5 Myths about black people

Kel Hawkins

There are a lot of common misconceptions about African American folk that needs to be cleared up. African Americans have been stereotyped and misinterpreted since the age of slavery. Starting with just that: slavery, and how every time you think of slavery you think of African Americans being enslaved. African Americans were not the only, nor were the first to be enslaved. That is where all this stereotyping began, and it has not slowed down and by the looks of it I do not think it will. Because of these common misconceptions, many stereotypes and/or myths have been created that has degraded the African American race. Without further ado here are Five Myths About Black People:

Myth #1: All black people are “Ghetto” or “Hood”

The myth needs to be cut right away because both of these words have been given false meanings as the years have gone by. The meaning of “ghetto” started out as being, “a specific part of a city occupied by a minority group or groups” (Dictionary.com). The meaning of “hood” started off as meaning literally, “a covering for the head and neck with an opening for the face” (dictionary.com). These words have been formulated to mean words within one another. People love to say that anything that “black folk” do, that is do it yourself, is ghetto. For example, if I broke the screws in my glasses and I used a paperclip to fix it, I would be stereotyped as ghetto. If any other race would use a paperclip to fix their glasses, they would be called innovative. 

Myth #2: Black people love fried chicken, grape Kool-Aid, and watermelon

I truly do not know if people really believe this or if people just think it is funny to assume, but this stereotype may be the dumbest stereotype I have ever heard. Some black people do love fried chicken, but they love it just like the rest of the world! African Americans like grape Kool-Aid, is also a stereotype I don’t understand. My whole family hates grape Kool-Aid, so I know that myth cannot be as accurate as people make it out to be. Last, but certainly not least, the great Watermelon myth. I am not even going to lie, I do not know any black people that does not like watermelon, but then again, I do not know anyone who does not like watermelon.

Myth #3: Black People hate the police

Today we hear about the current issues with the police. From there, people make assumptions about black people hating the police. Most African Americans hate how the government is built and think it is built in a way that helps them get away with their hateful behavior. I know that all police are not the same, because I know we are all different. It is ignorant for me to hate all police, knowing that all police are not the same. I think the main reason most people believe black people hate the police is because of police brutality against African Americans. It is not that African Americans hate the police, it is that we are afraid of what has been happening with police brutality will continue to happen.

Myth #4: Black men SUCK at being dads

The myth that African American men suck at being dads is very repulsive. To me it is upsetting because I know I have a great dad that tries his hardest to help me become the best person I can become. He sacrifices everything to make sure that I am doing good. Not only does my dad sacrifice everything for me, but he also does it for my step-brother, Trae. In 2015, New York Times produced an article that quoted the C.D.C (centers for disease control and prevention), stating that black dads are more involved with their kids on a daily basis than dads of any other racial groups, and this was among both the fathers that do not live with the children and those that do (Charles M. Blow).

Myth #5: Black people are violent

This myth is 100% based on the circumstances you are going through. I wouldn’t say I am a violent person, but I do not let stuff just fly right over my head. In my opinion, I look at it as if you were to put your hands on me, be prepared for me to put my hands back on you. I think this myth is unfair because anyone in their right mind would react the same way.  Coming from a predominantly white, private school, all the fights and/or violence that happened within the school were not from any of the black people. African Americans are not the only people that do not like to be treated like they are inferior to anyone and that is how violence is started. 

In conclusion, these misconceptions about black people are the reason why other people view what we do so differently. We have grown up in a country where the human race is taught to stereotype races other than the white race. Although American's are known to do most of the stereotyping towards African Americans, they, as well, can also be guilty of going along with the stereotypes others have created. Misconceptions are created every day, which has become such a big issue today. I am interested in seeing what new stereotypes will surface in the next ten years, being that stereotyping and forming misconceptions towards other races will always be an issue that can degrade and hurt a specific race. 

Works Cited

Blow, Charles M. “Black Dads Are Doing Best of All.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 8 June 2015, www.nytimes.com/2015/06/08/opinion/charles-blow-black-dads-are-doing-the-best-of-all.html. 

Carswell, Shirley. “Opinion | Five Myths about Historically Black Colleges and Universities.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 3 Mar. 2017, www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/five-myths-about-hbcus/2017/03/03/5adc236a-ff76-11e6-8f41-ea6ed597e4ca_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.ed0582ba2e89.

Young, Damon. “10 Myths About Black People That Need To Be Taken Behind A Barn And Shot In The Fucking Face.” Very Smart Brothas, Very Smart Brothas, 29 Jan. 2018, verysmartbrothas.theroot.com/10-myths-about-black-people-that-need-to-be-taken-behin-1822521863.