# if you're black and you know it, clap your hands \ **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 16, 2002, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-black-and-you-know-it-clap-your-hands-clap-clap/143007 "2002-12-16T03:06:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-black-and-you-know-it-clap-your-hands-clap-clap/143007/1 "2002-12-16T03:06:44Z")
This thread has been inspired by the lovely gem in the Pit and by other threads that feature people making erroneous ass-umptions about the ethnicity and/or race of other posters. But who counts as black? you wonder fretfully, as the Best of Tom Jones plays merrily in the background. Here’s a test: if you can correctly identify what movie the following quote comes from and you can answer the question its asking, AND (and this is the clincher) you can supply another quote from the same movie and/or Purple Rain, then you might be black enough to come up in here. Okay, ready? “Who’s the master?!” ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-black-and-you-know-it-clap-your-hands-clap-clap/143007/2 "2002-12-16T03:52:26Z")
Sho 'Nuff! The Shogun of Harlem. Do I pass? Am I black? Waitaminnit. Are you trying to say that only black people saw The Last Dragon?— Now there’s a pretty big assumption. ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-black-and-you-know-it-clap-your-hands-clap-clap/143007/3 "2002-12-16T04:04:23Z")
That’s exactly what I’m saying, Biggirl. And I’m also expressing the converse. If you haven’t see The Last Dragon, _then you’re not black_. Sorry, I know the truth stings like a bitch, but God made the rules not me. But never fear; membership to the Black RaceTM is only a Blockbuster away.😃 ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-black-and-you-know-it-clap-your-hands-clap-clap/143007/4 "2002-12-16T04:11:20Z")
It’s been a while, but I’ve seen _The Last Dragon_ several times. Which, if **Biggirl** is correct in what you’re assuming, would make me one of the lightest black people in the world. BTW I went to college with Julius Carry; the first time I saw _The Last Dragon_ I almost fell off my chair when The Shogun of Harlem first appeared on screen, as I hadn’t noticed the name in the opening credits. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-black-and-you-know-it-clap-your-hands-clap-clap/143007/5 "2002-12-16T04:13:43Z")
What on earth are you people talking about? (Yes, I’m white. Even though my name has 4 syllables.) ---
**Author:** ![MrMyth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e19b73/32.png) [@MrMyth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrMyth)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-black-and-you-know-it-clap-your-hands-clap-clap/143007/6 "2002-12-16T04:16:34Z")
Um, the correct answer to the question of, “Who’s the master?” is “I am.” Because that’s the only moment in the movie that mattered - when Leroy proceeded to kick the 'fro offa Sho’Nuff. Since I answered the question correctly first, I’m blacker than all of you. ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-black-and-you-know-it-clap-your-hands-clap-clap/143007/7 "2002-12-16T04:18:13Z")
> [@](#): > > It’s been a while, but I’ve seen The Last Dragon several times. Which, if Biggirl is correct in what you’re assuming, would make me one of the lightest black people in the world. Black folks come in all shades, dude. Welcome to the family. ---
**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-black-and-you-know-it-clap-your-hands-clap-clap/143007/8 "2002-12-16T04:19:08Z")
I can get 4 syllables **Green Bean** , even though I don’t have a clue who _The Last Dragon_ might’ve been. ---
**Author:** ![Banger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@Banger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banger)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-black-and-you-know-it-clap-your-hands-clap-clap/143007/9 "2002-12-16T04:29:49Z")
I’m white, and I knew that quote. What does that make me? White, I guess. But I _am_ “down with the street”. I’m just like [Sally and Johnny!](http://www.blackpeopleloveus.com/) By the way, my favorite quote from the film was “Kiss my Converse!” Of course, I am a big fan of Julius Carry (aka Sho’nuff) from his work in **The Adventures of Brisco County Jr.** ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-black-and-you-know-it-clap-your-hands-clap-clap/143007/10 "2002-12-16T04:42:01Z")
That is a hilarious site, **Banger**! “Sally’s always saying: “You go girl!” while “raising the roof” to mainstream hip-hop tracks at cheesy bars. That’s fun! I relate to that.” I relate to that, too! ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-black-and-you-know-it-clap-your-hands-clap-clap/143007/11 "2002-12-16T05:15:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by you with the face \* > \*\*Black folks come in all shades, dude. Welcome to the family. \*\* Is there a secret handshake I get to learn? > [@](#): > > Of course, I am a big fan of Julius Carry (aka Sho’nuff) from his work in The Adventures of Brisco County Jr. For some reason, most likely a scheduling conflict, I’ve only seen a few episodes. I liked what I saw, and one of these days I’m going to track down somebody who has it on tape so I can see them all. ---
**Author:** ![DarrenS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@DarrenS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DarrenS)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-black-and-you-know-it-clap-your-hands-clap-clap/143007/12 "2002-12-16T05:53:58Z")
I am white and I should point out, without irony, that I’ve seen “The Last Dragon” about 50 times, no exaggeration - it is my favorite movie of all time, and I’m not ashamed to admit it. Anyone who thinks overwise can “Kiss ma Converse!” ---
**Author:** ![Banger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@Banger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banger)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-black-and-you-know-it-clap-your-hands-clap-clap/143007/13 "2002-12-16T06:06:51Z")
**The Adventures of Brisco County Jr.** was a great show. It was a western action/comedy with some sci-fi mixed in. Carry was great as bounty hunter/Brisco’s sidekick Lord Bowler. I liked the show because I was a fan of Bruce Campbell’s **Evil Dead** films, and this show started shortly after the last of the films **Army of Darkness**. Lord Bowler was a badass bounty hunter who eventually teamed up with Brisco. His introduction was great as he initially started out as Brisco’s adversary, but then he joined Brisco’s cause in avenging Brisco’s father’s death and discovering the secret of the mysterious orb. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-black-and-you-know-it-clap-your-hands-clap-clap/143007/14 "2002-12-16T07:28:28Z")
I’m too busy watching reruns of “Friends” and “The Andy Grifith Show” To see that movie… But hey! Wait a minute I have seen “Martin” does count for anything? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Meatros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-black-and-you-know-it-clap-your-hands-clap-clap/143007/15 "2002-12-16T11:18:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Biggirl \* > \*\*Sho 'Nuff! The Shogun of Harlem. > > Do I pass? Am I black? > Waitaminnit. Are you trying to say that only black people saw The Last Dragon?— Now there’s a pretty big assumption. \*\* I’m not an African American, but I have seen the last dragon. I love that film! With the exception of, the bad guy looks SO much like Buster Rhymes that it’s scary. I think Buster even did a video mocking that. “Catches bullets with his teeth”. Yes, whenever I’m on a kung-fu kick, that’s one of the first movies I watch! ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-black-and-you-know-it-clap-your-hands-clap-clap/143007/16 "2002-12-16T13:43:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Banger \* > \*\ ***The Adventures of Brisco County Jr.** was a great show. It was a western action/comedy with some sci-fi mixed in. Carry was great as bounty hunter/Brisco’s sidekick Lord Bowler. > > I liked the show because I was a fan of Bruce Campbell’s **Evil Dead** films, and this show started shortly after the last of the films **Army of Darkness**. > > Lord Bowler was a badass bounty hunter who eventually teamed up with Brisco. His introduction was great as he initially started out as Brisco’s adversary, but then he joined Brisco’s cause in avenging Brisco’s father’s death and discovering the secret of the mysterious orb. \*\* The plot of one of the episodes I did see concerned the mysterious orb, but since I hadn’t seen any of the previous “orb” episodes I had a little trouble following it. That’s one of the reasons I want to try and watch it from the beginning. I’ve also been meaning to watch the **Evil Dead** films, just based on comments I’ve seen on the SDMB. ---
**Author:** ![Meatros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-black-and-you-know-it-clap-your-hands-clap-clap/143007/17 "2002-12-16T13:44:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by LurkMeister \* > \*\*The plot of one of the episodes I did see concerned the mysterious orb, but since I hadn’t seen any of the previous “orb” episodes I had a little trouble following it. That’s one of the reasons I want to try and watch it from the beginning. > > I’ve also been meaning to watch the **Evil Dead** films, just based on comments I’ve seen on the SDMB. \*\* Most definately do watch the Evil Dead films. They are great and go up there in my collection of classics, which incidently includes LOTR’s (to show you what sort of company it has.). ---
**Author:** ![lno](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a8b319/32.png) [@lno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lno)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-black-and-you-know-it-clap-your-hands-clap-clap/143007/18 "2002-12-16T15:41:27Z")
I’ve been directing my feetza, but I just can’t find Daddy Green’s pizza. And I’m hungry, too. ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-black-and-you-know-it-clap-your-hands-clap-clap/143007/19 "2002-12-16T16:28:46Z")
Banger, that site is a riot. Sorry, though, haven’t seen the movie, and I’m whiter than Dick Van Dyke. So I shouldn’t post here. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-black-and-you-know-it-clap-your-hands-clap-clap/143007/20 "2002-12-16T16:35:23Z")
Haven’t seen the movie either, but after hearing that Carry is in it, I probably should. I guess I’m a wannabe then? Regarding the _Evil Dead_ recommendations - watch them with the commentary track running. It sounds like an episode of MST3K that way. 😃 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-black-and-you-know-it-clap-your-hands-clap-clap/143007.md?page=2)