African American Sterio Types Essay, Research Paper

If I told you that I couldn’t rap or sing, that I couldn’t dance to save

my life, and that I don’t even shoot hoops that well, would you say that

I’m not black enuf for ya?

If you saw that I don’t wear big gold chains, that I don’t have

dreadlocks or a huge Jackson Five afro, or that I don’t have a cool

nickname like Ice or Smooth, would I not be black enuf for ya?

If I don’t drink Ripple, Cisco, or Hennessey, if I’ve never sold drugs,

and if I’ve never been arrested, am I not black enuf for ya?

If I allow you to run a credit check on me, and you learn that not only

do I have a job, but that I pay my bills on time, would you think that

I’m not black enuf for ya?

If I fail to start every sentence with “Yo’, Dawg,” or if I refuse to

refer to my sistas as bitches ‘n hoes, am I not black enuf for ya?

If I don’t brag about having four kids by four different women, or if I

don’t eagerly proclaim that the white man is the devil, are you going to

wonder if I’m black enuf for ya?

If I don’t cheat on my woman and diminish her self-esteem, place in

society as the Queen that deserves to be, does this mean I’m not black

enuf for ya?

If I secretly admit that I really do like Seinfeld, or that I actually

know how to swim, or that I honestly think OJ did do it, would I not be

black enuf for ya?

See, I’m not sure, how many of your stereotypes do I have to fulfill

before you reinstate my official ghetto pass? Where do I apply for

admission to this mythical club of blackness that you seem to think I

should belong to?

Be-cuz the truth is – I KNOW who I am.

See, long ago, I responded to this advertisement that ran in the

newspaper of my mind: WANTED — hardworking, intelligent, and articulate

individual, must be sensitive, but strong; philosophical, but playful.

Candidate must have a pulsating passion for life, an unquenchable thirst

for knowledge, and an unlimited supply of determination. Must be able to

bear the weight of your history and to carry the hopes of your

ancestors. Must also be able to demonstrate an ability to dream while

awake, and a willingness to achieve by any means necessary. Qualified

candidate must possess own recipe for survival, including the ability to

locate a grain of laughter amidst a field of despair. It will be

necessary to have rhythm in your soul and soul in your rhythm, along

with a willingness to embrace sorrow and reject cowardly hatred.

Physical requirements include arms that are long enough to reach back

into the community, but are too short to box with God. Prefer skin that

is like midnight satin, but am willing to consider creamy cocoa brown,

Herschey’s dark chocolate, honey-dipped high yellow, sun-kissed redbone,

and even light, bright, and almost white. Can fall anywhere between

Denzel fine and Dennis Rodman thru, between Coltrane’s intensity and

Miles Davis cool. Hair-optional; height-irrevelant; big feet a definite

plus. (You know what I’m talkin’ ’bout.) Priority consideration given to

self-respecting, sure stepping, confidence oozing, brown-eyed,

thick-lipped, wide-nosed warriors. Timid, shuffling, droop-shouldered,

apologetic, self-loathing, self-destructive Uncle Clarence Thomases need

not apply. If interested, please inquire within.

So, if I show you my ID card that says “Grade A, Inspected, Certified

100% Sho’ Nuff Brotha,” then, I ask you, then, will I be black enuf for

ya?

Bibliography

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