People always want to judge others, just ignore them.

People do what they do. I agree with you, that someone who is criticizing you for not behaving like their preconceptions is confused. There's an enormous sea of that throughout humanity: people walking around with conditioned ideas of how they and others should behave, and nipping at the heels of any non-conformer. It helps people feel like they're in control -- they know how people should be, and they'll punish offenders. It's compensation for anxiety, really. But it's also not really something you can do much about, except to "push back" when it comes at you personally. You're completely within your rights to tell someone to buzz off and keep their stereotypes to themselves. The more interesting question isn't whether you "act white" or "act black", it's whether or not you're being yourself. Are you? That can take a long time to sort out.

Be yourself, forget out people who talk such nonsense. They create these labels based on stereotypes. And, most people with common sense know that everyone is different. It is ridiculous to label people because no one fits into such neat little boxes.

Some people may just be used to seeing a certain race acting in a certain way because a big portion of the race acts in that way...So when they see someone from a certain race act different than they are used to they might say things like "you act white".

No it isn't. Tell them they act retarded. No wait, that's more labelling... Think of of insult that completely devoid of any stereotype ans shove it up their ass!

I'm sorry, but I am not racist...However, I did notice that there is some truth to that... I was sitting at McDonalds with one of my close friends the other day and there was a huge group of black people sitting in front of us and they were loud and hyper and outgoing with each other and talked a lot... That is how a lot of black people here act. Later, they were replaced by a bunch of Asians and those Asian people acted how a lot of the Asians around where I live act....quiet and laidback....and to themselves. I'M SORRY but there is truth to it and it doesn't mean that I'm racist for saying this. I don't know why this is, it just is, but I thought that was a pretty good example... Of course there are exceptions. Anyway, a lot of people say my boyfriend is "whitewashed" or he is "too white" or something.... see, the thing is, he's not white. However, he 'acts' white in that he knows his way around 'white' culture... even better than me and I am white! IT IS NOT AN INSULT!!!!! Before anyone calls me racist, I am not. I am simply a person who loves everyone, but I also love to observe people and what they do. If someone says you act like a different race, why would you take it as an insult? It means that you are probably open-minded and know how to get around in that culture, so it's actually a compliment!

When a large number of people live in the same area, the vast majority assimilate the local culture. A few rebel, a few mutate it for themselves, but mostly when people live together they ace similar. One thing people do naturally is separate themselves by demographics, one of those demographics being similarity in form. It only makes sense that a large demographic of black or white or asian or aboriginal people would act similar if they lived in close proximity in large numbers. That being said, being able to leave behind the importance of first impressions and judge others by the ensuing hours after first contact is a mark of wisdom, and while many individuals can have some wisdom about some things, we as a species are still little more than infants. Give globalization a little while longer to work its magic, and never stop trying to understand just why things are the way they are instead of lashing out at it.

We are ALL a member of the human 'race.' However we are different b/c we each belong to a different ethnicity. Not race.

I do not consider it appropriate but, unfortunately, many people do. My advice would to be to act however you wish. Yes, you are going to get come crap, but you should not have to change yourself because of some loudmouths. The odd thing is, of my black friends over the years, most do not "act black." If I were to act as the stereotypes say I would start stealing and pining over my desire to take up the traveling life (which I do not wish to do... either of them). No thankyou. I am an Arisztid, not a race.

What the hell is "acting white"? That can be anything from being a member of the KKK to Mother Teresa. No, no it's not.

no, and i think that it is immature and stupid to believe that it is acceptable. are country has come a long way, but things like this just reveal true thoughts and intentions. its cruel. let them know how you feel, and they should back off.

First of all, it's a natural inclination of people (and probably the rest of the animal kingdom as well) to characterize and catalog different people by physical appearances, actions, and speech. Think about it: in the animal kingdom, this is what tells any given animal how to identify friend or foe, mate or competetor, individual standings in packs, and so forth. However, human beings are SUPPOSED to be intelligent enough to see beyond these things. I mean, we go about claiming how we're so high-and-mighty compared to the animals, right? I just think of such small minded people as "morons" and go about my life. Unless I see that it's interfering with productivity, presenting a hostile environment, or is counter to policy somewhere. Then I'll put the smackdown on it. It ain't right to demean people.

NO,it`s not acceptable.Sometimes they say that to try to control you,to get you to agree with them.I have relatives who say "she thinks she`s better than us" just because she talks better.{More proper grammer}And it has nothing to do with color,because they are all white.Discrimination is bad in all cases.It`s an evil tool used by jealous people.But all these answers are so good.Be true to yourself,that`s the important thing!!

It's not acceptable for people to try to make you act a certain way, but it is going to happen. You know that you are a person, not a race & whenever someone tells you that you are acting white, who cares?! They're immature enough to say it & I'm sure you can be mature enough to laugh it off. They might be easily manipulated into believing that certain races should act in certain ways but you know it's not true, & it's not right, and you just have to put it behind you. Stereotypes, acceptable or not, will exist until the human race dies out.

Deffinitly not! It's just another way of being judgmental in a bad way.

Uh I get that a lot to. It is annoying and those people are often very ignorant. They expect every black person to act a certain way and often "that way" is a media portrayal that is incorrect or exaggerated. It isn't acceptable and you should tell people that it is offensive.

I would have just asked to put that comment back in the face of the accuser "how are blacks supposed to act?" see what your answer comes back as. if you are in America and you wonder if it is acceptable, then the answer is, No...or it should be no. People are trying very hard to look past this problem, but unfortunately labels are still made, but I think we are making some progress toward a future of looking past race...America has looked beyond it enough to elect Obama as president. reguardless of what other countries say to insult America for it..its something to be proud of, we are trying to be better people.

No, it's stupid. I imagine their ideas of what people are supposed to act like are based on things on TV and people that try to act as closely to stereotypes of themselves as possible. If I acted according to the stereotype of my ethnicity, I would have to be constantly getting drunk off vodka and playing around with bears or something. People who think that way are obviously quite ignorant.

I've often wondered the same thing. I'm a white guy who grew up in the South. When I've heard the same thing over the years, I've often thought the best comeback to that would be, "How much is the Klan paying you to say that?" Because after all, that's always been their message -- education is for white people, reading is for white people, voting is for white people, and other similar BS. But I recently ran across a response to this that I think makes much more sense -- run for President and win. And the next time we have a presidential election, go back to the people who say this to you and ask if they're going to criticize the white presidential candidates for "acting black." +5

you aren't the only one.iv'e often been told i talk and act white and it gets annoying. people should stop its not helping when others label other races it just causes more problems. we've come a long way and things like labeling shouldn't even be comming up

no as long as you and treats other with respect they should show you respect. I am a white guy not to start nothing but how do white people act.

I think that is bull, every person is unique and likes different things and acts different, I don't think there is a certain policy on how to "act your race". :>