what does it mean to "act white" or "act black"?
351204
No, your not "alone" on this one in that respect, but you may feel alone in the respect that you are open and up-front about how you feel!  Every human created has the right and ability (sometimes limited, which is sad but true) to expand their horizons and go beyond their culture.  You should be proud of yourself for expressing and doing what you feel.  The "acting white or black" comes from racism and insecurity.  No person should have to act one way or another because of their race.  It is a God given right to be yourself.
75028
firstly, not all black people alienate those who "act white". There are just some people who believe that there is a certain way to act and when they think that ur not acting like how they think u should act, u will be ridiculed. our society likes to label and categorize people, and we tend to just follow right along, and I think that its time that we develop our own opinions and stop allowing society to tell us how to define others and ourselves.
861964
You have just pointed out and responded to one of the most popular and solicited questions of the century!  It goes to show you what kind of nation of people we are, and how really confused we can be. There really is no such thing as "acting black or white" - the reference is only made toward races when it seems each has somehow consumed and metamorphised the ways and actions of the other.  It's like saying that a person's character or personality has to be all or nothing....not true.  The accusation is what people try to limit each other to. No other race or culture of people display such silliness as we do.  You just do you,.
297466
Oh offense is taken, although you can mean to trigger a person so that they'll take it as offensive and be offended.  So take as offense offered and taken.  ;)  After all, it's up to you how you take things.  Some people aren't offended by some things certain other people are, so...  that's that.  :)
429945
To assume or represent in a drama; act out: “Participants are encouraged to pass on leads about jobs... and to role-play interview situations with each other” \n\nTo assume or act out a particular role: “When I hire people I role-play with them... to see how they take pressure”\n\nA psychotherapeutic technique, designed to reduce the conflict inherent in various social situations, in which participants act out particular behavioral roles in order to expand their awareness of differing points of view.
1169930
How do you act a color?  For years I have wondered that same thing.  I have been told that I try to act black.  First of all, I adapt to my surroundings.  I tend to talk, walk, and act the same why people that I spend countless days with.  In high school, I went to a predominantly black school.  Everyone got along.  I had black friend and white friends.  I had no problems with anyone.  And at school no one thought anyone  "acted a black".  However, when I transferred to another high school that was mostly white students, they came down on me.  And because there were so many race issues at this school, the white students didn't like me because I "acted black", and the black students didn't like me because I am white.  \n\nI continue to adapt to my surroundings and will do so until the day I leave this earth.  \n\nI do not think anyone acts a color.  I think they act ignorant, uncivilized, and in ways that make them appear to be uneducated.  I don't care what color you are.  I will talk to anyone of any race and if they can not hold my attention I will not speak with them.  If I talk to someone that speaks as though they have never attended school, and does not know what grammar is I will correct them.  Then be on my merry way since I will not speak to someone that choices to be STUPID!
363194
'Color' is the American way to spell it, 'Colour' is the original English English way to spell it. American's do that with other words as well, labour/labor for example. It is American's trying to simplify the language I guess.
156666
I think the majority of the people (including African-Americans) use the words "white" and "black" as a simplifier.  It is the same principle that an official in a basketball game uses to describe to the score keeper the player who committed the foul.  He commonly will say, for example, "push on number 11, blue team" when the color of uniform he is alluding to is actually purple or another odd darker color.  The same if the player is wearing grey.  The official will refer to it as white.  It is just easier for clarification.\n\nThere may be some hidden motivation for some people in the past (or possibly the present) concerning good/bad, black/white, but I doubt that most people get that from it.\n\nAs a matter of fact, I would guess that most people would rather have a black car than a white one.  White is plain (and usually less expensive).\n\nPeople will see what they want to see, I guess.
521495
you= Nothing wrong with me at all.\n\nthe earth = well, we are killing our earth slowly\n\ngas prices = very high in New York right now.\n\nsex partners = no problemo there bud!\n\nfat people = don't bother me at all.\n\nskinny people = don't bother me at all.\n\n\nblacks whites = have no problem with blacks or whites or anyone else.\n\nHave a great day!
881152
Because the lighter you are the more you look "pure" like the color white.  White is associated with holiness, good, pure, heavenly while Black is associated with evil, Hell, dirtiness, ugly.
950581
yes it is hypocrisy. you are right.some say that we took the word from whites to take the control of our identity as black americans.i use the word.i use those other words too.this is the real killer, in private there are still white folks that call blacks, the n-word.and there are black folks that call white people, whatever it is we say in private.i think that he is lucky that the black folks in the audience did kick his azz.i'm not saying any of those words are right all i know is we have to live with people and sometimes people say the craziest things.i would not stand up in a room full of white people and say derogatory things, because i would not want the shoe to be on the other foot. and im with you his career is totally over.
372408
u can act out a skit regualarly, like someone cuts u in line or the swings are off-limits for recess. \n\nthen u act out the same skit really falt, no expression\n\nthen u act the same skit out really over-dramatic.
926135
White  (Anglo can have different meanings.  In Canada it means you speak English)\n\nBlack (Sorry, but you can't be African and American unless you have dual citizenship.  Otherwise everyone has to be called by their origins...In that case, I'm not white:  I'm Irish-Scottish Canadian, myself.)\n\nHispanic or Latino are equally fine.\n\nNative American.  (Because they're the only ones who actually are Native to this Continent.)\n\nAsian.
509351
It depends on which you think truly shows how you really are.  I think if you are a really outgoing bubbly person go with color.  If you are more conservative and or shy go with black and white.
405836
White = False innocence/peace\nRed = Blood spilt on the battlefield\nBlack = Black, barren fields\nPale = Paleness of skin in death, decay
964357
I don't see how, it's a Latin root which simply means ' black '. What's offensive about that? Confusing, maybe, for me. I'm an artist. I work with color. Having a conversation with someone who's ' black ' but really what I see is Burnt or Raw Umber! Really throws me for a loop. Then, can you see explaining; " No, you're not really black. I see a lot of Iron Oxide Red, with a tad of Ivory Black or, in your case - Burnt Sienna, definitely, maybe a tad Caput Mortuum. " So, for expedience sake I say, yes. You're black ", and relegate it to Academia!
978058
It all starts with the Latin Phrase "Mia Culpa" Which means my fault. A black Student in a classroom in East side Chicago. trying to be the class clown When asked by the Teacher what it meant stood up and said my bad. Everybody laughed and it became a catchphrase.