Why are people so afraid of us?

[shankems2000]

Today I went to the mall with a friend of mine and we went into an EB games store because he wanted to pick something up. The only worker there (white guy) paused in absolute horror the moment he saw us walk in. We went over to him and asked him where something was there. The guy could barely even get the words out straight (I'm positive he wasn't suffering from some sort of speech impediment). I looked him in the eyes and asked what he was afraid of. He turned red in the face and almost choking, he said "nothing" although fear was all over his face.

It's more than likely thinking in stereotypes that causes this, but common sense should tell people that not everyone will fit their race's respective stereotypes. After all, when I see a bunch of white people I don't think "He's a racist, she's a racist and that one over there is quite possibly a KKK member".

What are people afraid of? Do they think we're going to eat them or something? FYI I'm 20 and this isn't the first time this has happened but it frustrates me to no end everytime it does.

[BlackAngelfish]

Originally Posted by shankems2000

It's more than likely thinking in stereotypes that causes this, but common sense should tell people that not everyone will fit their race's respective stereotypes. After all, when I see a bunch of white people I don't think "He's a racist, she's a racist and that one over there is quite possibly a KKK member".

What are people afraid of? Do they think we're going to eat them or something? FYI I'm 20 and this isn't the first time this has happened but it frustrates me to no end everytime it does.

People are going to make snap judgments about you no matter where you go in the world. Your job is to become emotionally secure with who you are first, so that their attitudes do not affect you.

While it is easy to understand your frustration it is much easier to accept that the white guy is a man who is is afraid, he is uncertain of your intentions; that makes him ignorant, not you.

Blackangelfish

[DBlack]

Unfortunately, many use prejudice to fill in the voids of knowledge creaed by ignorance.

[stiab3]

People will always judge other people by sight. This judgement could be negative or positive but it's what we have to go by until we get to know that person.

Sometimes it's how you dress or carry yourself. I can remember an incident when I was in a tube station one night with a male friend. We were waiting for the last tube to come along as some friends were on it. While we were waiting 4 young black men 18-25 years old came in wearing hooded tops. My first reaction was to move to a well-lit area right in view of the security cameras. I judged these men based on their appearance - age, apparel, where they were. My reaction would've been the same whether they were black or white or indian.

We waited another 10 minutes before the train arrived - the guys probably never even looked in our direction. The just got on the train when it came.

So it's not always race. Sometimes your general appearance causes people to misjudge you. The opposite could happen - someone in business entire and smartly dressed might have caused a different reaction but could just as easily be a criminal.

s3

PS. I don't know anything about the original poster's appearance . . . this is just a general comment.

[tiptop53]

No matter of how well we dress or how bad. Nor if we speak correctly or not. The fear of a black person will always be there. The picture in white folks mind is that we are all bad. With the help of the media and inexcusable lack of knownledge on thier part. We are all lump into one category. If Miss Oprah can get turned away twice at 2 different stores. Then you know racism is deep. Its does not matter if you are good and do great things. White folks just can not handle blacks. The warden is always afraid of the captors he holds because of all the wrong he has done to them. They know that one day all of the wrong done to blacks will come back and slap them hard.

[shankems2000]

Originally Posted by stiab3

PS. I don't know anything about the original poster's appearance . . . this is just a general comment.

The hip-hop look (baggy jeans etc). I've taken the way we were dressed into account but at the same time, people have been fearful when I had my neat casual work attire on as well (Collared shirt,slacks and shoes).

This is something that we just have to get over. I mean what can you really do about it??? White folks are always going to judge us no matter what, so F-em. I just chalk it up to stupidity.

[goodcookinmama]

Originally Posted by RanRan

This is something that we just have to get over. I mean what can you really do about it??? White folks are always going to judge us no matter what, so F-em. I just chalk it up to stupidity.

i knows thats right

[virgogirl]

Originally Posted by shankems2000

Today I went to the mall with a friend of mine and we went into an EB games store because he wanted to pick something up. The only worker there (white guy) paused in absolute horror the moment he saw us walk in. We went over to him and asked him where something was there. The guy could barely even get the words out straight (I'm positive he wasn't suffering from some sort of speech impediment). I looked him in the eyes and asked what he was afraid of. He turned red in the face and almost choking, he said "nothing" although fear was all over his face.

It's more than likely thinking in stereotypes that causes this, but common sense should tell people that not everyone will fit their race's respective stereotypes. After all, when I see a bunch of white people I don't think "He's a racist, she's a racist and that one over there is quite possibly a KKK member".

What are people afraid of? Do they think we're going to eat them or something? FYI I'm 20 and this isn't the first time this has happened but it frustrates me to no end everytime it does.

GENEALOGICAL GUILT AND IGNORANCE i had a encounter something like that i live in a apartment building i was getting on the elevator this woman she was caucasian actually jumped and said ooooh you scared me so i just had to take advantage of the moment when i got off i said BOO i thought it was funny and stupid (this is true) i seen her again a few days after she did the same thing again i said to myself this dumb white _itch i was thinking that at the moment oh lord im ready for you to come back and show them whats real

[MadameX]

Originally Posted by stiab3

People will always judge other people by sight. This judgement could be negative or positive but it's what we have to go by until we get to know that person.

True. Sometimes, when certain Caucausains find that you're different than their preconceived stereotypical view of Black People then, they literally feel like fools and I just shake my head at them .

Originally Posted by DBlack

Unfortunately, many use prejudice to fill in the voids of knowledge creaed by ignorance.

Precisely. It's a shame that we still have to subjected to this day in and day out in America and Abroad. When will the madness end?