What does it mean to be black?

So what does it actually mean to be black? Having dark brown skin? Having permed or nappy hair? Having a wide nose? Does being black mean you have to be ghetto? Does being black has to come with being stereotyped? In a recent article I read it stated: "I think that people have a problem with dealing with this because some people have not accepted the fact that African American's are such a diverse people. You can't put us in a bottle. For instance our hair. We can wear it straight, curly, nappy (or natural), permed, we have so many options. ......" In another article, it stated: "What does it mean to be black?......Some may want to demand essential answers for these identities: you should speak, think, and believe certain “truths” if you’re… (fill in the blank)." In this article its saying that black people are basically what you see them as or how you see them on T.V. She's basically saying that all black people speak, think, and believe the same. And your only black if you have nappy (natural), or permed hair.



http://wgst.intrasun.tcnj.edu/newsletter/archives/feb2003.html


http://www.radzone.org/cgi-bin/weblab/lovestories/salon3.0/public.cgi?mode=Thread_First&salon=TV+Series+Group+4&thread=16