Journal #4

Bell considers himself an outsider throughout his writing because he constantly finds situations where he does not fulfill the stereotypical decision of a man with the same race. Bell talks about the ideas that if as a Black man, if he does not listen to rap or hip-hop music then he is an outsider. He tells a story of him on a plane and he is asked what type of music he is listening to by another man of his race on the plane. When he tells him, Bell already knows what the response will be, because he is not listening to rap or hip-hop the man most likely won't have an interest. Bell continues to write that "being a Black person who does not listen to hip-hop as his music of choice by definition makes you an outside" (Bell 62). This quote shows how so many people jump to conclusions due to others race or religion, etc. This is no way to go through life assuming others personality or character or hobbies just due to their race. Bell also throughout the chapter comments on the television shows he watches. He mentions "I knew I loved the Good Times, but I also knew I loved The Brady Bunch. I never thought to pick" (Bell 57). This statement is an innocent pure thought that should arrive in every child's head early in life. He should not and does not have to pick. Going through school and growing up he unfortunately realized that in school and throughout life, people assume and judge others due to their race. Therefore, he felt it was underlying pressure, like there was this non spoken rule that he had to choose a certain show due to his race. Not everyone has to conform to the social "expectations" or social norm that others his age and race follow. It is very unfortunate the racism that appears in our everyday lives, back then but also today. We need to stop making assumptions due to others race, and treat everyone with equality.