The reason I asked this question is as a black brit i went to the USA a couple of years I got asked really stupid questions like "How did you learn to talk like that", or got looks of totally bewilderment? I get the impression that most americans aren't aware black people live in Europe! Plus the stereotypical idea that Americans lack knowledge on geography! it kinda renforced some sterotypes i had of yanks!
Yeah, they know. I was visiting my wifes redneck grandparents and we were sitting there watching CNN. There was some news item about some criminal that just happened to be black. Her Grandfather asked me, "Are they as ornery over there as they are here?" My jaw dropped cartoon style. I was like "what do you mean?" o
Yeah, but your race is still "African American". o
Who's had the question 'Do they have black people in England?' ? That has to go down as one of the classics people have asked me.
Yeah, but your race is still "African American". :o
Michelle didn't know what to call black people in the UK because obviously couldn't call them 'African American'. Some black people over here don't seem to like being called 'black' so she didn't know what to say?? So, while in England, when asked for a description of someone who happened to be black she said '.....er,.......not white....' and sounded like some kind of KKK member. :o
I remember many years ago - a black Brummie friend on a US university scholarship in Virgina - telling me all the 'accidental insults' white americans used to give her.
Things like - 'you're so much nicer than the black people we have here'
or 'I wish they were all like you'
You need a film like 'Bend it Like Beckham' to promote Black Britain to America.
Don't feel offended by the ignorance - the same people will have plenty of other dumb questions to ask about Britain - 'do you have elections?'
was my most memorable to date
I once saw a chat show program , can't remember who it was, but audience members were asking questions, and this young lady stood up and asked a question and the audience were mesmerized. She was an extremely attractive young black woman with a lovely English accent. She had such an effect she had to repeat the question. The audience sat there with jaws dropped, it was obviously an eye-opener for them. lol
Don't feel too bad, even Smirky asked this question of the Brazilian president...
I have had this question before, and I usually add that they are a little more integrated into our society than in the US. I am sure in large cities it is different, but here in Boonie, MW (Midwest), you would think Apartheid was not eliminated from South Africa but was simply transferred to the US. It is every white person's right in America to be poor - just watch Jerry Springer or Court TV - but for the number of black people in my town and the nearest half-million city there are precious few blacks in the mid- to upper echelons of society. The appearance of "Token Black" on South Park is not just a poke at Peanuts cartoons and other fiction, but is a comment on Midwestern life.
i went to the USA a couple of years I got asked really stupid questions like "How did you learn to talk like that", or got looks of totally bewilderment?
I got the same question and I'm not black. You'd be surprised how many Americans compliment us Brits on our English -seeing as how we're foreign and all.......
But I think the surprise for the Americans really lies in the fact that black Brits speak like white Brits. I live near Detroit and so society round me is pretty 50:50. Accent-wise, the two skin colours might as well be separated by a galaxy, and there's no real cool factor on either side in trying to speak like "them", no matter what eminem says.
So how are your countries perceptions of countries formed then? Surely its very lazy to assume black people only exist in the west in the US?
Do you have your own point of view, Retro?
So how are your countries perceptions of countries formed then? Surely its very lazy to assume black people only exist in the west in the US?
Probably by watching TV or Movies from that country. I guess thinking about Monty Pyton, Are you being Served? (which appears to be on here all the time), Mr. Bean, Keeping up Appearances,...they do seem to be particularly 'white' comedies in terms of the performers.
Another hilarious thing here is how many musicians they see in interviews who have British accents and they comment 'I didn't know he (or she) was British...' like they assume all musicians are American.
So how are your countries perceptions of countries formed then? Surely its very lazy to assume black people only exist in the west in the US?
I live in the west and there are more Mexican, Latinos, Hispanics than Blacks. Mind it's getting like the UK, in silly con valley we have more Indians, dots not feathers and a beautiful Sikh temple.
So how are your countries perceptions of countries formed then? Surely its very lazy to assume black people only exist in the west in the US?
Perhaps you might like to ask some Americans?
It is generally considered polite when joining a discussion community such as this to give a little introduction and also offer your own POV when asking questions -a little give and take. Otherwise you could be perceived as a troll, particularly when asking questions about such sensitive topics as race and political leanings, although I'm sure you're not. Is there a higher purpose behind your questions? Are you considering becoming an expat?