# "Wassup" with black men? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 6, 2003, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448 "2003-08-06T22:50:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![kputt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f475e1/32.png) [@kputt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kputt)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448/61 "2003-08-07T20:20:38Z")
ok. I obviously missed something. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Necros](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/necros/32/11086_2.png) [@Necros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Necros)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448/62 "2003-08-07T20:23:10Z")
**JuanitaTech** , you may not be male, but we already know you’re not black. Your SSN is all wrong. And **Biggirl** he is unfortunately only pitting black men for being too polite. Black women are obviously still rude. Actually, come to think of it, women never say “wassup” to me. I’m sure that’s only because they’re women, and thus rude, though, and not for any other reason. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Crunchy\_Frog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ebca7d/32.png) [@Crunchy\_Frog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crunchy_Frog)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448/63 "2003-08-07T20:55:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Giraffe \* > \*\*Then I go home and eat some mayonnaise on Wonder bread to calm myself down. Now that’s good eating! \*\* I prefer Miracle Whip on Wonder Bread myself, especially after a long, stressful day of trying not to get mugged. I also find the Barry Manilow and John Denver albums exceptionally soothing. ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448/64 "2003-08-07T20:58:43Z")
Necros, I still get teased about that here at work by the dudes in the mailroom. We’ve got a little ongoing joke about how I’m ‘the man’ and will do anything I can to keep them down. We have a lot of fun but I suspect one day someone’s going to overhear one of our conversations and get offended. ---
**Author:** ![Wabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ba9def/32.png) [@Wabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wabbit)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448/65 "2003-08-07T23:35:38Z")
‘Zamphir–Master of the Pan Flute’ always calms this honkey down after a hard day of oppressing the masses. ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448/66 "2003-08-07T23:40:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Necros \* > \*\*Black women are obviously still rude. \*\* No kidding. Word. I married one, and yet she’s the one who gets to slap me around and call me her bitch. 'Sup wit dat? I mean, hell, it’s even my turn and all. ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448/67 "2003-08-07T23:46:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by kputt \* > \*\*I certainly hope you are only kidding. This is the biggest bunch of crock I heard of if you are not only joking about it. \*\* Balki? Is that you? ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448/68 "2003-08-07T23:55:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by betenoir \* > \*\*Really? If they suceed in turning someone black, do they get a toaster? \*\* They get the toaster first. How else would they turn you black? ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448/69 "2003-08-07T23:58:30Z")
Dear Black Men of the SDMB, Today while out for my afternoon constitutional, I encountered two youths of the African-American persuasion. As I passed by I could not help but overhear one of them say to the other, “Damn, I’d do that shit.” I was not sure whether to thank them or not. Was this a compliment, or were they perhaps threatening my life? Please advise. I must add that I was most disappointed that neither one of them said “Wassup” to me. This was the sort of friendly greeting this thread has led me to believe I might expect from young men of their race. Yours, -Lamia McPastywhite ---
**Author:** ![ccwaterback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2003, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448/70 "2003-08-08T01:29:37Z")
Young black men being rude and obnoxious? Never, I just can’t believe it. I need proof. ---
**Author:** ![Angel\_Heart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@Angel\_Heart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angel_Heart)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2003, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448/71 "2003-08-08T02:00:35Z")
> [@](#): > > Oh helloooo. We’re Yardies. Check me one time, whitey Why do some British people call blacks Yardies? Is it just a term or is it a slur? ---
**Author:** ![Angel\_Heart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@Angel\_Heart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angel_Heart)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2003, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448/72 "2003-08-08T02:11:20Z")
Secret recruitment efforts? All I can say is: Fo’ shizzle, we is da Blorg! Ya’ll be assimilated. 🙂 Crunchy Frog, you forgot the vanilla ice cream! ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2003, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448/73 "2003-08-08T02:25:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Angel Heart \* > \*\*Fo’ shizzle, we is da Blorg! Ya’ll be assimilated. 🙂 > \*\* Captain, we’re firing our phasers at full power, but we still can’t penetrate their bling-bling! ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2003, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448/74 "2003-08-08T02:31:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Miller \* > \*\*Captain, we’re firing our phasers at full power, but we still can’t penetrate their bling-bling! \*\* Yes? You blinged? ---
**Author:** ![Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2003, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448/75 "2003-08-08T03:47:48Z")
After the friendly black man conspiracy assimilates me, does that mean my penis will get bigger? He’s a bad motha fu… Hush your mouth! Jes’ talkin’ about Ranger Jeff ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2003, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448/76 "2003-08-08T04:15:30Z")
Several years ago I had a black roommate who would start a conversation with absolutely _anybody_. Everywhere we went together, I’d end up standing around twiddling my thumbs (a talker I am not) while he went on an on with people. It seemed like everyone he met was like some friend he hadn’t seen in years. It was cool, and all that, but being in a smallish city with very few black people, I just assumed this was a “black thing” that they did back in St. Louis where he grew up. Until I met the guy who’s now the drummer in my band. He’s a redheaded whiteass Irish guy and he does exactly the same thing! ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2003, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448/77 "2003-08-08T15:30:11Z")
Back in my C/R days (uh… consciousness-raising groups, remember those? well, maybe you remember _hearing_ about them?) we were doing the subject of rape and male violence against women and public space and all that. Several of the black guys said that they had grown up accustomed to being regarded as threatening – the combo of “male” and “black” in many folks’ minds adding up to some flavor of “violent”. They said it gets old after a couple years of feeling tough and frightening. So they’d adopted various mannerisms that broadcast a signal of “friendly” so that fewer people would do things like cross the street to the other side or squinch up small and go into flight-or-flight adrenalin-mode. Maybe “Hey, what’s happenin’? / Wassup? / etc” is just one of those “Relax, you aren’t in danger” things. ---
**Author:** ![G-Unit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/96bed5/32.png) [@G-Unit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/G-Unit)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2003, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448/78 "2003-08-08T16:03:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Angel Heart \* > \*\*Why do some British people call blacks Yardies? Is it just a term or is it a slur? \*\* I believe that’s what the jamaican gang over there is called. Don’t ask for a cite, I’m too lazy. ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2003, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448/79 "2003-08-08T16:09:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Angel Heart \* > \*\*Why do some British people call blacks Yardies? Is it just a term or is it a slur? \*\* the Yardies are/were a criminal gang made up from the sons and daughters (and now grandsons and granddaughters) of Jamaican immigrants to the United Kingdom. You wouldn’t use “Yardie” as an insult, it’s the equivalent of calling someone a “Crip” or a “Blood”. ---
**Author:** ![CadburyAngel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c2a13f/32.png) [@CadburyAngel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CadburyAngel)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2003, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448/80 "2003-08-08T17:14:41Z")
Okay, “What’s up,” or “Sup” makes sense to me, but I was wandering with a pack of friends in D.C. once and a very tall, very black man in an immaculate white suit looked us up and down and said in a sonorous voice, “Beauty… can be a curse.” We didn’t know what to say and just sort of waved and kept going. I always thought that he was rehearsing a Calvin Klein commercial or something, but now I know! It’s because he was black! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wassup-with-black-men/193448.md?page=5)