Berumen 1

Ivan Berumen
Professor Jackie
English 114 B
25 March 2015
What is it like to be a person of color?
For ages, the black race and people of color have been racially
stereotyped, just because of the color of their skin. A racial stereotype is
defined as a system of beliefs about typical characteristics of members of a
given group or nationality, their status, and cultural norms (About.com) . It is
sad to say that even now in the present, there is still racial prejudice in
society. If someone commits a crime, or is involved in a violent act, society
will suspect the crime to be done by a person of color. Society has become
accustomed to jumping to conclusions and stereotyping each race with the
actions they might commit. Angry Black White Boy, by Adam Mansbach does
a great job in discussing the racial stereotypes and profiling that goes on in
society. Macon, the main character of this book is surrounded by many racial
stereotypes that are toward the black race. As a white man, Macon is sort of
the defender and spokesman for the inferior. Due to the fact that the
supreme race has never really stood up for the race that had been
stereotyped for so long, he becomes sort of a celebrity. This is what helps
spread the word that society is still surrounded by racism. Throughout the
book, Macon puts himself in many situations that give him clarification that
the black race is racially profiled from the start. Involving himself with crimes

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was the perfect example to show that society racially profiles the black race.
Throughout the novel, the audience can see how stereotypes provide
commentary, serve as a representation of identity, and show evidence of a
racist society.
An example that provides evidence of societies racial profiling and
jumping to conclusions, is when Macon commits a crime and is perceived
to be a person of black ethnicity. While driving in a taxicab, Macon
continuously pulled over and robbed only white passengers at gunpoint. He
did this to both men and women, but never to a person of color. Macon
becomes upset because society as a whole believes a white man would
never commit a crime like this. These assumptions are made because society
has already imprinted crimes and violent acts to be done by a person of
black ethnicity. However, this was not the only reason of why society
perceived Macon to be a black man. He was suspected to be a black male
committing these crimes because of the attire he was wearing. The clothing
Macon wears while robbing these white men is a Malcolm X t-shirt, and
Timberlands. Although Timberlands are popular in the black community, it is
obscured to assume that someone wearing these shoes has to be someone
of black ethnicity. These assumptions leave Macon confused, misunderstood,
but most of all angry. This is the reason he goes to his victims and tells them,
Take a good look. What fucking color am I (Mansbach 112) ? This is one
example that shows how society racially profiles the black community with
stereotypes. In addition to this, people of a specific race have ways they

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should act, and is seen abnormal when they attain different characteristics of
another race.
Macon, a white man who praised and had characteristics of the black
culture was not seen as socially acceptable. Being a white man, there are
certain stereotypes on the way this race should act. Some actions that the
white culture is perceived to have are to be proper, dress in nice designer
clothes, and speak politely. Macon acting out of the norm leads him to
getting arrested and treated as someone of non-white ethnicity. However,
there is something positive to Macon going to jail. When his friends bail him
out Macon sort of becomes a celebrity. His friends use this as an advantage
for them and begin to publicize Macon and his beliefs. This is a way that
helps society realize whats happening around them. Although this is an
advantage for Nique and Andre with all the revenue coming in, Macon helps
the black community by speaking highly of them. He also sets up a day of
apology for the whites to apologize to the black culture. However, this is sort
of a racist and judgeful act to for Macon to do by him judging white people as
a whole. Overall, this shows that anyone can participate in a racial act.
There is also a point in this novel where Macon also stereotypes others.
In one instance, Macon is mislead into thinking only shmucks dress up for
televisions productions from his friends Nique and Andre. He agrees with his
friends and stereotypes all people who work for television productions. After
attending he realizes there is no reason why he couldnt dress nice and hang
up his baggy pants for one day. His attire shouldnt act as a label and who

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Macon portrays himself to be. This is a great example that shows even
someone who is a strong believer of fighting for equality and justice could
judge and stereotype someone as well. There is also an instance where
Andre stereotypes his friend Macon. He sees Macons tattoos and says A
Jewish kid with numbers tattooed on his arm, now Ive seen it all (Mansbach
88) . He is shocked that a white man would be covered in tattoos because
that is not what a white man should have. This shows that society is one
filled with stereotypes and presumptions. However, stereotypes can also
serve as a representation of identity.
For society to categorize someone under a particular race just because
of the attire they wear, the way they act or speak, and what food they
consume is completely racial. This is shown in the example above with what
Macon is wearing; Timberlands, a Malcolm X t-shirt, and baggy pants. Society
has set an assumption that someone wearing these types of clothes is
usually a person of black ethnicity. I see this all the time with minority races.
People of Black, Mexican, Asian, and Arab ethnicity have all been giving
stereotypes. If someone is wearing a sombrero hat we automatically refer
that to the Mexican culture. If someone is eating fried chicken or drinking
grape soda we automatically think of a person of Black culture. The
stereotypes given to each race is what society has grown up with and has
become accustomed to. Another example of stereotypes representing an
identity is the way someone acts and dresses. The way Macon acted was
thought to be of someone with black skin. His harsh actions and behavior

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were perceived to be those of a person with black skin. Stereotypes serve as
a representation of identity with the way people act, think, and portray
themselves, but can also provide commentary.
The racial stereotypes and prejudice towards the black community
provide information about the society around us. Macon provides his own
input on how the society views the black community and proves that racism
still exists. He says, They dont get the best jobs, get shot by cops, turned
down by banks, etc. (Mansbach 203) which is probably very relatable to
those of color. A white male applying for a job will probably get the job over a
person of black ethnicity. I cannot relate to this situation, but it is seen
throughout society. People of non-color have a better advantage in the things
decide they do. Its sad, but is very true in todays society. Also, in protests
and events, people of color have been mistreated and abused by police
authority. A man Eric Garner, was choked and slammed on the ground to
death because he was resisting arrest. There is a video that proves otherwise
which leaves the audience outraged, because these white cops murdered an
innocent man. Immediately, this event seems to be a racial act. Garner
being Africa American gave the cops a presumption that he was a violent
threat to them, even though he wasnt. This event is a perfect example in
todays society of how black people are treated by authority just because of
the color of their skin.
The examples shown throughout this book are very relatable to the
present and are not exaggerated at all. Its examples can be compared to

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those of society today in a very accurate way. Macon robbing the white men
in the taxicabs was thought to be an action of a black man. I can relate this
situation in the novel to something that has just happened. Recently, there
was a shooting in Cal State University of Northridge. Immediately, this man
was perceived to be of a person of black skin. In an article, The Fight
Against Racism Today by Scott Marshall, there are present examples of
racism still being shown. Through examples within the article, he talks about
economic and class segregation. He gets more in depth than the normal
stereotypes being shown in the novel by Adam Mansbach. Neighborhoods
and cities that dont look appealing have been neglected, a place where no
one wants to live now. These ghettos and barrios begin to lessen in
population and begin to be stereotyped. These neighborhoods are
stereotyped with drug use, diseases, and so much negativity. I can actually
relate to this. I dont live in such a nice neighborhood, and can see the
negativity around. People move out periodically, and there are police cars
every now and then. I feel that the city I live in has been stereotyped from
the start.
Angry Black White Boy, by Adam Mansbach, is a novel that shows how
people of black ethnicity are racially profiled and stereotyped. These
stereotypes can be shown to represent identities, and show commentary. In
addition, the examples shown in the book can be related to those in the
present. Racial stereotypes are still in todays society, which is sad because

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racism had been ended many years ago. The way someone acts, thinks, or
portray themselves should not be used as a stereotype for different races.

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Works Cited
Cooper,WilbertL.EricGarnerandthePlagueofPoliceBrutalityAgainstBlackMen,VICE,18
July2014.Web.
Mansbach, Adam. Angry Black White Boy. New York: Three Rivers, 2004.
Print.
Marshall, Scott. The Fight Against Racism Today, Race and Ethnicity, July.
Web.
Nittle, Nadra Kareem. "What Is a Stereotype?" About.com. Web. 25 Mar. 2015.