The term "Acting White" has a two-fold meaning within the Black community, one having a more negative connotation than the other.

One implies that a Black person is mimicking the characteristics of whites as in behavior, speech, and attitude toward others. The other meaning refers to Blacks who have decided to achieve something in life other than portrayal of the ghetto lifestyle.

In reference to the first meaning, Blacks who have voluntarily chosen to mimic white behavior would fall under the more negative of the two meanings. They are those who suppose that "acting white" or portraying white characteristics has greater validity than the characteristics of Blackness.

Somewhere in life, whether through their upbringing or environment and knowingly or not, they have concluded that being Black is a negative so they have shed all distinctiveness of Blackness. Like a learned behavior, some are taught this and some grow into it.

For instance, some Black children are raised by upper-class families and attend upper-class schools where they are a small minority of minorities and they never have actual contact with Blacks from the inner cities. Thus everything they learn about being Black comes from television, racial jokes, urban myths and stereotypes.

There are other Blacks, who grow into inner cities and choose to mimic white behavior simply because of what they see on television as opposed to what they see outside and in their urban schools. This is the other side of the two meanings. It is these Blacks who carry more shame about their Blackness than the Blacks who are assimilated into whiteness against their will.

Thus, it is no wonder that elitist Blacks who claim to come from ghetto lives to achieve success in America undermine those still living in ghetto life; because they are ashamed of who they are and of their original Blackness. So is born Uncle Tom Blacks. As children living low-income or on welfare in the projects, they watched the rosy glow and fantasy lifestyles of whites on television at the same time absorbing and accpeting all that was negative about Blacks.

Black children begin mimicking white characteristics as early as 2-years old: primarily from watching whites and white-based characters on children's television programs during the day, such as cartoons, Muppets, and other virtual characters. And if parenting is not rooted enough in Black history and capability, but have been shattered by the brow-beatings of white supremacy, that child will never learn who he or she really is but will believe that their Blackness is a limitation other than a strength.

Then there are the Blacks who know they are Black in addition to knowing they can do whatever they want regardless, and they refute the negatives of stereotypes. It is these Blacks who go to school to learn and get degreed and become a success despite having peers refer to them as "acting white" simply because they have good grades.

A strong sense of self will overcome the "acting white" label and go on to achieve whatever. It will also destroy the false identity of Uncle Tomism because a Black person who knows who they are regardless of where they live, what name they are called, or how they are portrayed by racist, they will succeed in every area of life.

So Blacks who know who they are and succeed in primary through high school, college and in the workforce are not considered as "acting white" but are strong Black achievers in a society that devalues their worth. More power to them, as long as they keep the love and show respect for those who have yet to get there.

© October 2005 By CR Hamilton