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The world we live in is a very divided place, no matter how you choose to look at it. There are family divisions, inter-racial divisions, racial divisions, nationality divisions and the list goes on. That is all part of having free will and having the power to choose, but it doesn't make one choice right or wrong because someone sees things from a different perspective. The concept that this platform was built upon is one that I will do my best to support, and I think that the vast majority of the people that are a part of this network will do the same. I recently saw someone refer to black people as "you people" within this site and I think it caught me off guard, because I have seen mostly unity and the use of the term "our people". I guess my question is: Are we wrong for saying "our people" when we are referring to black people, but expecting people who are not black to avoid stereotypes by referring to us as "you people" or even worse?
Posted By: Emmanuel Brown
Tuesday, August 26th 2008 at 6:31PM
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I truly believe in doing for "our people", because it is very similar to using the word family in my eyes.
The context that the phrase "you people" was use was not positive in any way, shape or form.
I appreciate what you do for our people, so that they can do for all people.
Tuesday, August 26th 2008 at 6:52PM
Emmanuel Brown
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"You people"...on this site? In what context was the phrase used? I don't have enough facts about this matter to draw an accurate conclusion.
Tuesday, August 26th 2008 at 6:53PM
Bernadette Smith, HHC
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It is the similiar to the N word debate actually. Many of us use it but are very offended when someone of a different race does. I have seen mostly unity on this sight but as we know there are some people who feel they are above their own race. Good bad or ugly we need to stand united period no matter the race or there will never be a total solution to any of our problems.
Tuesday, August 26th 2008 at 7:03PM
ReJeana Turner
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Bernadette:
The term was used to say that all black people bring up race, but complain about it when anyone who isn't black does..
Tuesday, August 26th 2008 at 7:12PM
Emmanuel Brown
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ReJeana:
I think that it is the basically the N word debate without using the actual word. Comments, words, and stereotypes will never cease until the majority stops using weapons that were created to destroy us.
Tuesday, August 26th 2008 at 7:19PM
Emmanuel Brown
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Ok I posted my comment in the wrong place, lol. Anyways, when we use the term our people we say it in a unifying way. When the person used it he was being racist, and degrading. So yes it ok to be upset when someone is using it in a negative way. I don't think its really like the N word. The N word is the most cruel thing someone could say to a black person. Once you have learned the history of that word it should come out of your vocabulary.
Tuesday, August 26th 2008 at 8:38PM
chivonne lawson
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Yes, I saw it, and I still remember from whom. "You people" plain as day. I think we should definitely say "our people' if we MUST use one of those.
How can we be mad at someone else for calling us what we call ourselves? ...just food for thought.
Blessings...
Tuesday, August 26th 2008 at 8:45PM
Dee Gray
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You People in any context is degrading... Um let me see... You people with all that college education aint that smart... or You people under 6 feet tall aint that cute... or my favorite YOU PEOPLE SHOULD STOP COMPLAINING AND WHINING..." and R. L.G that is how you people was used in the comment that prompted this blog. ANd Dee I call my family things I will not call strangers and the comment made by an outsider who posted it in a racist context should very well get people mad. and rightfully so
Tuesday, August 26th 2008 at 8:54PM
GREGORY GULLEY
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Che Love
There is no way around the fact that he was being racist and derogatory. The reason why I said "our people" is because that is used in a family way in my eyes. "You people" was and is a wrong term to use and I totally agree with your anger.
Tuesday, August 26th 2008 at 9:13PM
Emmanuel Brown
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Dee Gray
I haven't seen anyone in this network open a door for someone standing outside to yell in and say "hey you people". When those doors are open we should expect it, but when we are all gathering in a respectful manner we should get mad and do our best to keep all of those doors closed.
Tuesday, August 26th 2008 at 9:17PM
Emmanuel Brown
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Gregory Gulley
Categorizing anyone is wrong, everyone is individual...Some people sounds fine to me, because it is not pointing at anyone in specific. The reason that this was posted is to show examples of how some people look at us a whole and for EVERYONE to do their part to change these views.
Tuesday, August 26th 2008 at 9:23PM
Emmanuel Brown
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I absolutely feel that there are many views, 2 many 2 count and no 1 has the right 2 judge a person because of their views. However we do it all the time, especially me when referring 2 the presumptive Republican nominee, John McCain.
I don't see a problem with saying "Our People." That term has been used widely 4 decades, so why should we stop using it now? I think we (black) people get offended easily when a white person says "You People," because we automatically feel their saying it 2 be funny or degrading. If any black person feels a white person is half stepping with their words, terms or phrases we do usually get riled up. But I think that comes from the constant degrading and discrimination we face as black people everyday and in our past history. We get faced with so much racism, that as soon as a white person says something towards us, we're quick 2 jump fly.
But come on guys, we all say "Our People," "You People," and probably anything else that comes 2 mind. But just because that 1 person chose 2 use that term, whether it being negatively used or positive, we as a people should know who we are and how we are, 2 not let something like that hinder us. People are going 2 be people and we can't change anything, but we can tolerate and when it becomes 2 much 2 tolerate, we can fight back with non-violent practices.
That's my 2 sense......
www.hoodtalks.blogspot.com
Tuesday, August 26th 2008 at 9:26PM
L A
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Ok I think the point is being missed here in this blog. Let's learn the history of THIS blog. There was a white person on another blog who used the phrase you people to demean black people. He came in the blog talking some real racist stuff. He was taking a statement I said out of context and generalized all black people. That it is offensive and whenever someone of another race uses that term in that way it is upsetting.
Tuesday, August 26th 2008 at 9:35PM
chivonne lawson
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L A
Everyone has opinions and there is nothing that we can do to stop a person from having their own personal view, but there are ways of changing the view that people see. When I hear people use the words "Our People" it makes me feel warm and there is nothing wrong with us using the term, but I think that each one of "Our People" are individuals first and that we have more control over what people are pointing out when they use the term "you people."
I don't think that we should let anything negative hinder us at all, I think we should use it as fuel to move towards where we want to be. No violence is necessary to fight words.
Tuesday, August 26th 2008 at 10:06PM
Emmanuel Brown
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Che Love
He didn't make his comment to get an applause and knew that he wouldn't get one either. Hopefully this post will help some people see that we are categorized in negative ways on a regular basis and that we need to speak loudly in ways that aren't stereotyping us.
Tuesday, August 26th 2008 at 10:12PM
Emmanuel Brown
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you're right we do have to speak out and act against racism if we want change
Tuesday, August 26th 2008 at 10:15PM
chivonne lawson
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Emanuel, I watch an episode of Tyra Banks on TV today where she addressed blacks women of all color: fair skinned to really dark skinned. It is amazing that even among us we discriminate or allow our children to address the lighter skin as 'better' than the darker skin. We need to start leave the craziness among ourselves behind, and start living up to the expectations of live: SUCCEED, NO MATTER THE DEGREE OF THE COLOR! We are human beings! My blood stream goes in the same direction of my 'white' sister. The color of my blood is the same as the color of the blood of my white friends. I don't get people. It is God's world, and he created all colors. We do not have any right to discriminate one another, yet we teach in our own houses that the fair skinned black girl is pretty, and the darker girl never hears she is pretty as well. Think about the pain and the hurt we cause. And it is there to stay for ages. Isn't it time that we do what God placed us here on earth to do? Love one another????
Tuesday, August 26th 2008 at 10:20PM
Astrid Symor - Beighle
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Felicia Akhianyo
This post was created because of a comment, but the focus is more on the meaning of you people, our people, and just people. Although we are people, we are black people and the majority of the time when people are categorized, by someone else it is not in a positive way. Our people (each individual) has to do whatever it takes to erase the negative images that individuals that are not black see.
Tuesday, August 26th 2008 at 10:21PM
Emmanuel Brown
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Che Love
We have to speak loudly, no one else will speak for us if some of us are openly speaking against us.
Tuesday, August 26th 2008 at 10:24PM
Emmanuel Brown
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Astrid Beighle
We are people 1st, but our kin happens to be black. That is a fact that we will face obstacles because of that reason. I think that we should love the person that we are, love the color that we are, and at least try to show that love to others that watch us from a distance.
Tuesday, August 26th 2008 at 10:30PM
Emmanuel Brown
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"You People" & "Our People" clearly symbolize one's view of ownership. What I mean is if I were to say "you people", I would be making myself separate from whatever group I was speaking of. If I were to say "our people", I would be making it personal and inclusive of myself. I don't know about anyone else but when I make something personal, I am a more avid and courageous fighter...
Tuesday, August 26th 2008 at 10:45PM
Willie Gregory
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Felicia Akhianyo
Sometimes it takes for a cycle to get to the matter.
Tuesday, August 26th 2008 at 11:44PM
Emmanuel Brown
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Mister Johnson
I think you might be on to something, "My Family"...That sounds complete.
I also applaud you for not using the N word, because it is very degrading and it is becoming a common term in everyday language for all races.
Tuesday, August 26th 2008 at 11:47PM
Emmanuel Brown
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Willie Gregory
Our people is inclusive, so this would be something that you are a part of such as a family like Mister Johnson mentioned. I am willing to fight for my family and I see that you are willing to do the same for yours.
Tuesday, August 26th 2008 at 11:50PM
Emmanuel Brown
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I had a good friend named Emmanuel growing up ('cept he used just one M).
Now on to the subject at hand. Its unfortunate that words can achieve so many definitions and levels of being just by how they are interpreted. At the rate its going, eventually that will not be hardly any words out there that is not a double entendre that causes SOMEONE discomfort or displeasure. (Does anybody remember when "gay" used to mean happy and carefree?) I don't see anything inherently wrong with the terms "our people" and "you people". Its when we, as people, assign emotional meaning to the words and/or phrases that they become positive or negative. Yes, as a Black man, to hear "you people" immediately dredges up images of racism and hatred. But think about this, if you take away the emotional aspect of it, you are essentially referencing the same group. No, "you people" is never going to lose its negative connotation with me. (I grew up in the South.) However, I try to look at things out of their context sometimes to try to achieve a different perspective.
Wednesday, August 27th 2008 at 12:49AM
Tony Boyd
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Tony Boyd
Things can make you react in different ways, depending on how you look at them and the context they are used. Positive thoughts is one way of approaching it, but the anger might still be there. You people will never lose the bitter taste that the statement leaves, but maybe it will give the drive to keep pushing forward and maybe even begin changing the context.
Wednesday, August 27th 2008 at 1:12AM
Emmanuel Brown
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When I said that I saw it, I was referring to both a black person who said it FIRST (not in the same blog) and this white person that many people are all up in arms about. The black man said it and it was JUST as derogatory as when the white man said it, and NO ONE CALLED HIM TO THE CARPET FOR IT. NOT ONE person commented on HIS derogatory use of "YOU PEOPLE".
THAT'S why I said that I ain't mad at either the black guy or the white guy. I'm sad for them and the fact that they're ignorant (at least regarding those comments), but I ain't mad.
Anger takes too much energy. And I'm not going to jump up and down and become hypersensitive when someone else calls us something we call ourselves ALL THE TIME. I hear that term more from black people to put each other down more than I hear from any white person these days.
I'm more frustrated with OUR PEOPLE than I am anyone from any other race. Why? Because WE put OURSELVES and EACH OTHER down. Why? Because WE call EACH OTHER ni--az and who--s and bit--es. Why? Because WE call EACH OTHER 'you people' (as in dumb people or stupid people or uneducated people, which to me hurts a lot more than a white person calling us 'you people' as in 'BLACK PEOPLE' because at least when he says it, it's true. We ARE black people and if we get grouped together, at least someone's got it right. And don't misunderstand me...I'm not saying the venom and ignorance that end the 'you people' sentence is right...I'm saying that using 'you people' as in 'black people' is fine with me). WHY? Because WE disrespect and disregard EACH OTHER all the time. Why? Because WE do EACH OTHER dirtier than any other race has a chance to do these days.
And let's be REAL. Nothing means the same to our people as it used to mean back in the day. That word ni--a come to mind right now. It USED to be the worst insult in the world to us (and it WAS), and now it's arguably used as a term of AFFECTION? Come ON.
Plus, let's face it-- we have jackasses everywhere. I don't pay much attention to things I consider mundane. It used to really upset me in my younger to hear 'you people', but it doesn't so much anymore because when I'm grouped with people, at least the unity part of the statement is true. I just REFUSE to lose my mind over something so trivial, especially when OUR PEOPLE kill some of the hope and hard work our mothers and fathers and forefathers work and toiled SO HARD to earn for us.
Let's clean up our own houses first, please. Then maybe we'd have a leg to stand on when other people step out of line. What am I saying? I'm saying that when we cut off our own noses to spite our face, we can't blame others when they feel free to take our eyes, too.
In the meantime, give it a different context...no enemy is prepared for us to NOT be offended. No enemy is prepared to be denied the attention he/she so actively seek when making such comments. Give the enemy the opposite of his/her desired reaction-- that's what I call a REAL gut punch!
Blessings...
Wednesday, August 27th 2008 at 12:36PM
Dee Gray
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Dee Gray
There is something that you mentioned in your comment that hits the point directly. Black people say "you people" in derogatory ways also. The point is that we have to stop doing it to ourselves and expecting others to respect us. I get mad either way, but I am not going to let it stop me from moving forward, I actually use it as motivation.
Our houses are not clean and we need to do what we can to make sure that all people want to respect our houses instead of adding their trash to our dirt.
Enemies are not prepared for us to clean up our acts so that we can move above and beyond them. It can be done.
Wednesday, August 27th 2008 at 1:14PM
Emmanuel Brown
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Che Love
I think I visited that post and might have commented on it. I think 2 black men put him in his place about that. For him to use that term in that way is probably worse than the man who wasn't black, and I think that comments like that "coming from our own" is more of an assault of character than it is for someone to use terms against us that we use against ourselves.
Wednesday, August 27th 2008 at 1:19PM
Emmanuel Brown
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Corey Powell
That's a good answer, but you will always be one of my people.
Thursday, August 28th 2008 at 7:53PM
Emmanuel Brown
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Bonita King
There are some people who make points like that to get a reaction from the person that they are speaking of or to.
Thursday, August 28th 2008 at 7:56PM
Emmanuel Brown
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I like the warm and affectionate reference of "Our People" and not the cold and racially-driven reference of "You People."
White people have never affectionately referred to us as a race using the term, "you people." So they should refrain from doing so and we should continue to use the phrase to bond us.
Friday, August 29th 2008 at 5:23PM
agnes levine
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"You People" is a racist term used by white people to discredit and degrade black people... Thing is no matter who uses the term white or black it's racist because you're using it to separate yourself from a group of people whom you prefer not to be associated with for whatever the reason. It's wrong and change starts at home as well as with reaching out with our voices in a positive way in an effort to change the thought process of others. Depending on who I'm speaking about I use the terms "Our People & My People" often and it's not always in reference to blacks.
Monday, September 1st 2008 at 3:02AM
TaNisha Gray Juisee Da Queen
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The term "Our People" has a warm feeling of belonging, sommething that is given by choice. On the other hand, "you people" is more of a statement that is given without a request and without concern of the people being called "you people."
Monday, September 1st 2008 at 8:00AM
Emmanuel Brown
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TaNisha Gray
You hit the nail on the head, "Seperate", because we are all aware of differences but the term you people is sometimes used to point down at and categorize a whole group of people.
Monday, September 1st 2008 at 8:03AM
Emmanuel Brown
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Reflection
"Its when we, as people, assign emotional meaning to the words and/or phrases that they become positive or negative..." Tony Boyd BIA 2008.
///////////////////////////////
"n*gga please" from a black person to another black person is easier to take than "...you people...". If I'm that sick about 'you' my brother or sister, I do not like making myself a problem to you. I call a 241-help line or here in Cincinnati, Ohio...Mental Health Access Point. I recently recieved help in looking at a BIA member from a different perspective...new to the culture of Masters degree programming and all. Sign me up for some drugs! Give me my case worker and a psychiatric Nurse!!! If, that is, my people have driven me to points of no end to my anger! To refer to group members, I believe or feel, as "you people" is intirely wrong. To speak as if a BIA group member is in agreement with the terms that the reference implies and comes with?...Is a misnomer that can not be ignored. Is the originator white? Of some other race than black (African American) or white (Anglo Saxon)? Is the originator of the statement online to define his or her use of 'you people' for all of us concerned or is that to the excusing the person...entirely too much for any negro to handle. What protocal and what list of Black In America group member membership rights do we need to draw up? What list of rights and or laws do we need to refer to in the interim that current group rights are not treaded upon? I like Emmanuel Brown's intervention and applaud him for starting the blog. His response to the emergency is very familiar to me. An open exhibition of in order to get down to the bottom of. Do we want to continue in posting comments knowing that there are members of other races misleading members 'into' thinking and or trusting that that member(s) is also black or African American?
Monday, September 1st 2008 at 11:02PM
Euroclydon D.
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Pet peeve. White people who garner rights as soon as they recognize my name "Davis". They say then... I become a plageriser then. I may walk the walk but my head is held up and in the air because of what...my name? The implication! The audacity! The implication that comes with the acknowledgement of why some whites "like" me at all can be compared to the audacity I feel as my attitude takes a down swing at the thought of achieving at all. Why keep the name? What does it really mean to me? An American Citizen...what have I stood for in communities, groups and situations that anyone should know about when it comes to my name, my modeling, and my performance? What is in a name? What is in the standing behind someone with a name? What is it to claim a person based simply on name? What does it matter to me if I am accepted and or rejected based on my name? I have been in situations where my name is accepted but the "I see you but I wouldn't want to be you" problem begins as my esteem takes a slow end... Where can I go with $50.00 here in the City I live in? To the court house for a name change! Otherwise...you bet I've used the term "you people" in exasperation before. Feel like a ping pong ball? Its people. And another thing: For all of you researching, scanning and or scavenging from among posts avoid plagerism. Reference members with names, dates, time stamp and Black In America membership as in blackinamerica.com. Thanks in advance for your attentions to my post. Euroclydon.
Monday, September 1st 2008 at 11:19PM
Euroclydon D.
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