What are the stereotypes of your culture/ race?

I am black and my background country is Ghanian. I live in North America. Before I tell ppl I am from Ghana, people automatically assume that I am Jamaican or Carribean descent, because of the way I look. People assume that ALL Africans are super dark, big noses or lips and they are ALL poor and they don't have an education. This annoys me because they havent been to the beautiful places you see on TV. Especially when they target Africa as a whole. FYI ( those who are just learning these facts:
1) Africa is a CONTINENT. More than 50 countries... idk the exact #
2) They are not all super dark skin
3) We all do not live in poverty
4) Africans do not speak one language
5) We have some of the most beautiful landscapes
6) We all dont live like the Kenyans u see on TV ( I picked Kenya, cuz that is where on TV they mostly show.. BTW Kenya has very beautiful spots.
7) We all dont have HIV/AIDS, malaria,etc.
8) The skin tones of Africans range from light to dark. There are Arabs in Africa too.. Did you realize that? ( ex. Morroco, Egypt, Eithiopia)
9) We dont all live in tribes
10) Ghana was known as the gold coast ( thought that u should know!)...still is in my book

THEY ONLY SHOW YOU THE UNFORTUNATE PARTS OF AFRICA.
http://cache.eb.com/eb/image?id=62247&re... ( yes, we have paved roads and buildings)

Its annoying how these stereotypes come about. SO what do you dislike about the stereotypes ppl place on your culture. what would you like them to know?

to ms. opinionative... because ppl think they are true. When they are not. I want ppl to understand where I am coming from with this.

Well, I am both white and Latina.
First I'll start with white since I named it first.
Being a half-white American, I am not:
1. rich
2. do not live in a nice neighbourhood
3. afraid of black people
4. selfish
5. unattractive, with thin lips

Those are just a few. I actually live in the ghetto, listen to hip hop, grew up with African-Americans, was a welfare baby, and have full thick lips and hips.

Latina stereotypes:
As a Latina, I do not:
1. have dark skin, brown eyes
2. have a baby, or become a parent as a teen
3. sleep around
4. yell at people for no reason (okay, just sometimes LOL)
5. wear lip liner, big earrings with my name on it

In fact, I have pale skin with green eyes. That bothers me most! "Well, you don't "look" Latina. Shut the f up! I am not loose. I did not have a baby in high school. I was a straight-A student. I do not have a bad temper. I don't wear tacky accessories either.

Why do you have to acknowledge skin color and stereotypes anyways? They're only people's exaggerated opinions.

EDIT: Opinions are not facts, so therefore, it doesn't matter. You can attempt to change people's views all you want, but guess what, it wouldn't happen like you want. Thus, in my opinion, it's better to leave it alone.

I like the first persons response, since I am human as well. I hate to be catagorized beyond that and I don't like others who insist that I need to. If folks would keep it simple we'd probably would have less hate and a heck of lot more understanding of each other.

I'm human.

I don't have any stereotypes.

Why do you?

I'm white, and I think the biggest stereotype of white people is that we're all racist.

im white and i live in alabama. automatically, someone might think that im white trailer trash, i live in the back woods somewhere, im ignorant, and my favorite song is "sweet home alabama", im racist, and we all f*** our cousins.
i am none of those. well, im white, but, i don't live in a trailer park. i live in a historical 2 story home in one of the oldest towns in north alabama. i am far from ignorant, i don't really like country music, im not racist, and cousin f****** ew gross!!!
people will have stereotypes no matter where you go. as long as people keep watching the jerry springer show, they will always think everybody from the south acts that way.

Cuban and Jamaican

My Stereo type: I smoke weed and roll cigars. A friend was shocked to see that I didn't know how roll a blunt. He was even more appalled when he found out I don't even smoke.

And since I'm black, when people try to guess where I'm from and they either get Hati or Nigeria. Well that's just the ignorant people around here. Not all of them are like that tho.

And the one that I Absolutely hate is when people automatically assume I listen to rap cuz I'm black. Then when they hear my playlist and they're like you're not black. Like I'm suppose to be some white guy walking around disguised with peanut butter smothered on me.


Truth is I live in a nice neighborhood, big house and everything. My mom's in a Benz and dad drives a 4 Runner.
I listen to metal, I even play guitar in a metal band. I also skate too.