and even moreso now as I think about all of the different "expectations" or labels that people of color in this country have to navigate. It must be exhausting. I've never once thought about whether I would be criticized for "acting" black or "acting" Latino or whatever... I don't even really think I know what that means...lol.
ReplyDeleteI like that connection! Good way of finding a way to connect what happens on a daily basis, and to connect it with a popular show. I can see this from a different perspective now!
ReplyDeleteGreat job Cristian. I like how television shows tries to help society by sending social messages to the audience. Furthermore, I agree! There is no "ideal" way to be or act black. People are just used to seeing African Americans in a certain way because of stereotypes.
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