racism question?? ie. white boy?

Question

JUST TO GET THIS THROUGH I AM NOT A RACIST OR SUPPORT RACISM IN ANY WAY..
but why is it that a white boy, is called a white boy and nobody thinks anything of it,, but when a black boy, is called a black boy its cried out at racism
i thought all men are created equal??
please answer nicely as i am just trying to get some opinions on the issue ive been thinking about over the past year
by the way im 14 and i hear it at school all the time, so dont say anything about how it never goes on because it does

Answer 1

I think you are a very mature 14 year old who raises an excellent point! You get a star! Have a nice day.

Answer 2

Well historically white men called black men boys, as in they were too dumb to ever really be men, this is why blacks are sensative to being called boy. Whites generally don't care. Blame it on the past or whatever you will, but when it comes to racism whites just have more of a sense of humor. Although I will say its intersting to watch a white man and a black man fight, because its funny when the black guy says the word cracker or white boy, but as soon as the white guy says something similar everybody turns against him. Then again I was the only other white guy at the party.

Answer 3

I am going out on a limb here but I think you want an honest answer...



Although most black people don't know why its offensive to be called Boy...They just know it is..



A long time ago Boy was used in a derogatory sense in regards to a black male.. Even if the black guy was 50 years old...So if you went somewhere and say a black person was your waiter (Or whatever) and he served you a fine meal...You might get his attention by saying ,"Boy, can I get a glass of water.". This was a way of "keeping him in his place".





So I wouldn't suggest calling a black guy boy.....

Answer 4

The issue actually comes from saying "boy". In the South, it is a slight to call someone "boy" (gotta say it with the accent... bo-Y) whereas saying "son" is a term of endearment. It draws up memories of having society look down their nose at someone just because they are black. And yeah, it was most commonly targeted at black people, hence the association.

Answer 5

I have never heard any one cry out racism when you call a black person black and a white person white. I mean, I think calling someone black can be better than calling them african american, because the african american look can be from many other origins like brazil, haiti, india, etc.

I do think there are a lot of double standards within the race issue, but none involve calling one person white and other black like you stated.

Answer 6

The largest reason is that Black Americans were called "House-boys" if they worked in the house during the colonization of America. The field workers were called boy as a means to demean to male adults.



as for why it is OK to say white boy, I have seen many a fight for that term also. It is not OK to demean anyone.

Answer 7

In recent history, grown black men were commonly called "boys," especially in the South. It's a racist thing to say now because slave owners used to call any male slave "boy." As you might imagine, there are some hard feelings because some people still refuse to change the way they address black men as a way of "keeping them in their place."



"White boy" isn't related to any derogatory term, so it isn't the same.

Answer 8

I was referred to as a "white boy" before and just responded by calling them a "black boy." You have to stand up for yourself. Speaking of which, I've gotten in fights that way because the tend to be sensitive and have their feelings hurt easily.

Answer 9

I'm not sure where you're getting your info from. And, being that you are 14, you shouldn't base your opinion on what a bunch of kids are doing. Most kids at 14 do not comprehend the actual meaning of racism and all that it entails.

I'm black, and that is what I prefer to be called.

Answer 10

for one they are the majority. white people have been racists to minority's for ages. i think this is there way of getting back at them. also i don't think they mean much by calling them white boys. back then white people tried to hurt black people by calling them names. now when a black person calls some one white boy its just used as a nickname for playing around (most of the time).



either way i don't think we should do it. we should not name people by their color of skin or anything like that.

Answer 11

Well, it is considered a form of disrespect because back then they referred to all african americans as boys or girls regardless of age.



idk it is usually older ppl that see it as a form of disrespect but the youth today dont really care. I dont care cuz i know i am a black girl.

Answer 12

Why don't you confront the people who you hear saying that! Than tell them that it offends you. Maybe take it up with the principle or a counselor! You have the power to make change at your school!



God Bless You!

Answer 13

Actually, that's a good point! I'm guessing when they (black people) were in slavery or something like that people called them that as an insult. I may be wrong, I dunno.

Answer 14

If you call me the n-word, i reply nicely with the c-word.

Answer 15

why is calling someone black demeaning.....why is calling someone white demeaning.....it is what we are.....i dont get it.....can we have a "white history month"?.....oohhh....bad....

Answer 16

I have raised this same question and they would not answer it. They knew they were so caught and hypocrites.