By Slim Jackson
A couple weeks ago I was out with the fellas at an east coast college. They were opening for a poppin and pizzlin hip hop artist that we all know, and I was there to support and hold my Flip video camera in the air to get some blog-worthy footage. Without going into too much detail, the show was great. I’ve been to a few shows they’ve rocked out at, and it’s been a lot of fun. After seeing them perform in front of primarily white institutions and crowds more heavily sprinkled with Black and Hispanic folk, I’ve come to a crucial conclusion…
White people really know how to have unrestricted fun. Black folks really know how to hate.
Let’s face it. We’re quicker to find fault with other Black folk than we are to give credit and accolade where it’s due. When I’m at these concerts, there are clear demographic differences. I can see the hundreds or thousands of white people throwing their hands in the air and having a good time. I can also see a significant chunk of the small segment of Black and Hispanic people watching first with a critical eye and looking for an excuse to say the show was wack. They’re usually the people with arms folded, staring up at the stage, and consistently whispering in the ear of whoever they came to the show with. Now this isn’t to say that all Black people are naturally haters, but sometimes it’s like something extra needs to be proved before people will just accept the fact that someone is cool, good at what they do, or whatever. This isn’t even a competitive circumstance! Competition? That’s a different story…
Don’t even get me started on how competition increases the hate exponentially. All we need to do is look at a group of women who are all interested in the same dude. Welcome to New Hate City….Welcome to New Hate Citttttayy! We can even look at the dude that’s baggin chicks without any reputable reason. “That negro just be out there munchin box or wearin Greek letters. He wouldn’t be baggin otherwise.” But yeah, we be hatin’. It’s kinda reckless. If people spent as much time looking at themselves as they spent criticizing others who are making moves in the bedroom, the world would be a much happier place. Then again, I guess there will always be crabs in the barrel…I ain’t tryna get pinched though.
Slim “The Plumber” Jackson
Three Ways to Take It 
It’s a bit early, but I figured I’d get in (pause) before my day got too crazy. At first read, this post could put some people on the defensive, like “what did this fool just say?” But if you think about it outside of the context of the concert, I’m sure we can all find loads of examples of how black folks hate on those trying to make it. Our families sometimes hate on us as we try to better ourselves, “friends” hate for a variety of reasons, folks from back in the day look at us sideways now…its a shame. And this hate isn’t new…not gonna get into the historical discussion, but just know that its there 🙂
I think people in general, across races, hate on others that have what they want, or are simply doing something different (not necessarily better) with their lives. The source of most hate: insecurity.
i totally agree Tiff… it’s not a black thing. hate is universal.
Hate is universal, but seriously…in the context of our community it’s different. The way that it manifests itself is completely different. Example:
You’re in a grad program with a bunch of “studious” fellows. The teachers and faculty consistently acknowledge you for being a beast. Someone happens to report you to the Dean’s office anonymously with a Facebook picture of you holding a 40.
That’s the type of hate that I don’t think is characteristic of Black people usually. Same type of ish can happen in the work place. Walk in to the office and find yourself in a meeting with your boss because someone copied and pasted a comment you made on a message board 3 years ago and sent it to your boss.
I think our hate is more so the critical eye, ish talking type of hate as opposed to really taking direct actions. And I’m not trying to stereotype. This is just my experience. What does everyone else think?
After reading the original post I must agree with Slim. Us black folks hate waayyyy too much. Me personally, I don’t even like going to a completely black club any more. I prefer a mixed one. Reason being, when you go to a black club, everyone is almost putting on a front. You go over to dance with a chick and she sizes you up trying to judge you and looking to see what others will think if she dances with you. 99% of the time I just wanna dance a lil bit. I don’t really care what your name or number is. I’m just tryna have some fun.
Dudes on the sideline lookin’ at you, like “Who this nucca think he is”. You go to a healthy mixed crowd and the majority of people don’t really care whats going on. Its a “Let’s have fun” crowd. Has to be a healthy mix tho. Don’t get me wrong I still go to the black club just for the thrill of the danger lol. But peep this. I went out with weekend with a white college friend of mine and we had a blast. The problem tho was there were about 2 other black dudes in there and these cats was grillin’ me hard. My white homeboy was like, “Yo that black dude is ice grillin’ you over there like he’s supposed to be the only black guy in here or sumthin..” Now if my white abercrombie wearing white friend can pick up on that, then enough said….
yeah there was hate…
that show sure was poppin’ tho…
I actually majored in Hating and Political Science in college. They are actually more similar than you think.
I think it has to do a lot with what Sneed just mentioned. For some odd reason black folks like to be the only folks @ certain clubs, golf courses, lounges, movie theater or any venue for that matter. Once they come back to reality and realize that there are other black folks in there “safe space”, let the hate begin. It’s a phenom experienced by uneducated and educated, rich and poor black folk. There’s no distinction. My people just enjoy being it. I remember actually hearing one of my frat brothers tell a story about how he stopped going to a particular lounge in DC because it had been discovered by the “ni99ers” and was no longer a safe haven from ni99erdom and a palace to his light skindidness. I guess it makes you feel better to stunt on people when you have something you think they aren’t capable of having or you have a certain lifestyle you feel is more affluent than others. (Bad man nuh haffi pleh pause). I’m pretty sure in this materialistic and pretentious society that white folks hate just as vigorously, but I’ve never witnessed the hate manifested the way black folk hate on each other. Naturally I’ve seen white folks hate on minorities. But white folks hate too. Next time you with some of your white pals, do a mental ethnicity check then crack a joke about one that’s not present, and watch the floodgates open. Polish or Hebrew jokes are usually a safe bet. Nothing too crass, be tactful. White folks, haven’t forgot about you. Next time you are hanging out with one of your three black friends and you see another black guy cruising down the street in a ’99 neon blaring music out of clearly blown speakers and rocking plastic spinning rims, make a comment. Your black friend shout start hating right on que. 9 times outta ten they were already thinking something hate-like, now will be their opportunity to verbalize it.
P.S. White people, by “your three friends” am I no way implying any sort of racism on your part. It’s always a good idea to have the least amount of black friends as possible, and three satisfies the minimum. I highly recommend this pratice as someone who tries to keep his black friend count as low as humanly possible. (Jokes? No?)
i guess i’ll talk about the females and their hate abilities since you mentioned it mr. jackson. speaking from what i know, black females will look for any possible reason to hate on another female. sometimes, its to make themselves feel better about themselves, or maybe they just love to talk. but when a guy is involved, a girl will look for any little thing to hate on his gf/girl he’s messing with about. it could be her hair, her shoes, the way she smiles, her facebook profile, the way she poses in pictures, her teeth, her clothes, her lack of taste in clothes… i’ve seen/heard it all. sometimes, the hate will just come out of no where, and one would begin to wonder why girls hate on each other sooo much. so from my perspective, i think females are the worst when it comes to hating.
“White people really know how to have unrestricted fun. Black folks really know how to hate.”
I wholeheartedly agree. Here’s a perfect example:
A few years back, right after I graduated from Prestigious White U, my best friend from high school and I both had friends coming in from out of town so we decided we’d all go out and have some fun…
We decided to go to Adams Morgan. For those not familiar with Washington, DC, it’s a stretch of about 3 blocks of bars and multi ethnic eateries. We figured we’d meet up at her house and all roll down there together. So when I get to her place I can already see a problem brewing. Me and my friend are dressed for a bar night… cute jeans, sneakers, t-shirts that are tight in the right places and a lil lip gloss. This heifer and her friends have on full make-up are in the process of re-flat ironing their hair, there were high heeled boots, stilettos, skirts, designer handbags… clearly we were dressed for two different occasions.
We get down to Adams Morgan and these chicks turn their noses up at every place with a line (cause their feet hurt). We end up at the bougiest spot on the block… TRYST. A coffee house meets lounge spot that’s playing the best of late 90s R&B. After about 20 mins of sitting, being seen and complementing each other on our outfits, me and my homegirl are like… uh… “we’re gonna see what else is poppin off down the street”.
The BAP crew caught up with us about an hour later at some random spot. 80s rock was blasting we were at the bar doing shots with white boys and having the time of our lives.
My BF and her crew sat in a corner, irritated and hating on everything (‘why are they playing THAT music?… do we HAVE to stay here?… do they even have martinis?’)
I won’t say I’m above sitting and talking about people. It’s one of my favorite pastimes (though I consider myself more of a judger than a hater) but I think black people need to loosen up sometimes and just relax and enjoy.
“I won’t say I’m above sitting and talking about people. It’s one of my favorite pastimes (though I consider myself more of a judger than a hater).”
i can agree to that.
I went to a PWI and I played football (Go Quakers) and was/am in a historically Black (Roo!!) frat and whenever I wanted to get “sh*tfaced” (as they call it) and jus have a good time, I was with the football team
i agree with the previous comments… i feel like i get the most hate from other black females. i usually get it either when i’m introduced to other girls through my male friends, or if i’m out and about with my girls and/or sister.
i also feel like a lot of hate btwn black folk comes from this whole light skin/dark skin thing. i can’t tell you how many times (and to my irritation) people have said “you think you’re so XYZ because you’re light skin” or “the only reason why you got XYZ is because you’re light skin.” i mean, why can’t it ever be that I got XYZ because I’m smart, or I’m nice, or I have some ill tattoos, etc etc…. why does it have to be a pigment issue??
Jealousy is Mutha!!!
I am the target of many a light-skinned joke. In fact, we’ve seen em on this blog before. I don’t even think I’m that light. Then again, if this were 150 years ago, I definite;y woulda been in the house drinking warm water. Definitely a reason for those outside to hate. I’m okay with that in present day terms. I don’t get any true hate for my complexion. Just a lot of jokes.
Women though…eek.
I was @ said concert with Slim and Gunz, they tell no lie. I’m not even a Human and they hate on me. I’m dressed up in my standard Bear-looking outfit (don’t ask) taking pictures with people who enjoyed the show. White lady and her man walk up to me and ask to take a picture with me. I say yes…boyfriend gladly takes the pic while I palm his girl’s ass. Than the sucka shakes my hand while I pass his girl my number behind his back.
Black girl and her man walk up with the same situation. He takes the pic while I Motorboat this big girl, than he gets all salty and calls his own girl a groupie… She didn’t even suck my off at that point in the night yet!
As the next upcoming rapper from Golden Cultivation Records, I’ve been across the entire country (not just the north east like these other rappers, I’ve been to Boston and Hartford). Black audiences show love when your famous, I think its because they know too many talented people to be objectionable. White people genuinely judge you on the context of your performance. White people were up on Kanye West and Lupe Fiasco before it became cool. They have a better ear for originality. Black folk follow the trend too often, scared to stand out.
Dear Eli,
How are the cubs doing? Yeah? You still payin cub support? Word? You’re a good dad. That’s great.
Let’s not leave everybody in the dark about your Golden Cultivation Record reference. You’re referring to a rapper who is consistently worried about what other people are doing in music as opposed to getting his own CD together. This is when spending more time hating than dealing with your own life goes terribly wrong.
Keep the dialogue going peoples…
i agree wholeheartedly with vanessa. tyra had a really interesting show about females hating on each other because of pigmentation. granted, i feel it is easier for a light skinned female to say. “hey stop hating on me because im light skinned” because the light skinned female does not feel the same scrutiny and alienation that a darker skinned female may feel. for example, my mother has a lot of white in her, so her skin is pale and she has the “good” hair to go with it, while my dad is quite dark. i came out on the lighter side, with attributes from both. but while i was watching said tyra episode with my cousin (who is a nice shade of chocolate), she admitted that when we were younger she wanted to cut my hair off. i was amused, and i made sure that i stayed away from her that night. i guess what i’m trying to say is, being around all shades of people, i am able to embrace them all. and i feel that lighter skinned females should try their best not to alienate other females who don’t necessarily look like them, or because society tells us that lighter skin and “good” hair is better.
yeah, i agree port. there are def some light skin folks that look down on the darker folks… we’re all black, people!
oh so i thought of another form of hateration… how about black americans hating on the caribbean americans (and vice-versa). nothing is more irritating than when in one breath BAs call me coconut and then say i’m not really a Jamaican because I wasn’t born there. wtf?? i also find it funny when BAs give me funny looks as i sing all the words to my fave Mavado songs… yeah, i just don’t fit the mold i guess, and it bothers some people.
Dear Slim,
Cub support is a mother. I should have been smarter when that hoe of a Zebra told me she wasn’t going to see the Vet and get an abortion…. I should have eaten her!
Vajayjay and a meal, at least that would be a useful babymamma
The proceeds raised by my band Sexual Chocolate all go to the fight against lightskindded cats. Our motto: “Til the whole world is dark!”
Yes, I too rather enjoy when silly, forget-dem-kultcha black americans hate on my fresh off the boat ass. But Miss V, yuh done know…”If a fassyhole nuh me like, dem fi suck dem mumma!”
🙂
word…