For some time I’ve often pondered on why some people are ashamed of their own races or heritages. I remember as I was growing up, I was ashamed of my fathers side of the family, which consists of primarily Italians. I was ashamed because they were racists and weren’t accepting of me at all because I am half Jamaican. After a while, I grew out of this phase of being ashamed because, they were wrong as individuals not as a race. I started to take pride in who I am. Although there isn’t an excuse for why I felt the way I did, even if they were racists, I still wonder about the reasons other people have for having such a dislike for their own race.
I hate to hear an African-American say, “Black people…” or a Caucasian say “White people…” in a derogatory or disrespectful way. I’ve heard many African-Americans claim to be ashamed of other black people. Why?? I don’t know but I find it to be disgusting as hell. They are so disgusted in fact, that they will totally ignore the fact that they are black. Some even behave like they’re better than everyone else of their race. The ignorance is a never ending circle. How can someone dislike their own race and resort to reacting so ignorantly? Sometimes I just ignore these types of people and some people I know even talk to me about these sorts of things. They are entitled to their opinions, but I usually never agree.
I definitely don’t understand racism at all, even if it has to do with someone disliking their own race. It doesn’t make any sense to me and it’s revolting. It even gets to the point of some people believing in the racial stereotypes of their own race. How ignorant and stupid can you be? Every time someone says something bad about their own race, it doesn’t do anything but give other people reasons to talk bad too. Of course, the selfish ones don’t care but how is that helping anything at all? People need to stop being ashamed and start embracing who they are. If you have some African-American mixed in there, don’t be ashamed. If you have some Caucasian thrown up in there, don’t be ashamed. If you’re ashamed of you other people will be as well.
Posted: June 23rd, 2008 
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My name is Lolita and that's what I prefer to be addressed as. I'm a 24 year old Jamaican and Italian female residing in Philadelphia, PA. This is my personal website and I do and post as I please.
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Jun 23, 2008
I do understand where you’re coming from. I personally have said and had the thought of being ashamed of my own people. But it’s deeper than that, I don’t say it just to say it. And I don’t mean it as African Americans in whole. When I say it it’s after I see loud ass black kids acting like they have absolutely no sense. I feel embarrassed for them and for myself. I wonder if people of other races think all AAs are the same. Kids don’t think they just act. And I wish I could record the way they act and play it back to them. Although I’m sure it wouldn’t do a damn thing. Or when I see young black women with more than one baby and they don’t look clean, or they don’t care about their appearance. My mom raised 3 girls on her own not once did we look dirty and not once were we rude and loud. That’s what embarrasses me. Society is just screwed in general, mainly because we don’t care for ourselves, so who else will?
Admin replied on June 23rd, 2008 9:47 pm:
My whole thing is, we should never be ashamed. When I see children acting up, I blame the parents, not the race. It’s inevitable for us to consider what other people may think based on our race. But when it crosses my mind, I think to myself “who cares?” I don’t care what other people think because for them to generalize or stereotype a whole race of people is absurd and ignorant.
Admins last blog post..Are You Ashamed?
Romney replied on June 23rd, 2008 9:51 pm:
You know what good point. That idea never dawned on me. But what about those kids who act fantastic in front of the parents but a damn fool out in public with friends? Then who is to blame? That’s a different way to look at it I suppose, who cares? I guess I really shouldn’t it just saddens me the most.
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Jun 23, 2008
I enjoyed reading this post, because I can totally relate to everything you just said. I used to feel embarrassed for my own race (other Filipinos) because of their stupidity, but I learned that for every race, there will always be idiots. In every race, there are smart individuals and in every race, there are also stupid individuals. Everyone is different and your ethnicity is not the issue. We are all human and not all of us are perfect, I mean, have you ever met the perfect race before? It makes me sad when people are ashamed of their own ethnicity, but that’s just the way people’s mentality are. Anyways, Shannon, I really do enjoy reading your blogs, because you are a strong and smart woman and I really admire you for that. It’s been awhile since I found a blog that I actually enjoyed reading. Your posts actually have substance (if you know what I mean)… and it’s deep! Thanks for sharing. =)
Kristines last blog post..Summertime
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Jun 24, 2008
wow that was so beautifully put, and i totally agree with you. i was born the color i am, and no matter how much love or hatred is in the world with racism, im stuck this color! lol.
the layout is awesome, and i changed your link!!!
great job ma! =P
Shortys last blog post..I Start Counseling…
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Jun 24, 2008
Great post. Its so true what you said.. but sometimes the things your own “people” do that makes you ashamed to the bone. As we grow and become wiser we come to the understanding that it doesn’t have to be that way. As long as we choose to accept ourselves for who we are and spread positivism about our people thats when things become better…..
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Jun 24, 2008
By far am I perfect and I have been known to talk shit and throw stereotypes around. When it really comes down to it people can not be judged on their race. Everyone is different and you will find good and bad in all races. But it’s not just racism that this applies to, it’s many other things as well. People judge on all factors and it’s not necessarily “right” but it still exists. We can not be ashamed of who we are as a race (regardless of what race it is) because it’s not something that can be changed.
Theresas last blog post..Sexy Little Thing
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Jun 24, 2008
Agreed. I wish people would be more mindful of what they say….and even more….where they come from…
courtneys last blog post..Reverse Psychology
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Jun 24, 2008
I can’t imagine being ashamed of myself or people who have similar skin tones and ancestry (which all the illusion of race is based on).
I’m thankful for the knowledge to avoid that idiotic pitfall.
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Jun 24, 2008
racism is horrible but i feel like no matter how hard we try it’ll always be around to some degree. you make a good point though, it’s b/c of individuals and not race. i’ve never been ashamed of my race and no one ever should.
Licias last blog post..it’s give & take.
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Jun 24, 2008
You bring up a good point about Italians which is stereotypical. I have always viewed some as being racist. My better half is Italian and when I first met his family which was interesting to say the least, I asked him did he mention to them I was mixed. He said no and that it doesn’t really matter. I wholeheartedly applaud him for his actions toward my comment. I just wish more people were just like him, needless to say his family is just plain awesome towards me and my son.
Charmaries last blog post..be cool
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Jun 24, 2008
I think most of this comes from society, you know tv , magazines, and the people around us have a lot to do with what people think about them selves and the people around them. Take my daughter for example she’s 2 all of a sudden after watching “The Little Rascal’s” is walking around I hate boys, what does she know about the opposite sex, what im saying is society has a way of implanting racism in us before we know our selves as people. I’m sorry about your family but it’s good to see you didn’t take after them.
varras last blog post..Crying in silence
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Jun 24, 2008
What you said is right to the point! I was born in a very rural part of the Midwest and racism can be felt in the air. It’s disgusting! It doesn’t even matter the color, black or white, both have something to say about the other. When does it end?
Amys last blog post..I’m still not so rich, biiiiatch!
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Jun 24, 2008
Hello Lolita. I just wanted to stop by and thank you for your reassuring comment that you left on my blog. Believe it or not, it actually brightened my day a little, a taste of a better day to come. I feel a lot better now, and I wanted to let you know that you certainly helped. Thank you for your compassion.
That being said, I also wanted to commend you for writing such an excellent blog post. I’m not the type to repeat everything said for the sake of leaving a comment, but I couldn’t agree with you more. I realize that there have been periods of my life when I resented who I was because of my “race,” the color of my skin, or my heritage, but I’ve stepped past that, and your post was a pleasant reminder of that. Thanks again.
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Jun 24, 2008
It is a very sad situation. Some African Americans are certainly like that, acting uppity and as if they’re above everyone else. I have this experience almost everyday. Unfortunately, prejudices and racism will probably be around for a long time due to people’s insecurities and need for some sort of authority.
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Jun 25, 2008
i never understood any of that either. how can you be ashamed of your heritages? mixed people are the most beautiful people walking on this earth! they get the best of both cultures. they should be proud!
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Jun 25, 2008
I playfully disown my race and I say I’m “Undecided” on a race that I’d like to claim but there is nothing more than I’d rather be than an African American. Especially now when a black man has beat all odds and has a chance to be president, WHAT? Black Americans have been through so much and have overcome a lot who wouldn’t want to be attached to such a legacy of people BUT when I’m walking through the grocery store and I see all these ignorant, ghetto, food stamp proud member carrying..fill up their buggy with nothing but twinkies, doritos, kool aid and a sacrificial pack of chicken (if they don’t have enough money on their card the chicken is the first to go..WTF?) . That stuff right there makes me look and go why? Why must you be so ghetto? But then you got to remember there is a white chick from the trailer park right in the other line so every race has people who embarrass them greatly. Either way you got to be proud of you and your people. Even if sometimes you want to beat everything bad out of them.
And that goes for the racist people who hate us for our skin color. We have to embrace them and show them love because hate doesn’t cure hatred. Only love. And if it doesn’t make them accept us..it’ll just piss them off that we’re not stooping down to their level. And that’s great :)
Love the post.
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Jun 25, 2008
Racism is stupid, I don’t get it or how people would want to say thing like they’re ashamed of their own race… unless it’s a really fucked up way of fishing for a compliment. everyone should be proud of who they are.
Sashas last blog post..sleeeeepy
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Jun 26, 2008
At times I don’t find myself being ashamed but embarrased and annoyed with the ignorance that some people display, but this is not with just Black people its all people in general. When I see someone who is doing something that shows their ignorance I tend to feel embarrased. I will never be ashamed to profess I am African American but unfortunately some people make bad decisions and they were not taught nor care to act a certain way.
I run into this issue now when people tell me I am ashamed of my people because I don’t shop in areas which are prodomiately African American. I hate tried to shop at these areas and I recieved bad service, lack of knowledge in merchandise I wanted to buy, and I encountered a problem or conflct EVERY SINGLE TIME I shopped in those areas so I stay in the suburbs and shop where my money is appreciated and I am not approached with an attitute. Its not being ashamed, its just a personal preference.
I know exactly what you are talking about, a girl I went to school with would specificallt say, I dont want to go there because there are too many Black people there or can we go somewhere where not alot of black people would be and I would just look at her is disbelief.
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Jun 26, 2008
I’m not ashamed. I’m proud to be African American. I do feel embarrassed at times due to people ADDING ON TO STEREOTYPES. It just irks the hell out of me. It’s not just Black people, it can be White people, Brown people, Purple people, and every color in between. Like when you use public transportation, I see a lot of young Black kids acting a damn fool. I feel embarrassed because some people actually do believe we’re all like that. When I go to the movie theatres, I see a lot of White people acting like they have no home training, taking their shoes off and putting their feet all up on the seats. I feel embarrassed for them as well. It’s terrible when people go as extreme as to disowning their own race, that’s self hatred. Like you said, sometimes people turn up their nose at people of their OWN race and it’s like… Do they not realize that they’re included??
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Jun 28, 2008
I love being black. With that said. I am a child of a black father and white mother.
I hated being half white. I hated my mothers family. I hated white people.
Her family is racist and to this day will not acknowledge me.
I have learned not to hate white people and I don’t even hate them anymore.
I have accepted both sides of me.
However, I love being black.
Sharons last blog post..Hypothetically Speaking
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Jun 29, 2008
Great post. I agree with others. I love who I am, but I don’t want to be looked at as a bad person because of someone else’s negative actions. But if someone is so ignorant to judge a person by their heritage, then they can simply kick boulders.
Sheenas last blog post..Bagel-fuls & Brother’s All Natural Crisps Winners!