In a world of stereotypes and heavy judgement what does it truly mean to be Black? Is it about a state of mind or is it about our physical appearances and actions? Is there a specific way to "act black"? As African Americans are we expected to only speak and carry ourselves in ways that reflect the Black stereotypes in order to be seen as true Blacks? Why should we have to do things that don't embody our true personalities in order to appease others and prove true to our race?
In Stuart Hall's essay, "What Is This "Black" In Popular Culture?" each of these questions are brought up and discussed. He questions what exactly is it to "act black" and the stereotypes that go along with that action. In America the African American race has been confined to a certain way of carrying themselves which doesn't always allow us to reach our full potential. If a black person exceeds these expectations by for example speaking with any sort of extensive amount of intelligence, you are labeled as "fake" or "acting white." The stereotypes have been drilled into the minds of the black community and the saddest part is that some of us are starting to believe them. Some African Americans truly believe that they can't be or do anything better than what America expects of them. This pressure is unnecessary and often causes African Americans to stop trying to be the best that they can be. Why can't being black be something positive? Why can it be more than nappy hair and hip hop?'
The black race is strong. When we start believing that black is beautiful,powerful, and intelligent others will follow.
I agree that their is a sense of entitlement that black people have which often times become reality, however some examples of how black people fit those sterotypes would be cool, especially when there is plenty to chose from.
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