The other night, I was on Twitter watching as usual and I stumbled across a Buzzfeed video called " 27 Questions Black People Have For Black people". Since I am a black person, I thought that I would watch it. After about the first five questions I realized that something was not right. I was a little skeptical, as were others, because any black person with the knowledge of most historical facts would know most of the answers to these questions, but I decided that I would answer some of these questions for you all.
This is the video if you haven't seen it.
These questions aren't in any particular order.
If my dab is on fleek, am I lit?
Nobody says this and I mean no one.
Why is it so hard to be on time?
It's really not. A lot of black people try to overcome this stereotype, and just like any race some people just aren't on time. Many are.
Why did watermelon become our thing? Like, everyone should love watermelon.
I don't even want to get into this one. Please just look this one up for yourself.
Why do you chant “Black Lives Matter” then tear each other down in the next breath?
These questions have any correlation to each other. All black lives do matter and black people are a majority of the people getting gunned down in the streets. We chant "black lives matter" because we care about black lives.
Why is being educated considered a white thing? Why can’t I love school and also be black?
Actually, black women have surpassed any group by race and gender when it comes to education and college enrollment. I mean look at Kelly Hyles below.
Do you really believe black is beautiful?
Of course we believe that black is beautiful. Why wouldn't we? Look at these perfect examples.
Gabrielle Union-Wade
Shaun Ross
Tika Sumpter
Cam Newton
Zendaya
and let's not forget:
Lupita Nyong'o
Or is that something you say just to sound cool?
Why would we do that? Next question, please.
Why do you think people with light skin look better than people with dark skin?
The simple answer is colorism and racism. People with lighter skin got to advance more in society than people of darker skin. With this generational discrimination from all races some people prefer lighter skin and think that it is better. However, if you're smart you know that anyone no matter the skin color has the potential to be beautiful. Read and learn.
Why do some black people say, “You’re pretty for a dark-skinned girl”?
Back to the society, people were trained to believe that lighter skin looked better than darker skin. It is unfortunate that some people feel the need to preface a compliment with for a "dark skin girl" in a way that is saying they think that darker skin or dark skin at all is inherently ugly.
Why do some black men only date white women?
Some black men believe in different stereotypes about black women, just like any other race, but the answer is just self-hate. Anyone can date anyone as long as there is no slander to any race as a whole. Or maybe he loves her. Sometimes hearts just connect.
Why is it OK for a black man to date white women but not OK for a black woman to date outside of her race?
I feel like this only pertains to certain black people. This being said I don't think that it is an issue. Date who you want to date.
Why do I have to be mixed in order to have long hair?
You don't have to be. All hair can grow.
Why do black people look at your shoes before they greet you?
This really doesn't happen.
Why is my natural hair...seen as a political statement?
Even now, black people are still criticized for wearing their natural hair, especially, because it is seen to some as unprofessional. However, because we were colonized, by people who had a different style of natural hair their standard of hair is seen as the most beautiful. Some people do see people wearing their natural hair as a political statement because in some ways it is.
Why do you get upset when I don’t like a black celebrity?
Who is “you?” People of all races get upset when someone doesn't like Beyonce because I know that's who they were thinking of when they wrote this question.
Why is it a problem if I like anime?
A problem for who? I know a lot of black people who like anime. It's not a problem.
Why do black people have to say, “I have Native American in my family,” to seem interesting?
Are they saying it to try to say that makes them more special or just as a matter of fact?
Some black people do have Native American in their family. It does make them interesting. Just like if someone is fully Nigerian or Ethiopian. That makes them interesting, too. It really doesn't matter.
Why is growing up without a father so common within our race?
This question is too far and untrue. I just had to pull up this chart, because it's easier to see it than to explain it. You. Please. Stop. Perpetuating. Stereotypes.
Why is blackness only defined by adversity?
Not true. Blackness is defined by being black — genetics — literally being black or who your parents are or make your own definition. Race is a social construct.
Why are we more likely to get engaged in the most recent dance trend than we are to be involved in politics or opening a business?
We can be engaged with the most recent dance trend, politics and open a business. These are not mutually exclusive. One time, I was out with a friend, who was engaging in a recent dance trend, and another friend yelled, "Dance until he votes for Bernie!" This being said how do we have a black President if black people didn't get involved in politics?
Why are we so quick to support a nonblack-owned business, but hesitate to support a black-owned business?
We do support black businesses. There were areas in history that thrived just because of black people supporting black business.
Why don’t we want to confront our mental-health issues?
Access has been an issue with our Black people. With the systemic racism, the trust of a system to help may have been a concern. This is for most people. Some people do confront their mental health issues and some people don't. Black people are doing their best.
Why is there a checklist for being black?
There is?
Is there a cutoff time for the whole homophobia thing in the black community, because I’m really looking forward to that.
This has also been debunked. Homophobia is not just a problem in the black community. Black people are more likely to be accepting because they are used to a certain type of prejudice as well.
Why do you not want to be seen as a monolith, but want to take someone’s black card away for not liking something that’s “supposedly” black?
Black people are not monolithic, is true, but there are common cultural elements familiar to most black people. I've had my black card taken away multiple times, but sometimes you just have to stand up for yourself, your own experiences and your own opinions.
Why do we call each other the n-word but get vehemently upset when a white person uses the n-word?
Well, if anyone looked up the historical context of the word before they asked this question they would see that the n-word was a derogatory term used against black people by white people, who happened to be in a position of power. I don't like to use the n-word, but if I personally hear any person who is not black saying that word -- whether it's "a" or "er" --then you will be hearing from me. The smart thing to do is to not say it if you are not black. Not even if you are not white, and by this I mean other races that think it's okay to say it. But for the record, if you do not have a black parent or claim to be black, do not let it leave your mouth.
Why do you assume well-off black people don’t know what it’s like to be black?
Being black isn't just one experience and the way that this question was phrased made it seem that they were talking to one type of black person not all black people as a whole.
This video made so many people upset because it added to the stereotypes that already exist in the black community and did not help in any way.
