Black +

It would seem that most distinctions between races are determined more by culture than by melanin.
When people say that they don't like Black people - what are they really saying?
When pressed for an answer as to "why" they don't like Black people, it's usually the cultural traits that are mentioned.

"Black people are poor", "Black people are uneducated", or "Black people are loud and rude"; are a few examples.
But these traits are acquired - none are inherent.
When Blacks say that "This is just our culture" - what they are really saying is that; "This is the culture that has been determined for us and we were foolish enough to accept it as our own.".
By assuming that these traits are endemic to Blacks, how does one explain the "anomalies" of poor, uneducated, rude and loud whites?

Back in the day - I went to visit one of my best friends at USC.
His suite-mates were mostly white dudes from well-to-do families.
Pat was from the Bay Area and was into heavy metal and concert t's.
Dave was from New Orleans but had a closet full of Valentino, Armani and Hugo Boss.
After I had spent a week hanging out and taking in the life at a different school, I was accepted as one of the boys.

But the thing is; I had to school Pat on his choice of music. KROQ was the station he should have been listening to and it's artists were the one's he should emulate fashion-wise.
He's changed his estillo ever since.

Although Dave had a closet full of nice designer duds - he failed to realize their social value.
While preparing for a night at a local club, I took notice of the labels on the clothes in his closet.
"Dude, this is Armani...!", I said.
"I know...my mom buys it.", he said.
"If I had had all this, I'd wear them with the labels on the outside." I joked.
Being that he liked the reaction from the girls to my mix of vintage and designer clothes - he followed my advice.
To this day, the boy only wears gear from Neiman Marcus, Saks or Barney's.

But these guys were well-to-do white guys - how could they miss the musical and visual aspects of "their" culture?
The thing is; they hadn't learned.
Yes, even white guys from well off families must learn aspects of their culture.
They are not imbued with supernatural powers that link them in to a higher order.
They, like Blacks or anyone else, must learn the social norms for their place in a wider society.

The traits listed above to describe all Blacks are generally referred to as "Being ghetto" by many aspirational Blacks (Bourgie).
It would seem that this then becomes an issue of status rather than race.
If aspirational Blacks view such traits as undesirable - why is it odd that whites would do the same?

"But Black people are ugly", is a common response to one's phenotype.
Really?
As pointed out in earlier posts - it is only with the introduction of traits from other ethnic groups that the "White Ideal" is viable.
(In other words - the less "white" the better.)
It would seem that there are some butt ugly people from all races, nationalities and ethnic groups.

But the bigger issue for Blacks seems to be that of; "Black+", or "Black++".
Often, Blacks are segregated from their historical culture by their level of success.
The more successful - the more white.
The more white - the less credible.

How is this problem rectified?
Often, it by learning the culture of the lower classes.
How many middle to upper middle-class Blacks fall into the trap of 'keeping it real' and then having to deal with the problems of their affectation of ghetto going wrong?
In these cases. one must not only be Black - they must become Black plus.
They must know how to survive in a ghetto environment but be able to adapt to a non-ghetto environment.
They must be able to speak in Ebonics but they must know when to transition into SAE.
They must understand where to wear blue or red but understand that slabbin' ain't cool in the office.

But the problems arise when one is crossing the borders between two (or more) levels of their culture.
This is why well paid athletes get into trouble with the law at tiddy-bars.
(They fail to leave the hood in the hood.)
This is why Black professors get arrested for protecting their own property.
(They forget that they are still Black.)
This is why money alone fails to qualify someone as middle to upper middle class.
(The Real Hoodrats of the ATL?)
This is why Black children from well-to-do families often date inter racially.
(When one is an "Only One" - what choice is there?)

So, by the limited definition of what it means to be Black - Who (with any means) isn't "Black+"?