Reply #169: I thought about your questions, and decided to find some answers to them. [View All]

[political_Dem]

Not all the questions are addressed, but I hope that this can be a start.

I hope that others will find their own answers to increase their understanding of Black culture. I would also encourage people to do the same for the GLBTQ community. Both struggles deserve to be researched in order to find a way to fight the larger civil rights battle so that there are equal rights for all.



How many black teenagers have committed suicide because they were black?

http://www.healthyplace.net/communities/Depression/minorities_7.asp">The Truth About Black Teen Suicide


How many blacks have had to lead two lives -- pretending at home and at work that they were white -- while trying to have a social life with other blacks?

http://www.post-gazette.com/lifestyle/20031026stain1026fnp2.asp">Passing: How posing as white became a choice for many black Americans


How many black youngsters were told daily by their parents, teachers, and clergymen that they were diseased and were going to hell because they were black?

http://www.newarkmetro.rutgers.edu/reports/display.php?id=245">"Look! They're Going Into the School!"
http://chronicle.com/news/article/2296/conservative-magazine-harassed-black-students-tufts-u-panel-says">Conservative Magazine Harassed Black Students, Tufts U. Panel Says

Although this is in South Africa, it still caters to Black people being harassed in a societal institution:

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DE5D6103DF930A25757C0A96E958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all">At Afrikaner Schools, a Backlash Against Blacks


How many blacks have been beaten up for being black and couldn't even tell their families, because their families would beat them up again and maybe throw them out of the house just for being black?

N/A. Black people can't hide their skin color.

How many black kids grew up knowing they were black, but thinking they were the only ones, knowing no other black people, and having no role models?

N/A. But, there are some Black folks who have been isolated in communities in which they were the "only" Black family in a given location. The kids in that type of location only dealt with mostly white people. They also have to endure the harassment of white students, teachers and a staff that holds their prejudices on their sleeve. Furthermore, in almost every segment of society Black people have to deal with an all-white situation in some part of their lives--even those that live in all-Black neighborhoods and communities. It's inevitable in a lot of cases.

(note: I am not saying that this experience is the same for a lot Black folks. I'm just putting it out here)


How many black mothers have said -- on finding out their child was black -- "I wish you had died at birth" (as the mother of a gay friend of mine said to him)?

"Skin bleaching" has http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/alltherage/2008/08/black-women-and.html">been found in communities of color. The Tyra Banks show had an episode of black mothers who not only bleached their skin, but their babies' skins as well.

I think that amounts to one being ashamed of themselves and their babies, to the point of wishing the erasure of one's identity.


And then, there are the stories from the Middle Passage. Slave mothers would throw their children overboard because they didn't want them to endure a life of slavery.

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These answers are for FYI purposes only.