The Official "Ask A Brotha" Thread - Part 1

[Ant-manic]

The only stereotype I worked to actively disapprove is black people are bad tippers. I don't know how true this is any longer, but when I worked for the Hamburger Hamlet it was very true! t: I always tip well just so people don't stereotype me.

i always overtip. and i had to drop one of my white friends who had the habit of pooling everyone's tips together to hide his poor tipping. i nearly came to blows with some kid clearing tables who pocketed my tip, one time. i wasn't about to get a bad reputation because of that greedy s.o.b.

 

[charl_huntress]

I almost got into it with my sister, who was a notoriously bad tipper until I called her on it. Last time we went out to eat she was very proud to show me the app she has to make SURE she tips at least 15%. I was SO proud of her. 15% is better than nothing.

 

[blknrdcllctv]

The only stereotype I worked to actively disapprove is black people are bad tippers. I don't know how true this is any longer, but when I worked for the Hamburger Hamlet it was very true! t: I always tip well just so people don't stereotype me.

That is one I actively try to disprove as well. I always start out at 20%. If there service is terrific, I might give 25% (but it has to be stellar). If the service is poor, I will leave 10% as a bear minimum. My buddy (black dude) does the same and even writes a note on the receipt telling the serve why he tipped so low.

 

[MrsKent26]

Wow, I didn't even know that black people were stereotyped as low tippers. Also, I feel cheap because some of you definitely tip better than me.

 

[charl_huntress]

That is one I actively try to disprove as well. I always start out at 20%. If there service is terrific, I might give 25% (but it has to be stellar). If the service is poor, I will leave 10% as a bear minimum. My buddy (black dude) does the same and even writes a note on the receipt telling the serve why he tipped so low.

I tip very well. I had to also learn to tip my service people well also like my hair dresser, manicurist, delivery driver etc.

 

[PyroChamber]

Basically if you're black you can't complain because then you'll be viewed as one of "those" blacks.

Speaking of which, who would be considered to be the "blacks" of other ethnicities?

 

[E-Man]

I hate the tipping stereotype because it's such a self fulfilling prophecy. Too many waiters and waitresses will basically disregard a black group because they don't feel like they'll tip. It sucks because I tip according to service. If I get bad service I'll leave a bad tip. If I get good service I'll leave a good tip. I find most black people I know to be the same since we hate that stigma.

 

[Anubis]

I like to do that trick I saw on "My Wife and Kids" where if you get what looks like a bad waiter or waitress, you start praising them for such great service loudly and within ear shot of them. They immediately will start to do their job better.

It totally effin' works too.

 

[Arach Knight]

Don't worry, nobody seriously blames all white guys for crap like this.

However, all white guys should be blamed for keeping Arby's in business. I mean, WTF is that all about?

I am so close to sigging this because it seems like a Spidey rant, except made by an actual sardonic person. You win the Internet.

With that acknowledged

1) I realize that everyone is all hyped for 12 Years a Slave, but I refuse to see it. Films of that nature tend to stir up a level of ire in me that is just a healthy. I am not into watching people get brutalized. I stopped watching and reading The Walking Dead for similar reasons. But throw racism into the mix and I just become angry. Racism is the wound that America refuses to allow proper healing. As such, even "old" wounds seem fresh.

2) I am not sure how chicken is seen as hilarious. Almost every culture on earth consumes chicken. Even cultures that have dietary restrictions tend to be okay with chicken. It is delicious and nutritious.

 

[Lencho01]

I like to do that trick I saw on "My Wife and Kids" where if you get what looks like a bad waiter or waitress, you start praising them for such great service loudly and within ear shot of them. They immediately will start to do their job better.

It totally effin' works too.

The only thing I took from that show is "Eh... no!"

 

[Cosmic]

1) I realize that everyone is all hyped for 12 Years a Slave, but I refuse to see it. Films of that nature tend to stir up a level of ire in me that is just a healthy. I am not into watching people get brutalized. I stopped watching and reading The Walking Dead for similar reasons. But throw racism into the mix and I just become angry. Racism is the wound that America refuses to allow proper healing. As such, even "old" wounds seem fresh.

I see racism as more of an infectious disease. Without some form of active treatment, it will fester and grow. Opening a dialogue is one method of treatment for this, and 12 Years a Slave has been a huge success in that regard.

Also, there is so much more to it than just the scenes of brutality. It's a seriously complex drama with some amazing performances. It's 100% worthy of the hype.

2) I am not sure how chicken is seen as hilarious. Almost every culture on earth consumes chicken. Even cultures that have dietary restrictions tend to be okay with chicken. It is delicious and nutritious.

True, but I must admit, there's this one Dave Chappelle stand-up routine that pokes fun at this, and makes me chuckle every time I think about it.

 

[enterthemadness]

Brotha, do you take heed cause I am a lyrical poet? Miami's on the scene............just in case....you didn't know it.

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

ETM... You doing your best Mitt Romney impression?

 

[enterthemadness]

ETM... You doing your best Mitt Romney impression?

No, I was asking a silly question, but at end I typed it out as if Shatner from Star Trek was singing it.

But yes, that is how Mitt would probably rap Ice Ice Baby.

 

[Cosmic]

Found this thread by accident looking for a Black Panther casting thread

Not sure if this has been discussed yet, but what are our general thoughts on the Fantastic Four casting?

I'm a black man, but I'm also a comic nerd so I would have liked them to keep to the classic team.
However I'm open to MBJ playing Torch and I'll think he'll knock it out the park.
My problem is that they have decided to not cast a black Sue. I think this sends the wrong message. They want to promote diversity, but they get squeamish at an interracial relationship? Go all out or just don't bother at all. The adoption thing is a total cop out.

I'm black, and I grew up reading comics. I re-discovered the FF as a kid, when Marvel first released their Masterworks editions. It really made me appreciate and admire past creators more than ever, and it made me want to learn more about the history of comics. More than anything else, it made me a Kirby fan for life.

I'm disappointed in the FF movie's casting, overall, but especially with Johnny. One problem is that it's such an arbitrary change. "Change for change's sake," someone called it. If they really wanted to make some waves, they should've gone for a minority-majority cast. But of course, instead, just one character gets changed. Let's throw the black audiences a bone...make one of the main characters black. They'll just love that. And as another poster pointed out in the FF forum, they just had to colorblind cast the impulsive hothead, instead of the scientific genius, or the female lead. God forbid Reed being black and Sue being white. Or Johnny and Sue both minorities. At least they wouldn't have to conjure up an explanation for why Johnny and Sue look so different.

We knew MBJ was being considered for the role a long time ago. For all this time, there were no attempts to dispel any rumors of his casting, as far as I know, and until it became official, there wasn't much of any backlash over those rumors. It seems like the director just gave the role to an actor he liked working with previously. Screw the comics. To Hell with the fans, forget the creators...nobody cares what those nerds think! They're gonna go see it anyway. This is my project and I'll hire who I want. The brand is popular, and the genre is hot. We're gonna make a blockbuster.

 

[blksuperman2]

I'm kinda w/ you Cosmic. I'm in the minority that characters on film should be close to/resemble their comic counterpart. It just is what it is. I feel there's still some awesome Black characters that are out there that black actors can portray rather than changing characters for the sake of change. Perry White should be White. Why does it matter? IDK, it just does to me. I'd feel the same if Lucius Fox was cast as a white guy just because.

I know it's just a silly pet peeve. I feel the same way with changing other characterizations too. Gwen Stacy has blonde hair, Mary Jane has Red hair, and that's good for me. When Lois Lane has Red hair it bothers me. /end crazy purist black nerd rant.

 

[Lencho01]

I think it would've been better if they made Sue Black as well. Also, not have all of them be so young unlike the Ultimate versions.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

The whole mixed family thing is bound to be awkward.

It's going to be like watching the bicycle shop episode of Different Strokes.

 

[Anubis]

I honestly don't give a s**t.

I just hope they do a good Doom.

 

[charl_huntress]

1) I realize that everyone is all hyped for 12 Years a Slave, but I refuse to see it. Films of that nature tend to stir up a level of ire in me that is just a healthy. I am not into watching people get brutalized. I stopped watching and reading The Walking Dead for similar reasons. But throw racism into the mix and I just become angry. Racism is the wound that America refuses to allow proper healing. As such, even "old" wounds seem fresh.

I'm with you on this. I will likely watch the movie when it comes on cable. It will just come on one day and I'll watch it because the channel is already on that station, but I will not seek out watching this movie for any reason.

I see racism as more of an infectious disease. Without some form of active treatment, it will fester and grow. Opening a dialogue is one method of treatment for this, and 12 Years a Slave has been a huge success in that regard.

Also, there is so much more to it than just the scenes of brutality. It's a seriously complex drama with some amazing performances. It's 100% worthy of the hype.

What worthy dialogue have you heard about race relations in regard to this movie? I often hear that trite expression and I think it's a cop out excuse to keep making these movies. Slavery movies are a part of a larger problem in Hollywood when it comes to black actors...or just actors period since depressing flicks are always considered Oscar bait.

Movies about slavery don't get conversations about race started unless it's those conversations that center around "I'm glad I was never a slave" from black people, and "I'm glad that's over and I'd rather not talk about something my ancestors did over a 100 years ago" from white people.

You get better conversations about race and race relations from more current movies. Slavery movies do nothing, but continually drag up a tragic past so some Hollywood execs can make money and black actors can get Oscars and recognition by ironically enough playing a g-d SLAVE.

I'm disappointed in the FF movie's casting, overall, but especially with Johnny. One problem is that it's such an arbitrary change. "Change for change's sake," someone called it. If they really wanted to make some waves, they should've gone for a minority-majority cast. But of course, instead, just one character gets changed. Let's throw the black audiences a bone...make one of the main characters black. They'll just love that. And as another poster pointed out in the FF forum, they just had to colorblind cast the impulsive hothead, instead of the scientific genius, or the female lead. God forbid Reed being black and Sue being white. Or Johnny and Sue both minorities. At least they wouldn't have to conjure up an explanation for why Johnny and Sue look so different.

Meh...I don't see anything wrong with making a change like that. I know that upsets comic fans, but the point is when a lot of the characters were being created multi-culturalism wasn't a thing. It is a thing now and that's a good thing.

I feel there's still some awesome Black characters that are out there that black actors can portray rather than changing characters for the sake of change.

What awesome black characters are there? Really? Let's be real about this....

edit:

I'm not saying there aren't any...

 

[chamber-music]

^^lol

When I was in London last I got caught up in the aftermath of a knife fight. Frankly I was shocked to see that level of crime. I just didn't think it happened in England tbh..lol. Whenever I think of England I always imagine vicars in small parishes walking half mile to get milk in glass jars...lol

Rural England is like that but in the wrong neighbourhoods in the cities there are people who will stab you for just looking in their general direction.

Most major cities have their rough dangerous areas but London still isn't as bad as many other cities. I feel a hell of a lot safer walking around London than I do when I walked around parts of Miami or Paris for example.

I always say, even though I'd probably get ass kicked, I don't know if I'd be intimidated by a black guy with a British accent.

You think that now but spend an hour and in Peckham, South London or Moss side in Manchester and you might change your mind.

1) I realize that everyone is all hyped for 12 Years a Slave, but I refuse to see it. Films of that nature tend to stir up a level of ire in me that is just a healthy. I am not into watching people get brutalized. I stopped watching and reading The Walking Dead for similar reasons. But throw racism into the mix and I just become angry. Racism is the wound that America refuses to allow proper healing. As such, even "old" wounds seem fresh.

12 Years A Slave is adapted from a memoir of a real life former slaves life so I felt if any movie about slavery is worth watching it was that movie.

Personally I don't get angry watching that involves racism. Racism is unfortunately a fact of life. I don't have the emotional energy to get upset about every instance of racism I see. I feel disappoint and pity that people are so close mind and still hold onto simplistic outdated views more than anything.

 

[Pink Ranger]

I am so close to sigging this because it seems like a Spidey rant, except made by an actual sardonic person. You win the Internet.

You are welcome to it, man. t:

 

[Manic]

The whole mixed family thing is bound to be awkward.

It's going to be like watching the bicycle shop episode of Different Strokes.

or just Diff'rent Strokes in general, since that was a show about two black brothers and their white sister.

 

[Pink Ranger]

The whole mixed family thing is bound to be awkward.

It's going to be like watching the bicycle shop episode of Different Strokes.

I'd pay good money to see Human Torch get molested by The Puppet Master.

 

[charl_huntress]

Speaking of which, who would be considered to be the "blacks" of other ethnicities?

I don't even understand this question... Can you elaborate?

Rural England is like that but in the wrong neighbourhoods in the cities there are people who will stab you for just looking in their general direction. Most major cities have their rough dangerous areas but London still isn't as bad as many other cities. I feel a hell of a lot safer walking around London than I do when I walked around parts of Miami or Paris for example.

I walked around in Paris on New Years night and I felt perfectly safe. Maybe it was my American attitude, but I dared some ******* to **** with me. I was on a tour at the time and there were some WhiteSouth Africans who couldn't believe I had done that, but I explained to them like Jay-Z I can walk in any GHETTO and feel safe because I know the rules. I know the rules of the upper class and the lower class. That is a true benefit if you want to walk the streets safely.

Personally I don't get angry watching that involves racism. Racism is unfortunately a fact of life. I don't have the emotional energy to get upset about every instance of racism I see. I feel disappoint and pity that people are so close mind and still hold onto simplistic outdated views more than anything.

Of course you don't get angry.... You don't live in America where slavery for black people is a constant shade. I admire black British in that sense.

or just Diff'rent Strokes in general, since that was a show about two black brothers and their white sister.

LOL...Oh yeah....one white girl lived with two black men in her prime. Different Stokes was an awesome show. I just think we would have had a more awesome show if Willis and the daughter had got together like they should have...