02/28/2010 Race. . .

What is ur race?
I black first and foremost, not only because that’s the first thing the world sees when I walk into a room but because I choose to be. Though black is a amalgamation of several races…

What do other people perceive you as a race?
When I walk into a room I’m a black man… an American version of an African American decent… Occasionally I get Caribbean or Dominican I’m not sure why but that what it usually boils down too.

What is ur gender???
I’m always been and always plan to be a male…. I’m perfectly comfortable with that it’s what life gave me and I’m extremely happy with that.

What's a stereotype?
It’s a basic assumption about a group of people based on some loose basic of fact. Its takes all the individuals of that group and generalized them into a set category, class, liking.

Make a list of stereotypes associated with your group, gender, etc.

Black –Light skinned
• Loud
• Musical take revolve around Hip-hop, Rap, R&B
• Good at sports
• Superior to other darker skinned individuals.
• Light fried chicken
• Baptist

How accurate to the stereotypes to you as a person??
Generally I’m loud depending on the situation. I love R&B and Hip-hop but they are just a small tip of my musical taste which revolves far from this base. I used to be good at sports but if you put me on any kinda field today I’m pretty sure that I would embarrass myself depending on the sport. I have never thought that I was above anybody. Also I’m definitely Roman Catholic.

Do you ever stereotype others??
Yes I do stereotype others, but I never act on those thoughts they are strictly thoughts. I try to make my interaction with other as uniform as possible and just be me. But it does happen and I’ve have done it before.

Do you believe that racism and sexism exists in America??
Oh hell yes the exist, people judge and limit other people based on these preconceived notions every day. Jokes and off hand comments are through around all the time and even if you don’t take them to heart the fact that you produce them means that they have crossed your mind on several occasions. People believe that if you are of a certain race you can’t understand some abstract content….

Does this question make you uncomfortable??
Not at all…. This question has been taught to me from a very young age and I’ve been able to see the progress to our country as far as race issues and can see where we are today…people see this as some abstract comment that does apply to the world today but it happens every day and people have become blind to it “ignorance is bliss” I guess but I rather see the evils of the world and know what is out there.

Are you are racist or a sexist????
Nope I don’t think so, I think that the fact that I have come to terms with the fact that I have these preconceived notion and stereotypes makes me okay. I think sense of know that I have these thought s that I can change my actions it the acting upon these feelings that make me a racist.

Who is a racist or a sexist??
I believe that people who act upon their belief in stereotypes or let those beliefs rule what the y do are. You are a free thinking g individual and should be able to think outside of them. I you choose not to I believe that you are a racist. If you can’t judge the individual outside of the whole general group I think that something is wrong with you.

How does your teachers race, class, gender, ethnicity influence your learning??
Yo cant sum it up into one big yes or no because its goes on a very strict case by case basis…