re: Are Cultural and Ethnic diversity and competency needed for success today?

I've seen lots of similar statements around here that equated "black culture" with negative stereotypes so I think that it was a fair question.

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I don't think black people in america really have a culture.

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Anymore than white people have a "culture" - is the nuclear, 2-parent family with a home in the suburbs "white culture"? Because even that is becoming a minority in the majority.

There are regional differences in American culture - and rural verus urban, particularly in the south are more significant distinctions than black and white, IMHO - and that's probably true in the North, and, to a lesser degree, out west.

Heck, you can hear it in hip hop - think of the differences in tone between West Coast, East Coast, Atlanta, etc., albeit with some common themes.

But, I digress. I saw blacks and white starting to find common ground from the late 70s to the early 90s - it seems as if there has been more "Balkanization" among the U.S. ethnic groups over the past 20 years or so, and it has been stoked by political figures for no good end.

(I know, I know - take it to the poliboard )

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We have adapted the ways of the dominant culture, but we have very few things we can call our own.

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Thats one of the reasons why I think we have so many of our struggles. Culture gives a sense of unity and cohesive to a group.

You see it with all the other ethnic groups that have excelled here: Jews, Indians, Chinese, Black Africans, etc. They all have something to call "their own" and to hold on to. It helps with rearing children and forming strong family units.

I think the word "culture" is overused and nearly meaningless

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Anymore than white people have a "culture" - is the nuclear, 2-parent family with a home in the suburbs "white culture"? Because even that is becoming a minority in the majority.

There are regional differences in American culture - and rural verus urban, particularly in the south are more significant distinctions than black and white, IMHO - and that's probably true in the North, and, to a lesser degree, out west.

Heck, you can hear it in hip hop - think of the differences in tone between West Coast, East Coast, Atlanta, etc., albeit with some common themes.

But, I digress. I saw blacks and white starting to find common ground from the late 70s to the early 90s - it seems as if there has been more "Balkanization" among the U.S. ethnic groups over the past 20 years or so, and it has been stoked by political figures for no good end

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As usual, I agree with most of what you said

However, when I think of culture, I think of Religons, language, food, etc. Most black americans ancestors were not allowed to carry those traditions on, like say for example Italians, Irish, or Asian immigrants to this country. Black people adapted aspects of the dominant culture and made it their own.


I almost included Hip Hop and Jazz as something uniquely "black".

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my current GF is black

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Pics

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Go Tigers

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