What is Black American Culture? (inspired by The Salon)

[Poitier]

I can't help but feel like this is a silly ass discussion.

The Samurai is a symbol of Japanese culture. So is the Geisha. Most Japanese people throughout the country's history have never done one or the other but it doesn't make those things any less Japanese.

So to say that Hip-Hop, Jazz, Soul Food or African-American vernacular english is not apart of an understood, established culture is laughable.

African-American culture is simply the uniquely black interpretation of American culture. Some would say Its an American sub-culture instead of an independent all-encompassing culture of its own but you can say that about literally everything. American cuIture is a 'sub-culture' of western civilization. I just think people are so used to shytting on black people, they don't realize it.

Well said. Rep my friend.

 

[BmoreGorilla]

im saying though breh. Music is only one portion of culture. You have way more elements that make up a culture and im not just talking about the last 20 years or so

Im from new York city,the Bronx at that. My parents are sixties babies that grew up on hiphop,father used to be a DJ and all that. I know what your trying to say but 40 million people don't all fall under that umbrella.

Back on the topic. I would like to know more about Geechie and Gullah culture. And I think ya boy @IllmaticDelta might know something about that

Since you from the Bronx you should know better than anybody. Hip hop is the culture and rap is the music of that culture. The way we talk, think, dress etc is all a result of that. As far as the Geechies and Gullahs go they are very similar to folks from the Caribbean

 

[K.O.N.Y]

Since you from the Bronx you should know better than anybody. Hip hop is the culture and rap is the music of that culture. The way we talk, think, dress etc is all a result of that. As far as the Geechies and Gullahs go they are very similar to folks from the Caribbean

I also have fam down in the south and its different down there. Im not saying hip hop is not a big part of the culture but their are millions of AA,such as the older generation, that don't subscribe too it. Same way the church culture and gospel music is big down south and not as big up north

 

[How Sway?]

true aa culture is in the south.

 

[DEAD7]

Hip Hop/R&B

 

[How Sway?]

Twerking.

 

[Field Marshall Bradley]

There is no black culture that is exclusive to black Americans. Quite frankly, we just don't have one to call our own...

However, our contemporary culture is American culture that has been somewhat reverse engineered to fit us more to our liking

 

[IllmaticDelta]

Hip-hop, R&B, soul food, project/inner city/hood culture.

That's all I can think of.

I hate to say it, but there really isn't much that can constitute black culture in America...but it's ten times more than what white culture is (nothing).

I'm African though...and West Indian...we got our own culture. America is just a community culture and a clusterfukk in itself.

 

[IllmaticDelta]

Homegirl in the salon asked how "our" boy would react (
http://www.thecoli.com/threads/what-would-our-boys-do.305846/ )


... I'm thinking who knows.. Depends on how they got raised. But then I wondered...what are the cultural things that unite the Black American community?

Obviously, the shared struggle of living in America. But what are some other things?

Are you comfortable saying that most blacks listen to R&B and rap?

Or that most like grits or whatever stereotype you can think of..

I've come across so many different black ppl that it doesn't seem to me like there's a unified culture, tbh

What say you?

There has never been ONE SINGLE THING CULTURALLY that united all AfroAmericans because there has always been different regional flavors, subcultures and classes. The closest thing that most all black americans have in common was the Black Church and obviously the most important was the shared struggle and being of African descent.

 

[IllmaticDelta]

im saying though breh. Music is only one portion of culture. You have way more elements that make up a culture and im not just talking about the last 20 years or so

Im from new York city,the Bronx at that. My parents are sixties babies that grew up on hiphop,father used to be a DJ and all that. I know what your trying to say but 40 million people don't all fall under that umbrella.

Back on the topic. I would like to know more about Geechie and Gullah culture. And I think ya boy @IllmaticDelta might know something about that

Exactly. Some people think black american culture starts and end with hiphop

 

[Field Marshall Bradley]

Hip-hop, R&B, soul food, project/inner city/hood culture.

That's all I can think of.

I hate to say it, but there really isn't much that can constitute black culture in America...but it's ten times more than what white culture is (nothing).

I'm African though...and West Indian...we got our own culture. America is just a community culture and a clusterfukk in itself.

Truth..... You gon catch some flack for saying this too

 

[IllmaticDelta]

Truth..... You gon catch some flack for saying this too

It's not true in any way. Black American culture existed waayyy before the things mentioned above outside of Soul food.

 

[Field Marshall Bradley]

It's not true in any way. Black American culture existed waayyy before the things mentioned above outside of Soul food.

Define culture, and what is the purpose of culture....

 

[IllmaticDelta]

Define culture, and what is the purpose of culture....

Textbook def:


The sum of attitudes, customs, and beliefs that distinguishes one group of people from another. Culture is transmitted, through language, material objects, ritual, institutions, and art, from one generation to the next.

Culture is the characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of people, defined by everything from language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts.

 

[BmoreGorilla]

Exactly. Some people think black american culture starts and end with hiphop

It does in 2015. You even got gospel rappers. People who aren't influenced by hip hop are either senior citizens or close. They don't have an influence anymore