Discussion Question: Do You Think There Are Cultural Differences Between African Americans and Whites?

We have more in common and more NOT in common than we realize.

Actually, I think we have more in common than people realize. Once you REALLY get to know someone, whether black, Hispanic, Asian, etc. you find that there are few differences really. At least, differences that just don't matter.

Well said, Peter! Everyone is unique. I was raised a Catholic, but you will find me enjoying a good ole Souther Baptist Church service, and getting involved. To each their own.

Every cultural has something different but it don't make them any less of a human then we are. We should all get along the sad thing is some don't.

I agree with everyone's answers and I must say that the commonalities(if there is such a word) outnumber the differences.

I view any cultural differences not as a case of black or white, but as in heritage. The cultural differences are in just that, culture not color. What I'm saying is Irish, English, Indian, African, Scotish, etc are where culture plays a part, not color of skin.

I think everyone has cultural differences. I am from the south, my husband from the north. We have cultural differences. These things we can build and learn on from one another. No matter what race, geographical location, or association. People are people and we are all unique.

Great topic.

Yes, everyone has cultural differences

As you've posed the question, it isn't even a topic for discussion. Of course, there are cultural differences. You can say that we are alike in many ways, and that would be true, but that wasn't the question. Even every nationality has cultural differences and, as Amy and Chris pointed out, so do people from different parts of this country have different cultures. This is evident even in countries in Europe. There are sometimes big differences in culture even within areas of the same country.

I think it depends on what part of the country you come from for the most part, whatever your "race" may be....

I have never seen any real differences of blacks or whites. Asian , yes . Just my opinion.

Good discussion and I agree with everyone but having said that, it does depend on how you were raised and who you chose to hang out with.

Good article, thanks!

Of course there are cultural differences often even within the same race. My mothers family originated from the lower Louisiana area while my fathers family originated from northern Arkansas. There are many similarities yet, very distinct differences as well. It goes without speaking culture expresses itself inmany ways across racial origins which should be a unifier more so than a separation. I have always loved experiencing the cultures of others.

I do think there are differences

I meant to say Cultrual does not mean race.

I think the "where" is pretty important too. Sure, many ethnic groups (and I include religion, race, national origin and region of the country) have differences, mostly values, family traditions and mores passed along formally and informally.

People who've grown up in urban areas (African American or any other race or background included here) are different than their rural counterparts. People living in different parts of the country (LA vs New York for example) are different.

Family background has a lot to do with it too. People from single parent homes are different than those from homes with both parents. Protestant traditions are different than Catholic, which are different than Jewish, Muslim or Hindu traditions.

Skin color is the most visible sign of "difference" which is why many people seem to glom onto it, but, as others have said, in the US, we have much more in common than not, particularly compared to Europeans, Africans or Asians (country of origin, not race).

I am color blind! I pay no heed to a person's skin tone. I look to what is on the inside.

If we would stop looking at color and just look at a person's personality, then friendships and associations would be better for it. As far as 'cultural differences" why don't we look at them as cultural learning experiences. If we were all the same we'd be boring. I believe we were made different for a reason. Otherwise we might as well be programmed robots.

Interesting responses here! Thank you for a great discussion question, Sarah! 10!

It can hard to be color blind, though. I agree that I treat everyone the same, so in that aspect I am color blind. In other ways, it is hard to be color blind when people keep shoving differences down each others throats.

We have many things alike and many things different between all the races, but we are all still human beings. We all still bleed, have feelings, love and hate.

Well, since I think there are cultural differences between people born in the same culture but different parts of the country, I'm a bit baffled about how to answer this question. All I can add to this is that I roomed with a woman from the South when I was in college and I was not from the South. We became best friends but for awhile it was like meeting someone from a totally different country. I had no idea there were such specialized techniques for flirting until then and it gave me a whole new perspective on Gone with the Wind, too.

This probably is not a helpful answer. Sorry.

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good article

Would not it be a shame if we were all the same???

Of course there are cultural differences between any two cultures, asisian, european, africans, etc., but if you are watching TV and you see the mother of a son that was just gunned down, or died in some horrible way, if you shut your eyes , and you don't see the obvious difference, then we are all the same, the mother has a hole in her heart that will never heal, and it doesn't matter what her culture is that she came from, we are human beings, all the same emotions, hurts and joys, different in all the same ways.

I believe there are different degrees of cultural differences.
For example, let's use black and white.
Black and whites raised in the country and black and whites raised in the city!
Right there, you will have cultural differences between the same races! Also, the country differences will be different from the city differences in either race! The degree of differeces will be different also!

As for the churches...I really think that it is the denomination of church, not just black or white churches!
I am Pentecostal, and both white and black churches of this denomination can be just as lively! I think that the black churches are noticed more, but the predominately white Pentecostal churches can be the same, but you don't hear about them as often. I go to a very mixed church, and the only real difference that I've noticed is duration of service!
I was raised Catholic, and whether it was predominately black or white, it was still quiet.

I would like to share one other thing with you.
During the Rodney King incident, I lived in Southern California. Being a photographer, I really wanted to go into the area and get some photographs! I knew that I could get some really good ones but I didn't go...why? Because because it was a racial upheaval, and because I look like I could be different races, I decided putting my like in danger that was was not worth it! I was truly upset, because I wanted to much to get those photographs, but my daughter was very young, and I was all she had at the time, so I couldn't risk being hurt or killed!

Yes there are differences but also similarities!
I like to celebrate the differences in any culture because that it the way you learn and grow as a person!
In my family, we were raised not to discriminate against anyone! The town that I grew up in is know for acceptance of differences in people. It is even taught in the schools!

I believe that I did give some examples that like Juan said, culture does not mean race!

SARAH, excellent topic for discussion! Thank you!

Yes, there are cultural differences because people are influenced by their country of origin when traditions are passed down from one generation to the next. In turn, those traditions evolve because of influences from other cultures.

Yes. One can have more than one culture simultaneously and in many ways. American culture, Native American culture and so on.

The more intriguing question is WHY

That is where the fun and fruit lies...As a society we like to poke at the obvious what and who...but ignore the exploration and dialogue to dig into the WHY.