# Act your race?! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 24, 2013, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/act-your-race/659188 "2013-05-24T02:21:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![AngelTorres](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b4bc9f/32.png) [@AngelTorres](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngelTorres)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/act-your-race/659188/1 "2013-05-24T02:21:38Z")
I’m hispanic. I like to sag my pants a little and I absolutely love to rap. I’m actually good at it. However, my friends tell me to stop because I’m not black. Do I have to be black? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/act-your-race/659188/2 "2013-05-24T02:24:15Z")
Reported for forum change. ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/act-your-race/659188/3 "2013-05-24T02:35:09Z")
> [@AngelTorres](#): > > I’m hispanic. I like to sag my pants a little and I absolutely love to rap. I’m actually good at it. However, my friends tell me to stop because I’m not black. Do I have to be black? Yes. It’s the only way. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/act-your-race/659188/4 "2013-05-24T02:39:16Z")
I don’t think you \*have \*to be black but I’ve always wondered why non-blacks always copy black pop culture. I remember a black comedian had a routine about this way back in the 70’s. Some time ago I started to hear all these black pop singers on the radio that I found out were actually white. IMHO of course. Assuming that forum change kicks in. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/act-your-race/659188/5 "2013-05-24T02:39:26Z")
Yes. Only black people like Eminem can be rappers. And while you’re at it, only white people like Tiger Woods can golf and only black people like Yao Ming can play basketball. Gosh, imagine what would happen if people didn’t stick to their own racial stereotypes! ---
**Author:** ![BMax](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bmax/32/4267_2.png) [@BMax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMax)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/act-your-race/659188/6 "2013-05-24T02:40:22Z")
But on the bright side, you can still drive a pickup truck and nobody will accuse you of acting white. ---
**Author:** ![AngelTorres](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b4bc9f/32.png) [@AngelTorres](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngelTorres)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/act-your-race/659188/7 "2013-05-24T02:45:47Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > I don’t think you \*have \*to be black but I’ve always wondered why non-blacks always copy black pop culture. I remember a black comedian had a routine about this way back in the 70’s. Some time ago I started to hear all these black pop singers on the radio that I found out were actually white. > > IMHO of course. Assuming that forum change kicks in. I do it because I want to, not because I want to be black. #FYI ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/act-your-race/659188/8 "2013-05-24T02:46:43Z")
> [@AngelTorres](#): > > I’m hispanic. I like to sag my pants a little and I absolutely love to rap. I’m actually good at it. However, my friends tell me to stop because I’m not black. Do I have to be black? Sí. ---
**Author:** ![AngelTorres](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b4bc9f/32.png) [@AngelTorres](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngelTorres)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/act-your-race/659188/9 "2013-05-24T02:46:56Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > Yes. Only black people like Eminem can be rappers. > > And while you’re at it, only white people like Tiger Woods can golf and only black people like Yao Ming can play basketball. Gosh, imagine what would happen if people didn’t stick to their own racial stereotypes! #LOL ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/act-your-race/659188/10 "2013-05-24T03:01:08Z")
Moved to IMHO. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/act-your-race/659188/11 "2013-05-24T04:20:10Z")
> [@AngelTorres](#): > > #LOL [del]Shtarker![/del]AngelTorres! This is [del]KAOS.[/del]The Straight Dope. We don’t [del]“shush”[/del] #LOL here! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/act-your-race/659188/12 "2013-05-24T04:59:51Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > I don’t think you \*have \*to be black but I’ve always wondered why non-blacks always copy black pop culture. I remember a black comedian had a routine about this way back in the 70’s. Some time ago I started to hear all these black pop singers on the radio that I found out were actually white. Try and find George Carlin’s joke, Morningside Heights. I couldn’t find any video. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/act-your-race/659188/13 "2013-05-24T05:11:57Z")
nm ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/act-your-race/659188/14 "2013-05-24T05:19:41Z")
> **[Cypress Hill](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cypress_Hill)** > > Cypress Hill is an American hip hop group from South Gate, California, formed in 1988. They have sold over 20 million albums worldwide, and they have obtained multi-platinum and platinum certifications. The group has been critically acclaimed for their first five albums. They are considered to be among the main progenitors of West Coast and 1990s hip hop. All of the group members advocate for medical and recreational use of cannabis in the United States. In 2019, Cypress Hill became the fir Sen... ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/act-your-race/659188/15 "2013-05-24T05:35:17Z")
Well as an Asian myself, my ambition is to be a Boston Brahmin someday. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/act-your-race/659188/16 "2013-05-24T07:36:38Z")
I am Asian, and I drive well. Should I start driving poorly? ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/act-your-race/659188/17 "2013-05-24T07:39:52Z")
We’re all individuals. Do what you like. Just don’t ape people you admire until you lose your own individuality. ---
**Author:** ![48Willys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/4/db5fbb/32.png) [@48Willys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/48Willys)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/act-your-race/659188/18 "2013-05-24T08:02:09Z")
> [@AngelTorres](#): > > I’m hispanic. I like to sag my pants a little and I absolutely love to rap. I’m actually good at it. However, my friends tell me to stop because I’m not black. Do I have to be black? Angel, IMHO you need new friends. Anyone who tells you that you are of the wrong race to do what you love, is wrong. They are not acting like friends. Friends support you in your dreams. Well, at least as long as your dreams are not illegal anyway. Do what you want to do. This is America the land of the free! Please feel free to rap if you want to. If you are as good as you think you are, I hope to see you become famous for rapping. GO FOR IT!! You have my full support. Hang in there and do not let the buggers get you down. ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 9:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/act-your-race/659188/19 "2013-05-24T09:17:42Z")
We already know the [Wigger](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wigger) > [@](#): > > Wigger is a pejorative slang term for a white person who emulates mannerisms, language, and fashions associated with African-American culture, particularly hip hop in the United States or the Grime scene in Britain.[1] The term is a portmanteau of either wannabe or white and nigger. So maybe it is time to coin the phrase Higger? Seriously, though, what adaher said. You sound very young, and at your age you mostly express yourself through your clothes, acessories and music taste. That will get boring soon as you get interested in meeting more and more varied people, adn start to want to accomplish stuff. Then you won’‘t be the Hispanic guy dressed as whatever, but you’‘ll be Pedro who is involved with his group of friends to get the county to build a skateboard ramp, or who’'s involved in volunteer work. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/act-your-race/659188/20 "2013-05-24T09:38:51Z")
Just don’t get a tattoo. Those are going to be unfashionable someday and unlike bellbottoms, jerri curls, and leg warmers, you’ll have to keep it even after it’s not cool anymore. And yes, I know no one gets a tattoo to be cool, at least not consciously, but that’s true of all fashions. Yet strangely, few people continue to wear out of style fashions after they go out of style. funny how that works. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/act-your-race/659188.md?page=2)