For centuries, African Americans have had two forms of behavior. The first form of behavior is reserved for situations when only African Americans are present. The second form is reserved for when white folks are present.
During slavery, blacks had to be very careful to act in accordance with all norms of the master/slave relationship. One misstep could mean death, the auction block or maming at the hand of the ol’ white master. Even on into the Jim Crow era, blacks were forced to show deference and courtesy to all white folks, including whites of lower economic status. Emmett Till (RIP), for example, made a tragic miscalculation of the black/white conduct code.
Even today, I act one way around white people and another way around blacks. I notice that my friends, even my parents, act differently around whites than they do around blacks. The difference is not drastic, nor humiliating, but it is noticeable. For instance, around whites, I tend to mute my comments on sex, racism, the war and politics. I also speak in the “Queen’s English,” rather than in my normal vernancular. Perhaps it’s that I don’t want them to feel “threatened” by my opinions, or perhaps I am constantly aware that my intelligence is being evaluated. Whatever it is, it’s negative, and is somewhat of a drag on the soul.
I just sometimes wonder how much of this is caused by actual white behavior–or whether its personal predilection, the legacy of slavery, or just simply smart business.
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