Originally posted by: Starbuck1975
No question, but one has to question whether or not there are some reinforcing behavioral and cultural elements within certain black communities that continue to fuel and project such stereotypes?The funny thing is that this would be one of the only times I would agree with him on that. People in America in general are socialized to fear black people, and as I've mentioned in other threads this appears even in other black people. (although not to the same degree as in whites) That's some legit self hate there.
I wouldn't necessary say that people in America are socialized to fear black people...but there are certain black neighborhoods, or cultural/behavioral patterns, that I as a white person avoid...is that racism fueled socialization or common sense?
I have certainly had one or two late night encounters on subway platforms where I questioned my own safety, and felt I was the target of certain behaviors for being a white male in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Behavioral socialization is a two way street...if certain demographics, or communities, project certain behavioral patterns...it should come as no surprise that other demographics, or communities, make judgement calls based on those exhibited behaviors.
Well most stereotypes have some sort of basis in truth however flimsy. It doesn't mean that they are rational or that they aren't a sign of anti black racism though. In addition, just because you are socialized into a certain behavior doesn't mean that it would have to be bad. I'm socialized not to pee my pants in public, and I'm very glad my parents took the time to do that back when I was 1 or whatever. I would say it would be extremely difficult to justify the socialization of "black people = threat" however.
People in America are nearly certainly socialized to fear black people. No it is not common sense to be afraid of an entire race of people. There are a few extended threads on this that I participated in awhile ago. Simply put, there is strong scientific evidence that people are categorically afraid of black people. It is not a reasoned response, it is a fight/flight mechanism response. There is no rational reason for the vast majority of white people to have this fear as they have never had any negative experiences of this type with black people and yet it is nearly universal. This strongly suggests that the source of this fear is coming from society at large as opposed to personal experience, thus they are almost certainly socialized to fear black people.